Indeed, ice cream needed to cool down first :)
Massa did a 1.19.9 on the soft tyre. Same as our "personal best" by Vettel
Why have we done so few laps today? Did we have a problem or something ?
No statement by the team but rumours brake ducts touched the tyres
Bottas's new benchmark of 1:19.310 is the sixth fastest lap EVER around this version of the Circuit de Catalunya and now inside one second of the outright record, Massa's 1:18.339 from 2008 testing.
#Kimi7 spent time in garage for fluid systems check. Back on track now. #F1Testing
12:13 PM - 8 Mar 2017
Ferrari's lack of running this morning was due to a "fluid system check". - autosport
Hope Kimi can get near 100 laps today
#PrayforMH370 #KeepFightingSchumi
I'm happy with the amount of running that's been achieved, not too concerned with the lap count (provided there's no break downs) from here on in..
I think it's time to start fine tuning and introducing some new parts.. There's only 2.5 days of testing left..
Just wondering if Williams can do a 1.19 on softs, how much is merc sandbagging ? Either the top three are sandbagging big time or it's that merc engine doing all the work ?
Makes no sense to me, they should have enough data to compile the aero route ahead. Why bring new parts now, and give other teams a glimpse at those parts?! Updated parts should be added in FP2 in Melbourne, so other teams don't get the chance to copy anything.
Sidenote: engine sounds healthy to me and running in low(ish) power mode. Don't ask how i know! I can hear it :P
I maintain my idea from about 2 weeks ago. It looks like Mercedes paid also in useful information to Williams, not just money or engines. Williams is looking/will be looking better than most expected.
its a mix of aero-engine era. williams are not that good at aero development.
Also they do testing & set fastest times on low fuel just for the PR & business.
I think & strongly believe its straight fight between Mercs & ferrari. RB would join the contest may be later part of the season or next year.
Just because I wanna see some new parts.
Not saying Williams will be top 3. But remember most, before testing, thought they will be behind Force India, McLaren and Renault. Doesn't look like that now does it? Even if they are going for glory runs, the time isn't bad at all. They certainly look the best of the rest to me, and nobody expected that. I'm sure Mercs had something to do with this.
My feeling is Williams are maybe digging deeper and faster to reclaim lost time from the programme last week. It looked last week like their starting package is actually pretty good. It makes sense to get Massa in the car and get race ready with an eye on big points in Melbourne, hence the mileage and pace he's shown in the last 2 days. Stroll in the car tomorrow and Friday I believe, which as cruel as it sounds, might not be optimal for finding and learning full performance leading into Melbourne. That's my feeling anyway. Williams are good opportunists and will already have all eyes on maximising early points. Putting Massa in yesterday and today and going for it is a low risk strategy, even if it means revealing more of your hand.
14:51 Confirmation that Red Bull's had an engine change. That's a legitimate reason for us not seeing Verstappen so far in this afternoon session. - autosport
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