Official Pre-season testing thread

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Jerez F1 2014 test: Magnussen fastest as Mercedes racks up miles

Kevin Magnussen put McLaren at the top of the timesheets while reigning champion Red Bull suffered a torrid four days in Formula 1's opening pre-season test of 2014 at Jerez. Acclimatising to the most sweeping rule changes in the sport's recent history - in particular the new V6 turbocharged engines - largely dictated the tempo in Spain this week. Red Bull suffered most, clocking up just 21 laps across the week as overheating issues, coupled with wider power unit dramas for Renault, blighted its early preparations.....
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Hopefully we can have a change of order that enables a world championship or two for some of the drivers whose quality deserves them, Alonso and Hamilton spring to mind particularly. I'm not saying Vettel isn't WDC quality, of course he is, but it is a shame when all of the best drivers don't have the opportunity to set the records that befit their talent. And it would certainly be great to see them have the chance to go head to head with each other on a regular basis.
 
Agree with most you guys. I'd rather watch a fighting Vettel to see what he is made of in a mediocre car. Not a hopeless Vettel in a **** box.
 
51LV3R8RR04 said:
Dietrich trying to calm things down with Vettel perhaps?

"A deficit at the beginning of the season does not automatically mean that the world title is lost," he said. "Even if you come from behind, you still have a chance."
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I don't see why he should be placated, other champions have just had to deal with a crap car. He should just crack on with it and show us what he's made of; as I said yesterday, how well he responds to an adverse season could enhance his reputation as a driver more than just another WDC in the best car.
 
It's really too early to say this but I'm wondering if the F14T might suit Räikkönen more than Alonso. If so, I'm already anticipating headaches for top brass at the prancing horse…
 
BrightLampShade said:
Ten things we learned from Jerez F1 test

FERRARI IS BETTER THAN EXPECTED
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What is that supposed to mean? Did they think Ferrari would be **** or are they saying Ferrari are just generally looking strong?


cosicave said:
It's really too early to say this but I'm wondering if the F14T might suit Räikkönen more than Alonso.
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I don't know what makes you think that (I'd love to know), but anyway the team haven't done any performance related set-up work yet.
 
BrightLampShade:6024413 said:
Ten things we learned from Jerez F1 test


RED BULL FACES ITS BIGGEST CHALLENGE
RENAULT HAS BIG ISSUES TO SOLVE
MAGNUSSEN IS GOING TO BE GOOD
MERCEDES LEADS THE WAY
THE CARS SOUND GOOD
UGLY CARS WON'T BE THE MAIN TALKING POINT...
...BUT NOSE DESIGN WILL BE
MCLAREN IS BACK
WILLIAMS IS LOOKING GOOD
FERRARI IS BETTER THAN EXPECTED
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Of that list, the top two are possibilities, the others are still unknown.
 
Forza Bianchi said:
(In response to my comment above)…
I don't know what makes you think that (I'd love to know), but anyway the team haven't done any performance related set-up work yet.
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As I said, it's really too early to say. It's just a hunch and is dependant upon a number of things – not least, how the car's aerodynamics will work with suspension.

Räikkönen and Alonso have quite different driving styles, the latter having a significant preference for understeer. Obviously set-up makes a massive difference, but if a neutrally set chassis has a tendency for over/understeer, there is inherently more latitude for set-up in that direction. I can't really put my finger on it but (to me) something about this car suggests it'll have more potential for fine-tuning the rear end, which could suit Räikkönen more.

As I said, it's very early days to be making such statements, but I thought I might as well share what is nothing more than a gut feeling at this stage. Bahrain should begin to give us a clearer indication.
 
Forza Bianchi said:
What is that supposed to mean? Did they think Ferrari would be **** or are they saying Ferrari are just generally looking strong?
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Autosport change their mind about Ferrari every few days of the week, eventually you will have an engine heat failure some point in Bahrain and your car will become 'average' again. Towards the end of testing it will back back to being 'better' again if it stops doing that.
 
Autosport make predictions under the influence of Gary Anderson, I doubt most of the people working there go out track side and make proper observations of the cars. Gary Anderson jumps to conclusions far too easily and will make predictions without thinking things through properly first. Last year he said Mercedes had good tyre wear and can win the championship. This year he's saying Red Bull look strong...
 
cosicave said:
As I said, it's really too early to say. It's just a hunch and is dependant upon a number of things – not least, how the car's aerodynamics will work with suspension.

Räikkönen and Alonso have quite different driving styles, the latter having a significant preference for understeer. Obviously set-up makes a massive difference, but if a neutrally set chassis has a tendency for over/understeer, there is inherently more latitude for set-up in that direction. I can't really put my finger on it but (to me) something about this car suggests it'll have more potential for fine-tuning the rear end, which could suit Räikkönen more.

As I said, it's very early days to be making such statements, but I thought I might as well share what is nothing more than a gut feeling at this stage. Bahrain should begin to give us a clearer indication.
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I think the new regulations as a whole this year really favour Raikkonen. Since he's returned rallying his his steering inputs seem smoother and more precise, almost like Button in that he turns into the corner in one fluid motion, and he's seems to apply the throttle more progressively than most, at times I think he's not aggressive enough on the throttle but I think that approach will pay dividends this year. Alonso's far more aggressive with the steering wheel, he seems quite twitchy and makes a lot of corrections, which is why he prefers the car to slightly understeer and has quite a lazy steering ratio, to try and damp the movements a bit and settle the car down. I think the way the power's delivered this year will really favour Raikkonen's smoother steering inputs.

It'll be interesting to see how Raikkonen gets on with the Ferrari's steering early on. I can remember him being quite particular about it when he joined Lotus and it seemed to take them a while to sort out, I'm pretty sure he sat out an entire practice session at Monaco because he was unhappy with it. I don't think Alonso's high steering ratio will appeal to Kimi and with everything else they have to sort out this year it could take Kimi a while to get the car set up exactly how he wants it.

I still think Alonso will edge Kimi this year, even if the regulations aren't perfect for him. He always seems to find a way.
 
cosicave said:
It's really too early to say this but I'm wondering if the F14T might suit Räikkönen more than Alonso. If so, I'm already anticipating headaches for top brass at the prancing horse…
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I have the same feeling. Just something in the air that makes me feel that Raikkonen has this season sorted out, more so than Alonso.

The cars being more twitchy this year lead me to think that Kimi has the ability to correct/react quicker and make snap direction changes when needed, if the car gets sideways.

Whereas Alonso in my eyes tends to be more aggressive with the car on the whole, this may not be satisfactory for performance this season.
 
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