Testing at Jerez 10th-13th February 2011

[Suzie]

Another test session coming up

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89366

Nick Heidfeld will test for Renault at Jerez later this week as the outfit evaluates a replacement for the injured Robert Kubica.

The German has emerged as the leading contender to stand in for Kubica, who could be out for the remainder of the season as the result of the serious injuries he picked up in a rally crash at the weekend.

Although Renault has five reserve drivers, and is giving its lead one Bruno Senna a first test in its car this week, the team has made no secret of the fact that it will need an experienced driver to lead its team if Kubica is sidelined for a long time.

Heidfeld has held talks with Renault over the last 48 hours and agreement has been reached for him to run at Jerez at some point this week. Vitaly Petrov will test, as originally scheduled, on Thursday and Friday before Senna and Heidfeld are given mileage over the weekend.

Renault team owner Gerard Lopez said earlier today that the team would wait until after testing before deciding on who will partner Vitaly Petrov this year - and Heidfeld's chances will depend on how he compares pace-wise against Senna.

"We must wait for the Jerez tests now, and thankfully the Barcelona ones too, and see how the car is going, and how the driver - who will start the season and maybe ending it too - is doing. We don't know," he told IVG.it

"There are drivers who have had good races, for example Nick Heidfeld. We all know that Nick is rather good, but we don't know what level he is in now, we don't know how he does with our car. Same goes for Vitantonio Liuzzi, same goes - I don't know -for Bruno Senna, who last year was in a team with a car that could do nothing."

Heidfeld has been left without a seat after being replaced at Sauber at the end of last season by Sergio Perez, who brought valuable sponsorship backing from Mexico.

I can't find Ferrari's schedule anywhere... anyone know who is driving what days?

[scuderiafan]

Felip first 2 days, fernando second 2.

That renault thing is a joke imo. They have hired 5 reserve drivers for precisiely this reson, and when they are needed, they get someone else!

[Rob]

@scuderiafan, beat me to it chap, i just found the Ferrari schedule and then see you got it.

5!!!! its case of Renualt (lotus) wanting to try and fill Kubicas boots with title contender. Shame for all the reserve drivers, must make them really hopefull and wanted.

[Suzie]

Thanks guys.

[scuderiafan]

@scuderiafan, beat me to it chap, i just found the Ferrari schedule and then see you got it.

5!!!! its case of Renualt (lotus) wanting to try and fill Kubicas boots with title contender. Shame for all the reserve drivers, must make them really hopefull and wanted.

sorry about that lol.

I think they should give Bruno a go.
I understand about the title contender, but surely they wouldn't sign a reserve driver if they didn't think he could cut it (unless he had a wealthy backer).

and I think reserve drivers should be able to be just that, and stand in if one of the first drivers has an injury which has just happened

[Tifosi]

sorry about that lol.

I think they should give Bruno a go.
I understand about the title contender, but surely they wouldn't sign a reserve driver if they didn't think he could cut it (unless he had a wealthy backer).

and I think reserve drivers should be able to be just that, and stand in if one of the first drivers has an injury which has just happened

Trouble is that they don't usually hire reserve drivers with a full campaign drive in mind. They'll want the driver with the most experience available to maximise their chance of getting a title. If it was half way through the season then maybe I guess. I feel sorry for Senna but I think Heidfeld will get it.

[racingbradley]

sorry about that lol.

I think reserve drivers should be able to be just that, and stand in if one of the first drivers has an injury which has just happened

I agree with you but by the same token I think they should be given time in the car. I know that the drivers need all the testing days to familiarise themselves with their new car but test drivers get no opportunity and when something like Kubica's accident happens they are supposed to take over.
I notice Kimi is in the line up as well but somehow I cannot see it!!!!

http://bleacherreport.com/tb/b89nk

[sf6921]

who's awake? Do we have any live timing or video feeds available? Thanks in advance if you do

[Anni]

who's awake? Do we have any live timing or video feeds available? Thanks in advance if you do

I´m awake, unfortunatly Good morning!

Here´s the link to a live-ticker, but it´s in German. To read the lap-times it should do, but I´m sure someone else will be awake until the session starts and be of more help.

http://ticker.auto-motor-und-sport.de/

[sf6921]

Hey Anni,
Thank you thank you. No work for me tomorrow so i think i just might stay up for the whole thing. Ive got a big beer and some food so im in it for the long haul haha

[voiko]

Hey hey Hey! wish they broadcast testing.. it would be watched by heaps i think! everyone is so eager!!

[Anni]

Hey Anni,
Thank you thank you. No work for me tomorrow so i think i just might stay up for the whole thing. Ive got a big beer and some food so im in it for the long haul haha

You´re welcome! Lucky you, I wished I could follow the events too. Have fun!

[Hornet]

I´m awake, unfortunatly Good morning!

Here´s the link to a live-ticker, but it´s in German. To read the lap-times it should do, but I´m sure someone else will be awake until the session starts and be of more help.

http://ticker.auto-motor-und-sport.de/

wow, thanks for the link.

I don't know why, even though its just testing and no one's going for fastest lap, somehow I love watching the lap times

Hopefully no more bad luck for Massa, he needs to get as much time in the new car as possible.

[Kyss4k]

Links:

Times:
http://www.f1today.nl/live-update/20...-de-jerez.html
http://www.attwilliams.com/test-timings

Commentary:
http://twitter.jamesallenonf1.com/?refresh

[Rishu]

Links:

Times:
http://www.f1today.nl/live-update/20...-de-jerez.html
http://www.attwilliams.com/test-timings

Commentary:
http://twitter.jamesallenonf1.com/?refresh

Thanks mate

[Forzi]

Dunno how, but autosports live commentary is free again

http://live.autosport.com/commentary.php/id/306

[Mitra]

Dunno how, but autosports live commentary is free again

http://live.autosport.com/commentary.php/id/306

[Forzi]

Looks like McLarens going to the fields to get some tillage done



But seriously, what is that thing?

[Hornet]

If I have to take a guess, I'd say its probably a series of pitot tubes or something similar to measure the air pressure. Maybe to see how the air is coming out from the diffuser.

[Raz]

Looks like McLarens going to the fields to get some tillage done



But seriously, what is that thing?

looks like a .... Mower/gardening tool

[brava]

looks like something got stuck there, by mistake

[racingbradley]

Isn't that what McMowers do? gardening ??
Hate to say it but apart from the gardening tool on the back I think it's a lovely car. No grey in sight that's gone to Force India I guess.

[brava]

Felipe P1

[Forzi]

Massa's 1m20.709s

[ali355]

Looks like McLarens going to the fields to get some tillage done



But seriously, what is that thing?

If I had to guess, an array of sensors to corroborate wind tunnel data on the effectiveness of their diffuser/ check airflow around the back of the car.
I think they had something similar hooked up in front of the sidepods at a few tests last year

[Tifosi]

Isn't that what McMowers do? gardening ??
Hate to say it but apart from the gardening tool on the back I think it's a lovely car. No grey in sight that's gone to Force India I guess.

You can get suspended for using the word "lovely" to describe a Macca on this forum.

[racingbradley]

You can get suspended for using the word "lovely" to describe a Macca on this forum.

Oops but it can be "lovely" as long as it is a dog of a car and ours goes like a rocket

[voiko]

If I had to guess, an array of sensors to corroborate wind tunnel data on the effectiveness of their diffuser/ check airflow around the back of the car.
I think they had something similar hooked up in front of the sidepods at a few tests last year

F1today.nl - McLaren caused a few surprising faces few minutes ago when Hamilton drove out pit. Many media laughed at the rear, as McLaren's car looked like a kart.

It appears that the movements of the McLaren car and will monitor above the diffuser, allowing the entire width of a measuring instrument is placed.

[voiko]

nice to see all teams have 'come back soon Robert' in polish on their cars for Thursday testing in Jerez!

[Ant Raikkonen]

I can see where people are coming from when talking about Reanult's 5 reserves (with Senna at the front of the queue being the official 3rd driver) but I think it's right that NH is given a test in the Renault. They need his experience of the circuits & setting the car up at least. He should be given the job of replacing RK imo on the basis of his vast experience in F1 going back to the late 90's. I've always like NH, but not loved him as such. I think he's a solid driver. Race winner or WDC contender? MMM i don't know. I always rated NH in the same ball park as JB. I have a hunch he could do the business just like JB did.

I wonder what he thinks of the Pirelli's?