Mugello F1 testing,1-3 May 2012

[Ste]

ok so far, what differences are there on the car besides exhaust?

Three slots in the floor ahead of the rear tyre. And the down pointing tail pipe.

Oh, and the front wing pylons are now painted black...

[ferrari1.8t]

Why would it have to be altered? Have other teams altered theirs at every track? Once it works and doesn't destroy tyres, the only alterations will be improvements to the system which will work everywhere.

Like I said, I just hope to find a permanent set-up that works well. I want us to make the most of this in-season test. I have faith in our boys in red!

[Chicane]

Hope for the best in this test..all hopes are on those upgrades..

[Greig]

the three slots on the floor where there in Bahrain

[Cemz85]

looks like REDBULL are running sensors on the end of there exhaust's.. Still trying to figure it out i guess..
we should see more upgrades tommorow for comparisons sake

[Brad-Ferrari]

The black pylons will surely gain us around 1 second.

[Nathan]

Yeah: they're probably just running the most basic of upgrades first to get a baseline, and then work from there, piling on new upgrades.

[ferrari1.8t]

The black pylons will surely gain us around 1 second.

LOL! Maybe they are painted black to hide a new top secret aero device

[Hornet]

Isn't it nice to have some ​in-season testing though!?!

Should be done more often, gives the team a chance to try new stuff and keep the title fight interesting.

[DIEK]

[Hornet]

Dear me

Lotus F1 via Twitter: "It's now gone from a bit damp, to soaking wet... no running for the time being..."

Now everyone is so free even Alonso have time for twitter

@alo_oficial
A question for you today..! How many coffees in a testing day we drink at Ferrari ..? #Ithink waiting your answers ;)

[Ste]

the three slots on the floor where there in Bahrain

Où Est?

[Cemz85]

Sauber have gone for mclaren typre exhaust's.. interesting

[EL NANO]

Even if they get it working, I feel that the current exhaust design will never be suited to every track. It will probably need to be altered every race weekend to suit the diverse characteristics of each individual track. Just like the first 4 races, we will see the exhaust pointing somewhere different every weekend. I hope we can find a permanent set up solution to have us as main contenders for the title bid.

Sorry dude that does not make sense... If the exhaust works it will work everywhere ...

[ferrari1.8t]

Sorry dude that does not make sense... If the exhaust works it will work everywhere ...

I'm not an engineer, just an optimistic Ferrari Fan. I have witnessed multiple variations of the exhaust pointing since pre-season testing and none have seemed to boost the car to the front of the grid. All I am saying is that I hope whatever the engineers work out over this test will be a successful and permanent solution!

[Alessandra]

Isn't it nice to have some ​in-season testing though!?!

Yes!!

[Bertie]

It seems that Mcs have 2 cars at testing. yes they are being driven by Paffett and Turvey, but have we missed a trick here?

surley two cars has a big advantage in terms of direct comparisons (same track conditions) between different components. Also mechanics can work on one car while the other one is out this translates to more components being tested in a given time frame - something we need.

[Cemz85]

thats right, how do they have two cars testing?

[FerrariF60]

It seems that Mcs have 2 cars at testing. yes they are being driven by Paffett and Turvey, but have we missed a trick here?

surley two cars has a big advantage in terms of direct comparisons (same track conditions) between different components. Also mechanics can work on one car while the other one is out this translates to more components being tested in a given time frame - something we need.

what?!?!?! running 2 cars in same day?? is that even allowed??
if yes, how come we don't do that?? that way we can have direct comparison between 2 setups

[Gerhard Berger]

what?!?!?! running 2 cars in same day?? is that even allowed??
if yes, how come we don't do that?? that way we can have direct comparison between 2 setups

it's not allowed.

[Ste]

The McLaren drivers are sharing the day - half each. Not running both cars at the same time. Mercedes are doing the same.

[Ste]

McLaren using adjustable rear brake duct
Source: F1 Zone

A rumor has begun to gather momentum in the Formula 1 paddock of McLaren using a mechanic adjustable rear brake duct, which alters the heat going into the tyre via the wheel. The device could be providing the Woking based team with a legal way to manage their tyre temperatures during a race weekend.

During pre-season testing, the device was first spotted and has been supposedly used since the Chinese Grand Prix after McLaren suffered with tyre temperature issues in the wet race in Malaysia. The device works by a mechanic adjusting the brake duct opening around the disc which in turn sends more heat through the wheel, thus increasing the temperature of the tyre.

It is currently unknown as to whether this device is present on any of the other cars on the grid. The device isn’t classified as ‘moveable aero’, and therefore is considered legal as it is believed the device isn’t adjusted during the race.

In a season which has been heavily dictated by the Pirelli tyres so far, this device could well begin to be copied up and down the grid. With a three-day test at Mugello starting today, it’ll be interesting to see whether the device is used and whether any of the other teams introduce a similar device as they prepare for the beginning the European leg of the season.

[Fer12]

@ Mugello
We have some lightning across the circuit now as well, it's all getting a bit dramatic..
What a Rotten bit of luck..

[Rob]

Fernando Alonso tops first morning session of F1 testing at Mugello
By Sam Tremayne Tuesday, May 1st 2012, 11:07 GMT

Fernando Alonso handed Ferrari the perfect start to Formula 1's in-season test at Mugello by going fastest on the opening morning.

The times, however, mattered little on a day which started wet and dried throughout as the 11-strong field - missing only HRT - headed out.

Alonso's best, a 1m22.444s, was more than one second clear of red Bull's Mark Webber, the Australian running with an array of rear sensors as the Milton Keynes squad attempts to further understand the sidepod configuration it took to Bahrain.

Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne, who stopped out on circuit barely an hour in to bring out the first of two red flags, was third fastest, ahead of Jerome D'Ambrosio in the Lotus.

Nico Rosberg, cause of the second red flag when his Mercedes stopped at Turn 4 - at the same time as Alonso's F2012 halted at Turn 8 - was fifth, ahead of Kamui Kobayashi and Oliver Turvey, the Briton deputising along with Gary Paffett for McLaren regulars Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.

Force India's Jules Bianchi opted to sit out most of the morning due to the wet conditions, but managed to complete 18 laps in the dry. He ended eighth fastest ahead of Caterham's Rodolfo Gonzalez, Marussia's Charles Pic and Williams's Valtteri Bottas.

Morning times:

Pos Driver Team Time
1. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m22.444s
2. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m23.648s + 1.204s
3. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m23.891s + 1.447s
4. Jerome d'Ambrosio Lotus-Renault 1m24.048s + 1.604s
5. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m24.100s + 1.656s
6. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m24.736s + 2.292s
7. Oliver Turvey McLaren-Mercedes 1m25.303s + 2.859s
8. Jules Bianchi Force India-Mercedes 1m25.475s + 3.031s
9. Rodolfo Gonzalez Caterham-Renault 1m27.197s + 4.753s
10. Charles Pic Marussia-Cosworth 1m27.359s + 4.915s
11. Valtteri Bottas Williams-Renault 1m29.179s + 6.735s


http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99279

[Bertie]

what?!?!?! running 2 cars in same day?? is that even allowed??
if yes, how come we don't do that?? that way we can have direct comparison between 2 setups

it seems so from this link http://f1tests.co.cc/2012.php it could be that the 2 drivers a sharing a car but if you look at the offcial F1 website:

McLaren
Championship standing: 2nd, 92 points
McLaren were not the biggest fans of reinstating in-season testing, but after the way their 2012 campaign stalled at the last round in Bahrain, they may well be grateful for the extra track time - and pit-stop practice! Neither Hamilton nor Button will drive at Mugello, but one shouldn’t read too much into their absence. Testers Gary Paffett and Oliver Turvey are more than capable of conducting whatever development programme the Woking team have planned.
Driving at Mugello: Paffett, Turvey"

Mercedes
Championship standing: 5th, 37 points
Mercedes’ F1 W03 can win races. Nico Rosberg has proved that. What remains unclear - probably even to the team - is whether it can become a car capable of winning on a variety of circuits in a variety of conditions. There is also still a question mark over its tyre degradation, but with Ross Brawn’s men in buoyant mood and upgrades ready to be evaluated, this test should ensure Mercedes are back at the very sharp end with the paddock arrives in Barcelona.
Driving at Mugello: Rosberg (Tue am, Thur), Schumacher (Tue pm, Wed)

car sharing on tuesday at Mercedes is clear.

They have not been on the track at the same time.

Is there a young driver loophole they are exploiting?

[Rob]

[anialonso]

RED FLAG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FerrariF60]

so is test session over?? what time does it end??

[Kiwi Nick]

it seems so from this link http://f1tests.co.cc/2012.php it could be that the 2 drivers a sharing a car but if you look at the offcial F1 website:

McLaren
Championship standing: 2nd, 92 points
McLaren were not the biggest fans of reinstating in-season testing, but after the way their 2012 campaign stalled at the last round in Bahrain, they may well be grateful for the extra track time - and pit-stop practice! Neither Hamilton nor Button will drive at Mugello, but one shouldn’t read too much into their absence. Testers Gary Paffett and Oliver Turvey are more than capable of conducting whatever development programme the Woking team have planned.
Driving at Mugello: Paffett, Turvey"

Mercedes
Championship standing: 5th, 37 points
Mercedes’ F1 W03 can win races. Nico Rosberg has proved that. What remains unclear - probably even to the team - is whether it can become a car capable of winning on a variety of circuits in a variety of conditions. There is also still a question mark over its tyre degradation, but with Ross Brawn’s men in buoyant mood and upgrades ready to be evaluated, this test should ensure Mercedes are back at the very sharp end with the paddock arrives in Barcelona.
Driving at Mugello: Rosberg (Tue am, Thur), Schumacher (Tue pm, Wed)

car sharing on tuesday at Mercedes is clear.

They have not been on the track at the same time.

Is there a young driver loophole they are exploiting?

Young driver loophole???? And what, pray tell might that be. One car, one driver at a time, brownie points for lowest aggregate age? Is there an "old driver loophole" that Mercedes might want to exploit? I'm still hoping for the "left handed driver loophole" to be used in conjunction with the "old driver loophole" and the "near sighted driver loophole"!

[Greig]

Young driver loophole???? And what, pray tell might that be. One car, one driver at a time, brownie points for lowest aggregate age? Is there an "old driver loophole" that Mercedes might want to exploit? I'm still hoping for the "left handed driver loophole" to be used in conjunction with the "old driver loophole" and the "near sighted driver loophole"!

Maybe he is just confusing this test with the young driver test session?