Testing Barcelona 2011

[Hornet]

Its still 4 seconds slower than the times from last year. And i don't think the cars have become 4 seconds slower with Kers and different tyre supplier?

No doubt we shouldn't read too much into these times.

But IMO, once the season start, its possible to see huge drop in lap time due to the new tires. Its their first time, and they are falling to bits and pieces faster than Bridgestone last year. I guess their tires will probably improve over the years as they learn more

[burak karakutuk]

Track was growing up after every stint and air conditions also.So it may explain us why they are faster 1.1sn than Fernando.I will stay optimistic and wait latest updates for Ferrari.We will develop F150th Italia with a struggle but i see Rb is the fastest so far.Anyone knows why they passed most of the time in pit lane?

[Rob]

Another hundred laps for Alonso at Montmelò 2.18.2011

Maranello, 18 February
Circuit: Circuit de Catalunya – 4,655 km
Driver: Fernando Alonso
Car: Ferrari F150th Italia
Weather: air temperature 5/19°C, track temperature 6/25 °C. Sunny, track wet up to mid-morning, then dry.

First day of testing for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro and the eleven other Formula 1 teams, working from today until Monday at the Montmelo circuit, outside Barcelona.

Fernando Alonso was at the wheel of the F150th Italia, still in the same configuration seen at the first test. As has been the case right from the start of the new car’s on track development, the main subjects on the agenda were increasing understanding of the Pirelli tyres and on working on the overall reliability of the car. The day went smoothly with no technical problems on the car and by the end, a total of 101 laps had been completed, the quickest in a time of 1.25.485.

Testing at this track continues tomorrow, again with Fernando Alonso at the wheel.

http://www.ferrari.com/English/Formu..._Montmelo.aspx

[Rob]

Wow another high lap count. Fernando do the most laps today?

[Ste]

Wow another high lap count. Fernando do the most laps today?

If you exclude the two teams still not using their new cars, yes he easily did the most.

Ferrari did:

75 laps more than Force India
64 laps more than Red Bull
54 laps more than Lotus Renault
49 laps more than Williams
47 laps more than Lotus
44 laps more than Toro Rosso
24 laps more than McLaren
23 laps more than Sauber
11 laps more than Mercedes

[Rob]

@ste thanks mate

blimey really have had good day today. Still no major issues either (touch wood)

[Rob]

how come Vettel done so few laps? i did read on bbc red button that he was in pits for most of the day.

[FerrariF60]

how come Vettel done so few laps?

hopefully they have lots of reliability issues...
as far as our performance, i wouldn't worry too much...it's still testing AFTERALL....

[Rob]

just read that RBR opened op the car for "just precautionary checks"

[redsteph]

Suzie is there and I have it on authority that she has not yet been arrested....... but then Felipe isn't there until Sunday ;)

[vcs316]

Alonso: "Important data for understanding the tyres"

Once again a lot of kilometres for the F150th Italia. Today, chassis 287 made its track debut, having previously been used for the crash tests and for bench testing and it too showed a good level of reliability, covering around 470 kilometres without any problems. Once again today, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro's main aim, along with that of Fernando Alonso who was driving, was to gather data on the behaviour of the Pirelli tyres, getting their first taste of the very demanding Catalunya circuit.

"Overall, it was a positive day," said Fernando speaking to www.ferrari.com. "We did a lot of laps and brought home much valuable information. It seems that, on this track too, there is a certain level of tyre degradation, but it is only the first day and we have to see how the track evolves between now and Monday."

Fernando will be at the wheel of car number 5 again tomorrow, before Felipe takes over for Sunday and Monday.

-source: ferrari

[vcs316]

how come Vettel done so few laps? i did read on bbc red button that he was in pits for most of the day.

Red Bull Barcelona test, day 1 report

Driver: Sebastian Vettel Car: RB7 - 01 Laps: 37 laps Best time: 1:24.374 Circuit length: 4.655km Fastest lap: S. Vettel (see above)

Red Bull Racing was back in action at the Circuit de Catalunya today, with Sebastian Vettel at the wheel of the RB7 for the first day of the Barcelona test.

A damp start to the day gave the team a chance to test the intermediate Pirelli tyres, before conditions began to dry. Sebastian had a couple of minor offs in the morning session, prompting the team to complete some precautionary checks over lunch.

Sebastian Vettel said: "Unfortunately, we didn't complete many laps today, as we had a long break - longer than expected. It wasn't anything big, nothing broke, but at the test if you think there might be a problem then you'd rather take the car apart and check. The boys did their best and we still got some runs towards the end of the day - not as much as we'd like, but the car feels good and hopefully we'll do more tomorrow."

Ian Morgan, Head of Race Engineering, commented: "It was frustrating today, as we lost some time making checks to the car during lunch. It's what testing is for, but we would have liked to complete more laps today."

Sebastian will be back at the wheel tomorrow, for day two of the four-day test.

-source: red bull

[bkircher]

I dont understand how Ferrari work, mainly the development program. They said on launch day that by the time the first race comes around, the car will look completely different, yet this is the last test, no new parts, looks completely the same to the naked eye. Wouldnt you think that since there is no in season testing, that they would choose to test the new parts now, when they can, without penelty?? Makes no sense to me. Others may feel different but, just doesnt make sense to me.

[Curbs]

You are right, but for one small detail. This is not the last test...

[bkircher]

O, I guess I got this one confused with the Bahrain test that was switched to Barcelona.

[Hornet]

Ah, oh boy oh boy

08:34 It's Alonso's Ferrari that has stopped on the track. It came to a halt at Turn 4.

[Curbs]

Just stay calm. This is testing. It could be an engine with pleanty of mileage on it.

[Hornet]

Yeah. Better now than in the real race

Anyway here is the update

09:06 @InsideFerrari explains what went wrong for Alonso: "Not a good start of the second day of the session. Fernando stopped on track due to an electric problem. Anyway, the issue has been solved.

"Fernando will run again very soon. Tyres and set-up changes are the main objectives of today's programme."

[Lithium]

Ah, oh boy oh boy

Thankfully it doesn't seem to be that big a deal:

09:06 @InsideFerrari explains what went wrong for Alonso: "Not a good start of the second day of the session. Fernando stopped on track due to an electric problem. Anyway, the issue has been solved.

"Fernando will run again very soon. Tyres and set-up changes are the main objectives of today's programme."

edit: ops, I see somebody was faster than me

[Ste]

Only took 15 minutes to find and fix, not a big issue.

[Curbs]

He´s back on track

[Curbs]

Better yet, he´s P1

[Curbs]

Whats going on with McLaren? Out of parts again?

[Hermann]

They said something about 'aero mapping in the morning and long runs in the afternoon'. Obviously 'aero mapping' means not running at all?

Edit: found out that some outlaps are enough for aero mapping. Allegedly.


Williams the Dark horse?


32 1:27.891
33 1:24.264 -3.627
34 1:24.624 +0.36
35 1:25.336 +0.712
36 1:26.067 +0.731
37 1:26.241 +0.174
38 1:26.073 -0.168
39 1:25.706 -0.367
40 1:25.688 -0.018
41 1:25.870 +0.182
42 1:26.041 +0.171
43 1:25.676 -0.365
44 ----
45 1:25.676
46 1:24.126 -1.55
47 1:24.857 +0.731
48 1:25.284 +0.427
49 1:25.603 +0.319

[scuderiafan]

Alonso hasnt been on track in a long time. Recurrance of electral problem?

Doesn't matter, the team knows best.

EDIT: As soon as i say that, he comes out.

[Hermann]

AMuS reporting that it took a while because of a malfunctioning (fuel?) pump. Problem solved now, apparently.

Qualy simulation?


Vettel

27 1:25.199
28 1:23.410 -1.789
29 1:24.185 +0.775

[scuderiafan]

i think we are jinxing this ferrari.

Whenever we say it is bullet-proof, we have problems the next day.

[Rob]

AMuS reporting that it took a while because of a malfunctioning (fuel?) pump. Problem solved now, apparently.

Qualy simulation?


Vettel

27 1:25.199
28 1:23.410 -1.789
29 1:24.185 +0.775

yeah it is. After lunch be doing long runs.

[Rob]

13:30 Elsewhere, Button is out in the McLaren while Kobayashi and Teixeira also circulate.

13:29 66 laps on Vettel's pitboard so he's underway on Red Bull's race simulation.

13:28 It's a long pause at the end of the pitlane and Vettel's away after completing the start procedure.

[Rob]

13:35 Schumacher's race simulation yesterday was a three-stopper, so it will be interesting to see what strategy Red Bull has planned.

13:34 Vettel clocks a 1m30.361 for his third lap on full tanks.

13:34 We can now confirm that this is the second consecutive test to have AUTOSPORT Live followed from a boat.

Jeff & Lelia Robinson say: "We're on our boat in the anchorage off Cartagena de Indies in Colombia - its 0730 here, so we have checked in just in time for your lunch!"

13:33 Button clocks a 1m24.923s and the McLaren is now fourth fastest in the headline times. He heads to the garage.

13:32 The first lap of Vettel's race is a 1m29.759s - we also know for sure that the Red Bull is fully fuelled for another 65 tours.