2013 Pre Season Testing

[Caterhamf1]

Well it had to be done, so I made the thread.

It all kicks off in 24 hours time, or 22 hours and 16 minutes to be precise .

What are you looking forward to the most? And does anyone have a live timing link (sad I know, but I promise I won't spend more than half my day staring at it )

Will it be , or leading the way?

[Marbot]

Vettel in a Red Bull? Possibly. Hamilton in a McLaren, or Alonso in a Renault? Probably not.

The Williams car will be their 2012 car, so it will be interesting to see how the new ones compare with that.

The Sauber is the car that everyone is talking about, it looks to be a good'un.

[Knowlesy]

It's just a hunch, but expect Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari to be leading the way!

[Marbot]

Agreed. Same old same old.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Marbot

The Sauber is the car that everyone is talking about, it looks to be a good'un.

Well in the case of the Sauber (looking extraordinarily like an 2011 HRT in livery) how much input did James Key have before he left, as I understood the perceived wisdom to be that it was his skills that helped make last years chassis so effective....

[BSchneiderFan]

I don't expect any huge surprises, though Lotus might be quick.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Well in the case of the Sauber (looking extraordinarily like an 2011 HRT in livery) how much input did James Key have before he left, as I understood the perceived wisdom to be that it was his skills that helped make last years chassis so effective....

I've no doubt that he did have a lot of influence on the design of the Sauber, and he will have had just as much influence on the STR, having gone to the team early enough to have done so.

[Andrew2001]

I quite like some of the new cars. the new Sauber looks smart, as does the Lotus, and of course, the McLaren.
Hamilton to qualify P10 and finish P8 at Australia. lol.
Title contenders will be Vettel, Alonso, Massa and Button in my view.

GO JENSE!

[W.A Trichlorostyrene]

James Rossiter testing for Force India I hear? That's one name I didn't expect here.

[steve nielsen]

Team 5 februari 6 februari 7 februari 8 februari
Red Bull Webber Webber Vettel Vettel
Ferrari Massa Massa Massa de la Rosa
McLaren Button Perez Button Perez
Lotus Grosjean Grosjean Raikkonen Raikkonen
Mercedes Rosberg Hamilton Rosberg Hamilton
Sauber Hülkenberg Hülkenberg Gutierrez Gutierrez
Force India di Resta di Resta / Rossiter Rossiter / di Resta Bianchi
Williams Maldonado Maldonado Bottas Bottas
Toro Rosso Ricciardo Ricciardo Vergne Vergne
Caterham van der Garde van der Garde Pic Pic
Marussia Chilton Chilton TBA TBA

[chillibowl]

so no Alonso at this first test and three days in a row for Massa.

im sure there is a valid reason (have read that Alonso is focusing on his training routine whatever that means) but good for Massa. getting three days with the new tires could be a huge boost.

[Knowlesy]

It is Ferrari screwing Massa.

Hang on...

[wnut]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

It is Ferrari screwing Massa.

Hang on...

Poor lad will be frazzled by the time the season begins, and Ferrari is unfairly resting Alonso. Outragious!

[chillibowl]

more Alonso/Ferrari mind games really....Smedely will spend the next 3 days telling Massa that Alonso is faster then him even though they wont be on track together.

[S14]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

more Alonso/Ferrari mind games really....Smedely will spend the next 3 days telling Massa that Alonso is faster then him even though they wont be on track together.

"Alright, Massa, Alonso's Airbus has started it's take-off roll, he's faster than you, confirm you understand that message."

[Flavio Galtieri]

Originally Posted by W.A Trichlorostyrene

James Rossiter testing for Force India I hear? That's one name I didn't expect here.

I understand he's doing simulator work for them this year. What you need for that is an experienced driver (both in sims and actual F1 testing) who is consistent lap after lap so the data engineers can check the calibration of the simulator, particularly the tyre model I would guess.

There's no point putting a young hot gun in the car who posts a blistering lap and then can't replicate it all week. That'll make him a hero if it happens in qualifying but it's useless for car development as they'll learn nothing.

I think Rossiter fits the bill perfectly in that respect, and why Ferrari have taken on Pedro.

[Caterhamf1]

Well it's started. Just so you know. You can see live text at http://live.autosport.com/commentary.php/id/549

[andy666]

Photo from BBC site

Merc and new built in tire warmers

[Marbot]

Merc and McLaren broke down. Nothing like getting off to a good start! But I suppose that it's better for those things to happen now, rather than when the fighting actually begins.

[bella]

it always amazes me just how little f1 cars *do* break down in initial testing compared to non-f1 design and engineering disciplines. it's kind of incredible really.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by bella

it always amazes me just how little f1 cars *do* break down in initial testing compared to non-f1 design and engineering disciplines. it's kind of incredible really.

F1 reliability now compared to even 10-15 years ago has improved incredibly, I remember when the opening races of a season regularly thinned out about2/3 of the field!

It's almost surprising now when something does conk out in testing or racing?

[Knowlesy]

Mercedes having to sit out the rest of the first day. What a team.

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Mercedes having to sit out the rest of the first day. What a team.

And Marussia join them on the sidelines......

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Mercedes having to sit out the rest of the first day. What a team.

Not to worry, it will all be fixed for when Hamilton has his go.

[Marbot]

Button finishes fastest at the end of todays testing.

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/2...of-jerez-test/