Its only testing

[neilap]

How much do we really know from testing. In a given day I feel it is impossible to tell how fast a team is just from one test.

If we look at an entire month though does it not at least give us a hint. For example, does Mclaren not seem to be in better shape than Williams at this moment? Does Toyota not seem to be better off than the BAR Honda? Improvements can be made by the time race day comes around but until then is it "only testing?"

[Glen]

Just about the only useful thing is how many laps they manage in the same car - especially if they do very long stints. The writing was on the wall two years ago when Schumacher was doing double race distances in the F2001. If any team gets their car that good any time soon then watch out for them.

[Mr V]

I hope that Valve doesn't mind too much, but i've "stole" it from another thread about how slow the Williams is, or has been over the last few days, but when you read what Mario Theissen says then it goes to prove that theres alot goes on that the general public don't know about. (until we're told that is )

Originally posted by Valve Bounce
Mario Theissen, BMW's Motorsport Director, commented: “ We used Saturday and Sunday for engine development work with Marc Gene driving the FW24D with the new P83 engine fitted. The next three days of the test we were supporting the Michelin tyre development programme which was run with the FW24 and last year's P82 engine.”
He added: “Regarding the new chassis, the FW25, the focus has been on testing the new engine in its final surrounding. For example checking the cooling system, oil circulation, intake system and exhaust system. This first test confirmed all systems were operating successfully.”

[DNQ]

Testing means very little...three examples I like to mention:

2000 - Williams FW22 is terrible in testing, very slow, but the team finishes third in the championship.

2001 - Alesi breaks lap records in the Prost, ahead of a terrible season

2002 - McLaren is very quick in testing, but the team is thrashed in the championship.

[Glen]

It seems to me that McLaren and Williams have different approaches to psyching-out Ferrari (or trying to). McLaren seem to like going for the headline times, whereas Williams are more inclined to sandbag and keep whatever advantage they have up their sleeve until the races. I don't think Ferrari are bothered either way.

[Mr V]

Originally posted by Glen
It seems to me that McLaren and Williams have different approaches to psyching-out Ferrari (or trying to). McLaren seem to like going for the headline times, whereas Williams are more inclined to sandbag

whereas Ferrari like to sandbag, but still manage to set headline times

[Glen]

Originally posted by mr v
whereas Ferrari like to sandbag, but still manage to set headline times

If only that were not true! They managed fifteen wins with the everything turned down last year, certainly in th closing stages of the races. Brazil could be the only race where they ran the car hard in the final stage. OK, France and Canada maybe - but you know what I mean.

[neilap]

There are always exceptions. We know some teams try to get more headlines so they play games in testing. We know in certain instances it is not prudent to run the car at its max. This is all true. However, would it not make sense to assume the Ferrari is still the best in the field because MS seemsed to set out to beat DC and put him back in his place? The Mac was fast in Barcelona MS saw that so Ferrari set out to see just how fast. No one else had run that fast before DC. Ferrari kicked ass so they know they still have the legs on Mac, at least on that track. Also, a team like BAR, they are blowing up motors left and right. That suggests one of two things, the motor is flawed or they are running it as hard as it can go. Either way the car is still not setting the track on fire. This is the fastest BAR to date but the rest of the field in front of them seems to be on their A game too. Does all this still mean nothing?

Now this may not mean that in Australia Toyota will beat the BAR but to me it means that so far they are better prepared. With a huge step before the race maybe things can change.

[The_Z_Man]

For the testing fans here is something to help fuel the speculations that I lifted from another forum compiled by a poster named mach4.

Here is a much better overview with only the best stints from each team:

Ferrari
Laps Average laptime
1 1:15.020 (MS)
3 1:16.918 (RB)
10 1:18.232 (RB)
15 1:18.858 (MS)
17 1:20.892 (RB)

McLaren
Laps Average laptime
1 1:15.278 (DC)
3 1:16.293 (AW)
9 1:17.409 (DC)
14 1:18.630 (AW)
18 1:18.818 (AW)

Williams
Laps Average laptime
1 1:16.151 (JPM)
3 1:17.970 (MG)
10 1:18.598 (JPM)
12 1:18.650 (JPM)
14 1:20.448 (RS)
18 1:21.222 (MG)

Toyota
Laps Average laptime
1 1:16.386 (OP)
3 1:17.691 (OP)
5 1:18.033 (OP)
7 1:19.111 (OP)
13 1:22.060 (CDM)

Sauber
Laps Average laptime
1 1:16.656 (HHF)
4 1:17.860 (HHF)
5 1:19.580 (HHF)
13 1:21.102 (HHF)

BAR
Laps Average laptime
1 1:17.628 (AD)
3 1:18.353 (AD)
5 1:18.965 (JB)
11 1:19.370 (JV)
13 1:20.616 (JV)
15 1:20.789 (JV)

Renault
Laps Average laptime
1 1:17.778 (JT)
4 1:18.860 (JT)
9 1:19.597 (FA)
11 1:21.496 (AM)
12 1:22.353 (AM)

Jaguar
Laps Average laptime
1 1:18.349 (AP)
2 1:18.581 (AP)
3 1:18.894 (AP)
18 1:20.042 (MW)

Jordan
Laps Average laptime
1 1:20.022 (GF)

The_Z_Man

[Jellybabe]

Originally posted by neilap
Also, a team like BAR, they are blowing up motors left and right. That suggests one of two things, the motor is flawed or they are running it as hard as it can go. Either way the car is still not setting the track on fire. This is the fastest BAR to date but the rest of the field in front of them seems to be on their A game too. Does all this still mean nothing?

BAR have lost three engines so far - those engines are not being run at full power yet and they are not the engines that will be going to Australia, they're just a develoment, but they've already been rated as being better than the one they finished the season with last year. I haven't seen Toyota make a 2 second improvement on their best test time last year yet, so I'm not worried about how BAR are comparing to Toyota in tests. BAR have also been doing a lot of tyre work so far, so haven't been tsting new bits on the car so much yet.

[Jellybabe]

Originally posted by The_Z_Man
For the testing fans here is something to help fuel the speculations that I lifted from another forum compiled by a poster named mach4.

The_Z_Man

From Barcelona, I presume?

[The_Z_Man]

Originally posted by Jellybabe
From Barcelona, I presume?

Yes, it was compiled from all the 2003 testing times at Barcelona IIRC.

The_Z_Man

[neilap]

Alright fine, I have to admit it. I was trying to play the devils advocate a little. We know different teams use different strategies. Just the same way some teams run light to set good times I think Ferrari wanted to make a point to Mclaren. Its interesting that no one took the bait though I thought I presented my argument well. Maybe thats why I am not a lawyer.

This is interesting though...
BAR
Laps Average laptime
1 1:17.628 (AD)
3 1:18.353 (AD)
5 1:18.965 (JB)
11 1:19.370 (JV)
13 1:20.616 (JV)
15 1:20.789 (JV)

I didnt even notice that JB was even close to JV in times much more beating him. Ants first run is still the quickest!! I think this alone kills my arguement. Maybe I should not have said anything yet. Now what else can I post on this topic?