2012 Spanish GP Friday & Saturday practice thread

[Aruba]

And of course Sky commentators criticizing Ferrari all the way !

[DJTaurus]

Again the same question, was it the car or just alonso?

Lets see Massas lap times in FP3.... then we will have a better view.

The thing is that Alo is still struggling with the car in the exit of the corners which anyone could say its all about his driving style. Lets wait and see :)

[sav_pap]

Probably testing something. That happens on too low revs where the car is on the edge of stalling. The same thing when you see learner drivers kangarooing down the street

I also have seen this when the fuel tank of a car is going to be empty. Perhaps he was so light on fuel ????

[anialonso]

Another fact::

That's the first time a team other than McLaren and Mercedes have topped a practice session this weekend.

[LightAmaterasu]

Lets see Massas lap times in FP3.... then we will have a better view.

Oh well, Agreed :)

[bladeswing]

is it just me or do the sidepods went even smaller?

[Ste]

I also have seen this when the fuel tank of a car is going to be empty. Perhaps he was so light on fuel ????

They could have done a run to empty the tank, yes but unlikely.

[LightAmaterasu]

I also have seen this when the fuel tank of a car is going to be empty. Perhaps he was so light on fuel ????

Oh God, i hope that's not what it is!

[Ste]

Oh God, i hope that's not what it is!

He didn't do the two quickest laps right at the end - he had pitted after those laps. So IF the tank was empty, it was emptied after the two quick laps.

[LightAmaterasu]

He didn't do the two quickest laps right at the end - he had pitted after those laps. So IF the tank was empty, it was emptied after the two quick laps.

Phew! What a relief..

[FFFerrari]

I hope it wasn't, but you have to wonder if Alonso's lap was a PR run.

My gut tells it was a PR lap...

But lets see on FP2

[Jose-Lorca Fan]

Side pods definitely look smaller near the front side undercut. Less draggy and more rounded.

[Alessandra]

[QUOTE=anialonso;725044]P1 over...
Comparing to the other practice 1 session like.
gap to the leader wrt alonso
aus- +0.800
mal- +1.959
chn- +2.950
bah- +1.864

Yes, I was thinking this too. Since Australia (FA = 4) we haven't even been in the top ten at the end of P1!

I know it's meaningless but ... practice is part of the weekend entertainment these days so enjoy a first place whilst we can

[FER]

No team race empty cars in FP1. Same like no team runs the softer tires at that moment. It's not that difficult to understand why.

[sav_pap]

No team race empty cars in FP1. Same like no team runs the softer tires at that moment. It's not that difficult to understand why.

We know about the tires and I hope you are right about the fuel.

[tpe]

On the other hand, FM is 1 whole second slower. So, let's wait at least for FP2.

[sav_pap]

[QUOTE=Alessandra;725061]

P1 over...
Comparing to the other practice 1 session like.
gap to the leader wrt alonso
aus- +0.800
mal- +1.959
chn- +2.950
bah- +1.864

Yes, I was thinking this too. Since Australia (FA = 4) we haven't even been in the top ten at the end of P1!

I know it's meaningless but ... practice is part of the weekend entertainment these days so enjoy a first place whilst we can

Agree

[theforce]

Ferrari saying updates not working and car is not up to spec --> other teams happy but Ferrari still beat them
Ferrari showing a hint of performance to challenge front runner --> everyone crapping themselves
The look on CH's face --> PRICELESS

[FER]

On the other hand, FM is 1 whole second slower. So, let's wait at least for FP2.

It was his car with all the updates, Alonso drove the conventional version. It could have been a setup issue, but I would feel better, if there wouldn't be 1 sec gap in favor of Alonso.

[sav_pap]

It was his car with all the updates, Alonso drove the conventional version.

Are you sure????

[LightAmaterasu]

The look on CH's face --> PRICELESS

Kudos

[FER]

Are you sure????

I just share what I read on reliable sites.

[sav_pap]

I just share what I read on reliable sites.

That means that our updates are not working!!!!

[FER]

Massa drove different front wing, front suspension and exhaust.

[Kyss4k]

That means that our updates are not working!!!!

OR! That Felipe was testing them and not chasing times...

[FER]

That means that our updates are not working!!!!

It seems Ferrari try to make a comparison between the performance of these specific new components. Alonso had the new rear wing and diffusor as well, for example.

[Gerhard Berger]

I know people speculate that it was a glory run for the crowds, but Alonso did not do any glory runs this time last year, and we were in a worse situation (championship wise).

[Jose-Lorca Fan]

I know people speculate that it was a glory run for the crowds, but Alonso did not do any glory runs this time last year, and we were in a worse situation (championship wise).

Yup and nor has any other team done any glory runs. Qualifying will tell all, as it always has.

[Gerhard Berger]

Alonso 9th quickest in speed trap, Massa 15th.

FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE ESPAÑA SANTANDER 2012Pos No Driver Time of Day Speed
1 9 Kimi Räikkönen 10:46:08 318.2
2 12 Nico Hulkenberg 11:23:19 317.9
3 11 Jules Bianchi 11:19:22 317.4
4 10 Romain Grosjean 11:31:24 317.2
5 8 Nico Rosberg 10:45:26 316.6
6 7 Michael Schumacher 11:14:31 316.6
7 20 Alexander Rossi 10:56:14 315.6
8 21 Vitaly Petrov 10:46:05 315.4
9 5 Fernando Alonso 11:24:04 314.3
10 15 Sergio Perez 10:50:13 313.7
11 3 Jenson Button 10:55:00 312.9
12 4 Lewis Hamilton 10:55:53 312.8
13 16 Daniel Ricciardo 10:51:40 312.3
14 17 Jean-Eric Vergne 10:27:30 311.8
15 6 Felipe Massa 10:44:44 311.8
16 1 Sebastian Vettel 11:27:58 311.8
17 2 Mark Webber 10:48:49 311.6
18 19 Valtteri Bottas 11:03:27 311.2
19 23 Dani Clos 10:56:07 310.7
20 22 Pedro de la Rosa 11:25:07 309.4
21 14 Kamui Kobayashi 10:52:19 308.3
22 18 Pastor Maldonado 10:24:01 307.6
23 25 Charles Pic 10:24:02 307.3
24 24 Timo Glock 10:56:35 306.9

[Crucial_Xtreme]

If we have well and truly recovered a whole second, this would be the best come backs in modern F1 ever in my opinion. But lets wait for qualifying and the race where it really counts. It's looking good though, in previous FP1 sessions Ferrari have always been a good 0.8 sec off the pace, and today they were approx 4 tenths ahead, good signs...

I think 1 sec is too much to expect and as you said would be the best comeback EVER! Lol. I think 0.4-0.6s isn't too far away from what's possible. I think the real(most accurate) measure of how much the car has improved will be Felipe's time in Quali.

And of course Sky commentators criticizing Ferrari all the way !

And it gets on my reserve nerve. Davidson is always taking shots at the Ferrari's every chance he gets. It's getting old.