Spanish GP 2014 Friday and Saturday practice thread

**Nero Horse** · 9th May 2014, 14:43

Originally Posted by Rosso Corsa

Not too bad. We can fight for a podium I reckon.

Let's hope so. Podium place (3rd) is unfortunately the highest we can aim for, but under the current circumstances I'd be happy with it, but even getting 3rd isn't guaranteed because RB is breathing down our necks.

**Alonso14** · 9th May 2014, 14:46

I think a podium will be very tough. With our top speed we cannot overtake on track, only with a undercut. If we do indeed find ourselves in 3rd let's just hope it's Renault car behind us because I don't believe we can handle a Merc engine on the straights right now.

**sachin** · 9th May 2014, 14:51

Originally Posted by ManFromMilan

This is only second free practice. Let the data be annalised at the factory and let's see how we will do tomorrow morning.

It is way too early to start crying now already

All right lets wait,wait for miracles to happen and expect Mercs nd Cows to suddenly go slow

**Nero Horse** · 9th May 2014, 14:58

Anyway, hoping for the best and Forza Ferrari! Perhaps it will be better tomorrow when all the data that was collected today has been processed and car set ups fine-tuned. Whatever happens I'll be supporting my beloved team all the way, always.

**mirafiori** · 9th May 2014, 15:05

Originally Posted by Nero Horse

Anyway, hoping for the best and Forza Ferrari! Perhaps it will be better tomorrow when all the data that was collected today has been processed and car set ups fine-tuned. Whatever happens I'll be supporting my beloved team all the way, always.

+1 all the way,,

**Rosso Corsa** · 9th May 2014, 15:09

Originally Posted by Nero Horse

but even getting 3rd isn't guaranteed because RB is breathing down our necks.

That's good though. Fighting and racing for 3rd is infinitely more entertaining than taking a comfortable 5th.

**FerrariF60** · 9th May 2014, 15:22

Originally Posted by Rosso Corsa

That's good though. Fighting and racing for 3rd is infinitely more entertaining than taking a comfortable 5th.

It’s funny how US fans all of a sudden feel OK and somewhat comfortable fighting for 3RD, but it is what it is I guess until we have a car that can fight for WINS

If we can fight with Red Fools and keep them behind, I’ll be more than happy, I TRYLY hate that team with a passion and more importantly Pettel and his little pointy finger every time he won last year…

So all in all if we can be the SECOND best team this year, better then red fools and Mclaren…I think is a lot to achieve this year…beating those damn red FOOLS this year is gonna put a BIG smile on my face.

**Hornet** · 9th May 2014, 15:23

I would be happy finishing 3rd too, but I think we'll have to fix the twitching if we want to fight for 3rd, as it's going to damage our tires during the race if our car keeps twitching every lap

**AfterLife** · 9th May 2014, 15:46

To be honest I think we will compete with McLaren. RedBull Is clearly ahead of us this time.

**Kiwi Nick** · 9th May 2014, 15:46

The twitching under acceleration seems to be due to sudden or uneven application of more torque than the rear suspension can handle. But what is the cause. Is it engine mapping? Lack of downforce? Bad suspension design? Or, the size of the turbo?

It seems to me that if it was merely engine mapping that the problem would have been resolved by now. Likewise with down force, new front and rear wings, new floor and sidepods should have solved the problem. A new nose may be requires to solve the problem, but that requires passing a crash test. If the root of the problem is the suspension (either front or rear) it is a bigger problem that may require chassis modifications. If the problem is that the turbo is so small that it cannot be precisely modulated, this may be a problem that cannot be solved until 2015, when the turbo design can be changed.

The difficulty for Ferrari is that there are so many areas that need improvement, it is difficult to make changed piece meal because all of the mods need to work together.

As for Allison and the other new talent. They are still working with a car that may be so flawed that it cannot be made better than 3rd or 4th best even with all of the modifications they make. Hopefully, this will lead to a better car in 2015.

**stefa** · 9th May 2014, 16:32

Originally Posted by sachin

Guys,anyone still believe we gonna get any championship this year?
Even Maccas improved at this race it seems,RBR did and they are not at their 100% engine power (i suppose)

What a fool we have made of ourselves ,getting these rule in and now this is the result.

Honestly, unfortunately NO!

**stefa** · 9th May 2014, 16:44

Originally Posted by Rosso Corsa

That's good though. Fighting and racing for 3rd is infinitely more entertaining than taking a comfortable 5th.

I don't know do I laugh or cry....

**stefa** · 9th May 2014, 16:48

Originally Posted by ManFromMilan

This is only second free practice. Let the data be annalised at the factory and let's see how we will do tomorrow morning.

It is way too early to start crying now already

First, there is no such thing as sandbagging, as there is so little free tests to evaluate new parts.
Second, fast car is ALWAYS fast right from Friday FP1 till Sunday checkered flag.
Third, there is no miracle that will make +1.597 and +1.772 sec gap disappear!

**Alessandra** · 9th May 2014, 18:34

Forecasts for the podium.......
James Allen: Hamilton, Rosberg, Ricciardo
Alan McNish: Hamilton, Rosberg, Alonso

I know which one I prefer

**Sanomas** · 9th May 2014, 19:47

A 'not bad result from Friday practices, hope they do better on tomorrow...and I hope to see a good result from Ferrari at Qualifying.

**Kyss4k** · 9th May 2014, 20:34

We are slowly accepting not being the top dog. It is finally happening. Even though a lot of people here won't probably openly admit it.

We are no longer the aggressive, inovative and ruthless team we used to be. And even though I wasn't fan of Dominicali, Mattiacci won't change that. There is something wrong with the way our team thinks and this will be hard to change.

We can't be happy with third at best...

**Muhammad Ansib** · 9th May 2014, 21:01

There is nothing wrong with our team, its just that we arent used to having good development paths that have only been tested virtually, for God's FIA we have Fiorano which was always used to test what was working or not and those upgrades that were working were only brought to the car, Now we have updates that work in the tunnel and CFD but in reality they are negative (for most of 2013) so In my opinion Ferrari still is a great team with alot of brilliant minds(just look at our road car division) but FIA has moved the goal posts to somewhere else by testing ban!

**Kyss4k** · 9th May 2014, 21:07

Originally Posted by Muhammad Ansib

There is nothing wrong with our team, its just that we arent used to having good development paths that have only been tested virtually, for God's FIA we have Fiorano which was always used to test what was working or not and those upgrades that were working were only brought to the car, Now we have updates that work in the tunnel and CFD but in reality they are negative (for most of 2013) so In my opinion Ferrari still is a great team with alot of brilliant minds(just look at our road car division) but FIA has moved the goal posts to somewhere else by testing ban!

This excuse was old few years ago already... Testing ban is in place for a loooong time for us to adapt to it. This is thak kind of wrong I am talking about. We always seem to think everything is against us and that's why we are not winning. Just swallow it and work.

**Tifoso** · 9th May 2014, 21:25

Originally Posted by stefa

First, there is no such thing as sandbagging, as there is so little free tests to evaluate new parts.
Second, fast car is ALWAYS fast right from Friday FP1 till Sunday checkered flag.
Third, there is no miracle that will make +1.597 and +1.772 sec gap disappear!

Exactly. I am as optimistic as anyone on this board, but I am preparing to right off 2014, sadly.

I truly hope that I am mistaken.

**Senna4Ever** · 9th May 2014, 21:28

Originally Posted by Tifoso

Exactly. I am as optimistic as anyone on this board, but I am preparing to right off 2014, sadly.

I truly hope that I am mistaken.

after second race I said I will wait until the output of Barcelona and place a bet then ...

for myself I hope that we might see a interesting race after both Merc (up & away). All that we can count on is spark that we might have a race within the race ...

**stefa** · 9th May 2014, 22:11

Originally Posted by Tifoso

Exactly. I am as optimistic as anyone on this board, but I am preparing to right off 2014, sadly.

I truly hope that I am mistaken.

No my only goal for this season is that, at least one win in the season the keep record going on for number of consecutive years with at least one victory in the season. Since 1994, German GP, when GB took win with 412 T1, every year including 2013 Ferrari had victories. For the time being Ferrari chances of that one in this season are really slim....

**Kiwi Nick** · 9th May 2014, 22:47

Originally Posted by Muhammad Ansib

There is nothing wrong with our team, its just that we arent used to having good development paths that have only been tested virtually, for God's FIA we have Fiorano which was always used to test what was working or not and those upgrades that were working were only brought to the car, Now we have updates that work in the tunnel and CFD but in reality they are negative (for most of 2013) so In my opinion Ferrari still is a great team with alot of brilliant minds(just look at our road car division) but FIA has moved the goal posts to somewhere else by testing ban!

This is pretty brilliant stuff. Let me summarize what you said:

Ferrari is the greatest team ever known to Formula 1, however, it cannot function successfully in the current environment. But, it is still a great team!

That pretty much covers everything. Thanks for your input!

**Tifoso** · 9th May 2014, 23:17

Originally Posted by stefa

No my only goal for this season is that, at least one win in the season the keep record going on for number of consecutive years with at least one victory in the season. Since 1994, German GP, when GB took win with 412 T1, every year including 2013 Ferrari had victories. For the time being Ferrari chances of that one in this season are really slim....

I hadn't realized that fact (hadn't thought about it really). Thanks for bring it to our attention (even it really makes me sad).

**Muhammad Ansib** · 10th May 2014, 04:08

Originally Posted by Kiwi Nick

This is pretty brilliant stuff. Let me summarize what you said:

Ferrari is the greatest team ever known to Formula 1, however, it cannot function successfully in the current environment. But, it is still a great team!

That pretty much covers everything. Thanks for your input!

I am sensing Sarcasm, everyone has an opinion. OK if not this then please you tell me why Ferrari are still struggling

**Sanomas** · 10th May 2014, 08:26

Originally Posted by Tifoso

Exactly. I am as optimistic as anyone on this board, but I am preparing to right off 2014, sadly.

I truly hope that I am mistaken.

No Tifoso! You're not mistaken, I have the same feeling too...but it's early to 'righting off, wait a bit and see what they can do. Show is NOT over!

To be honest, I don't have much hope for any title on this year, but I know we have a fantastic team that is doing great on their own, and I'm sure team is going back to win again.