2nd Winter test, Barcelona 2013

[Ken]

Of Course there's point in doing that, no topteam reveal their true pace. Last year Red Bull only ran their B-spec the final two days of testing.
Your assumption that Ferrari is still struggling in slow corners isn't backed up by the facts, first of all this didn't seem to bother him when he did his 1:21.875 sec. we can assume he did this time with not much fuel onboard, so that would make the problem (lack of traction) even bigger, yet it didn't, remember last year when the F2012 had good traction at the beginning of the race, with a full a tank, when the fuel started to dissapear, so did the traction.

Second, take a look at the best sector times from Barcelona testing:

Sector 1: 22.745 – Romain Grosjean
Sector 2: 30.747 – Fernando Alonso
Sector 3: 28.203 – Nico Hulkenberg

Best Possible Laptime: 1:21:695s, so Alonso was about 1.8 tenth away from the perfect lap, and had the best time in sector two, now look at the layout of the circuit



Apart from the chicane (turn 14,15) they're almost identical, for instance turn 5 & 10, turn 4 & 12, turn 9 & 16, there's not much difference between those turns, so why wasn't Alonso fast there also?
I think that Alonso lifted, if he didn't do that he would've set an even faster time than his 1:21:875, and all eyes would be on Ferrari.
They're all downplaying their cars, Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull, in Melbourne all the covers come off, and Vettel may hope Newey has produced a car with a "glued to the tarmac rear", or the Ferrari's are going to be all over him.

Hellooo all and just catching up with you again.

Just a wee Note about your corner comparisons, because the track is built on the side of a mountain there is a big elevation change and so on corner 5 the cars are going Down hill where as corner 10 sends them back up the mountain, meaning the corners have to be approached and driven differently. Apply the same to your other compared bends and in each case the up hill and down hill factor makes them very different to drive.

To help you the Straight is the lowest part of the track with turns 4& 12 at the top about 50 meters (150') higher watching the cars accelerating up hill through bends 1,2 &3 is a glorious sight.

[Grillo]

I saw it posted on another forum with apparent comments from brawn that renault has to go back on engine mapping for lotus and redbull as they had changed it and found out last thursdays its illegal. they thought clarification in 2012 was only for that year but its nit. their exhausts are apparently designed around the now illegal solution. can anyone find anything on this? If true its a bit stupid we could of had ground effects and argued we thought even though banned in the early 80's its ok to use now.

I read too about illegal engine mappings on Renault engines, mainly Lotus and Red Bull, but I hope it will be cleared before Australia GP. Newey is reported to have asked the FIA about a radical solution (rear+exhausts) like William's but the FIA told him not to bring it to the car as it would be considered illegal, any news on that?

[medeni73]

in case of that ramp in exhaust (Williams and Caterham) there are no news, everything is clear: FIA said if they put those ramps on it will be banned, end of story. It will be interesting to see if Williams and Caterhampu that ramp in last test too...If they do maybe they're counting on slow reaction from FIA in order to benefit from it at least in first couple of races before it get banned, but I'm not sure it will go that way...

[mirafiori]

Here we go again, with the on going engine mapping situation.The FIA need to do there job and sort this out. We can all see there is favouritism towards Red Bull, and Bernie Ecclestone and his holiday partner Vettel. Newey maybe good at his job, but he is even better at finding loopholes in the regulations. It maybe considered not cheating, but where is Red Bull spirit of goodwill towards the rules.

[Jose-Lorca Fan]

I hope it's sorted before the season starts. I do wonder however what Ferrari's current situation is with engine mapping and all that. Would they prefer to change it at the start of this season or carry on with the base they had last year.

[Massimo]

Here we go again, with the on going engine mapping situation.The FIA need to do there job and sort this out. We can all see there is favouritism towards Red Bull, and Bernie Ecclestone and his holiday partner Vettel. Newey maybe good at his job, but he is even better at finding loopholes in the regulations. It maybe considered not cheating, but where is Red Bull spirit of goodwill towards the rules.

First of all i think Renault/Red Bull know exactly what they're doing, nobody is going to develop their exhaust system in a certain direction, based on an assumption that the technical directive was for 2012 only, and that they could bring any engine map they wanted to Melbourne, to set a new benchmark, and go from there, if this was so obvious, then why did Ferrari and Mercedes understand the exact opposite?
Trust me, they're going to beg the FIA for yet another dispensation.
Second, and maybe someone with more knowledge about this can help, the new ECU from MES, was also redesigned to prevent teams using engine maps that simulate off throttle blowing, so how did Renault/Red bull manage to use that kind of software on an ECU that's suppose to prevent just that?

[Grillo]

Evidently if Red Bull and Lotus are using new engine maps without 2012 restrictions it's probably because Renault knew that the FIA consider restrictions apply only to 2012, not to 2013. The rest of engine providers like Mercedes and Ferrari should never accept it.

[mark p]

First of all i think Renault/Red Bull know exactly what they're doing, nobody is going to develop their exhaust system in a certain direction, based on an assumption that the technical directive was for 2012 only, and that they could bring any engine map they wanted to Melbourne, to set a new benchmark, and go from there, if this was so obvious, then why did Ferrari and Mercedes understand the exact opposite?
Trust me, they're going to beg the FIA for yet another dispensation.
Second, and maybe someone with more knowledge about this can help, the new ECU from MES, was also redesigned to prevent teams using engine maps that simulate off throttle blowing, so how did Renault/Red bull manage to use that kind of software on an ECU that's suppose to prevent just that?

New ecu is for 2014 as a compulsary part but you can use it this year if you wish as ferrari have. renault was reliable last year so cannot use this as an excuse they should have to stick to last years if they wasted 2 tests over this great.

[aroutis]

Evidently if Red Bull and Lotus are using new engine maps without 2012 restrictions it's probably because Renault knew that the FIA consider restrictions apply only to 2012, not to 2013. The rest of engine providers like Mercedes and Ferrari should never accept it.

Exactly. It' s about time favoritism finishes. And what better time than the first race?

[mark p]

Was it not rb most angry with the new ecu and lotus that could not get out for a morning because of it? Renault teams trying to do stuff they shouldnt. bet they eventually hacked it. newey is the lance armstrong of f1 design.

[Massimo]

New ecu is for 2014 as a compulsary part but you can use it this year if you wish as ferrari have. renault was reliable last year so cannot use this as an excuse they should have to stick to last years if they wasted 2 tests over this great.

Ok thanx, that part i understand now, but i thought that the FIA had installed software on the ECU's that prevented teams teams from messing with the torque in the mid revs range,in order to create a traction control effect and produce more exhaust gas at lower torque levels, is this correct?
I'm not an engineer so i might be saying something ridiculous now, but wouldn't it be easier if FIA said that the amount of torque has to correspond with the amount of pressure you put on the accelerator, allowing a minimal difference?

[giodap]

Here we go again, with the on going engine mapping situation.The FIA need to do there job and sort this out. We can all see there is favouritism towards Red Bull, and Bernie Ecclestone and his holiday partner Vettel. Newey maybe good at his job, but he is even better at finding loopholes in the regulations. It maybe considered not cheating, but where is Red Bull spirit of goodwill towards the rules.

Your point makes no sense. I think you are a bitter mclaren fan

[shamim179]

If the FIA don't disallow Red Bull and Lotus from using smart engine mapping modes to optimise the exhaust effect, this year's championship will become a farce.

I fear that RB and Lotus are going to argue that it wasn't clear in the rules so it is not our fault but your fault kind of talk and that their car designs are in such advanced stages that any changes like this will have a detrimental effect on the championship. And don't forget that a don't you want to see competitiveness in the field will also be their talking point.

[mark p]

Let the fizzy drinks and small plastic kit car company suffer. 2013 is better with the greatest team and the 2nd best team ever fighting for the title. thats real competition.

[mark p]

Massimo thats exactly whats intdnded but like with anything the most simple lines can be open to interpretation. thats why legal jargon isso long winded it's trying to cover all interpretation but is nigh on impossible. best thing would be to make the exhaust exit 90 degrees in the air.

[mirafiori]

Your point makes no sense. I think you are a bitter mclaren fan

Cheers son, at least i dont have God save the Queen as my ring tone on my phone.

[anakin]

So the pace that lotus and redbull showed in the recent test is because of their new clever engine mapping that could be illegal?
they are arguing they didn't know what rules implements for 2013 regarding the engine mapping. because they are saying that the directive released last AUG was only for 2012.

if renault, redbull and lotus can get away with their new engine mapping, its all over.

ferrari might still have a chance. in contrast to what stefano.D was saying.
If FIA bring the hammer down and stop favoring redbull and renault.

[anakin]

another gimme season for redbull???
come on FIA. stop bitchin around

[mirafiori]

Weather forecast for the 3rd test not looking good, Thursday,Friday heavy rain, Saturday, Sunday looks ok. Our drivers will only get one day each of dry running, it would be good if the FIA and teams agree to run a 5th day. As weather forecast for Monday looks good why not.

[Hornet]

Weather forecast for the 3rd test not looking good, Thursday,Friday heavy rain, Saturday, Sunday looks ok. Our drivers will only get one day each of dry running, it would be good if the FIA and teams agree to run a 5th day. As weather forecast for Monday looks good why not.

Yeah, with so limited testing, they should extend the test if it rains tomorrow and Friday. Its useless if the track is wet, can't even do proper aero evaluation during wet condition.

[Massimo]

I know it's Gary Anderson, and we normally take everything he says with a pinch of salt, but it's always nice to hear positive things about our car.

Ferrari
"Fernando Alonso did all the dry-weather driving for Ferrari at the second test and he was genuinely quick.
He was second fastest overall, 0.027 seconds behind McLaren's Sergio Perez, but given he did his time on a longer run than Perez you know that the Ferrari could have gone faster.
If you take into account the length of the run, and fuel-correct the lap time for the minimum amount of fuel on board to allow the car to run that long, you get a figure for the speed the car could have gone. The car may have had even more fuel on board than that, but you know it could have gone at least that fast.
Ferrari look as though they have stepped forward from the end of last season
Fuel-correcting Alonso's lap gives him a time 0.258secs quicker than Perez's best. That's a pretty good lap.
I do a lot of analysis of where teams are based on their fastest lap times, and it's clear that Ferrari look as though they have stepped forward from the end of last season.
That's a good achievement because with the new restrictions on the use of the DRS overtaking aid, the cars should be at best the same as they were, given the improvements inevitably made from year to year, or perhaps a bit slower.
In fact, nearly every other team has either stayed the same or gone backwards. Only Lotus and Toro Rosso have definitely matched Ferrari in making the car faster than it was last year.
I would say Ferrari are looking OK at the moment"

By Gary Anderson
BBC F1 technical analyst

[Jas]

A bit random, but I definitley think lotus are going to get in the way of our champion ship charge, i say get in the way because I dont think they will be able to maintain it throughout the year, but they will definitley come out the gates very quick, even grojeon who as we know is quick in quali, but just doesnt like races haha!

Ferrari will be their at the front, the only thing which annoys me about steffo, is that he said the season doesnt end in Australia, very true, but we, and everybody knows this, 90% of teams will stop development of these cars in summer! So effectivley if where not quick at the start where not going to be physically able to catch up as their just isnt the time!!!

[Curbs]

Stefano said this in 2013? Sounds like a old tape recorded message ;) Nothing new that is. Same as every other year. Lets see when the F138 will be a winner? Barcelona and Canada has been said in recent years very often :)

[Hornet]

This year we will not be fighting all the way to the last race, as teams have to shift their resources to focus on next year's car early. I think Ferrari said this too. So its important for us to start the first race at the front, winning if possible.

[Rob]

I know it's Gary Anderson, and we normally take everything he says with a pinch of salt, but it's always nice to hear positive things about our car.

Ferrari
"Fernando Alonso did all the dry-weather driving for Ferrari at the second test and he was genuinely quick.
He was second fastest overall, 0.027 seconds behind McLaren's Sergio Perez, but given he did his time on a longer run than Perez you know that the Ferrari could have gone faster.
If you take into account the length of the run, and fuel-correct the lap time for the minimum amount of fuel on board to allow the car to run that long, you get a figure for the speed the car could have gone. The car may have had even more fuel on board than that, but you know it could have gone at least that fast.
Ferrari look as though they have stepped forward from the end of last season
Fuel-correcting Alonso's lap gives him a time 0.258secs quicker than Perez's best. That's a pretty good lap.
I do a lot of analysis of where teams are based on their fastest lap times, and it's clear that Ferrari look as though they have stepped forward from the end of last season.
That's a good achievement because with the new restrictions on the use of the DRS overtaking aid, the cars should be at best the same as they were, given the improvements inevitably made from year to year, or perhaps a bit slower.
In fact, nearly every other team has either stayed the same or gone backwards. Only Lotus and Toro Rosso have definitely matched Ferrari in making the car faster than it was last year.
I would say Ferrari are looking OK at the moment"

By Gary Anderson
BBC F1 technical analyst

Thats good to read, as coming from Anderson. Bring on Melbourne Q3.

[Rob]

This year we will not be fighting all the way to the last race, as teams have to shift their resources to focus on next year's car early. I think Ferrari said this too. So its important for us to start the first race at the front, winning if possible.

Started 2014 car/engine&drivetrain last year. As this year there is no way of doing it all in time.

[shamim179]

Gary Anderson is usually quite critical of Ferrari especially last year. If he's saying positive stuff about us that's good news.

I don't think Red Bull will be as strong as last year. With more stringent flexi wing tests, clever engine mapping systems not being allowed and EBD feature not as prominent as before because of restrictions - all of this I think will weaken them. Of course, they can come up with something that makes them stronger and let's not forget that if the FIA allow them to play around with their engine mapping settings then it's going to be very difficult to beat them.

I think looking back at last year the biggest mistake we made was not to pursue adopting the DDRS. There was thought about this at the time and it was decided that it wasn't worth it. Big mistake! Although, I never posted anything about this last year I strongly felt at the time that Ferrari are making a big mistake. Qualifying was their weakest point so why not adopt a feature that will improve your qualifying? I think Ferrari didn't think they were in contention for the WDC until much later on in the season. I also think they were too comfortable with the points gap that they had and were relying too much on Alonso's brilliance. The resurgence of the Red Bulls was very surprising to say the least but we always seem to want to work just enough but not more. That's the impression I'm getting. Already we have Stefano saying that to be close to our biggest rivals is our target and that our drivers will make the difference!