Sunday 13 and Monday 14 February some lucky guests from the Scuderia Ferrari Community attended the test session and the filming day with the Ferrari F150th Italia, meeting Felipe and Fernando!
Source: ferrariworld
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Rabu, 23 Februari 2011
Minggu, 13 Februari 2011
The F150th Italia goes over the three thousand mark
Jerez de la Frontera, 13 February – Over three thousand kilometres – 3,195.594 to be precise – in one week is a sound start to the work of developing the Maranello newborn, the F150th Italia. Fernando Alonso is well aware of that and happy about it, after ending the second of the four test sessions in the run up to the start of the 2011 World Championship.
“The best thing about these first two test sessions is definitely the reliability,” said the Spaniard when he met the media at the end of the day. “Both myself and Felipe have been able to always do at least one hundred laps a day, which is very positive. Our aim in these tests is to make the car as tough as possible and then, when we get to Bahrain, introduce some developments aimed at performance. As I often said recently, there is no point in looking at the time sheets, but it would be very surprising if any teams other than Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, Renault and Mercedes are fighting for the wins. Red Bull ended last year with an advantage of around half a second over the others and it would be strange if they were not the strongest in Bahrain.”
The main task at this test was increasing understanding of the Pirelli tyres. “It is the biggest change of the year and there is still a lot of work to do to adapt the car set-up and driving style to these tyres,” said Fernando. “From what we have seen so far, we will need to run different strategies with more pit stops. We managed to do around forty laps, not all at one go, on the same set of tyres, but we know that in the much higher temperatures of Bahrain, the situation will be very different.”
The topic of overtaking and the moveable rear wing aimed at making it easier is still an especially hot topic. “We were able to try the adjustable wing in race conditions, but it is still too early to understand clearly if overtaking will be easier,” explained Fernando. “We need to see if the 600 metre limit set by the FIA is not too restrictive, but we know this situation is still able to be revised. From the little we could see, I think it will still be very difficult to pass a car with similar performance to your own. The system works well on our car: we never had any problems, not even under braking.”
Fernando and Felipe will be on track again tomorrow: no, it’s not an extra day’s testing granted to Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, but a day dedicated to promotional filming for the Scuderia’s partners. Development work on the new car will resume on Friday 18 at the Catalunya Circuit, on the outskirts of Barcelona: it will actually be the Spanish driver who will get the session underway, with Felipe taking over from him for Sunday and Monday.
Source: Ferrari.com
Jerez: Rubens is comfortably quickest
Rubens Barrichello gave Williams a welcome boost on Sunday as he clocked the fastest time at Jerez - not only for the day, but also the week
Barrichello, whose Williams team have had an on-going fight with their KERS unit over the course of the four-day test, clocked a 1:19.832 early on Sunday morning to set the benchmark time for the day.
His time proved to be unbeatable and with heavy rain falling late in the afternoon, any attempts at a final run for the P1 time were put to rest.
But despite being exceptionally quick, half a second up on the week's previous best time set by Michael Schumacher on Friday, the Brazilian's day was not without problems as he brought out the red flags an hour before the close of play when he stopped between Turns Five and Six.
His P1 time was also a one-off as immediately after setting it, Barrichello's times dropped by almost one-and-a-half seconds.
Second place on Sunday went to Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi, who was 0.769s off the pace. He too had a few problems, spinning his C30 off the track and into the gravel during the morning session.
Fernando Alonso, who yet again was the busiest driver on track in his F150th Italia, claimed third place, 1.242s behind Barrichello as he worked on short runs during the morning session. Ferrari later swapped to long-distance heavy-fuel runs in the afternoon.
Sebastien Buemi showed promise in his Toro Rosso STR6, bringing the car home in fourth place while F1 was taken on a walk down memory lane as Bruno Senna stepped into the Lotus Renault R31 for the final day at Jerez.
The nephew of the late Ayrton Senna has been signed as a test driver for the team for this year's Championship and was given the chance to show what he can do. Lotus Renault spent the past two days evaluating Nick Heidfeld and Senna to see who will fill in for the injured Robert Kubica.
Senna brought his car home in fifth place, with a 1:21.400, which was 1.568s slower than the P1 time. But, perhaps more importantly, he brought the car home without any major mistakes and with only one spin, which he managed to keep off the gravel and away from the barriers.
Team Lotus will be happy to see Heikki Kovalainen finish in sixth place despite a water leak, beating the Mercedes GP of Nico Rosberg. The latter's day, though, was once again problematic as a rather frustrated Rosberg broke down on track during the morning's session.
Reigning World Champ Sebastian Vettel was next in line, ahead of the McLaren of Jenson Button. Both teams won't be worried about their apparent lack of pace as it must be noted that times were not what they were seeking as they focused mainly on long-distance runs.
Jerome D'Ambrosio, who spun in the gravel to bring out the day's first red flag, and Paul di Resta, who spun at the same place as the Belgian to bring out the day's last stoppage, completed the timesheets.
And for those wondering, some of the drivers did opt to put in a few laps in the rain late in the day using the intermediate Pirelli tyres. Buemi clocked a 1:36 and a 1:35, Alonso a 1:38 and a 1:40 while Rosberg and Barrichello both did 1:42s.
The next pre-season test is scheduled for Barcelona, beginning on 18 February.
Times
01. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1:19.832 103 laps
02. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:20.601 + 0.769 86 laps
03. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:21.074 + 1.242 115 laps
04. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:21.213 + 1.381 90 laps
05. Bruno Senna Lotus Renault 1:21.400 + 1.568 68 laps
06. Heikki Kovalainen Team Lotus 1:21.632 + 1.800 43 laps
07. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:22.103 + 2.271 45 laps
08. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:22.222 + 2.39 90 laps
09. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:22.278 + 2.446 70 laps
10. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1:22.985 + 3.153 45 laps
11. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1:23.111 + 3.279 99 laps
Source: Planet-F1
Barrichello, whose Williams team have had an on-going fight with their KERS unit over the course of the four-day test, clocked a 1:19.832 early on Sunday morning to set the benchmark time for the day.His time proved to be unbeatable and with heavy rain falling late in the afternoon, any attempts at a final run for the P1 time were put to rest.
But despite being exceptionally quick, half a second up on the week's previous best time set by Michael Schumacher on Friday, the Brazilian's day was not without problems as he brought out the red flags an hour before the close of play when he stopped between Turns Five and Six.
His P1 time was also a one-off as immediately after setting it, Barrichello's times dropped by almost one-and-a-half seconds.
Second place on Sunday went to Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi, who was 0.769s off the pace. He too had a few problems, spinning his C30 off the track and into the gravel during the morning session.
Fernando Alonso, who yet again was the busiest driver on track in his F150th Italia, claimed third place, 1.242s behind Barrichello as he worked on short runs during the morning session. Ferrari later swapped to long-distance heavy-fuel runs in the afternoon.
Sebastien Buemi showed promise in his Toro Rosso STR6, bringing the car home in fourth place while F1 was taken on a walk down memory lane as Bruno Senna stepped into the Lotus Renault R31 for the final day at Jerez.
The nephew of the late Ayrton Senna has been signed as a test driver for the team for this year's Championship and was given the chance to show what he can do. Lotus Renault spent the past two days evaluating Nick Heidfeld and Senna to see who will fill in for the injured Robert Kubica.
Senna brought his car home in fifth place, with a 1:21.400, which was 1.568s slower than the P1 time. But, perhaps more importantly, he brought the car home without any major mistakes and with only one spin, which he managed to keep off the gravel and away from the barriers.
Team Lotus will be happy to see Heikki Kovalainen finish in sixth place despite a water leak, beating the Mercedes GP of Nico Rosberg. The latter's day, though, was once again problematic as a rather frustrated Rosberg broke down on track during the morning's session.
Reigning World Champ Sebastian Vettel was next in line, ahead of the McLaren of Jenson Button. Both teams won't be worried about their apparent lack of pace as it must be noted that times were not what they were seeking as they focused mainly on long-distance runs.
Jerome D'Ambrosio, who spun in the gravel to bring out the day's first red flag, and Paul di Resta, who spun at the same place as the Belgian to bring out the day's last stoppage, completed the timesheets.
And for those wondering, some of the drivers did opt to put in a few laps in the rain late in the day using the intermediate Pirelli tyres. Buemi clocked a 1:36 and a 1:35, Alonso a 1:38 and a 1:40 while Rosberg and Barrichello both did 1:42s.
The next pre-season test is scheduled for Barcelona, beginning on 18 February.
Times
01. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1:19.832 103 laps
02. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:20.601 + 0.769 86 laps
03. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:21.074 + 1.242 115 laps
04. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:21.213 + 1.381 90 laps
05. Bruno Senna Lotus Renault 1:21.400 + 1.568 68 laps
06. Heikki Kovalainen Team Lotus 1:21.632 + 1.800 43 laps
07. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:22.103 + 2.271 45 laps
08. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:22.222 + 2.39 90 laps
09. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:22.278 + 2.446 70 laps
10. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1:22.985 + 3.153 45 laps
11. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1:23.111 + 3.279 99 laps
Source: Planet-F1
Alonso fans turn out in force at Jerez
Fernando Alonso mobbed by fans in the Jerez paddock
When the engineers and mechanics set off for the track this morning, it must have felt more like preparation for a day’s testing at Fiorano rather than Jerez, as there was so much fog hanging over the circuit.
Then, luckily, it cleared away and a warm sun heated up the track, while there was also plenty of warmth flowing from the thousands of fans who arrived here in the early hours. The queues at the turnstiles, wanting to get in to watch testing, were hundreds of metres long by eight o’clock.
With all due respect to the other drivers, all eyes were on the red car with the number 5 on its nose, belonging to Fernando Alonso. Each time he passed by a crowded area of the circuit a roar erupted which he admitted being able to hear in the cockpit.
The Spaniard began driving shortly after nine and concentrated mainly on a comparison between all four types of tyre brought here by Pirelli for this test, while this afternoon, he will work on doing some long distance runs.
Just like the drivers who ran on Thursday, Fernando wanted to show support for Robert Kubica and the Spaniard is running today with an image on his helmet which is a copy of that used by his Polish friend.
Source: YallaF1
When the engineers and mechanics set off for the track this morning, it must have felt more like preparation for a day’s testing at Fiorano rather than Jerez, as there was so much fog hanging over the circuit.Then, luckily, it cleared away and a warm sun heated up the track, while there was also plenty of warmth flowing from the thousands of fans who arrived here in the early hours. The queues at the turnstiles, wanting to get in to watch testing, were hundreds of metres long by eight o’clock.
With all due respect to the other drivers, all eyes were on the red car with the number 5 on its nose, belonging to Fernando Alonso. Each time he passed by a crowded area of the circuit a roar erupted which he admitted being able to hear in the cockpit.
The Spaniard began driving shortly after nine and concentrated mainly on a comparison between all four types of tyre brought here by Pirelli for this test, while this afternoon, he will work on doing some long distance runs.
Just like the drivers who ran on Thursday, Fernando wanted to show support for Robert Kubica and the Spaniard is running today with an image on his helmet which is a copy of that used by his Polish friend.
Source: YallaF1
Schumi Admits: Merc 'Slightly Concerned'
Despite topping the timesheets at Jerez on Friday, Michael Schumacher admits Mercedes GP are "slightly concerned" about their lack of pace
Schumacher was in action at the Spanish circuit on Friday and Saturday, finishing first and third. However, on both days his best times were one-offs as the German struggled to find a consistent pace with his new W02.
In fact, on Friday when he finished at the front of the pack, Schumacher's average lap time put him outside the top half of the field.
"Yes, we are slightly concerned but then on the other hand we know where we will and want to go to," the 42-year-old told the BBC.
"The first race will tell us truly what is the situation."
Mercedes have already made it clear that their target is to win the F1 World titles, however, Schumacher reckons that's going to be a difficult task this season, especially at the start.
"For the team it is very important to climb the ladder and have more success than last year.
"We are Mercedes and we have a very clear target. It is going to be difficult to meet this target straight away this year particularly after last year's experience.
"But it is a programme and a vision for more than just the short term."
One aspect that will have an impact on Mercedes GP's season are the new Pirelli tyres, which Schumacher says Merc still need to get a handle on.
"We have a character of car that we built up," he said, "but we have a new character of tyres and how much they will be in harmony is difficult to say at this moment in time.
"It seemed less important last year and is more important this year."
Source: Planet-F1
Schumacher was in action at the Spanish circuit on Friday and Saturday, finishing first and third. However, on both days his best times were one-offs as the German struggled to find a consistent pace with his new W02.In fact, on Friday when he finished at the front of the pack, Schumacher's average lap time put him outside the top half of the field.
"Yes, we are slightly concerned but then on the other hand we know where we will and want to go to," the 42-year-old told the BBC.
"The first race will tell us truly what is the situation."
Mercedes have already made it clear that their target is to win the F1 World titles, however, Schumacher reckons that's going to be a difficult task this season, especially at the start.
"For the team it is very important to climb the ladder and have more success than last year.
"We are Mercedes and we have a very clear target. It is going to be difficult to meet this target straight away this year particularly after last year's experience.
"But it is a programme and a vision for more than just the short term."
One aspect that will have an impact on Mercedes GP's season are the new Pirelli tyres, which Schumacher says Merc still need to get a handle on.
"We have a character of car that we built up," he said, "but we have a new character of tyres and how much they will be in harmony is difficult to say at this moment in time.
"It seemed less important last year and is more important this year."
Source: Planet-F1
Sabtu, 12 Februari 2011
Alonso: “Important to have done a lot of kilometres”
It is definitely still too early to start evaluating its performance level, but the F150th Italia is proving to be a tough car. 217 laps were completed by Felipe Massa on the first two days of this second test session in the run up to the start of the Formula 1 World Championship and now Fernando Alonso has added a further 131, taking the total number of kilometres past the 1500 mark. The Spaniard said he was pleased with the work done today, centred on evaluating the Pirelli tyres and a long distance run. “It is very important to be able to do so many kilometres one after the other, without experiencing any problems,” Fernando told www.ferrari.com. “It means we can pick up a lot of data which is useful especially when it comes to understanding the tyre behaviour, which is the biggest unknown at this test. I already said it in Valencia and I repeat it now: we must not think about what the others are doing, in terms of times. It is better to focus on our own efforts and then we can see where we are in Bahrain in a month’s time.”
Today, Fernando wore a helmet specially dedicated to Robert Kubica. “I am delighted that Robert’s condition is evolving in a positive way, with every passing day,” said the Spanish driver. “Now he will need a lot of patience, but the most important thing is he is getting better.”
Source: Ferrari.com
Jerez: Heidfeld moves closer to Renault seat
Nick Heidfeld took a step closer to a Lotus Renault drive when he set the fastest lap time at Jerez on Saturday
The German had been called up by the team to take part in a trial as they bid to find someone to fill in for the injured Robert Kubica.
And Heidfeld may have guaranteed his return to a F1 race-seat with his 1:20.361, which he clocked in the final hour of testing using the softer option Pirelli tyres.
Fernando Alonso had to settle for second place after leading the charge for the better part of the day. The Ferrari driver was 0.132s adrift of Heidfeld's best, having his set his time early in the morning when he was conducting qualifying style runs.
Michael Schumacher came home in third place with a 1:21.054. And although his time was seven-tenths slower than his P1 time from Friday, the Mercedes GP driver's lap times were a lot more consistent on his final day of testing for the week.
Lewis Hamilton put his McLaren MP4-26 up into fourth place, however, he managed just 36 laps. According to reports, it was a shortage of parts that kept the 2008 World Champ stuck in his garage for the better part of the day.
Kamui Kobayashi was next in line, the final driver to get within a second of Heidfeld's P1 time. However, it was a stop-start day for the Sauber driver as he brought out the red flags on two occasions, both due to problems with his C30.
Sebastian Vettel spent his day concentrating on short-distance runs, finishing in seventh place ahead of Sebastien Buemi.
"The team has done a good job moving on with the development of the car since I last drove it in Valencia," said Toro Rosso's Swiss driver.
"It is definitely better, although at the moment there is no point in talking about its performance level, as we are still working mainly on understanding everything about it."
Team Lotus' Heikki Kovalainen was next in line while Williams once again struggled with their KERS unit with Rubens Barrichello down in ninth place ahead of Paul di Resta, who had a late spin after earlier suffering with brake problems, and Virgin Racing rookie Jerome D'Ambrosio.
Times
01. Nick Heidfeld Lotus Renault 1:20.361 86 laps
02. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:20.493 + 0.132 131 laps
03. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1:21.054 + 0.693 114 laps
04. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:21.099 + 0.738 36 laps
05. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:21.242 + 0.881 84 laps
06. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:21.574 + 1.213 98 laps
07. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:21.681 + 1.320 92 laps
08. Heikki Kovalainen Team Lotus 1:21.711 + 1.350 61 laps
09. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1:22.227 + 1.866 99 laps
10. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1:22.945 + 2.584 64 laps
11. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1:25.471 + 5.110 72 laps
Source: Planet-F1
The German had been called up by the team to take part in a trial as they bid to find someone to fill in for the injured Robert Kubica.And Heidfeld may have guaranteed his return to a F1 race-seat with his 1:20.361, which he clocked in the final hour of testing using the softer option Pirelli tyres.
Fernando Alonso had to settle for second place after leading the charge for the better part of the day. The Ferrari driver was 0.132s adrift of Heidfeld's best, having his set his time early in the morning when he was conducting qualifying style runs.
Michael Schumacher came home in third place with a 1:21.054. And although his time was seven-tenths slower than his P1 time from Friday, the Mercedes GP driver's lap times were a lot more consistent on his final day of testing for the week.
Lewis Hamilton put his McLaren MP4-26 up into fourth place, however, he managed just 36 laps. According to reports, it was a shortage of parts that kept the 2008 World Champ stuck in his garage for the better part of the day.
Kamui Kobayashi was next in line, the final driver to get within a second of Heidfeld's P1 time. However, it was a stop-start day for the Sauber driver as he brought out the red flags on two occasions, both due to problems with his C30.
Sebastian Vettel spent his day concentrating on short-distance runs, finishing in seventh place ahead of Sebastien Buemi.
"The team has done a good job moving on with the development of the car since I last drove it in Valencia," said Toro Rosso's Swiss driver.
"It is definitely better, although at the moment there is no point in talking about its performance level, as we are still working mainly on understanding everything about it."
Team Lotus' Heikki Kovalainen was next in line while Williams once again struggled with their KERS unit with Rubens Barrichello down in ninth place ahead of Paul di Resta, who had a late spin after earlier suffering with brake problems, and Virgin Racing rookie Jerome D'Ambrosio.
Times
01. Nick Heidfeld Lotus Renault 1:20.361 86 laps
02. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:20.493 + 0.132 131 laps
03. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1:21.054 + 0.693 114 laps
04. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:21.099 + 0.738 36 laps
05. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:21.242 + 0.881 84 laps
06. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:21.574 + 1.213 98 laps
07. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:21.681 + 1.320 92 laps
08. Heikki Kovalainen Team Lotus 1:21.711 + 1.350 61 laps
09. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1:22.227 + 1.866 99 laps
10. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1:22.945 + 2.584 64 laps
11. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1:25.471 + 5.110 72 laps
Source: Planet-F1
Jumat, 11 Februari 2011
Massa: “Pleased with the reliability of the car”
Sunshine, warmth and a lot of tyres were the main items on the menu during the first two days of testing here at Jerez de la Frontera, all in the capable hands of our “chef” Felipe Massa. Last year’s Jerez test was affected by rain but this year, February in Andalusia is positively spring-like, with a nice tepid sun getting temperatures up to around the 20 degree C mark.
The Brazilian driver made the most of these conditions, putting in over the two days around nine hundred kilometres which pushed the F150th Italia over the two thousand kilometre total since it first took to the track. “On both days, I was always able to complete the programme we had planned,” said Felipe when he spoke to the media. “Today, we tried all four types of tyre that Pirelli brought here and were able to acquire a lot of data. There is a lot of work to do before understanding the behaviour of the tyres and then to find the right set-up on the car. The times? It is always better to perform well, even if it does not mean much. From here to the first race, a lot will change, on our car and on those of the others. After just a few days of testing it really is impossible to say where we are compared to the others. We are trying to concentrate on our own job, without worrying about what our rivals are up to. The important thing is to understand in which direction we must go and how to solve our problems. The first race in Bahrain is still a very long way off. Michael fastest today? Well…it’s not exactly a novelty for him to be in that position, given everything he has won in his career.”
There is a great deal of interest in all the new items introduced this year, such as the moveable rear wing and the KERS, the latter not actually something new for the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro drivers. “We have to try and understand the handling of the car as well as possible, but clearly, when it comes to the rear wing, we still don’t know how it will work in an overtaking situation,” said Felipe. “So, it is important to have a reliable car to make the most of the time available.”
Felipe left Jerez this evening and he will be back on Sunday as he is involved in a day of promotional activity at this very same track on Monday. Keeping him company will be Fernando Alonso, who replaces him at the wheel of the F150th Italia for the next two days.
Source: Ferrari.com
Jerez: Schumi tops the charts
Michael Schumacher set the pace at Jerez on Friday where once again the times set during the morning session proved to be the best
The seven-time World Champion clocked a 1:20.352 on a run that was more than ten laps. However, as the day progressed, he struggled to match his best and in fact found himself outside the top half in terms of pace over longer distances.
Thursday's pace-setter Felipe Massa dropped to second place, 0.061s behind his former Ferrari team-mate. Massa had a busy day, finishing with the most laps completed and an average of 1:27s per lap during his long-distance runs.
Jenson Button, who had his first taste of McLaren's MP4-26, was third quickest, although the Brit spent a large part of the morning - which was when the faster times were set - in the pits as McLaren conducted system checks.
Jaime Alguersuari, who was fourth quickest on Friday, just 0.862s off the pace, was the first to run into trouble on Day Two as the Toro Rosso driver spun off the track, bringing out the red flags.
His car was taken back to the pits, however, it wasn't long before he was back in the action, working on a programme that featured three key elements; tyre evaluation, weight distribution and car set-up work.
The Spaniard said: "In performance terms, it is still a bit too early to start drawing conclusions, especially as the lap times here vary a lot from the morning to the afternoon, but I am reasonably confident that this side of the car's progress is on the right track."
Mark Webber was fifth for Red Bull Racing, finishing ahead of Adrian Sutil and Sergio Perez. However, the latter's day was curtailed when he crashed between Turns Seven and Eight during the afternoon session.
Timo Glock was next in line, three-tenths up on Renault's Vitaly Petrov, who was another to bring out the red flags when he spun off track in the morning.
The day's final flag belonged to Pastor Maldonado as the Williams driver became the second rookie to crash. He lost control at Turn Four, damaging the front and rear of his FW32 as he hit the wall.
Jarno Trulli completed the timesheets after failing to make an appearance in the afternoon due to an unspecified mechanical problem.
Times
01. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1:20.352 112 laps
02. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:20.413 + 0.061 116 laps
03. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:21.009 + 0.657 69 laps
04. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:21.214 + 0.862 72 laps
05. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:21.613 + 1.261 113 laps
06. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:21.780 + 1.428 73 laps
07. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1:21.857 + 1.505 56 laps
08. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1:22.208 + 1.856 57 laps
09. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1:22.493 + 2.141 65 laps
10. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 1:22.591 + 2.239 38 laps
11. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 1:23.216 + 2.864 40 laps
Source: Planet-F1
The seven-time World Champion clocked a 1:20.352 on a run that was more than ten laps. However, as the day progressed, he struggled to match his best and in fact found himself outside the top half in terms of pace over longer distances.Thursday's pace-setter Felipe Massa dropped to second place, 0.061s behind his former Ferrari team-mate. Massa had a busy day, finishing with the most laps completed and an average of 1:27s per lap during his long-distance runs.
Jenson Button, who had his first taste of McLaren's MP4-26, was third quickest, although the Brit spent a large part of the morning - which was when the faster times were set - in the pits as McLaren conducted system checks.
Jaime Alguersuari, who was fourth quickest on Friday, just 0.862s off the pace, was the first to run into trouble on Day Two as the Toro Rosso driver spun off the track, bringing out the red flags.
His car was taken back to the pits, however, it wasn't long before he was back in the action, working on a programme that featured three key elements; tyre evaluation, weight distribution and car set-up work.
The Spaniard said: "In performance terms, it is still a bit too early to start drawing conclusions, especially as the lap times here vary a lot from the morning to the afternoon, but I am reasonably confident that this side of the car's progress is on the right track."
Mark Webber was fifth for Red Bull Racing, finishing ahead of Adrian Sutil and Sergio Perez. However, the latter's day was curtailed when he crashed between Turns Seven and Eight during the afternoon session.
Timo Glock was next in line, three-tenths up on Renault's Vitaly Petrov, who was another to bring out the red flags when he spun off track in the morning.
The day's final flag belonged to Pastor Maldonado as the Williams driver became the second rookie to crash. He lost control at Turn Four, damaging the front and rear of his FW32 as he hit the wall.
Jarno Trulli completed the timesheets after failing to make an appearance in the afternoon due to an unspecified mechanical problem.
Times
01. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1:20.352 112 laps
02. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:20.413 + 0.061 116 laps
03. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:21.009 + 0.657 69 laps
04. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:21.214 + 0.862 72 laps
05. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:21.613 + 1.261 113 laps
06. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:21.780 + 1.428 73 laps
07. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1:21.857 + 1.505 56 laps
08. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1:22.208 + 1.856 57 laps
09. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1:22.493 + 2.141 65 laps
10. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 1:22.591 + 2.239 38 laps
11. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 1:23.216 + 2.864 40 laps
Source: Planet-F1
Kamis, 10 Februari 2011
Jerez: Massa sets a blistering pace
Felipe Massa was the man to beat on the opening day of testing at Jerez, however, much of the focus in the paddock was on Robert Kubica
11 of the 12 teams, with only Hispania Racing missing from the line-up, hit the Spanish track at 9am on Thursday morning and one by one the cars came out of the pits carrying a message of support for the injured Kubica.
"Szybkiego powrotu do zdrowia Robert," read the stickers on the cars, which translated means: "Get better soon Robert!"
Massa took the lead early in the morning as the Ferrari driver clocked a 1:20.709 midway through his opening 14-lap stint.
The Brazilian's time proved to be unbeatable as the day progressed with even Massa struggling to match it.
Sauber rookie Sergio Perez finished in second place, 0.774s behind Massa. He too set his best time early in the morning after venturing back out on track following a brief stoppage at the exit of Curva Jorge Martinez.
It was the first of the day's four red flags, the others belonging to Nico Rosberg, who stopped twice, and Vitaly Petrov, who spun off into the gravel.
Mark Webber claimed third place for Red Bull Racing while Toro Rosso test driver Daniel Ricciardo was a surprise in fourth place. The Australian test driver finished ahead of 2008 World Champion Lewis Hamilton.
The Brit, who had the honour of being the first to put McLaren's new MP4-26 through its paces, spent the day focusing on short runs. In fact, Hamilton's best time for the day was set on a single flying-lap run, similar to a qualifying run.
Jaime Alguersuari was sixth for Toro Rosso as he took over from Ricciardo in the afternoon while Adrian Sutil debuted Force India's VJM04. Like McLaren, Force India spent the day putting in short distance runs.
Petrov was eighth for Renault, finishing ahead of Nico Rosberg, Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock. The latter was another driver debuting his team's 2011 challenger.
New Williams signing Pastor Maldonado finished at the very bottom of the timesheets after spending much of the day stuck in the pits. The Venezuelan's FW32 suffered a problem with the rear wing, limiting his running to just 13 laps.
Times
01. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m20.709 101 laps
02. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m21.483 + 0.774 94 laps
03. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m21.522 + 0.813 94 laps
04. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m21.755 + 1.046 31 laps
05. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m21.914 + 1.205 58 laps
06. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m22.689 + 1.980 42 laps
07. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m23.472 + 2.763 28 laps
08. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m23.504 + 2.795 57 laps
09. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m23.963 + 3.254 67 laps
10. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 1m24.458 + 3.749 54 laps
11. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1m25.086 + 4.377 42 laps
12. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 1m34.968 + 14.259 13 laps
Source: Planet-F1
11 of the 12 teams, with only Hispania Racing missing from the line-up, hit the Spanish track at 9am on Thursday morning and one by one the cars came out of the pits carrying a message of support for the injured Kubica."Szybkiego powrotu do zdrowia Robert," read the stickers on the cars, which translated means: "Get better soon Robert!"
Massa took the lead early in the morning as the Ferrari driver clocked a 1:20.709 midway through his opening 14-lap stint.
The Brazilian's time proved to be unbeatable as the day progressed with even Massa struggling to match it.
Sauber rookie Sergio Perez finished in second place, 0.774s behind Massa. He too set his best time early in the morning after venturing back out on track following a brief stoppage at the exit of Curva Jorge Martinez.
It was the first of the day's four red flags, the others belonging to Nico Rosberg, who stopped twice, and Vitaly Petrov, who spun off into the gravel.
Mark Webber claimed third place for Red Bull Racing while Toro Rosso test driver Daniel Ricciardo was a surprise in fourth place. The Australian test driver finished ahead of 2008 World Champion Lewis Hamilton.
The Brit, who had the honour of being the first to put McLaren's new MP4-26 through its paces, spent the day focusing on short runs. In fact, Hamilton's best time for the day was set on a single flying-lap run, similar to a qualifying run.
Jaime Alguersuari was sixth for Toro Rosso as he took over from Ricciardo in the afternoon while Adrian Sutil debuted Force India's VJM04. Like McLaren, Force India spent the day putting in short distance runs.
Petrov was eighth for Renault, finishing ahead of Nico Rosberg, Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock. The latter was another driver debuting his team's 2011 challenger.
New Williams signing Pastor Maldonado finished at the very bottom of the timesheets after spending much of the day stuck in the pits. The Venezuelan's FW32 suffered a problem with the rear wing, limiting his running to just 13 laps.
Times
01. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m20.709 101 laps
02. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m21.483 + 0.774 94 laps
03. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m21.522 + 0.813 94 laps
04. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m21.755 + 1.046 31 laps
05. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m21.914 + 1.205 58 laps
06. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m22.689 + 1.980 42 laps
07. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m23.472 + 2.763 28 laps
08. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m23.504 + 2.795 57 laps
09. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m23.963 + 3.254 67 laps
10. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 1m24.458 + 3.749 54 laps
11. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1m25.086 + 4.377 42 laps
12. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 1m34.968 + 14.259 13 laps
Source: Planet-F1
Kamis, 27 Januari 2011
McLaren releases its testing programme
It doesn’t matter how busy you are over the winter, finishing off the new car – without the scream of race engines in the distance it can feel like you’re standing still.
Like all the other Formula 1 teams, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has been working flat out since returning from Abu Dhabi back in November. The team has a wealth of new challenges to think about for 2011: new technical regulations, a new tyre supplier and even a new circuit on the calendar.
On track, the silence is about to be broken.
It’s time to validate all the research and planning as McLaren is getting ready to go racing. The four test sessions ahead are vital to the preparations for the 2011 F1 season. The first task is to learn as much as it can about the new Pirelli tyre family using a car McLaren already know plenty about: last year’s MP4-25.
Armed with that knowledge, after the launch of the MP4-26 on February 4, McLaren will start testing the new car at Jerez.
McLaren’s 2011 test programme (with relevant drivers) in full:
VALENCIA (tyre test using MP4-25 chassis)
Feb 1 Gary Paffett
Feb 2 Lewis Hamilton
Feb 3 Jenson Button
JEREZ (first scheduled run for MP4-26)
Feb 10 Lewis Hamilton
Feb 11 Jenson Button
Feb 12 Lewis Hamilton
Feb 13 Jenson Button
BARCELONA
Feb 18-19 Jenson Button
Feb 20-21 Lewis Hamilton
BAHRAIN
Mar 3 Jenson Button
Mar 4 Lewis Hamilton
Mar 5 Jenson Button
Mar 6 Lewis Hamilton
Source: Nextgen
Rabu, 24 Februari 2010
Senin, 22 Februari 2010
"The 'anti-Alonsos' are on the internet"
by Jaime Rodríguez (special correspondent) / Jerez
Fernando Alonso (Oviedo, 1981), pays attention to details. A lot. He trusts his senses inside the car to discover its pulse and faults. Also out of the car, in his baggy Evisu jeans and red sweatshirt. In the dining Ferrari tent at Jerez, his father, vital guardian, waits for him to go back to the hotel. Around his neck there's a faded lanyard, with a black and white photo of a boyish face looking like a new soldier in the Army. "I've noticed. He carries my 2001 pass", says the driver smiling about Dad's antics. To enter the circuit, José Luis Alonso took the first thing he could from his box of memories. Bingo, the first Formula 1 pass the young aspiring driver ever had. Nine years later, his son wears red on the best F1 team in the world. An honor, a responsibility. Mission accomplished, one more essential step for the next leap: to win again.
Alonso and the details. Photoshoot with EL MUNDO. In the beginning of last week, Filming Day for ferrari at the Jerez track, a journey of publicity recordings. It won't stop raining. In the Ferrari garage, mechanics, cameras and lights. "Look, we get on the plane and I get on that car," he warns and signals to the stand-in that carries his helmet inside the car. "Will my photos be as dark as Cristiano's?", he asks the photographer, with the last issue of DXT in his hand, where the Portuguese football star stares defiantly at the camera. He prefers to smile in the red Ferrari afterall.
El Mundo: Do you like this colour particularly?
Fernando Alonso: As a colour, I've always liked red like any other colour, no more. But now I think it suits me, I look good in red. At the racetrack, I've always known it meant a lot.
EM: They say Ferraris have a special sound.
FA: The street ones yes, but the Formula 1 cars all sound alike. The sounds depend on the position of the exhaust.
EM: Before you got to Ferrari, had you planned on buying one?
FA: No, but I don't really plan things too much. I only think when I'm buying. I decide quickly.
EM: You'd get a red one, of course.
FA: Yes, but I don't know if they'll give me a discount. You'd have to ask the president [he says, looking at the Ferrari press officer].
EM: What calls your attention to Ferrari?
FA: The passion and closeness. Compared with other teams, you can live. In the garage, everybody talks at the same time, they shout, they run, you see people on top of each other trying to screw on a piece... because everything is intuitive, from the heart, creative, thoughtful as well. Every moment whatever's needed gets done, there's no strict programme like in other teams, where you have to read what to do and then do it at the time it's noted. Here you do things as they come up, a little sooner, a little later, and things get done. A very good flexibility for F1.
EM: Felipe Massa, your teammate, has he given you any recommendations?
FA: A lot of advice from the technical point of view, aspects where he has been struggled with in the last years. He explains things to me so I can adapt faster.
EM: So far, you both look comfortable with each other. Are you surprised?
FA: I didn't have a preconceived idea about him. I knew he was a very quick driver and also hardworking and responsible with the team. That's the Felipe I'm getting to know.
EM: Ferrari is your second big team. Have you learn anything from McLaren that you can apply now?
FA: Many things. My year in McLaren was a very rich experience and also at a technical level, because there they have a very interesting work philosophy. I've been able to use the things I have learnt there. And it also helped me grow as a driver. Thanks to all this, I have matured personally with the experiences over the years. I have got more serenity, more peace. I'm ready for any challenge.
EM: What have you learnt from the previous hard years at Renault?
FA: You can always learn positive things, even when you're fighting for intermediate positions in the grid. In my opinion, the last couple of years there were also really good. I'm more ready than before, now. And there were also good results, let's not forget. It's always said about the hell, the purgatory, how lousy the last couple of years were... but I have won two races in 2008 and last year I was regularly in Q3 at qualifying, when the other car from the team [Nelsinho] wasn't. I also got pole in Hungary, one podium... Achievements that a [Spanish] driver had never done before , but when I do it everything seems normal.
EM: Do you talk often to your former boss at Renault, Flavio Briatore?
FA: Yes, every 15 days.
EM: Were you disappointed by your former teammate Nelsinho Piquet?
FA: No, people no longer surprise me about anything. People make their own decision sometimes, and sometimes they're wrong, sometimes they're right. It's the law of life.
EM: When was the last time your father yelled at you?
FA: Well... let me think... I don't remember, it's been a while.
EM: He says you were a well behaved child.
FA: Yes, more or less. When I was little, he yelled at me when we were together and I did something he had told me not to. But it wasn't so much yelling, it was more like demanding, especially with the karts. Or when he took me to a field with sheep we owned. I was eight or nine, and I didn't go there on holiday, but to help my father. To dig dirt from one place and put it in another... and, of course, I always dropped some and he yelled at me!
EM: What was your last joy?
FA: I have those everyday for any reason, because I'm very easy to please and warm to anything, like a football match won by my team, or small details like playing games... anything goes.
EM: At 28 years old, are you ready to be a father?
FA: No, because I'm 100 per cent dedicated to my work. I look forward to, but right now my priority is something else.
EM: Do you believe your public image has improved?
FA: I think it's about the same, isn't it? I have always felt very loved and respected. Those who criticize me has never had any contact with me.
EM: But you know there are 'anti-Alonsos' out there.
FA: They are always on the internet, in any news or forum, that's where you'll find the 'anti-alonsistas', who are against everything anyway. The 'Alonsistas', however, are there, at the Valencia circuit, where there are 36,000 people following a test to see my debut with Ferrari. There are the 36,000 'alonsistas', and the 'anti-alonsistas' are on an internet forum. They don't bother me.
EM: Would you surprise people if they knew you personally?
FA: I think so. If they knew me, they'd find out. I'm nicer than I look, than the image I portray. I'm more normal. But, it's true that if you know me, a little of the magic would be gone... everytime I meet someone, they say: "But man, you're much nicer than I thought!". And I like hearing that. It's good that people don't think so well about me because then when I meet them I surprise them by getting along with everyone. [He laughs].
Source: El Mundo
Translation/adaptation from Spanish: Fran
Fernando Alonso (Oviedo, 1981), pays attention to details. A lot. He trusts his senses inside the car to discover its pulse and faults. Also out of the car, in his baggy Evisu jeans and red sweatshirt. In the dining Ferrari tent at Jerez, his father, vital guardian, waits for him to go back to the hotel. Around his neck there's a faded lanyard, with a black and white photo of a boyish face looking like a new soldier in the Army. "I've noticed. He carries my 2001 pass", says the driver smiling about Dad's antics. To enter the circuit, José Luis Alonso took the first thing he could from his box of memories. Bingo, the first Formula 1 pass the young aspiring driver ever had. Nine years later, his son wears red on the best F1 team in the world. An honor, a responsibility. Mission accomplished, one more essential step for the next leap: to win again.Alonso and the details. Photoshoot with EL MUNDO. In the beginning of last week, Filming Day for ferrari at the Jerez track, a journey of publicity recordings. It won't stop raining. In the Ferrari garage, mechanics, cameras and lights. "Look, we get on the plane and I get on that car," he warns and signals to the stand-in that carries his helmet inside the car. "Will my photos be as dark as Cristiano's?", he asks the photographer, with the last issue of DXT in his hand, where the Portuguese football star stares defiantly at the camera. He prefers to smile in the red Ferrari afterall.
El Mundo: Do you like this colour particularly?
Fernando Alonso: As a colour, I've always liked red like any other colour, no more. But now I think it suits me, I look good in red. At the racetrack, I've always known it meant a lot.
EM: They say Ferraris have a special sound.
FA: The street ones yes, but the Formula 1 cars all sound alike. The sounds depend on the position of the exhaust.
EM: Before you got to Ferrari, had you planned on buying one?
FA: No, but I don't really plan things too much. I only think when I'm buying. I decide quickly.
EM: You'd get a red one, of course.
FA: Yes, but I don't know if they'll give me a discount. You'd have to ask the president [he says, looking at the Ferrari press officer].
EM: What calls your attention to Ferrari?
FA: The passion and closeness. Compared with other teams, you can live. In the garage, everybody talks at the same time, they shout, they run, you see people on top of each other trying to screw on a piece... because everything is intuitive, from the heart, creative, thoughtful as well. Every moment whatever's needed gets done, there's no strict programme like in other teams, where you have to read what to do and then do it at the time it's noted. Here you do things as they come up, a little sooner, a little later, and things get done. A very good flexibility for F1.
EM: Felipe Massa, your teammate, has he given you any recommendations?
FA: A lot of advice from the technical point of view, aspects where he has been struggled with in the last years. He explains things to me so I can adapt faster.
EM: So far, you both look comfortable with each other. Are you surprised?
FA: I didn't have a preconceived idea about him. I knew he was a very quick driver and also hardworking and responsible with the team. That's the Felipe I'm getting to know.
EM: Ferrari is your second big team. Have you learn anything from McLaren that you can apply now?
FA: Many things. My year in McLaren was a very rich experience and also at a technical level, because there they have a very interesting work philosophy. I've been able to use the things I have learnt there. And it also helped me grow as a driver. Thanks to all this, I have matured personally with the experiences over the years. I have got more serenity, more peace. I'm ready for any challenge.
EM: What have you learnt from the previous hard years at Renault?
FA: You can always learn positive things, even when you're fighting for intermediate positions in the grid. In my opinion, the last couple of years there were also really good. I'm more ready than before, now. And there were also good results, let's not forget. It's always said about the hell, the purgatory, how lousy the last couple of years were... but I have won two races in 2008 and last year I was regularly in Q3 at qualifying, when the other car from the team [Nelsinho] wasn't. I also got pole in Hungary, one podium... Achievements that a [Spanish] driver had never done before , but when I do it everything seems normal.
EM: Do you talk often to your former boss at Renault, Flavio Briatore?
FA: Yes, every 15 days.
EM: Were you disappointed by your former teammate Nelsinho Piquet?
FA: No, people no longer surprise me about anything. People make their own decision sometimes, and sometimes they're wrong, sometimes they're right. It's the law of life.
EM: When was the last time your father yelled at you?
FA: Well... let me think... I don't remember, it's been a while.
EM: He says you were a well behaved child.
FA: Yes, more or less. When I was little, he yelled at me when we were together and I did something he had told me not to. But it wasn't so much yelling, it was more like demanding, especially with the karts. Or when he took me to a field with sheep we owned. I was eight or nine, and I didn't go there on holiday, but to help my father. To dig dirt from one place and put it in another... and, of course, I always dropped some and he yelled at me!
EM: What was your last joy?
FA: I have those everyday for any reason, because I'm very easy to please and warm to anything, like a football match won by my team, or small details like playing games... anything goes.
EM: At 28 years old, are you ready to be a father?
FA: No, because I'm 100 per cent dedicated to my work. I look forward to, but right now my priority is something else.
EM: Do you believe your public image has improved?
FA: I think it's about the same, isn't it? I have always felt very loved and respected. Those who criticize me has never had any contact with me.
EM: But you know there are 'anti-Alonsos' out there.
FA: They are always on the internet, in any news or forum, that's where you'll find the 'anti-alonsistas', who are against everything anyway. The 'Alonsistas', however, are there, at the Valencia circuit, where there are 36,000 people following a test to see my debut with Ferrari. There are the 36,000 'alonsistas', and the 'anti-alonsistas' are on an internet forum. They don't bother me.
EM: Would you surprise people if they knew you personally?
FA: I think so. If they knew me, they'd find out. I'm nicer than I look, than the image I portray. I'm more normal. But, it's true that if you know me, a little of the magic would be gone... everytime I meet someone, they say: "But man, you're much nicer than I thought!". And I like hearing that. It's good that people don't think so well about me because then when I meet them I surprise them by getting along with everyone. [He laughs].
Source: El Mundo
Translation/adaptation from Spanish: Fran
Minggu, 21 Februari 2010
Kovalainen: Lotus F1 lacking downforce – but car has potential
Whilst acknowledging that the new Lotus T127 is currently lacking downforce in relation to its F1 2010 rivals, Heikki Kovalainen insists the car has potential - and so does the Cosworth engine in the back of
Heikki Kovalainen has revealed that whilst the new Lotus T127 might be lacking downforce in relation to the front-running contenders in F1 2010, it nonetheless has 'potential' – despite the fact that he delayed the team's preparations somewhat with an early and heavy 'off' on his first run in it during pre-season testing at Jerez last week.
The Mike Gascoyne-designed T127 is the first Lotus car to adorn an F1 race track in some 16 years, but so far the closest it has got to the leading pace is a gaping 4.2 seconds in Kovalainen's hands on Friday – and at times it has been a good deal further adrift than that. Downforce, the Finn acknowledges, is the chief bugbear at the moment.
“We have not been able to develop the aero package as we should have,” he reflected, speaking to reporters in Spain. “We had five months to build the car, and everything has been a bit conservative. Before they started to design the car, they had no information about the engine, so cooling and everything is quite conservative.
“I think it's quite clear that we're lacking downforce compared to the quickest cars. It's not surprising – we expected it – and just looking at the numbers, we knew where we were going to be.
“For sure we can improve – just by looking at the car I could probably improve a few things. I'm sure we will be able to do this, but it will just take a little time. Once everybody in the UK – the design and manufacturing teams – begins working, we'll be able to make big improvements.”
Kovalainen's accident on Thursday necessitated the overnight delivery of a new front wing due to a lack of spare parts at the circuit, but on a more positive note, the reliability of the car has proven to be impressive thus far, with the McLaren refugee as well as team-mate Jarno Trulli and the Anglo/Malaysian outfit's test and reserve driver Fairuz Fauzy all benefitting from plenty of largely trouble-free laps behind the wheel.
“I think the potential is there,” the Suomussalmi native underlined, according to ESPN. “The initial feeling was good. In the slow-speed corners the car is behaving quite well, but it's lacking grip, so in the high-speed [corners] we lose quite a bit of time, probably partly because of the set-up problems as well. Fundamentally, though, it is okay and I quite enjoyed driving it.”
Kovalainen similarly had some encouraging words of praise for the Cosworth V8 powerplant in the back of the T127, coming as he has done from having raced with the sport's Mercedes-Benz benchmark behind him for the past two seasons.
“In terms of pure power it's not too far away,” he affirmed. “It's probably not quite as good, but overall the feeling is quite positive – and the drivability felt very competitive as well compared to the Mercedes. The power is in slightly different areas, but I feel at the moment it is one of the stronger parts of the car.”
Source: Crash.net
Heikki Kovalainen has revealed that whilst the new Lotus T127 might be lacking downforce in relation to the front-running contenders in F1 2010, it nonetheless has 'potential' – despite the fact that he delayed the team's preparations somewhat with an early and heavy 'off' on his first run in it during pre-season testing at Jerez last week.The Mike Gascoyne-designed T127 is the first Lotus car to adorn an F1 race track in some 16 years, but so far the closest it has got to the leading pace is a gaping 4.2 seconds in Kovalainen's hands on Friday – and at times it has been a good deal further adrift than that. Downforce, the Finn acknowledges, is the chief bugbear at the moment.
“We have not been able to develop the aero package as we should have,” he reflected, speaking to reporters in Spain. “We had five months to build the car, and everything has been a bit conservative. Before they started to design the car, they had no information about the engine, so cooling and everything is quite conservative.
“I think it's quite clear that we're lacking downforce compared to the quickest cars. It's not surprising – we expected it – and just looking at the numbers, we knew where we were going to be.
“For sure we can improve – just by looking at the car I could probably improve a few things. I'm sure we will be able to do this, but it will just take a little time. Once everybody in the UK – the design and manufacturing teams – begins working, we'll be able to make big improvements.”
Kovalainen's accident on Thursday necessitated the overnight delivery of a new front wing due to a lack of spare parts at the circuit, but on a more positive note, the reliability of the car has proven to be impressive thus far, with the McLaren refugee as well as team-mate Jarno Trulli and the Anglo/Malaysian outfit's test and reserve driver Fairuz Fauzy all benefitting from plenty of largely trouble-free laps behind the wheel.
“I think the potential is there,” the Suomussalmi native underlined, according to ESPN. “The initial feeling was good. In the slow-speed corners the car is behaving quite well, but it's lacking grip, so in the high-speed [corners] we lose quite a bit of time, probably partly because of the set-up problems as well. Fundamentally, though, it is okay and I quite enjoyed driving it.”
Kovalainen similarly had some encouraging words of praise for the Cosworth V8 powerplant in the back of the T127, coming as he has done from having raced with the sport's Mercedes-Benz benchmark behind him for the past two seasons.
“In terms of pure power it's not too far away,” he affirmed. “It's probably not quite as good, but overall the feeling is quite positive – and the drivability felt very competitive as well compared to the Mercedes. The power is in slightly different areas, but I feel at the moment it is one of the stronger parts of the car.”
Source: Crash.net
Sabtu, 20 Februari 2010
Jerez update: Button beats Button
Reigning World Champion Jenson Button set the two fastest lap times of the year during the final morning at Jerez on Saturday.
Mother Nature smiled down on the Spanish circuit as the Formula One drivers geared up for the final day - and only the second on a dry track.
With the session barely underway, Kamui Kobayashi, holding the P1 slot, caused the first stoppage as the Japanese driver came to a halt right after the chicane, bringing out the red flags.
His car was soon cleared away and the action resumed with Tonio Liuzzi taking the P1 slot off the Sauber driver before he lost out to Robert Kubica.
The Renault driver set the fastest time of this year's Jerez tests, a 1:19.114, which was 0.155s up on the previous best that had been set by Mark Webber on Friday. But the Pole then came under attack from Button.
Having languished near the back of the timesheets, the reigning World Champ moved up to second place in a brief three-lap stint before heading back to the pits.
A few minutes later he ventured back out, clocking a blistering 1:18.87 on the second lap on his latest three-lap run to take the lead - and the fastest time for the year - off Kubica.
With Button, Kubica and Liuzzi leading the way, an uninterrupted two hours of track time was finally interrupted.
Mark Webber was responsible for the day's second red flag as his RB6 came to a halt near Turn 4. 14 minutes later, testing was back up and running - and the clouds were moving in.
With a healthy crowd watching on, Button did a 1:19 flat to effectively hold the two fastest times for the week.
Two-and-a-half-hours of clean running ended with Button on top, followed by Kubica, who was 0.243s adrift. Liuzzi was third, ahead of Nico Rosberg and Fernando Alonso.
While some of the drivers focused on short runs during the morning, others embarked on longer stints with Rosberg averaging 1:21.9, Alonso 1:21.9, Hulkenberg 1:23.8, Kubica 1:24 and Jarno Trulli 1:25.9. Those times ranged over ten to 20 lap runs.
Saturday marked Trulli's maiden voyage for Lotus and although the Italian was slowest of all, 5.410s off the pace, it was an admirable showing as he completed 65 laps.
"Jarno getting more comfortable in the car and picking up pace," reported tech boss Mike Gascoyne. "Reliability looking good. Changing brakes as Jarno not happy with brake bite. Otherwise good progress."
As for fellow newcomers, Virgin Racing, Timo Glock managed just 14 laps as an undisclosed problem left him stranded in the pits.
Unofficial Times
1. J. Button McLaren MP4-25 1:18.871 26 laps
2. R. Kubica Renault R30 1:19.114 +0.243 54 laps
3. V. Liuzzi Force India VJM-03 1:19.650 +0.779 43 laps
4. N. Rosberg Mercedes GP W01 1:20.150 +1.279 62 laps
5. F. Alonso Ferrari F10 1:20.436 +1.565 61 laps
6. K. Kobayashi Sauber C29 1:20.751 +1.880 45 laps
7. J. Alguersuari Toro Rosso STR5 1:21.053 +2.182 66 laps
8. M. Webber Red Bull Racing RB6 1:21.194 +2.323 43 laps
9. N. Hülkenberg Williams FW32 1:21.919 +3.048 93 laps
10. T. Glock Virgin Racing VR-01 1:22.856 +3.985 14 laps
11. J. Trulli Lotus F1 T127 1:24.641 +5.770 65 laps
Source: Planet-F1
Mother Nature smiled down on the Spanish circuit as the Formula One drivers geared up for the final day - and only the second on a dry track. With the session barely underway, Kamui Kobayashi, holding the P1 slot, caused the first stoppage as the Japanese driver came to a halt right after the chicane, bringing out the red flags.
His car was soon cleared away and the action resumed with Tonio Liuzzi taking the P1 slot off the Sauber driver before he lost out to Robert Kubica.
The Renault driver set the fastest time of this year's Jerez tests, a 1:19.114, which was 0.155s up on the previous best that had been set by Mark Webber on Friday. But the Pole then came under attack from Button.
Having languished near the back of the timesheets, the reigning World Champ moved up to second place in a brief three-lap stint before heading back to the pits.
A few minutes later he ventured back out, clocking a blistering 1:18.87 on the second lap on his latest three-lap run to take the lead - and the fastest time for the year - off Kubica.
With Button, Kubica and Liuzzi leading the way, an uninterrupted two hours of track time was finally interrupted.
Mark Webber was responsible for the day's second red flag as his RB6 came to a halt near Turn 4. 14 minutes later, testing was back up and running - and the clouds were moving in.
With a healthy crowd watching on, Button did a 1:19 flat to effectively hold the two fastest times for the week.
Two-and-a-half-hours of clean running ended with Button on top, followed by Kubica, who was 0.243s adrift. Liuzzi was third, ahead of Nico Rosberg and Fernando Alonso.
While some of the drivers focused on short runs during the morning, others embarked on longer stints with Rosberg averaging 1:21.9, Alonso 1:21.9, Hulkenberg 1:23.8, Kubica 1:24 and Jarno Trulli 1:25.9. Those times ranged over ten to 20 lap runs.
Saturday marked Trulli's maiden voyage for Lotus and although the Italian was slowest of all, 5.410s off the pace, it was an admirable showing as he completed 65 laps.
"Jarno getting more comfortable in the car and picking up pace," reported tech boss Mike Gascoyne. "Reliability looking good. Changing brakes as Jarno not happy with brake bite. Otherwise good progress."
As for fellow newcomers, Virgin Racing, Timo Glock managed just 14 laps as an undisclosed problem left him stranded in the pits.
Unofficial Times
1. J. Button McLaren MP4-25 1:18.871 26 laps
2. R. Kubica Renault R30 1:19.114 +0.243 54 laps
3. V. Liuzzi Force India VJM-03 1:19.650 +0.779 43 laps
4. N. Rosberg Mercedes GP W01 1:20.150 +1.279 62 laps
5. F. Alonso Ferrari F10 1:20.436 +1.565 61 laps
6. K. Kobayashi Sauber C29 1:20.751 +1.880 45 laps
7. J. Alguersuari Toro Rosso STR5 1:21.053 +2.182 66 laps
8. M. Webber Red Bull Racing RB6 1:21.194 +2.323 43 laps
9. N. Hülkenberg Williams FW32 1:21.919 +3.048 93 laps
10. T. Glock Virgin Racing VR-01 1:22.856 +3.985 14 laps
11. J. Trulli Lotus F1 T127 1:24.641 +5.770 65 laps
Source: Planet-F1
Jumat, 19 Februari 2010
Slippery when wet...
So, every year we trip off down to the sunniest place in Europe to launch and test our cars ahead of the season...
Except this year it hasn’t been quite so simple. It’s rained. Like rained so hard the roads are closed, cars have been left drowning by the side of the road and the police have had to resort to using boats to control the traffic (and this is all true).
Thursday night saw the worst rain in the region since the great Spanish floods of 1642 and the night-shift mechanics had to stay on in the morning to cook breakfast for the team after the catering crew were left stranded in Jerez.
But as our head of race engineering said, every time we turn a wheel we seem to be progressing, and Seb topped the timesheets on Wednesday.
Away from testing, both the drivers have been busy in front of the camera recently – Seb with a hiking trip up a famous volcano in Italy and Mark doing some promo work for an Aussie milk company. Mark’s website www.markwebber.com is also getting a makever and is all set to go live again on March 1.
We’re running a couple of competitions on the Community site next week to celebrate the start of the Season, so check back on Tuesday to see what’s on offer.
And speaking of the Community, the Best Group Of The Week Award goes to the Christian Horner Appreciation Society: “Blatantly the greatest team principal in the paddock, and not just because he's Red Bull's.” Our sentiments exactly.
Stay in touch and let us know what your thoughts are as we finish in Jerez and move north to Barcelona on Wednesday via the Forums.
Adios as they say down Jerez way,
Your Community Crew
…And did we tell you that we had that Michael Schumacher in the test unit for lunch on Thursday? Very polite chap.
Except this year it hasn’t been quite so simple. It’s rained. Like rained so hard the roads are closed, cars have been left drowning by the side of the road and the police have had to resort to using boats to control the traffic (and this is all true).
Thursday night saw the worst rain in the region since the great Spanish floods of 1642 and the night-shift mechanics had to stay on in the morning to cook breakfast for the team after the catering crew were left stranded in Jerez.
But as our head of race engineering said, every time we turn a wheel we seem to be progressing, and Seb topped the timesheets on Wednesday.
Away from testing, both the drivers have been busy in front of the camera recently – Seb with a hiking trip up a famous volcano in Italy and Mark doing some promo work for an Aussie milk company. Mark’s website www.markwebber.com is also getting a makever and is all set to go live again on March 1.
We’re running a couple of competitions on the Community site next week to celebrate the start of the Season, so check back on Tuesday to see what’s on offer.
And speaking of the Community, the Best Group Of The Week Award goes to the Christian Horner Appreciation Society: “Blatantly the greatest team principal in the paddock, and not just because he's Red Bull's.” Our sentiments exactly.
Stay in touch and let us know what your thoughts are as we finish in Jerez and move north to Barcelona on Wednesday via the Forums.
Adios as they say down Jerez way,
Your Community Crew
…And did we tell you that we had that Michael Schumacher in the test unit for lunch on Thursday? Very polite chap.
Source: Red Bull Newsletter
Q & A with Mark Webber @ Jerez
Whilst his Red Bull team mate, Sebastian Vettel, spent Wednesday and Thursday dodging rain showers at Jerez, Mark Webber enjoyed a much drier day of work in the RB6 at the Spanish track on Friday. After setting the session's best time, Webber answered questions from the assembled media…
Q: Mark, how was your running on Friday?
Mark Webber: Every dry lap is pretty important these days, and the weather was much better than expected. It also looks as though it will be half decent on Saturday. It’s a good base to prepare for next week in terms of consistent testing.
Q: Has the test programme changed much over the last few days?
MW: Not really. Seb and I wanted to test pretty similar things, because as a team we have highlighted things we need to test. We both do pretty much the same things for the team. After so many days of rainy conditions, we need more track time to evaluate things.
Q: You haven’t done as many long runs as Ferrari…
MW: We did some, but for sure we would have done at least one more. We will make up for it on Saturday.
Q: What tyres have you been running?
MW: Soft and medium.
Q: Have you benefited from working alongside Vettel?
MW: It was very enjoyable last year. It was a healthy rivalry, and made me very determined and very motivated to do well. If you have someone like him as a team mate you have to be at the top of your game. I had some very good races last year, but qualifying was a little bit more demanding for me, particularly going into Q3. All in all, we have the same relationship now, as we did when we weren’t team mates, and that is a very good sign. It's also thanks to how everything is managed from the top in the team. It is a very healthy team and that in turn helps the drivers have a good relationship.
Q: Have you ever had a bad team mate?
MW: Not really. I have had different ones, but not bad ones.
Q: Do you feel that the Adrian Newey-designed RB6 is another aerodynamic miracle?
MW: Adrian, unfortunately, always moves the bar very high for himself. He is such a genius that, as you can see, many here have copied some of his concepts from last year. Adrian is a very competitive guy, whether on the tennis court or on his drawing board. He is always looking for performance, and luckily for him, he is a big part of the performance of the car. He always seems to know which areas you need to focus on. It is good to have him in your corner.
Q: Do you feel that Red Bull is a step ahead again?
MW: Today was very good. We have to keep an eye on things as we progress through the championship, because in Malaysia we will not be talking about the second test in Jerez. Things change fast.
Q: In comparison to the old car, did the RB6 feel better in the dry?
MW: Obviously, when the car is very heavy with fuel it is a completely different ball game. The tyres are also crucial for us - it is like Roger Federer with his tennis racket. So it is very difficult to compare it with last year’s car. The basics are clearly very good. We still have more to learn and there is still more work to do.
Source: Formula1.com
Kamis, 18 Februari 2010
Rosberg: Difficult and frustrating
Despite coming through the day unscathed, Nico Rosberg wasn't all that excited about Merc's progress at Jerez, mainly because it was difficult to make any.
Taking over from team-mate Michael Schumacher on Thursday, Rosberg had to contend with heavy rain showers and strong winds, which caused havoc to Mercedes GP's planned programme.
The German, who finished fourth on the timesheets, managed 71 laps as the weather and five red flags played their part in disrupting proceedings.
"On the positive side, we achieved some good mileage today despite the conditions and completed a lot of our systems work," said Rosberg.
"It was useful for me to practice pit stops and get into the routine for the races.
"However it has been difficult and frustrating with the weather as we're obviously not able to learn as much as we could with a dry track.
"But that's the same for everyone and we will hope for an improvement over the next two days."
Taking over from team-mate Michael Schumacher on Thursday, Rosberg had to contend with heavy rain showers and strong winds, which caused havoc to Mercedes GP's planned programme.
The German, who finished fourth on the timesheets, managed 71 laps as the weather and five red flags played their part in disrupting proceedings.
"On the positive side, we achieved some good mileage today despite the conditions and completed a lot of our systems work," said Rosberg.
"It was useful for me to practice pit stops and get into the routine for the races.
"However it has been difficult and frustrating with the weather as we're obviously not able to learn as much as we could with a dry track.
"But that's the same for everyone and we will hope for an improvement over the next two days."
Source: Planet F1
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