Should teams be testing cars at promotional events??

I am wondering what is a promotional event. Should teams be testing cooling and other parts at promotional events?
Check the article below and let me know what you think.


http://www.gptoday.com/full_story/v...orting_regulations_as_new_E22_flops_at_Jerez/



Lotus break the spirit of Formula 1 sporting regulations as new E22 flops at Jerez

10 February, 2014
Lotus are no strangers to testing problems

Mixed reports are emerging from the past weekend’s Lotus ‘promotional event’ at Jerez – which broke the spirit of the 2014 Formula 1 regulations – with the Enstone outfit claiming all went well and according to plan. However, an eye witness claims that little went on, and what did happen on track was not at racing speed.

Despite ignoring a request for comment from GP247 with regards to feedback from the ‘event’, a Lotus spokesperson released information to select media claiming: “Both the chassis and the new Renault Power Unit ran without any major problems.”

This statement is in itself a breach of the spirit of the 2014 Formula 1 sporting regulations which state: “A PE (Promotional Event) shall be defined as an event in which a competitor participates purely for marketing or promotional purposes.”

The Lotus spokesperson added: “Pastor [Maldonado] settled in very quickly and is already fitting into the team nicely. The car went together well and the design and build quality is another step up on the successful E21 of 2013.”
Romain Grosjean had troubles during testing last year

Romain Grosjean had troubles during testing last year

“We are looking forward to a full testing programme in Bahrain next week where we will start to see the potential of the new package.”

However a source, who works at Jerez and was present at the two day event, revealed that on the first day [Friday] the E22 “hardly ran at all and only emerged from the pit garage late in the day.”

On Saturday the E22 “did do around 20 laps” with either Maldonado or Romain Grosjean in the cockpit. But according to the source the E22 was “not running at testing or racing speeds [and was] actually very slow at times” on the second day, and “runs were limited to a few lap” stints at a time.

Furthermore the source claims they saw no evidence of cameras or TV crews normally present at such promotional events.
The new Lotus E22 hardly did any laps in anger

The new Lotus E22 hardly did any laps in anger

In fact, a cordon of tight security was placed around the former grand prix venue throughout the two days, with several photographers being ushered away during proceedings.

Lotus have now exhausted their two day quota of promotional events, and along with Renault, who bankrolled the episode, have effectively gone against the spirit of the rules if not having actually broken them.

Article 21.1 of the 2014 F1 Sporting Regulations issued by the FIA states: ”Each competitor will also be permitted to carry out two Promotional Events (PE) with the cars [built in order to comply with the 2013, 2014 or 2015 Formula One Technical Regulations] which will not be considered TCC [Testing of Current Cars]. A PE shall be defined as an event in which a competitor participates purely for marketing or promotional purposes. No such test may exceed 100 km in length and only tyres manufactured specifically for this purpose by the appointed supplier may be used.”

Apparently the Jerez escapade for Lotus, and Renault, was not “purely for marketing or promotional purposes” as the rules specify.
The Lotus E22 features some intriguing innovations

The Lotus E22 features some intriguing innovations

Article 22.1 adds: “In order that an FIA observer may be appointed, competitors must inform the FIA of any planned TCC or PE at least 72 hours before it is due to commence, the following information should be provided.”

It is not known if the FIA sent on observer to ensure that the ‘promotional event’ did not turn into an engine test in the wake of Renault’s debacle at the first pre-season test.

On Saturday, when pressed for comment by GP247 regarding the two day ‘promotional event’ a Lotus spokesperson said: “You’re on the list when we issue any further info.”

This did not transpire, but selected media appeared to get com


Read more http://grandprix247.com/2014/02/10/...1-sporting-regulations-as-e22-flops-at-jerez/

 

How can lotus be testing something new and innovative if they Havnt run the car before? Technically it's their bog standard F1 car for 2014

 

Every team get the same allocation of promotional running, so the only ones that get the shaft from this are the teams that can't afford to run one.

 

I thought this being the new age spirit of the rules meant getting as close to breaking them without actually breaking them.

Hey Dhel, do you think RB bankrolled it, to help Vettel out?

 

If ya think any team takes part in a promotional event "purely for marketing or promotional purposes” then you're having a Stefi Graff.

 

Hell, No, but if they did tests as they claimed that would confirm that the revisions sorted out the cooling system for Renault then it will surely help Red Bull too...wouldn't it?

 

To Validate &#8211; to support or corroborate on a sound or authoritative basis <experiments designed to validate the hypothesis>
Isnt that the same as ...Test?


http://www.gptoday.com/full_story/view/477989/Renault_validates_engine_tweaks/

Renault validates engine tweaks

10 February 2014 &#8211; Renault has confirmed it 'validated' a number of updates for its new V6 turbo-charged engine during Lotus' 'test' at Jerez in Spain last weekend.

The French engine manufacturer had a dismal time during the opening pre-season test and in total its three teams in action there - Red Bull Racing, Toro Rosso and Caterham - did just 151 laps between them.

However on Saturday, the Lotus F1 team, which skipped the first pre-season test, successfully managed the maximum 100 kilometres it was allowed during its filming day, with Renault also reporting it made progress, although the Regie stressed that at no point was any development pursued.

&#8220;The basic objectives were to support the Lotus programme with a power unit configuration and operation to allow systems' checks and basic car operation. The latest power unit configuration was deployed without any reliability problems, allowing Lotus to complete the maximum amount of kilometres permitted on a filming day,&#8221; Renault said in a statement, according to ESPN F1.com.

&#8220;Updates developed in the dyno at Viry during and post-Jerez test were run. Updates included minor hardware changes, software bug fixes and calibration improvements.

&#8220;We should point out that no development was pursued during the filming day as stipulated in the sporting regs, rather upgrades trialled in the dyno in Viry were validated.

&#8220;As usual, everyone is committed to providing performance and reliability required for normal power unit operation and a fully competitive 2014 season.&#8221;

 

I say let 'em test. It's an exceptional set of circumstances this year and I'd rather see all the cars able to have a decent crack at testing, especially with the problems the Renault teams have had.

At the end of the day, Lotus have had two days' testing and everyone else has had four. It's hardly an advantage.

The testing rules are a bit of a farce at the best of times, and this year especially.

 

Well some teams had a day of 'Promotional' running before the jerez test so those teams are not surprisingly ahead. But once the other teams have had their promo day then they should all be about equal in millage.... In Theory.

I do think maybe we should have a change of how these 'Promo' days go. Maybe only allow them before the first test if they are going to use them for a shake down.

 

I don't think a 'filming day' has been used as just that ever. Merc, STR and.... Williams? had filming days before the first test to shake down the cars. Everyone will use every bit of track time they can to test whatever they can.

 

I didn't get the Williams filming day because their car has no sponsors on it... So what are they filming to promote?

 

I think they wanted to film their cars little issues being ironed out so that they could perform well at Jerez

 

Running a promo day before the first test makes a lot of sense to me, I'm surprised everyone doesn't do it. If you turn up at Jerez and notice a big error in your car, you lose all 4 days of running. If you turn up at a promo day, try the car and spot the issue, then you might have an extra week to fix it.

 

I think they should be allowed more controlled tests and be asked to do their promotional work and filming at these events. Alternatively they should only be allowed to pedal around Fred Flinstone style.

 

Mercedes did a 40km filming day only a few weeks ago before test 1, so it's nothing new.

 

No i agree with Smithers...totally
But I hate this thing where they are doing promotional events and the end up talking about what they trial and how this and that now working properly without saying anything about the basically NEWS and PROMOTIONAL event. So was it a test or Media event?

 

Yes but they didnt talk about trialing the new engine cooling system which wasnt working at the first test on cars with the same engine did they? Renault was all shouting about how the engine cooling seems to be working better now...BETTER THAN WHAT? since they weren't in the first tests.. Understand what I mean? lol

 

And Mercedes were giving everything new a shakedown. I don't see the difference. They all have the same opportunity and the same allocation. They're using it with a purpose, and quite rightly so.

 

Testing needs to be looked at again, which I think it will be if Aus is a disaster, and they should give the teams at the back more time than those at the front, so that those with a smaller budget can get gains another way.

 

Do the teams at the back have enough budget to do more testing though? Having said that, if in season testing was to return (say 4 or 5 sessions in the season), I do rather like the idea of the top teams being allowed less testing time through the season than the back markers.