Bahrain testing 27 Feb-2 Mar

[mizf1]

BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer Andrew Benson:
"It's fair to say Renault's request for an extension to the engine homologation deadline has stirred up a bit of a hornet's nest. It's a very controversial thing to request, for two reasons - 1) these engine rules are effectively only in F1 because Renault wanted them and threatened to quit if they were not introduced; 2) the manufacturers have already had an extra year to develop the engines, after the initial date for the introduction of hybrid turbos was pushed back from 2013. Renault want an extra two months of development before specs are frozen, by the way. Contrary to what I wrote earlier, unanimity is needed for Renault's request to pass. Apologies for any confusion."

[emirBoz]

the Ferrari fastest of all in the first sector before backing off and returning to the pits.

[mizf1]

Can't really see Merc or Ferrari agreeing to the above.

[anuragiyer8989]

09:37 Perez sets a 1m36.4s, a time which only he and Alonso have bettered today.

The Ferrari catches the eye with a new best time through the first sector, but Alonso backs off after that and cruises back to the pits.

[mizf1]

the Ferrari fastest of all in the first sector before backing off and returning to the pits.

Any websites out there with top speed info?

[evo_spook]

Can't really see Merc or Ferrari agreeing to the above.

They might do for the good of the sport

[Ferris]

09:37 Perez sets a 1m36.4s, a time which only he and Alonso have bettered today.

The Ferrari catches the eye with a new best time through the first sector, but Alonso backs off after that and cruises back to the pits.

Alonso knows all about card tricks. So rule number one, never show your hand...

[tifosi1993]

[Ferris]

They might do for the good of the sport

SD will of course agree to it and send some of his engineers there to help Renault out probably.

[mirafiori]

Oh how I wish people would get their English tenses correct. "His dog Roscoe was sitting on his lap" or 'His dog Roscoe sat on his lap" But not WAS SAT ON HIS LAP. Makes my blood boil every time I hear it. Rant over.

Listen my friend don't worry about my grammar, you need to worry about Oscar Pistorius.

[mizf1]

Listen my friend don't worry about my grammar, you need to worry about Oscar Pistorius.

LOL

[anialonso]

Perez's best lap was set on SS..

[mizf1]

They might do for the good of the sport

Personally I wouldn't give them special dispensation, there is a deadline for a reason and it was Renault who actually pshed for these engines.

[mizf1]

All this Renault engine business reminds me of 2005, Michelin had the superior tyres (apart from US 2005) and Ferrari could not defend the titles as the Michelin runners were faster. I know engines are not tyres but we had an external variable which held us back for the season.

[anuragiyer8989]

09:48 As Alonso pits, the Lotus has the track to itself with a little over 10 minutes to go until the 30-minute lunch break
Lunch time!!

[f1tomi8]

Hamilton (Mercedes) 61
Alonso (Ferrari) 45
Massa (Williams) 39
Gutierrez (Sauber) 34
Perez (Force India) 33
Bianchi (Marussia) 28
Vergne (Toro Rosso) 27
Ericsson (Caterham) 22
Button (McLaren) 20
Maldonado (Lotus) 17
Ricciardo (Red Bull) 13

[mizf1]

09:48 As Alonso pits, the Lotus has the track to itself with a little over 10 minutes to go until the 30-minute lunch break
Lunch time!!

Is that lunch time compulsory for every time? I thought it's up to the teams when they went to lunch.

[Sempre_Ferrari]

Listen my friend don't worry about my grammar, you need to worry about Oscar Pistorius.

mwahaha...snappy comeback

[giodap]

Listen my friend don't worry about my grammar, you need to worry about Oscar Pistorius.

[f1tomi8]

Bianchi moves up to fourth with a new best lap for the day.
1m38.198s +2.628 Good!

[Sempre_Ferrari]

Is that lunch time compulsory for every time? I thought it's up to the teams when they went to lunch.

It was up to the teams during the previous tests but is compulsory for this test, something about track marshals needing a break and all that...

[anialonso]

Hamilton (Mercedes) 61
Alonso (Ferrari) 45
Massa (Williams) 39
Gutierrez (Sauber) 34
Perez (Force India) 33
Bianchi (Marussia) 28
Vergne (Toro Rosso) 27
Ericsson (Caterham) 22
Button (McLaren) 20
Maldonado (Lotus) 17
Ricciardo (Red Bull) 13

Its good to see that all the Ferrari powered teams have done a good amount of mileage today..!!
Lets continue the same post lunch

[mizf1]

I 'm glad Marussia are doing well. Hopefully they can get pick up some points in the first few races.

[Hornet]

If this is true, they could protest all they like, it wouldn't help.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/26380181

That's a dumb arrangement. What does Bernie knows about technical stuff.

[mizf1]

Its good to see that all the Ferrari powered teams have done a good amount of mileage today..!!
Lets continue the same post lunch

Ferrari might be supplying a fourth team next year according to Ted's Notebook y'day. Ted stated that Haas racing looking to get into F1 with Ferrari engines and Dallara chassis.

[Ferrari Man]

Hamilton (Mercedes) 61
Alonso (Ferrari) 45
Massa (Williams) 39
Gutierrez (Sauber) 34
Perez (Force India) 33
Bianchi (Marussia) 28
Vergne (Toro Rosso) 27
Ericsson (Caterham) 22
Button (McLaren) 20
Maldonado (Lotus) 17
Ricciardo (Red Bull) 13

Nice to see Redbull at the bottom of the list.. Here's hoping for the same after Q1 in Austrailia

[Avantifer12]

BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer Andrew Benson:
"It's fair to say Renault's request for an extension to the engine homologation deadline has stirred up a bit of a hornet's nest. It's a very controversial thing to request, for two reasons - 1) these engine rules are effectively only in F1 because Renault wanted them and threatened to quit if they were not introduced; 2) the manufacturers have already had an extra year to develop the engines, after the initial date for the introduction of hybrid turbos was pushed back from 2013. Renault want an extra two months of development before specs are frozen, by the way. Contrary to what I wrote earlier, unanimity is needed for Renault's request to pass. Apologies for any confusion."

I think it would be a bold gamble if they decide to vote for. It all depends on how much Renault can improve their power unit, if they just get it running without gaining any significant advantage Mercedes and Ferrari could use this two months time to refine their power units even more and still have the edge on the Renault power unit when the new development freeze begins.

[mizf1]

That's a dumb arrangement. What does Bernie knows about technical stuff.

Andrew Benson clarified on a later post that it would need to be unanimous.

[mirafiori]

That's a dumb arrangement. What does Bernie knows about technical stuff.

I am always told by some members on this forum Bernie has NO influence with the Rules.

[modza]

I think it would be a bold gamble if they decide to vote for. It all depends on how much Renault can improve their power unit, if they just get it running without gaining any significant advantage Mercedes and Ferrari could use this two months time to refine their power units even more and still have the edge on the Renault power unit when the new development freeze begins.

Well, under homologation , they still can make changes for reliability sake, with permission..