3rd Winter test, Barcelona 2013

[Bubbles]

Well, Merc have had more time than any of the top teams - certainly Ferrari - to come up with a good design, but now comes the hard part, the brutal development race.

They, McLaren, and Lotus will lose ground and we'll end up with Ferrari vs. Red Bull towards the end of the season.

[stefa]

Well, Merc have had more time than any of the top teams - certainly Ferrari - to come up with a good design, but now comes the hard part, the brutal development race.

They, McLaren, and Lotus will lose ground and we'll end up with Ferrari vs. Red Bull towards the end of the season.

Why do you think Mercedes, McLaren and Lotus are not capable to stay in touch regarding development race with Ferrari and RB?

[Bubbles]

Why do you think Mercedes, McLaren and Lotus are not capable to stay in touch regarding development race with Ferrari and RB?

Well, Lotus don't have enough money, just like last year. Mercedes have botched their development for the last three years. If the new car is indeed better, it's because they've had time to understand the solutions out there and incorporate into their own design. As for McLaren, they just lost their tech chief, that's not good.

[dfunk257]

Im not gonna repeat what Felipe says after Fernandos lap in italian but im sure sum of u do know haha!
How happy are they though, to me thats the best sign of all that they r feeling very happy and comfortable atm. Bring on Melbourne!

[Massimo]

Well, Lotus don't have enough money, just like last year. Mercedes have botched their development for the last three years. If the new car is indeed better, it's because they've had time to understand the solutions out there and incorporate into their own design. As for McLaren, they just lost their tech chief, that's not good.

Lotus i agree, they don't have the funds to go all out on updates all season long, but Mercedes have the facilities the money and the knowledge, same as McLaren, Paddy Lowe wasn't the only one working on the car, there's other very capable engineers in Woking, i'm sure of that.
What interests me more is that Pat Fry said we will have major updates all season long, Melbourne, Malaysia, China to start with, these updates have to be flown in to those GP's, that's not a cheap thing, looks to me like Ferrari is going after Red Bull without caring to much about a budget restriction.

[Tobes]

Don't think The Merc is going to be a constant front runner, but the car is clearly quick and in the hands of Lewis I think it will win races this year, no disrespect intended to Nico, but think Lewis will comfortably beat his team mate, and I agree with Massimo, Mercedes have the finances and the facilities to keep up development with Red Bull and Ferrari...

[mirafiori]

Don't think The Merc is going to be a constant front runner, but the car is clearly quick and in the hands of Lewis I think it will win races this year, no disrespect intended to Nico, but think Lewis will comfortably beat his team mate, and I agree with Massimo, Mercedes have the finances and the facilities to keep up development with Red Bull and Ferrari...

I disagree, you say Lewis will comfortably beat Nico, i dont think there will be much in it. And dont be surprised If Nico finishes the season ahead of Lewis. We all know over one lap lewis is one of the best, but Jenson Button out scored Lewis over three years.

[Bubbles]

I just read this on @TruzoneF1:

Ross Brawn: "The best years of my career were at Ferrari, so I can not rule out a return in the future"

Interesting. It makes sense, actually. Ross has said a couple of times that he'd love to work with Fernando. Well, he'll get his chance.
I don't think he'll be technical director, but Stefano will find a spot for him in the team, no problems.

Awesome.

EDIT: So, Ross, what have you been doing since leaving us in 2008? Well, Stefano, I won the WDC+WCC in 09, then sold that team for 100M to Merc. Now I'm returning home.

[scuderiafan]

They're doing it on purpose, just before they get in the car some Ferrari pr guy tells them :"e tutto registrato ragazzi, tutto registrato", means that they'll be recording the whole thing so behave, which of course they don't ha,ha!

If Alonso joined this forum, he would be banned within the hour with the language he used

[Tifoso]

If Alonso joined this forum, he would be banned within the hour

History suggests otherwise.

[Kingdom Hearts]

The team seems to be in good spirit, I have a good feeling about this year

[GrndLkNatv]

Yes, Fer's language is by far cleaner than mine and I have only been banned once or twice!

[alecf1]

Gary Anderson suggests in his analyse, that Vettel could have set a 1:19,797 with an empty tank. Vettels fastest lap on day 4 was a 1:22,514, 2,717 sec slower, that would mean he had 80-90 kg fuel in the tank. That must be a joke, Anderson cannot be serious about that. I mean I am not an expert, but does anyone believe that.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/21660055 …

[Bubbles]

Gary Anderson suggests in his analyse, that Vettel could have set a 1:19,797 with an empty tank. Vettels fastest lap on day 4 was a 1:22,514, 2,717 sec slower, that would mean he had 80-90 kg fuel in the tank. That must be a joke, Anderson cannot be serious about that. I mean I am not an expert, but does anyone believe that.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/21660055 …

Even if that's true, without the balance Vettel's going nowhere.

[Ophidian786]

History suggests otherwise.

I dont know if I have interpreted correctly, but are you implying the Alonso has posted on these forums?

.....

Pretty cool if true.

[grinchy]

Just got back from barcelona test, lets just say Fernando, lewis & nico all looking really fast but what make me suspicious is that the red bull just sounds to be very different in exhaust note. maybe its just me but RB are upto something again? Excellent weekend very highly recommended!

[bluesilhouettes]

There're 3 teams that use similar exhaust layout: RBR, Lotus, William and they're all using Renault engines.

[grinchy]

Yes i know that but its just one of those things u've got to hear it to believe it.

[shamim179]

Does anyone know about the rumour story of Red Bull complaining to the FIA about wanting to revert back to the older engine mapping setting due to reliability issues?

[Massimo]

Yes, Fer's language is by far cleaner than mine and I have only been banned once or twice!

If i remember correct, Rodi Basso is a friend of yours, he's writing columns now for BlogF1.it, one of my favourite Italian F1 sites, great insight and info he's giving.
http://www.blogf1.it/2013/03/05/pre-...rato-dai-test/

[Jose-Lorca Fan]

Just got back from barcelona test, lets just say Fernando, lewis & nico all looking really fast but what make me suspicious is that the red bull just sounds to be very different in exhaust note. maybe its just me but RB are upto something again? Excellent weekend very highly recommended!

Regardless of the engine maps and without any bias toward Ferrari who in your opinion looked the most solid out there?

[mirafiori]

Fernando will be happy Real Madrid beating Man United.

[anakin]

based from feed backs, time sheets, analysis.
there is no dominant team so far (which is good for us)
ferrari,redbull,mclaren,mercedes and lotus not in particular order are matched out of the box
im guessing AUS GP Q3 top 10 will be separated by only .250 secs. it will be the tightest ever
fernando might clinch pole might be #2 or #3 or down to #8 but not by far.
its going to be fun. lets see who wants it more
its down on who gets the tires to maximum potential

tire understanding and car development for the season will be vital

[Rishu]

Ferrari might take Pole or start from 3/4th row, I would not give too much importance to Saturday result. Sunday will be completely different ball game, it seems tyres wear & race pace will be the defining factors this season.

[EL_NANDO]

Does anyone know about the rumour story of Red Bull complaining to the FIA about wanting to revert back to the older engine mapping setting due to reliability issues?

Source?

[vcs316]

Marko Denies Mapping Saga Hurting New Red Bull Pace

Red Bull's Helmut Marko claims that the team's unimpressive preseason test runs had anything to do with engine maps....
SPEED Staff / GMM | Posted March 06, 2013 GMM Newswire

Helmut Marko has played down suggestions a clampdown on Renault's intended engine mapping solution for 2013 has hurt the performance of the new Red Bull.

"Rubbish!" the team's outspoken Austrian told Sport Bild.

It emerged recently that, following the engine mapping clampdown of 2012, engine supplier Renault and works team Red Bull assumed they could revert to different engine maps for the new season.

The story, culminating in the FIA banning Renault's 2013 maps, coincided with an apparent struggle with the RB9 last week in Barcelona, when Sebastian Vettel admitted he was having trouble setting the car up.

Marko denies it has anything to do with engine maps.

"With the old settings, the car worked beautifully last year," he said. "The topic has been exaggerated (in the media)."

Renault's Remi Taffin agrees.

"Because the exhaust systems have improved (since 2012), we also tried some new engine settings. This is quite normal for testing.

"Actually, the changes barely made a difference," he insisted.

Marko said the setup problems with the RB9 encountered recently are not a big deal.

"It is not nearly as serious as (early) last year," he insisted. "(It's) no great cause for concern."

Nevertheless, Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports that Renault is now pushing for its intended 2013 engine maps to be allowed, on the grounds of reliability.

This would require the agreement of the FIA, and also the unlikely cooperation of engine rivals Mercedes, Ferrari and Cosworth.

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/artic...ed-bull-pace/?

[medeni73]

Someone asked if we're good with top speed. Well according to AMuS we're good...but be careful, just look who's the best and its enough to take this info cautiously :)

Team Driver Day Top-Speed
1. Marussia Bianchi 3 320,5 km/h
2. Ferrari Alonso 4 316,7 km/h
2. Sauber Hülkenberg 4 316,7 km/h
2. Force India Sutil/Di Resta 3/4 316,7 km/h
5. McLaren Button 4 315,8 km/h
6. Lotus Räikkönen 4 314,9 km/h
6. Mercedes Hamilton 3 314,9 km/h
8. Toro Rosso Vergne 3 311,2 km/h
8. Williams Maldonado 4 311,2 km/h
10. Red Bull Webber 3 307,7 km/h

[Massimo]

Does anyone know about the rumour story of Red Bull complaining to the FIA about wanting to revert back to the older engine mapping setting due to reliability issues?

Yes, AMus has a story about it.
Red Bull has once again tried to bypass the rules, this time the FIA told them no, but they will try again, you can be sure of that, they cannot accept having to run on an equal footing, it's simply not their philosophy to do that.

[cokata]

Someone asked if we're good with top speed. Well according to AMuS we're good...but be careful, just look who's the best and its enough to take this info cautiously :)

Team Driver Day Top-Speed
1. Marussia Bianchi 3 320,5 km/h
2. Ferrari Alonso 4 316,7 km/h
2. Sauber Hülkenberg 4 316,7 km/h
2. Force India Sutil/Di Resta 3/4 316,7 km/h
5. McLaren Button 4 315,8 km/h
6. Lotus Räikkönen 4 314,9 km/h
6. Mercedes Hamilton 3 314,9 km/h
8. Toro Rosso Vergne 3 311,2 km/h
8. Williams Maldonado 4 311,2 km/h
10. Red Bull Webber 3 307,7 km/h

looks representative enough.Renault powered cars at the bottom and red bull by far the worst

[cokata]

double post