Two days of testing with Alonso in Bahrain

[Senna4Ever]

Two days of testing with Alonso in Bahrain
Sakhir, 7 April – Scuderia Ferrari, just like the other ten Formula 1 teams, hasn’t left Bahrain after yesterday’s race as tomorrow the F14 T will be running again in the fourth test session of the year.

Previous test sessions were held before the start of the championship on the Spanish track of Jerez de la Frontera (one) and here in Sakhir (two), whilst tomorrow’s sesion kick starts the comeback of in-season testing.

The two-day test will be the first of four that will be organized throughout the course of the season, a reintroduction strongly wanted by Ferrari which has always believed that no computer simulation can be more effective than the response gained on track.

Driving for Scuderia Ferrari will be Fernando Alonso, who will try to help the team make the much needed improvements that Stefano Domenicali has strongly requested. Fernando will face a particularly intense programme, with work focused on adressing certain areas of weakness of the car while continuing to develop the stronger points that have been demonstrated so far.

http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/days-testing-alonso-bahrain

[Nero Horse]

So if Fernando will be busy testing in Bahrain, then what will Kimi do in the meantime?

[FerrariF60]

So if Fernando will be busy testing in Bahrain, then what will Kimi do in the meantime?

polishing off a bottle of VODKA....LOL

prolly working in the simulator back in Maranello

[PadGeT]

polishing off a bottle of VODKA....LOL

prolly working in the simulator back in Maranello

That deserves a bigger LOL!!

[Hornet]

Alonso mentioned that Ferrari have an aggressive plan ahead. Lets hope it's true, and it will bring some improvements. No matter how far away the championship may seem at the moment with Merc looking invincible, it's too early for us to give up without a fight. We should aim to get back to the front even if it's just fighting for podium


That deserves a bigger LOL!!

I don't see why that's strange. Simulator work is very important too with limited testing.

[PadGeT]

Exciting two days of testing in Bahrain ahead. :clap
Will we get live telecast feed of some sort?

[Nero Horse]

Will we get live telecast feed of some sort?

I highly doubt it.

[FerrariF60]

Exciting two days of testing in Bahrain ahead. :clap
Will we get live telecast feed of some sort?

i highly doubt it, but who knows, maybe we'll have something....we'll have to wait and see

[PadGeT]

I don't see why that's strange. Simulator work is very important too with limited testing.

Kimi for simulator work when we have de la Rosa as our simulator & development driver.....

[sachin]

Maybe Autosport live commentary.:thumb

[Alonso14]

Ted from Sky Sports said "See you in China" so I doubt we will see any kind of footage. And if Sky are not showing anything I doubt anyone else will.

[Alessandra]

We'll get some sort of feed back, won't we?

[PadGeT]

If its an official FIA testing session, photographers and journos are allowed. So plently of pics should be expected.

[ManFromMilan]

I hope we really get the gap closed with this test session.

This weekend was really painful to watch as a Ferrari supporter.

[FranksterGM]

Well thank heavens they have brought some in season testing back. Like a rare treat...
Hopefully the team can put it to good use.

[voiko]

what do drivers do when they are in between circuits? Are they at the factory much testing? I am going there in a few days and hoping to catch a glimpse of either of them!

[Katu]

Kimi for simulator work when we have de la Rosa as our simulator & development driver.....

why not, he has problems setting his car up, as we say here - work for it *****

[Kingdom Hearts]

why not, he has problems setting his car up, as we say here - work for it *****


He said clearly on the PC that he has no intention to use the simulator to fix his problems. Pedro is the one doing the heavy simulator work, he missed the last race because he was working in the sim.

[Katu]

He said clearly on the PC that he has no intention to use the simulator to fix his problems. Pedro is the one doing the heavy simulator work, he missed the last race because he was working in the sim.

then all i can say is that he is not doing himself any favours

[Senna4Ever]

According to a user we must be frightened if Alonso starts developing the car ... :-??

[gjoko-mkd]

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bkrj4TyCAAE72Nj.jpg

[zike]

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bkrj4TyCAAE72Nj.jpg

aero?.....any news about the engine?

[f1tomi8]

http://i.imgur.com/7mfJaNe.jpghttps://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1.0-9/10155271_829364060425053_6394014319833421444_n.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/avLOkUa.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/M4x9Tsp.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/AdmMjVD.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Nyzbdsj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/VtGj9vJ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Cch4MyP.jpg

[Kyss4k]

Those front brake ducts :-E Are we going back to a conventional design? That surely isn't helping in getting to higher speeds.

[fronaldo]

Alonso stopped on track

[RedPassion]

Its very interesting to see that from the end of last year we are departing from our usual aerodynamics philosophy(2009-2013) embracing a new one,probably because of Dirk De Beer.Maybe the wind tunnel was not the only problem in the past cause i think that our whole philosophy could have been holey.

[RedPassion]

Those front brake ducts :-E Are we going back to a conventional design? That surely isn't helping in getting to higher speeds.
I dont think it has such a big impact on top speed as many teams use them and our aero efficiency is fine enough for good top speeds,our big problem is the power delivery.

[zike]

Alonso stopped on track

Live?

[Kyss4k]

I dont think it has such a big impact on top speed as many teams use them and our aero efficiency is fine enough for good top speeds,our big problem is the power delivery.

I remember Ferrari saying that our problem with top speeds is not just because of the engine. So aero efficiency could be issue as well. And even if it is not, I wonder what made us revert back to the old brake ducts after a year or two.

[Fer12]

Looks like we have a new front wheel hub along with the brake scoop.

[RedPassion]

I remember Ferrari saying that our problem with top speeds is not just because of the engine. So aero efficiency could be issue as well. And even if it is not, I wonder what made us revert back to the old brake ducts after a year or two.
Maybe we are trying to cure chronic understeer without spoiling the whole aerodynamics with snowplough wings,instead we are trying to improve efficiency and downforce at the front axle all in once.
I think we are following the Red Bull way of blowing the wheel nut instead of the williams way(since 2012) of having a scoopless and clean brake duct.The minus point could be drag but it produces more downforce and better vortex control outside the wheel.I think they are changing the whole aerodynamic methods and philosophy due to the new Chief of Aerodynamics and trying like the Bulls to find downforce everywhere instead of making the car as sleek as possible.

[Senna4Ever]

Someone having a live ticker for actual test session?

[Hornet]

Someone having a live ticker for actual test session?

This is the closest I can find, there's no live commentary but just a compilation of twitter messages as they come in. Mostly pictures and official tweet messages.
http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/9255292/bahrain-in-season-test-in-tweets

Apparently Ferrari's car has broken down. There's a picture below saying "The broken-down Ferrari of Fernando Alonso is recovered to the Scuderia garage..." :-??

[sachin]

What is out of my understanding is that what have we bought new to this test?and what could we bring just 1 day after a race..
Maybe some aero parts?
More importantly what are we doing for our engine/PU?
How on earth we improve that?:Hmm

[MJ]

is it possible to just test the limits of the PU so we could know the sweet spot and gain some hp?

[tifosi1993]

http://www.formula1.com/wi/enlarge/0x0/popup/sutton/2013/dms1408ap56.jpg
http://www.formula1.com/wi/enlarge/0x0/popup/sutton/2013/dms1408ap57.jpg
http://www.formula1.com/wi/enlarge/0x0/popup/sutton/2013/dms1408ap58.jpg
http://www.formula1.com/wi/enlarge/0x0/popup/sutton/2013/dms1408ap59.jpg

[PadGeT]

According to a user we must be frightened if Alonso starts developing the car ... :-??

A car isn't developed by one driver, and his feedback can be checked from telemetry. Sowhoever that user is, dont mind him.:thumb

[Alesi1]

Really need to test and now were unreliable.

[zike]

Really need to test and now were unreliable.

this season is BS

[fronaldo]

http://www.f1i.com/live-f1/

[Senna4Ever]

This is the closest I can find, there's no live commentary but just a compilation of twitter messages as they come in. Mostly pictures and official tweet messages.
http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/9255292/bahrain-in-season-test-in-tweets

Grazie ...
Una situazione che non optimale ...

So better before lunch break than after ...

[PadGeT]

The mechanic is checkin the floor... possible floor damge i guess

[RedPassion]

I know its a bit off topic but i think if you look at the Red Bull you can see that they have very soft dampers and my opinion of why their wing almost scrapes the ground is that the car is pushed through the aero downforce much harder into the ground because of them. The car works nearer to the ground then the others producing a lot more downforce.
Thats why their rake is so extreme,so they must have found a whey to have very soft suspensions without having a car that dances all the way through the track or is been squashed everywhere.

[jgdswaran]

1 N. Rosberg 1:36.171 69
2 N. Hülkenberg 1:36.371 25
3 K. Magnussen 1:37.088 34
4 V. Bottas 1:37.305 27
5 F. Alonso 1:37.375 31
6 D. Ricciardo 1:38.816 29
7 S. Sirotkin 1:39.435 33
8 R. Frijns 1:40.027 62
9 P. Maldonado 1:40.183 16
10 D. Kvyat 1:40.452 32
11 Mr. Chilton 1:41.547 23

[PadGeT]

I know its a bit off topic but i think if you look at the Red Bull you can see that they have very soft dampers and my opinion of why their wing almost scrapes the ground is that the car is pushed through the aero downforce much harder into the ground because of them. The car works nearer to the ground then the others producing a lot more downforce.
Thats why their rake is so extreme,so they must have found a whey to have very soft suspensions without having a car that dances all the way through the track or is been squashed everywhere.

If u increase the rake, the FW is bound to be more tilted with its leading edge close to the ground.Am not so sure about soft suspensions, but there is detriment too when u consider the T-tray and floor scrapes the ground. Red bull usually hikes up it T-tary and its front hub at a certain thermal pt, so that more air is accessed below the tub.

[RedPassion]

If u increase the rake, the FW is bound to be more tilted with its leading edge close to the ground.Am not so sure about soft suspensions, but there is detriment too when u consider the T-tray and floor scrapes the ground. Red bull usually hikes up it T-tary and its front hub at a certain thermal pt, so that more air is accessed below the tub.
May it be that the have their front wing 8 mm from the gronud instead of 7mm because it will go 1 mm deeper by the rake?And concerning the splitter i think thats where the boomerang is gonna help,raising the car when its starts to scrape.

[Fer12]

Looks like Ferrari is running a less Rear wing compared to the race and tighter body cover over the exhausts.

[fratelliferrari]

This is the closest I can find, there's no live commentary but just a compilation of twitter messages as they come in. Mostly pictures and official tweet messages.
http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/9255292/bahrain-in-season-test-in-tweets

Apparently Ferrari's car has broken down. There's a picture below saying "The broken-down Ferrari of Fernando Alonso is recovered to the Scuderia garage..." :-??

Thanks for the link.

[AfterLife]

Why am i so tired? :giveup

[sachin]

Google translate:
14h48 - Ricciardo returns to his round after a relay of four loops:lol

[PadGeT]

http://images.scribblelive.com/2014/4/8/e8fdbb45-ef78-4445-9bf2-3f7620746bd6_800.jpg
Why the old FW again? Are they doing back to back correlation again?

[Nova]

I know its a bit off topic but i think if you look at the Red Bull you can see that they have very soft dampers and my opinion of why their wing almost scrapes the ground is that the car is pushed through the aero downforce much harder into the ground because of them. The car works nearer to the ground then the others producing a lot more downforce.
Thats why their rake is so extreme,so they must have found a whey to have very soft suspensions without having a car that dances all the way through the track or is been squashed everywhere.

There were posts about this last season, where RB may be running something movable at the tray area which evens the car out at speed. It still looks like the most planted car out there.

[JacKy]

http://i.imgur.com/EITaDnP.png

Is this brake duct legal?

[RedPassion]

There were posts about this last season, where RB may be running something movable at the tray area which evens the car out at speed. It still looks like the most planted car out there.
I said that because i saw Ricciardo during the race approching a slow corner and it gave me the feeling as he was using active suspension,the front came down like it was computer controlled and the all front was so soft and compliant,like a reverse mass damper built to work in a longitudinal sense,increasing pitching even more.

[RedPassion]

http://i.imgur.com/EITaDnP.png

Is this brake duct legal?
I think they are not.They do not respect the Max. dimension allowed.

[PadGeT]

http://images.scribblelive.com/2014/4/8/52e07a78-d418-425e-88eb-7b0a1480ee03_800.jpg
By da way, those who wanted Kimi in Maranello simulator, he is in Bahrain apparently. :-D

[tifosi1993]

http://www.formula1.com/wi/enlarge/0x0/popup/sutton/2013/dms1408ap203.jpg
http://www.formula1.com/wi/enlarge/0x0/popup/sutton/2013/dms1408ap202.jpg
http://www.formula1.com/wi/enlarge/0x0/popup/sutton/2013/dms1408ap207.jpg

[Alessandra]

Thanks for both links
http://www.f1i.com/live-f1/
http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/9255292/bahrain-in-season-test-in-tweets

[Hornet]

By da way, those who wanted Kimi in Maranello simulator, he is in Bahrain apparently. :-D

That looks like the usual autograph session conducted at every race weekend.

Pretty sure Alonso is in the car driving today, lol. And the session is still on.

[PadGeT]

Why lol? Did i mention him in the car? I am not blind sir, nor blindly biased.
That pic was posted today, so no idea when it was taken.

[Hornet]

Why lol? Did i mention him in the car? I am not blind sir, nor blindly biased.
That pic was posted today, so no idea when it was taken.

Um, what?
Alonso is testing today, so he can't be out there signing autograph, and that looks like the race weekend autograph session.

So it doesn't prove that Kimi is at the track.

[PadGeT]

Alonso is testing for both days. That doesn't mean Kimi cant be in the garage and in the usual driver debrief session during thess testing days.
You cant prove he is not at the track either.

[Kingdom Hearts]

Alonso is testing for both days. That doesn't mean Kimi cant be in the garage and in the usual driver debrief session during thess testing days.

lol

[Alesi1]

lol

+1. You must be joking. Kimi is getting tanked somewhere, he doesn't care about testing he's livin it up :-D

[Hornet]

Alonso is testing for both days. That doesn't mean Kimi cant be in the garage and in the usual driver debrief session during thess testing days.
You cant prove he is not at the track either.

Well yeah, but you quoted that picture and claim it shows that Kimi isn't back at the factory doing simulator runs
Point is that picture didn't prove anything.

[PadGeT]

mmkay, where was kimi in our usual testing session?

"You must be joking. Kimi is getting tanked somewhere, he doesn't care about testing. :)"
Source ?

[PadGeT]

Well yeah, but you quoted that picture and claim it shows that Kimi isn't back at the factory doing simulator runs
Point is that picture didn't prove anything.
Picture was posted today on http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/9255292/bahrain-in-season-test-in-tweets
And i did say "apparently"!

[Nova]

Yea well, who cares who'se in the garage..did they make the car go faster?
Did they make it handle better or get the electrics together?

[F1NAC]

Picture is from sunday or from saturday, you can see that it's night. they didn't sign any caps today

[Alesi1]

mmkay, where was kimi in our usual testing session?

Source ?

The guy is a party animal he is NOT going to sit around watching Alonso test ! He would rather eat...

[DIEK]

http://i.imgur.com/h7zVfJo.jpg

[PadGeT]

Now that is illegal , I was under the impression tyres had to fitted with wheelnuts for safety reasons.

[Greig]

it is a wheelnut, doubt it will be illegal.

[PadGeT]

running widout one, i meant or whatever that keeps the wheel fastener in place. Remember it cause last year Williams changed it mid season, beacuse they were failin to xploit coanda from tyre wake.

[Greig]

Running without a wheelnut won't get you far?

[sachin]

Anything for Ferrari winning,even if some of it is not legal:-D

[Ed Harley]

The guy is a party animal he is NOT going to sit around watching Alonso test ! He would rather eat...
He does what he is told. If he is told to be in Bahrain he will be there.

[Greig]

He does what he is told. If he is told to be in Bahrain he will be there.

Really? I doubt it. He will be on his free time I imagine and can do what he wants.

[Ed Harley]

OK. Sorry. I stand corrected. He does not need to do what he is told to do.

[Greig]

OK. Sorry. I stand corrected. He does not need to do what he is told to do.

You think Ferrari own the drivers 24/7? wow

[PadGeT]

Running without a wheelnut won't get you far?

Each wheel seats on drive pins on the axle, positioned to make the wheel a 'first time fit' with no wiggling required to seat the wheel on the hub.Teams minimise the thread to reduce time required to spin the nut. Ferrari's wheelnuts have barely three turns of thread.Fastidiously machined pockets ensure the wheelgun positively connects with the nut so that the torque can be transferred reliably to tighten the nut.

Wheelnuts themselves are now a loose fit inside the wheel; this means the nut is partially located on the axle as the wheel is fitted. They can be retained in the wheel with O rings or circlips. These expensive nuts are normally used just once.
Even when tightened, the rules demand the nut is retained on the axle by a locking mechanism. This used to be a plunger that when pulled by the mechanic extended retaining pins from the axle. This could lead to errors as the mechanic would raise his arm simultaneously with pulling the plunger and the car could exit without the retention mechanism engaged.Nowadays nut retention is a hand-free sprung system; the wheelgun socket pushes the pins into the axle to allow the nut to be removed. When refitted the nut passes over the pins and they spring out when the nut is nearly fully seated. These pins will not truly retain the wheel - should the nut be loose, the weight of the car and the force of acceleration will eventually overcome the strength of the mechanism.
If it only were the drive pegs interlocking with the hub and not the wheelnut providing the preload,then it would be no problem if a wheelnut was not applied with the correct torque.Just fix it to the rim put a sturdy lock in front of the nut ,presto.
with the backside of the wheelnut being a conical shape it follows the same concept as a normal wheelnut and supplies via its mounting torque the necessary clamping force.As there is no cone on the backside of the wheel or one protruding from the hub it is clear that the flat face is the clamped surface transmitting the forces.the pegs are are not enough to take all the loads .

[Greig]

Not sure what that is for? Run without a wheel nut and your wheel will come off, simple.

[PadGeT]

Even running with a wheel nut and without mounting locks will make ur wheel come off.

[Alesi1]

He does what he is told. If he is told to be in Bahrain he will be there.

Kimi is not needed when his equal is running around testing the car. Plenty of other things that could be done back at th factory. That said Fernando can manage the testing duties without Kimi help. There is obviously a reason why he us doing both days. Employing someone to sit around doing nothing is a total waste.

[tifosi1993]

http://www.formula1.com/wi/enlarge/0x0/popup/sutton/2013/dms1408ap349.jpg
http://www.formula1.com/wi/enlarge/0x0/popup/sutton/2013/dms1408ap347.jpg
http://www.formula1.com/wi/enlarge/0x0/popup/sutton/2013/dms1408ap346.jpg

via Sutton

[AfterLife]

Alonso is testing for both days. That doesn't mean Kimi cant be in the garage and in the usual driver debrief session during thess testing days.
You cant prove he is not at the track either.

Apparently Kimi has closed his eyes and his main goal is to bring back Ferrari to its competitive form with his concentration.

[bondilad]

Without a doubt, this is the best looking car out there. Amazing pics btw.

Only wish it could go a bit faster. Hopefully in China ;-)

[Nero Horse]

Without a doubt, this is the best looking car out there. Amazing pics btw.

Only wish it could go a bit faster. Hopefully in China ;-)

Agreed. :thumb

[Kiwi Nick]

You think Ferrari own the drivers 24/7? wow

Is old Bulvanian tradition!

[Kiwi Nick]

Apparently Kimi has closed his eyes and his main goal is to bring back Ferrari to its competitive form with his concentration.

Hey, if he can stop fireworks with a mere glance...

[Ed Harley]

Is old Bulvanian tradition!
You all know perfectly well that F1 drivers only work 9 to 5 Monday to Friday.

[Giallo 550]

Without a doubt, this is the best looking car out there. Amazing pics btw.

Only wish it could go a bit faster. Hopefully in China ;-)

As much as I LOVE Ferrari, the Williams Martini is the best looking car out there.

Maybe with that new nut a spike can be deployed out of the wheel? The problem is that the Ferrari has to catch the other cars before it can skewer their tires.

[bondilad]

As much as I LOVE Ferrari, the Williams Martini is the best looking car out there.

Maybe with that new nut a spike can be deployed out of the wheel? The problem is that the Ferrari has to catch the other cars before it can skewer their tires.

The williams look good too. ... But atleast for my eyes it has too much white and feels a bit empty.

[Jas]

hope we have no teething problems with this new tyre rim and doesn't slow us down in the pits!

[WS6TransAm01]

a full second behind the Merc and half as many laps run... but we have cool wheel nuts! yay! ugh...

[Kiwi Nick]

a full second behind the Merc and half as many laps run... but we have cool wheel nuts! yay! ugh...

Shhhh! This is called an aggressive program.

[Raz]

My Pics from today in Bahrain
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/abdur1234/_DSC0253_zps51d15abb.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/abdur1234/_DSC0252_zpsd5d0278f.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/abdur1234/_DSC0254_zps947e5703.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/abdur1234/_DSC0251_zps7524aba9.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/abdur1234/_DSC0244_zpsbff90ade.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/abdur1234/_DSC0242_zpsffbd04f3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/abdur1234/_DSC0243_zps769a84d7.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/abdur1234/_DSC0236_zpsba6fd01d.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/abdur1234/_DSC0234_zps6b6c7526.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/abdur1234/_DSC0237_zpsdbe9a0cf.jpg

[fratelliferrari]

My Pics from today in Bahrain


Nice photos Raz!


**Edited to remove photos in quote**

[PadGeT]

http://i.imgur.com/j1AOOyY.jpg
Whats with the separation here? Is it a change in CF thread layering? Or just clumsy work.

[Hornet]

The wheel nut is not just a fancy looking wheel nut, it has air blowing through it for aero benefits, and the air is fed by the huge brake ducts hence the oversized brake duct we saw on the car.

Williams was the first team to try it last year, and here's an article explaining how it works (for Williams, but it's the same).
http://badgergp.com/2013/02/blown-wheelnuts-williams-get-innovative/


After some technical meetings by the FIA at the 2012 Canadian Grand Prix, it was announced that Red Bull would have to seal some holes on the front wheel rims of the RB8. These holes were actually producing an aerodynamic effect by feeding airflow through the front brake ducts, through the front axle and to the outside of the front wheels through these holes in the wheel rim. The reason for this is to try and reduce drag created by the front wheels by redirecting airflow into the wake of the front wheels, away from the tyre itself which is a high source of drag, and produce a “cleaner” airflow going rearwards to the rest of the car. However, because the holes were incorporated into the wheel rim they rotated with it, which is possibly why it was declared a “moveable aerodynamic device” - something which is against the regulations.

Back to Williams and their new wheel nut design, this is essentially performing the same function as what Red Bull were trying up to the Canadian GP. Airflow is redirected via the front brake duct, through to a hollow duct that allows airflow to escape via the open-ended wheel nut to the outer edge of the front wheels. The difference here though is because the effect is produced via the wheel nut this does not rotate or move, therefore making this legal. The only downside to this is the front brake ducts have to be larger to make this work, which will produce more drag, so it is a bit of a balancing act.

Given our engine problem, any technique to reduce drag will come in handy

[Rob]

Set-up testing for Alonso
http://i58.tinypic.com/vry1xx.jpg
Circuit: Sakhir circuit– 5.412 km
Driver: Fernando Alonso
Car: Ferrari F14 T
Weather: air temperature 25/32°C, track temperature 31/44 °C. Sunny.
Laps/Km completed: 69/373
Best time: 1:36.626

Fernando Alonso was back behind the wheel of the F14 T at the Sakhir circuit today at the start of the first of four in-season tests, reintroduced this year after a two year break.

In the morning, the team concentrated on fine tuning various electronic configurations and on taking aerodynamic measurements with constant speed runs down the main straight. In the afternoon, work was carried out in short runs, lapping to evaluate different set-up choices.

Alonso will again be on track tomorrow, as Scuderia Ferrari tackles the second and final day of this test.

- See more at: http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/set-up-testing-for-alonso#sthash.Xdus1ba7.dpuf

[Rob]

http://i.imgur.com/j1AOOyY.jpg
Whats with the separation here? Is it a change in CF thread layering? Or just clumsy work.

isnt clumsy work. No CF layering or making is clumsy, trust me. ;-)

Its a trick or the light, the way that part is bit more "shiny" than the sidepods weave.

[PadGeT]

Can it be a narrow slightly shallower pathway leading to the rear? Also dont compare with the sidepod, but to other floor areas.BY da way i meant the black line not the reflection on the floor.

[Bertie]

Can it be a narrow slightly shallower pathway leading to the rear? Also dont compare with the sidepod, but to other floor areas.

Just got your signature chemical symbol for sodium being Na. I like.

[PadGeT]

Well u can put holes on the wheel nuts too,then instead of making them open ended. Clearly the tighter the volume, more energised the flow and if the outward airflow is aiding the rear, that energy ill help in mitigating flow separation.

[PadGeT]

Just got your signature chemical symbol for sodium being Na. I like.

Its quite common.
:thanks

[Nero Horse]

Bahrain Test, Day 1 – Tuesday, 8 April 2014
Driver Team Time Laps
1. N. Rosberg Mercedes Grand Prix 01:35.697 (121)
2. N. Hulkenberg Force India F1 01:36.064 (68)
3. F. Alonso Ferrari 01:36.626 (67)
4. K. Magnussen McLaren 01:36.634 (101)
5. V. Bottas Williams 01:37.305 (28)
6. M. Chilton Marussia 01:37.678 (60)
7. D. Ricciardo Red Bull 01:38.326 (91)
8. S. Sirotkin Sauber 01:39.023 (75)
9. R. Frijns Caterham 01:40.027 (63)
10. P. Maldonado Lotus Renault 01:40.183 (16)
11. D. Kvyat Scuderia Toro Rosso 01:40.452 (67)

[ManFromMilan]

I was hoping for a vastly different looking Ferrari. I do hope the tests puts us on a much better footing for the next race.

[Nero Horse]

I was hoping for a vastly different looking Ferrari. I do hope the tests puts us on a much better footing for the next race.

What's really worrying, is that others still keep racking up more laps than we do. :-s

[Winter]

If todays lap times are compairable we already made some progress. This is bahrain, not a good track for us.

[shamim179]

What's really worrying, is that others still keep racking up more laps than we do. :-s

Definitely a worry. All the top teams did close to or more than 100 laps. Mercedes are working like a machine! I'm guessing that Ferrari were experimenting with new PU settings. Unfortunately, this kind of approach can lead to failures and lost time. This problem seems to be compounding itself. We have yet to hear from the team itself that we have made progress with our PU. I'm afraid it just looks like we're falling further and further behind.

[shamim179]

If todays lap times are compairable we already made some progress. This is bahrain, not a good track for us.

Doesn't look that way. Look where Mercedes and Force India are. The anomaly is Red Bull -more fuel and Williams not pushing too hard? Also look at the gap between us and Marussia. If anything it looks like some of the other teams have made a step forward.

[FerrariF60]

Doesn't look that way. Look where Mercedes and Force India are. The anomaly is Red Bull -more fuel and Williams not pushing too hard? Also look at the gap between us and Marussia. If anything it looks like some of the other teams have made a step forward.

marussia was running on FUMES and maybe Alonso did not push too hard as they were running a lot of aero corellation....

common, do u rellay think masussia is ONLY 1 second slower then us....

we'll get there boys, soon...somehow i have a feeling that by SPAIN Ferrrari will be ON PAR with Mercedes....if not FASTER!!!! have faith you guys!!!

[abbottcostello]

Strange that Williams only did 28 laps & that is all they wanted to do? Also did probably the least (thought I heard) during FP1, 2, 3. Sure are confident of their car, or worried about PU longevity (that doesn't seem likely, tho').

[abbottcostello]

marussia was running on FUMES and maybe Alonso did not push too hard as they were running a lot of aero corellation....

common, do u rellay think masussia is ONLY 1 second slower then us....

we'll get there boys, soon...somehow i have a feeling that by SPAIN Ferrrari will be ON PAR with Mercedes....if not FASTER!!!! have faith you guys!!!
I agree on Marussia!

And I'll get on board with that last bit, Ferrari will have some decent gains for China, then even more in Spain! FORZA FERRARI !!

[sachin]

marussia was running on FUMES and maybe Alonso did not push too hard as they were running a lot of aero corellation....

common, do u rellay think masussia is ONLY 1 second slower then us....

we'll get there boys, soon...somehow i have a feeling that by SPAIN Ferrrari will be ON PAR with Mercedes....if not FASTER!!!! have faith you guys!!!

Wish it was the F14-T of Alonso battling for the lead in Bahrain with Ham instead of Ros.
What you say really is hard to digest,that we will be on par with Merc's this year let alone in next few races.
Still,Miracles do happen,hope for best:-D

[R Ginart]

How about that in testing we are still 1 sec behind Merc!
Bahrain Test, Day 1 – Tuesday, 8 April 2014
Driver Team Time Laps
1. N. Rosberg Mercedes Grand Prix 01:35.697 (121)
2. N. Hulkenberg Force India F1 01:36.064 (68)
3. F. Alonso Ferrari 01:36.626 (67)
4. K. Magnussen McLaren 01:36.634 (101)
5. V. Bottas Williams 01:37.305 (28)
6. M. Chilton Marussia 01:37.678 (60)
7. D. Ricciardo Red Bull 01:38.326 (91)
8. S. Sirotkin Sauber 01:39.023 (75)
9. R. Frijns Caterham 01:40.027 (63)
10. P. Maldonado Lotus Renault 01:40.183 (16)
11. D. Kvyat Scuderia Toro Rosso 01:40.452 (67)

[SS454]

Unless Ferrari are allowed to modify the engines and somehow find a HUGE amount of power, they'll always been 0.5 to 1.0 seconds behind Mercedes. They've been consistently 7-10 kph slower in the trap speed.

[PadGeT]

Unless Ferrari are allowed to modify the engines and somehow find a HUGE amount of power, they'll always been 0.5 to 1.0 seconds behind Mercedes. They've been consistently 7-10 kph slower in the trap speed.

It can be mitigated by higher cornering speed. RBR arre doing so, why can't we?

[Raz]

BTW.. Hulk used Supersofts..
Check the other pics here on my FB Album
https://www.facebook.com/RaztaF1/media_set?set=a.10152335165503874.1073741831.50409 8873

[Raz]

I'll be at the track again today.. Marshalling duties.. I'll move round to turn 10

[Kyss4k]

I'll be at the track again today.. Marshalling duties.. I'll move round to turn 10

It's so cool to having you here :clap Damn missed you.

[hogo]

I'll be at the track again today.. Marshalling duties.. I'll move round to turn 10

Yeah don't forget to make more pictures of silver arrows and post them here, thanks! :roll

[F1NAC]

Yeah don't forget to make more pictures of silver arrows and post them here, thanks! :roll

where did he put picture of silver arrow.... calm down

[stefa]

Bahrain Test, Day 1 – Tuesday, 8 April 2014
Driver Team Time Laps
1. N. Rosberg Mercedes Grand Prix 01:35.697 (121)
2. N. Hulkenberg Force India F1 01:36.064 (68)
3. F. Alonso Ferrari 01:36.626 (67)
4. K. Magnussen McLaren 01:36.634 (101)
5. V. Bottas Williams 01:37.305 (28)
6. M. Chilton Marussia 01:37.678 (60)
7. D. Ricciardo Red Bull 01:38.326 (91)
8. S. Sirotkin Sauber 01:39.023 (75)
9. R. Frijns Caterham 01:40.027 (63)
10. P. Maldonado Lotus Renault 01:40.183 (16)
11. D. Kvyat Scuderia Toro Rosso 01:40.452 (67)

121 laps!!?!?!?!?

[tifosi1993]

http://www.formula1.com/wi/enlarge/0x0/popup/sutton/2013/dms1409ap29.jpg
http://www.formula1.com/wi/enlarge/0x0/popup/sutton/2013/dms1409ap28.jpg

via Sutton

[PadGeT]

Flow-viz on splitter, T-tray

[RedPassion]

Flow-viz on splitter, T-tray
I found another picture when you can see the flowviz applied on the old brake ducts.

[Laferrari]

Flow-viz on splitter, T-tray

no , the flow-viz on brake duct(they go back to old configuration) i see no change on the car :-??, where is the upgrade they said (a lot of things to try) appart from new brake duct, engine map??? there is no change visually...

[PadGeT]

Change in aero config of front whell hub setting will modify the flow of air around the turning vanes, splitter, bargeboard.

no , the flow-viz on brake duct(they go back to old configuration) i see no change on the car :-??, where is the upgrade they said (a lot of things to try) appart from new brake duct, engine map??? there is no change visually...
Umm, what visual upgrade did they say?

I found another picture when you can see the flowviz applied on the old brake ducts.
Can u post it?

[zike]

I think we need to take this PR talk from Ferrari regarding updates with a grain of salt,like in the past 4 years

[RedPassion]

I think we need to take this PR talk from Ferrari regarding updates with a grain of salt,like in the past 4 years
Looking at all the fanfare and the gap we have with Mercedes its quite depressing,i cant undestand whats the point of doing only 12 lap with no big aerodynamic updates.

[PadGeT]

Why do you think its only aero updates they are workin on atm?

[zike]

Looking at all the fanfare and the gap we have with Mercedes its quite depressing,i cant undestand whats the point of doing only 12 lap with no big aerodynamic updates.

I am more and more sure that its just PR stuff, in my opinion they know we will never be as fast as Merc, just wont say it in public

[Rosso Corsa]

That looks like new bodywork on the Ferrari. The old "Acer Ducts" now appear more horizontal in their profile from front to back. Previously they sloped more from front to back. So there is more space underneath to the diffuser now.

[RedPassion]

I am more and more sure that its just PR stuff, in my opinion they know we will never be as fast as Merc, just wont say it in public
Agree.:roll

[PadGeT]

:thumb They had the older one yesterday.
That looks like new bodywork on the Ferrari. The old "Acer Ducts" now appear more horizontal in their profile from front to back. Previously they sloped more from front to back. So there is more space underneath to the diffuser now.

[Alesi1]

Great same rear bodywork as last year despite a single central exhaust. We never seem to develop we just go round and round in circles. Happy to be proved wrong

[zike]

Agree.:roll

So the real question for me now is will someone be held accountable for the past 4 seasons.......or we need to go to rebuilding mode, end of generation, like in football, basketball.......but we need to do something it's quite clear that this is not working

[RedPassion]

:thumb They had the older one yesterday.
Cant see any difference,i think its just the angle.

[PadGeT]

It was bulkier and slanting as Rosso mentioned.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/abdur1234/_DSC0253_zps51d15abb.jpg

[f1tomi8]

OMG!:-(

Bad news for Ferrari: its test is over after just 12 laps today. Team says it's a precaution due to chassis damaged at the weekend #F1

[RedPassion]

OMG!:-(

Bad news for Ferrari: its test is over after just 12 laps today. Team says it's a precaution due to chassis damaged at the weekend #F1
What a disaster cmon!

[f1tomi8]

1 question
Ferrari is why running Raikkonen's chassis?

[Hornet]

Wait, how did the chassis got damaged?

[zike]

OMG!:-(

Bad news for Ferrari: its test is over after just 12 laps today. Team says it's a precaution due to chassis damaged at the weekend #F1

this is a joke....you know this test is important.....you have LDM visit ALO to discuss test plan......and than you come with a broken chassis

[Kingdom Hearts]

What is wrong with this team?, I can't believe it.

[jragona]

OMG!:-(

Bad news for Ferrari: its test is over after just 12 laps today. Team says it's a precaution due to chassis damaged at the weekend #F1

Is that confirmed?

[Alesi1]

This is ridiculous. What the hell. What now. No testing, ths team has become a shadow of itself, comical, how can they be so unprofessional ? Again how can this degree of incompetence b accepted? Call me crazy but we need to test. Why would they not ave kept both chassis on site. What's he adv of sending one back, after all they are already there. This team is frustrating me no end. We move from one disaster to another, especially when it is so crucial for us a. Ths has never happened to us in testing, ever.

[Hornet]

Is that confirmed?

Don't know about the reason, but Ferrari indeed did 12 laps only in the morning session. Here is a time sheet for morning session
5814

[vcs316]

Ferrari ends F1 testing early in Bahrain

Ferrari has suspended its testing in Bahrain early on Wednesday due to concerns over a chassis damaged during Kimi Raikkonen's race weekend.

The team has been running Raikkonen's chassis, but believes it may have been damaged during an excursion over a large kerb at Turn 4 during FP1 on Friday. At the time of the incident, Ferrari believed that only the floor had been broken, but it now has found issues with the chassis itself.

As a precaution, Ferrari has suspended its running after just 12 laps for Fernando Alonso on Wednesday and is unlikely to run again. On Tuesday the team was able to complete 69 laps despite causing a red flag in the morning session.

Ferrari is not the only team to have trouble during the test. At the time it stopped running, Ferrari had still completed more laps than both Red Bull (nine) and Lotus (seven).

http://www.crash.net/f1/news/201918/1/ferrari-ends-testing-early-in-bahrain.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss

[Ferrari Man]

I don't know.. We were all laughin (or most of us) at Red Bull in pre season testing and now I think it has come around and bitten us in the ..

[Laferrari]

This is ridiculous. What the hell. What now. No testing, ths team has become a shadow of itself, comical, how can they be so unprofessional ? Again how can this degree of incompetence b accepted?

Oh dear,:furious

The scuderia ferrari is done.what said fernando yesterday "we are gonna work night and day to recover...."They can t check the chassis before and take the one from fernando.It s joke , why is this team be so much like a noob team.They put so much hope on this stuff and now , the test is already done after 75 lap in 2 days...amazing.And now? what will be the next excuse for china?
The pressure on the scuderia is on the maximum and my problem with that is nobody will care the team until some head roll...
"How destroy a dream team in 5 years ...a book from Lucas M."

[zike]

Ferrari ends F1 testing early in Bahrain

Ferrari has suspended its testing in Bahrain early on Wednesday due to concerns over a chassis damaged during Kimi Raikkonen's race weekend.

The team has been running Raikkonen's chassis, but believes it may have been damaged during an excursion over a large kerb at Turn 4 during FP1 on Friday. At the time of the incident, Ferrari believed that only the floor had been broken, but it now has found issues with the chassis itself.

As a precaution, Ferrari has suspended its running after just 12 laps for Fernando Alonso on Wednesday and is unlikely to run again. On Tuesday the team was able to complete 69 laps despite causing a red flag in the morning session.

Ferrari is not the only team to have trouble during the test. At the time it stopped running, Ferrari had still completed more laps than both Red Bull (nine) and Lotus (seven).

http://www.crash.net/f1/news/201918/1/ferrari-ends-testing-early-in-bahrain.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss

Now we are a joke of the paddock

[Senna4Ever]

so Alonso used the car of Kimi or what for testing?
and what happened with the car of Alonso?

[Alesi1]

Gonna get lapped in china. After this test we are going to be further behind.

[PadGeT]

Exactly, I think its more out of precaution that our PU fails. I woudn't be surprised if new rear bodywork was the manifestation of a lighter PU that we are testing atm.

[Hornet]

Disappointing news. Shame it wasn't detected earlier

[sachin]

Now this is the height of sandbagging;-)

[Greig]

Can people stop acting like babies? If the chassis is damaged then it's damaged and not a lot the team can do about it. Not sure how it means we are finished or a laughing stock.

[Sab_g]

Why didn't they just use alonso's chassis?!!

[Hornet]

Why didn't they just use alonso's chassis?!!

Just a guess, but one reason I can think off is perhaps they rebuild both chassis with different updates or parts. Perhaps Alonso chassis was used yesterday to test yesterday's part, while Kimi's chassis is used to test today's update. It's too late now to rebuild Alonso's chassis with today's part, heck they might have dismantled it and packed up for China.

[shamim179]

Agree.:roll

It's frustrating because as a fan it feels like they're taking you for a ride. There should be better transparency to the media and fan base. It's as if they're doing a disservice. How many times have we heard of big updates only to hear that there are little to no updates? Although, I don't follow the other F1 teams as much my impressions are that this sort of thing happens more frequently at Ferrari.

[Laferrari]

Exactly, I think its more out of precaution that our PU fails. I woudn't be surprised if new rear bodywork was the manifestation of a lighter PU that we are testing atm.

you are speculate too much, the fact is they put so much hope to improve the car and work hard ...and the test is done after 75 lap in 2 days of testing so ...bad news.Why refuse you to see the reality that we need change , BIG change in this team without that it will be the same problem every year....every year we will find new problem.We need to change , not to replace someone with an other who is part on the team.Mclaren already understand that and take Prodromu from Redbull who is a master from aero and know some secret from them.Bouiller was also available, same to convince Brawn, the result i fear is now nobody wants to come in our team because there is nothing right with the management right now and no prospect for the future....those rules was from 4 year at least and we produced nothing right.We are the 5th team right now with the one of the 2 biggest budget in F1.You have to admit something is wrong and must change not in the end of this year but now , and immediatly we cannot loose time again .The project of the next car is already on some table in maranello with the same staff ...so.

[Greig]

It's frustrating because as a fan it feels like they're taking you for a ride. There should be better transparency to the media and fan base. It's as if they're doing a disservice. How many times have we heard of big updates only to hear that there are little to no updates? Although, I don't follow the other F1 teams as much my impressions are that this sort of thing happens more frequently at Ferrari.

You can't expect any team to inform the media and fans every little detail you realise how secretive this sport is?

[zike]

You can't expect any team to inform the media and fans every little detail you realise how secretive this sport is?

What, we are frightened that someone will copy our genius engine design or our out of this world aero...

[Alesi1]

Can people stop acting like babies? If the chassis is damaged then it's damaged and not a lot the team can do about it. Not sure how it means we are finished or a laughing stock.

Because a successful multimillion dollar team/business should have a plan in place for such failures, especially when it is so crucial to their success at this particularly difficult time. I just don't get how disorganized/ blind sighted they can be. We should be promoting a professional image, reacting swiftly and reinforcing how we deal with such problems. We are now giving the opposition an advantage through our own lack of forward planning. Professional intelligent people do not work with such inefficiency.

[shamim179]

The work set up and programme was not prudent. It didn't allow for any contingencies should something big like this fail. We only have 2 days for this test - we know how badly we need it more so than most of the other teams. We are being too optimistic in thinking that nothing can possibly go wrong. The decision to utilize Kimi's chassis was a risky one even though the team thought only the floor was damaged. Why bother taking that risk? IMO this has the hallmarks of being an amateur mistake.

[zike]

Because a successful multimillion dollar team/business should have a plan in place for such failures, especially when it is so crucial to their success at this particularly difficult time. I just don't get how disorganized/ blind sighted they can be. We should be promoting a professional image, reacting swiftly and reinforcing how we deal with such problems. We are now giving the opposition an advantage through our own lack of forward planning. Professional intelligent people do not work with such inefficiency.

spot on mate, spot on :thumb

[Kingdom Hearts]

Can people stop acting like babies? If the chassis is damaged then it's damaged and not a lot the team can do about it. Not sure how it means we are finished or a laughing stock.

I beat Domenicali thinks like you.

[Laferrari]

Why bother taking that risk? IMO this has the hallmarks of being an amateur mistake.

This word explain you all this stuff.Amateur.They put a soft tire on medium,new parts doesn t improve the car, excuse was wind tunnel,now engine delivery,traction,oversteer understeer for me the problem is the CAR so a collapse again ,again, and again.simple as that

[Sab_g]

Just a guess, but one reason I can think off is perhaps they rebuild both chassis with different updates or parts. Perhaps Alonso chassis was used yesterday to test yesterday's part, while Kimi's chassis is used to test today's update. It's too late now to rebuild Alonso's chassis with today's part, heck they might have dismantled it and packed up for China.

Hmmmm, fair point. Little alarming it wasn't noticed before Kimi raced it

[bondilad]

Gonna get lapped in china. After this test we are going to be further behind.

Going to shanghai next week for the race with a bunch of merc fans whom I humiliated last year after alonso ' s win. Never expected this to happen a year later. Please....... I don't want us to get lapped:-(

[pluto]

What a farce. So now we have thrown away a valuable test day because of incompetence. The team is a shambles. Just consistent bad news in every area, never anything positive.

[Kingdom Hearts]

Just a guess, but one reason I can think off is perhaps they rebuild both chassis with different updates or parts. Perhaps Alonso chassis was used yesterday to test yesterday's part, while Kimi's chassis is used to test today's update. It's too late now to rebuild Alonso's chassis with today's part, heck they might have dismantled it and packed up for China.

http://www.crash.net/f1/news/201918/1/ferrari-ends-testing-early-in-bahrain.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss


I think they used Kimi's chassis both days.

[Senna4Ever]

I don't know.. We were all laughin (or most of us) at Red Bull in pre season testing and now I think it has come around and bitten us in the ..

I think that could be the most useful message of the day ...
well it is what it is ... we have to deal with it ...

no one did this damage with purpose ... so that's the story goes ... there must be a failure in the system by definition ... otherwise yesterday BVB would have kicked Real ;)

next 'good thing' would be the news: Vettel replaces Alonso with next race already ... and Vettel puts the car on pole ...
what would me make stop supporting this sport because it would obvious show: destiny is playing fool with me ... and I don't want take part on this game anymore ...

[wernerb3]

I really hope we have the info / data for yesterdays and today's limited testing in order to bring valuable updates to China - We can't wait till Spain... If I was Fernando I will put that car into a wall once I see it is nowehere on race day. I really trust and hope we can fight the mid filed teams and not see them pass us again like in Bahrain.

[Alesi1]

I think that could be the most useful message of the day ...
well it is what it is ... we have to deal with it ...

no one did this damage with purpose ... so that's the story goes ... there must be a failure in the system by definition ... otherwise yesterday BVB would have kicked Real ;)

next 'good thing' would be the news: Vettel replaces Alonso with next race already ... and Vettel puts the car on pole ...
what would me make stop supporting this sport because it would obvious show: destiny is playing fool with me ... and I don't want take part on this game anymore ...

Never gonna happen Fettel can't beat Ricciardo . So much for the best driver in history :-D

[tifosi1993]

This word explain you all this stuff.Amateur.They put a soft tire on medium,new parts doesn t improve the car, excuse was wind tunnel,now engine delivery,traction,oversteer understeer for me the problem is the CAR so a collapse again ,again, and again.simple as that

Another poster who treats f1 engineers like newbies. Amateur? LOL

They have degrees, knowledge, experience and tools to do their job, let them work. And we are commenting here, instead of taking decision into an F1 team, there's surely a reason, do you agree?

[shamim179]

This word explain you all this stuff.Amateur.They put a soft tire on medium,new parts doesn t improve the car, excuse was wind tunnel,now engine delivery,traction,oversteer understeer for me the problem is the CAR so a collapse again ,again, and again.simple as that

We are very good with track operations so this is a big surprise. I just wonder if the pressure isn't getting to us making us make such mistakes. But if these things keep happening it's an early warning sign of the how the situation is deteriorating at Ferrari.

[PadGeT]

Another poster who treats f1 engineers like newbies. Amateur? LOL

They have degrees, knowledge, experience and tools to do their job, let them work. And we are commenting here, instead of taking decision into an F1 team, there's surely a reason, do you agree?
:clap

[ALO]

"I think they used Kimi's chassis both days."

If they used Kimi's car both days then how valid is the test data now? :furious

[pluto]

testing days are as valuable as gold, and we show up with a damaged chassis, nobody even bothered to check and we waste a precious day. Just unbelievable.

[Laferrari]

We are very good with track operations so this is a big surprise. I just wonder if the pressure isn't getting to us making us make such mistakes. But if these things keep happening it's an early warning sign of the how the situation is deteriorating at Ferrari.

The situation is already at the maximum, when your boss lucas try to play politic and ask for some change that s give you a sign that the problem cannot be solve by "improving the car" same for redbull last year with all political stuff for the tyre but redbull and mercedes did a great job to change for "secure" and be back to 2012 tyre.
Mercedes is in advance of us by one year , not month and lucas wants to reduce the gap just with political .I think redbull can recover a gap but not 2 sec ,and they play with us to FIA.

Alonso can go if he wants to go, no contract is eternal.Fernando 2007, kimi 2009.If you want to cancel it , you can.I hope just fernando will stay but i will not be angry if he decides to quit us.

[windwaves]

sorry to sound a bit braggy … but just like I had predicted we will have accomplished absolutely nothing by the end of these valuable testing days. Now look what happened yesterday and then today. I know, it did not take a genius to predict something nearly obvious. But it shows the state of disgrace of SF.

This team is done, cooked and fried and now has gone bad. Need new start.

[Reikai]

Alonso has 12 laps today.Hamilton 81...

[Rosso Corsa]

It's a blow for sure, but not the end of the world. Thankfully nobody was injured. Hopefully we got some encouraging data back.

[mrnl]

Well Kimi's car has some tweaks to the front suspension that judging by the GP and the test are to stay on and as with every new element spares are lacking. The other car has been shipped back to the factory for fitting of some new components and needs to be shipped to China with (perhaps) Kimi's new chassis by this Saturday.

I think despite the early end to day 2 the test has been productive as the first patch of the new software was successfully tried, which is the most pressing issue atm. Other than that there have been the new wheel nuts and brake ducts, tweaks to the front suspension and splitter which are hopefully all going to be formally introduced in China. There are more things planned for Barcelona, including another software version with completely new maps and new front and rear wings but all depends on how work progresses in China. Keep up the work boys :thumb

[Ste]

Disappointing but what can they do if the chassis is damaged? It's hardly a quick fix. Claiming they're a joke and don't know what they're doing is pathetic.

[windwaves]

Disappointing but what can they do if the chassis is damaged? It's hardly a quick fix. Claiming they're a joke and don't know what they're doing is pathetic.

I tend to disagree. What is pathetic is the state of SF, culminating in pretty much 2 extremely valuable testing days gone wasted.

Certainly accusing and claiming they are a joke may sound a bit much and certainly not constructive, but on the other hand it is SF and the expectations are high, very high, and for years now many of us fans have been frustrated with terrible management and a complete waste of the resources of one of the best prides of our country.

The performance of SF is pathetic. Sorry, but it is what it is. No point in denial.

And, while completely irrelevant in the big picture, how on earth do you take so long to realize the chassis is sufficiently damaged to compromise the safety of the driver ? I mean, this is crazy.

[ferrari4life]

honestly this stuff is getting to be funny anymore.
Even RedBull is faster than us with a Renault.. This is plain embarrassing.

[Ste]

I tend to disagree. What is pathetic is the state of SF, culminating in pretty much 2 extremely valuable testing days gone wasted.

Certainly accusing and claiming they are a joke may sound a bit much and certainly not constructive, but on the other hand it is SF and the expectations are high, very high, and for years now many of us fans have been frustrated with terrible management and a complete waste of the resources of one of the best prides of our country.

The performance of SF is pathetic. Sorry, but it is what it is. No point in denial.

And, while completely irrelevant in the big picture, how on earth do you take so long to realize the chassis is sufficiently damaged to compromise the safety of the driver ? I mean, this is crazy.

So, what do you think they should do if the chassis is damaged? :)

[ritsukka]

Maybe they did'nt want to notice it before... "*cough*santander!"

[windwaves]

Well Kimi's car has some tweaks to the front suspension that judging by the GP and the test are to stay on and as with every new element spares are lacking. The other car has been shipped back to the factory for fitting of some new components and needs to be shipped to China with (perhaps) Kimi's new chassis by this Saturday.

I think despite the early end to day 2 the test has been productive as the first patch of the new software was successfully tried, which is the most pressing issue atm. Other than that there have been the new wheel nuts and brake ducts, tweaks to the front suspension and splitter which are hopefully all going to be formally introduced in China. There are more things planned for Barcelona, including another software version with completely new maps and new front and rear wings but all depends on how work progresses in China. Keep up the work boys :thumb

my hat off to your optimism !!! these sort of posts save me from complete madness :)

[RedPassion]

So, what do you think they should do if the chassis is damaged? :)
Ste i think the point is that if you know that chassis has been hit at least 2 times and the other one has been only slightly damaged,then you should choose the safest way to take part to such an important test and be able to drive as much as possible.

[windwaves]

So, what do you think they should do if the chassis is damaged? :)

I would not know :)

I certainly don't pretend to have answers there, way too complicated I suppose but more importantly I don't have all the facts. May be there was nothing that could have been done. May be, had they realized earlier, they could have fixed it. Or may be they could have used the other car for testing. Who knows what is possible.

Now, again, while I am in no position to offer solutions, as a fan and an observer I just cannot help but notice the disarray and the continued decline of the team over the last few years. And I am not afraid of doing so.

[Senna4Ever]

So Kimi's choice not to participate was not the worst ...

[mrnl]

my hat off to your optimism !!! these sort of posts save me from complete madness :)

Well I think it's the only approach to the situation. I've said it multiple times, this is the reality now and while we're not in a great position, the only way is to work towards improvement calmly and methodically.

[windwaves]

Ste i think the point is that if you know that chassis has been hit at least 2 times and the other one has been only slightly damaged,then you should choose the safest way to take part to such an important test and be able to drive as much as possible.

thx, had not seen your reply as I was typing my own.

I understand that being critical and at times overcritical sounds a bit ignorant. However it is not, in the context. It is a context where the vast majority of us is simply in no position to offer constructive criticism. Particularly with respect to the most technical aspects of the sport.

I do, on the other hand, offer my modest constructive criticism when it comes to the overall management of the team, as I posted elsewhere relating to drastic changes needed to address drastic weaknesses across the board in the team.

[shamim179]

Ste i think the point is that if you know that chassis has been hit at least 2 times and the other one has been only slightly damaged,then you should choose the safest way to take part to such an important test and be able to drive as much as possible.

What will anger me if the team come out and say that it was bad luck that the chassis got damaged and because of that we lost productive time. What would be better is that if the team come out and say that we should have been more careful and more thorough in our checks and that in the future we will take preventative measures to avoid this kind of thing from happening again. That's what a strong leader would do. Not brush it under the carpet and assume it won't happen again and hope for all the best. It's just getting form bad to worse. Even if Ferrari turn around I won't be convinced that they have suddenly changed for good. I need to see evidence of that in a consecutive fashion to be convinced.

[RedPassion]

Well I think it's the only approach to the situation. I've said it multiple times, this is the reality now and while we're not in a great position, the only way is to work towards improvement calmly and methodically.
Mrnl while you are right its very difficult to remain calm and methodical after 4 years of dismay,but in the end is the only way to go,better than the italian way.

[SilverSpeed]

Sack 'm all haha lets pack our bags and go LMP1!!!!

[RedPassion]

Sack 'm all haha lets pack our bags and go LMP1!!!!
Thats the Italian way:thumb

[windwaves]

Well I think it's the only approach to the situation. I've said it multiple times, this is the reality now and while we're not in a great position, the only way is to work towards improvement calmly and methodically.

now you are sounding like SD whom I feel is the #1 problem at SF !

I don't disagree, no matter what, only hard work will produce results but I am just not sure that currently Ferrari is capable of organizing that work successfully in terms of direction, targets, methods, approaches, planning, motivation etc. So far results suggest failures after failures. So ?

[Kiwi Nick]

Surely Ferrari were using Kimi's car for testing because it was the only one with upgraded front suspension. And that upgrade must be an improvement or they wouldn't have gone to the trouble to put Nando in Kimi's car. It also gave Nando a chance to evaluate that change. So they had no choice, any new upgrades being tested had to be evaluated on Kimi's chassis because those upgrades would have to work in conjunction with the upgraded they made to Kimi's car. But now they have another problem, were the test results from yesterday and today tainted by the fact that they were being tested on a broken chassis? It could be that none of the results from either day are valid, or not. When you're measuring with a broken test bed, the data you gather can be unreliable.

Depending on how bad the damage is, Kimi may need a new chassis.

[RedPassion]

thx, had not seen your reply as I was typing my own.

I understand that being critical and at times overcritical sounds a bit ignorant. However it is not, in the context. It is a context where the vast majority of us is simply in no position to offer constructive criticism. Particularly with respect to the most technical aspects of the sport.

I do, on the other hand, offer my modest constructive criticism when it comes to the overall management of the team, as I posted elsewhere relating to drastic changes needed to address drastic weaknesses across the board in the team.
Agree with you,i hope they will change the quality control on the chassis for next time,its what allison should do

[ferrari4life]

So, what do you think they should do if the chassis is damaged? :)

there are a lot of people at Ferrari that are paid a lot more money than you and me and anyone else on here to figure it out.

Whats that saying "Be prepared"...

[Nova]

Test thread? Sounds like another moaner. Crying about this n that will not make them go faster or improve.

Now, twitter says Ferrari packing it 4 today due to damaged chassis.

Note: The above remarks are remarks. Have a nice day.:-D

[kiwifella]

Ferrari are in crisis mode, big time.

[Bertie]

I still don't understand why these updates were not tested on friday/saturday practice sessions. Surely they were already in bahrain and if not why? This test is only few days after.

We have been unlucky with the damaged chassis and this will hurt us as we needed this test more than most. I agree that we should of kept fernando's chassis in bahrain as a contigency.

On a general note, why does Ferrari promise us so much e.g. SD saying after 2012 that there would be no more disapointment. It builds our hopes up. They would be better off managing expectations and leaving room to surpass them. Also they said we would have a very aggressive update plan we have had 3 races with no updates since testing (visual) this is not aggressive RB brought new low-drag front wing to bahrain that is aggressive.

I hope i don't sound like i'm bashing because that is not my intention. I started watching F1 on my Papa's knee in the times of Alesi and Berger i.e. before glory days. I don't need Ferrari to win for them to have my support. I would just prefer realistic expectations from the team.

[windwaves]

Bertie,

I think you make very genuine and legitimate points.

I started watching F1 even earlier than you which does not make me a better fan, the point is we know what it means not to win for a long time ...

[Silent Bob]

Surely Ferrari were using Kimi's car for testing because it was the only one with upgraded front suspension. And that upgrade must be an improvement or they wouldn't have gone to the trouble to put Nando in Kimi's car. It also gave Nando a chance to evaluate that change. So they had no choice, any new upgrades being tested had to be evaluated on Kimi's chassis because those upgrades would have to work in conjunction with the upgraded they made to Kimi's car. But now they have another problem, were the test results from yesterday and today tainted by the fact that they were being tested on a broken chassis? It could be that none of the results from either day are valid, or not. When you're measuring with a broken test bed, the data you gather can be unreliable.

Depending on how bad the damage is, Kimi may need a new chassis.


That just makes too much sense. The doomsday crowd won't buy it.

[Greig]

What, we are frightened that someone will copy our genius engine design or our out of this world aero...

So you expect Ferrari to tell the world all their inner secrets lol get real.

[Greig]

sorry to sound a bit braggy … but just like I had predicted we will have accomplished absolutely nothing by the end of these valuable testing days. Now look what happened yesterday and then today. I know, it did not take a genius to predict something nearly obvious. But it shows the state of disgrace of SF.

This team is done, cooked and fried and now has gone bad. Need new start.

You need to go before SD tbh happy that we have problems you are clearly no fan of Ferrari.

[bondilad]

Kimi Raikkonen says Ferrari is "not stupid" and knows what it needs to do to close the gap to the frontrunners in Formula 1 this season.

The Scuderia has struggled in the first three grands prix of 2014, managing a best finish of fourth while Mercedes has dominated at the front.

Raikkonen, who won a race for Lotus last season but has yet to finish above seventh this year, said he had confidence Ferrari could turn its poor form around.

"At least on paper [Bahrain] was the hardest track for us but we have some new parts coming and hopefully we improve," Raikkonen said.

"We know what we have to do. The people are pushing 100 per cent, but it takes time. That's the fact.

"We are not stupid people, we have good things going on.

"Unfortunately right now it's not the prettiest thing when you look at the end of the race, but I have belief in the team that we can turn it around.

"I've been with this team and other teams having a hard time and I'm sure we can get it right."

Raikkonen was still happier with the set-up of his F14 T in Bahrain, despite another difficult race in which he was hit twice and complained that racing the Mercedes-engined cars was likebeing in "a different class".

"I think we improved the car - it feels nicer," added Raikkonen, who is missing this week's in-season Bahrain test, but will drive on both days at Barcelona after the Spanish Grand Prix in May.

"The feeling is better but obviously the results don't show that.

"We have a lot of work to do and we can only push forward. I'm sure we can be stronger in the next race."

[shamim179]

That just makes too much sense. The doomsday crowd won't buy it.

It's a plausible theory. But what that suggests is that they weren't sure if it would really bring improvements or not hence why they fitted these differences only onto Kimi's car. So Kimi's car was like a trial run in the race. If you're this cautious when it comes to introducing updates having an aggressive plan is clearly not the right word. Are Ferrari not confident in their ability? Whatever way you look at it there isn't anything positive about it. And I thought these updates were specific to Kimi? They should have brought both drivers so we have more input.

[windwaves]

You need to go before SD tbh happy that we have problems you are clearly no fan of Ferrari.

You are confused.

[windwaves]

It's a plausible theory. But what that suggests is that they weren't sure if it would really bring improvements or not hence why they fitted these differences only onto Kimi's car. So Kimi's car was like a trial run in the race. If you're this cautious when it comes to introducing updates having an aggressive plan is clearly not the right word. Are Ferrari not confident in their ability? Whatever way you look at it there isn't anything positive about it. And I thought these updates were specific to Kimi? They should have brought both drivers so we have more input.

indeed, nothing positive.

Along the lines of what someone else suggested in this forum, may be we could from now on use all remaining gp weekends as testing ground, one or both drivers.

[wisepie]

I despair at the negative vibes going on here, yes we're in deep trouble and you can't blame Fernando or Kimi for getting frustrated and angry, Ferrari seem to be stagggering from one crisis to the next at present and I just wonder if they've changed too many technical/design personnel at the same time believing them to be a magic fix, when in fact it's the new regs which have so far defeated us. Felipe and Rob must be happy to have escaped the current shambles but I'm not giving up our beloved team any time soon, win or lose.

[Silent Bob]

It's a plausible theory. But what that suggests is that they weren't sure if it would really bring improvements or not hence why they fitted these differences only onto Kimi's car. So Kimi's car was like a trial run in the race. If you're this cautious when it comes to introducing updates having an aggressive plan is clearly not the right word. Are Ferrari not confident in their ability? Whatever way you look at it there isn't anything positive about it. And I thought these updates were specific to Kimi? They should have brought both drivers so we have more input.

Perhaps Kimi wanted the updates right away as he wasn't as comfortable with the car as it was? Perhaps the front end fix is only part of an overall larger update? Maybe at this test being aggressive meant working on finding a better PU map? Maybe this test is for further wind tunnel correlation? I don't know what Ferrari were planning.. but calling the team pathetic and amateurish because of an unforeseen problem is childish. I'm as frustrated as most Ferrari fans that we're not winning, but the team needs a chance to work things through, not scrap everything and start over.

[Greig]

You are confused.

Not really all you do is come here to twist the knife in, you would probably be upset if we started to win.

[FerrariF60]

Not really all you do is come here to twist the knife in, you would probably be upset if we started to win.

ha, ha....i wouldn't be surprised...possibly even crying....LOL

[windwaves]

Not really all you do is come here to twist the knife in, you would probably be upset if we started to win.

oh well, gotcha. You are like an ostrich then, you like to hide rather than face the truth. Then I have got nothing else to say to you. Enjoy Ferrari's 5th years of success with your pal SD :)

[windwaves]

ha, ha....i wouldn't be surprised...possibly even crying....LOL

beautiful, another genius :)

Just look at your signature, who is crying ? it is Pirelli's fault what happened last year !?!? cry babies.

[windwaves]

Anyhow, back on topic.

We all understand the situation, well, most do.

However these tests have shown that things are much worse than imaginable, with 12 laps run today and a team in a state of disarray. The profound lack of leadership could not be more obvious. Of course mistakes do happen but this one, given circumstances where you would expect nothing less than maximum concentration, cannot be classified as such. This is mere sloppiness, unforgivable for any F1 team, and more so for Ferrari.

I expect dramatic news in the next few days from Maranello. Mark my words. It just cannot go on like this, not for another gp.

[Greig]

oh well, gotcha. You are like the an ostrich then, you like to hide rather than face the truth. Then I have got nothing else to say to you. Enjoy Ferrari's 5th years of success with your pal SD :)

My support does not and never will hinge on success.

[Rob]

My support does not and never will hinge on success.

:clap

[Greig]

Anyhow, back on topic.

We all understand the situation, well, most do.

However these tests have shown that things are much worse than imaginable, with 12 laps run today and a team in a state of disarray. The profound lack of leadership could not be more obvious. Of course mistakes do happen but this one, given circumstances where you would expect nothing less than maximum concentration, cannot be classified as such. This is mere sloppiness, unforgivable for any F1 team, and more so for Ferrari.

I expect dramatic news in the next few days from Maranello. Mark my words. It just cannot go on like this, not for another gp.

So you are just going to continue posting a lot of rubbish to attack the team?

[Parabolica]

I hope and pray for success for the Scuderia. It is what all fans of the team want.

I supported them in many low results over 40 years plus.

I hope I won't be lectured on my support of the greatest be in Motorsport when I say that we are poor, and the responsibility for our performance, as always, comes from within.

I believe that a failure to acknowledge this is not a qualification that improves the status of the supporter.

I support my loved ones, but real love includes honesty and the desire to correct and guide.

If that does not make me welcome, I will leave here without further comment.

Forza Ferrari! Avanti, Avanti!

[Greig]

Welcome back....

[windwaves]

I hope and pray for success for the Scuderia. It is what all fans of the team want.

I supported them in many low results over 40 years plus.

I hope I won't be lectured on my support of the greatest be in Motorsport when I say that we are poor, and the responsibility for our performance, as always, comes from within.

I believe that a failure to acknowledge this is not a qualification that improves the status of the supporter.

I support my loved ones, but real love includes honesty and the desire to correct and guide.

If that does not make me welcome, I will leave here without further comment.

Forza Ferrari! Avanti, Avanti!

Fantastic post. Thanks!

[Suzie]

At least if the car continues to be a tractor it might get rid of the stampy-feet crowd who feel a sense of entitlement about winning.

[shamim179]

From BBC

Ferrari suffer Bahrain test setback

9 April 2014 Updated 16:08 By Andrew Benson - Chief F1 writer

Ferrari's attempts to improve their faltering form suffered a setback when they had to abandon running early at this week's Bahrain test.

Fernando Alonso managed to complete only 12 laps on the second day of the test on Wednesday before the team discovered the chassis was damaged.

Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen finished ninth and 10th in the race on Sunday.

The team hoped to carry out a series of set-up evaluations based on information from the first day on Tuesday.

Ferrari have struggled for pace at the start of the season. Their new turbo hybrid engine lacks power compared to the rival Mercedes and the car is struggling with poor traction, which is exacerbated by a lack of driveability from the power-unit.

Despite that, Alonso lies fourth in the drivers' championship, just one point behind Force India's Nico Hulkenberg, after two fourth places in the Australian and Malaysian Grands Prix.

Raikkonen has scored seven points and is 12th overall. Ferrari are fifth in the constructors' championship, 78 points behind leaders Mercedes who have dominated the start of the season.

The car Alonso was using in the test was the one raced by Raikkonen in Bahrain last weekend.

Ferrari said the damage could be traced back to Raikkonen's collision with the kerb on the exit of Turn Four during first practice on Friday, when the Finn became airborne.

A spokesman said: "The kerb impact in FP1 caused some local damage which we repaired during the weekend, but it has now become clear that there was also some consequential damage, unseen over the remainder of the weekend.

"This damage became only apparent this morning, and we stopped running on a precautionary basis in order to fix the chassis."

Alonso said Ferrari's lack of competitiveness is "not good" after their lack of traction, heavy tyre usage and poor straight-line speed were exposed at Sakhir.

Although both Alonso and Raikkonen both insisted after the Bahrain race they had confidence that Ferrari could improve.

Alonso said: "We have the resources, we have the potential, everything in our hands. We believe we can do better than we are doing now. And the Bahrain track is one of the worst (for our car).

"We are missing some of the characteristics this track has. In China I expect more competitive, Barcelona, Monaco coming some circuits that we need to get some podiums hopefully."

Raikkonen added: "We have some new parts coming and hopefully we improve.

"We know what we have to do. The people are pushing 100%, but it takes time. That's the fact. We are not stupid people, we have good things going on.

"Unfortunately right now it's not the prettiest thing when you look at the end of the race, but I have belief in the team that we can turn it around."

[gazoz]

My support does not and never will hinge on success.

Here Here! spoken like a true Fan:thumb

[gazoz]

I hope and pray for success for the Scuderia. It is what all fans of the team want.

I supported them in many low results over 40 years plus.

I hope I won't be lectured on my support of the greatest be in Motorsport when I say that we are poor, and the responsibility for our performance, as always, comes from within.

I believe that a failure to acknowledge this is not a qualification that improves the status of the supporter.

I support my loved ones, but real love includes honesty and the desire to correct and guide.

If that does not make me welcome, I will leave here without further comment.

Forza Ferrari! Avanti, Avanti!

well said you are a true supporter

[DIEK]

The question is: why not use the chassis of Alonso?

[Ophidian786]

The question is: why not use the chassis of Alonso?

I think there were issues with FA’s car over the weekend too, not sure if this was chassis or PU related...

[nash929]

My support does not and never will hinge on success.

I Salute you, Sir Greig.

[shamim179]

From James Allen:

"A Ferrari spokesman said that the team had repaired “the local damage during the weekend, but it has now become clear that there was also some consequential damage, unseen over the remainder of the weekend. This damage became only apparent this morning, and we stopped running on a precautionary basis in order to fix the chassis.” "

So they knew it was damaged but didn't think the chassis was affected? Kimi went over a kerb and collided with Magnussen. Damage to the chassis can be expected in this instance.

[Ophidian786]

It just doesn’t seem right, we will never find out, but I honestly believe there is something fishy about all this broken chassis business...

[nash929]

It just doesn’t seem right, we will never find out, but I honestly believe there is something fishy about all this broken chassis business...

I think so too. IT may just be an excuse not to continue on with the programme as they know what they need to improve on : PU. So, I don't think they felt the need to continue the tests. I may be wrong, but what do I know? I'm just typing.

[paneristi]

perhaps that can be used as a reason to develop new chassis for the sake of safety? then need new PU for the new chassis to fit correctly? hope is beautiful
From James Allen:

"A Ferrari spokesman said that the team had repaired “the local damage during the weekend, but it has now become clear that there was also some consequential damage, unseen over the remainder of the weekend. This damage became only apparent this morning, and we stopped running on a precautionary basis in order to fix the chassis.” "

So they knew it was damaged but didn't think the chassis was affected? Kimi went over a kerb and collided with Magnussen. Damage to the chassis can be expected in this instance.

[Raz]

Sorry, didn't see the ferrari that much yesterday
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/abdur1234/_DSC0273_zps1ee3f038.jpg

[Hornet]

Thanks Raz for the pic :thumb Looks like the team was testing a new brake ducts without the blown wheelnut thing

[Raz]

:-)

[zike]

tim wood@Austin_F1
Anyone out there know if @MercedesAMGF1 uses Magneti Marelli hardware for its MGU-H? @ScarbsF1 @tgruener #F1


Craig Scarborough @ScarbsF1
@Austin_F1 @MercedesAMGF1 @tgruener no. It's in house developed with input from zytek

so we use Magneti Marelli and Merc developed their own

[shamim179]

I think so too. IT may just be an excuse not to continue on with the programme as they know what they need to improve on : PU. So, I don't think they felt the need to continue the tests. I may be wrong, but what do I know? I'm just typing.

I highly doubt Ferrari would have a lapse of concentration on purpose just to make an excuse of the inability to improve the car performance more credible. But it does make you wonder about the wisdom of using a chassis that was at least somewhat damaged to begin with. It's like they didn't think about their planning carefully enough.

[Hermann]

This all looks like utter chaos to me but its easy to judge from the outside. I really wonder what is going on in our team.

[windwaves]

yes, it is easy to judge from the outside, we are outsiders and we see what we see: season compromised.

[Parabolica]

With regards to the Mercedes, Zytek are an independent company

Their expertise and collaboration would have been available, as they are not tied to Stuttgart.

That is not to say that anyone could tell they were the best option.