Testing Thread

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From Renault F1 site: Press release from the final day of winter testing at Silverstone.

Jarno Trulli + Fernando Alonso, R24-03


The day consisted of pit-stop practice for both drivers with chassis R24-03, thus completing the winter’s pre-Melbourne preparation. No meaningful lap times were recorded by either driver.

[Led ZeppF1]

So, what has winter testing led us to expect for 2004? Here is a good article from Motorsport's editor Nikki Reynolds.

He say: "Not a lot really. Winter times are often misleading because no one really knows what the teams are up to, save themselves. There was a fair bit of lap record-breaking going on but that pretty much happens every year.

http://www.motorsport.com/magazine/f...l&D=2004-02-17

[neilap]

Opinions are like ___________ (insert favorite word). We all have one.

Some things he says make sense to me but he makes too many ASSumptions. But wait, thats my opinion. (Reffer to opening statement)

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Imola Morning from Gazetta:

JPM F26 1'21"07
MS F2004 1'21"50

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Schumi! Schumi! Schumi! blitzed Imola lap record today

1'19"664!!!!! (old record: 1''20"411)


Game on Not bad for an old timer

[Gt_R]

Hmmm...it's nice to see the car fast.. but what's the weight it's running at?

I do hope it's a serious sign of Ferrari's improved pace, and hope it's more than enough to beat the competition. But i doubt Williams ran all out today, and that so far, the "direct comparison" we want hasn't materialised.

Go Schumi GO!!

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lap records of F2004:
Fiorano
Mugello
Imola

Also Rubens said that the F2004 is "super fast" and they are in posssession of a more complete car than any other year.

[kdr]

mclaren and williams might have been sandbagging...

[graves]

MS 1 second a lap quicker than JPM over 15 lap run!!!

[neilap]

I cant believe people get excited over Ferraris pace. It is expected! Williams on the other hand is a little interesting because they could pose a serious threat. The latest testing may suggest that Ferrari were indeed holding back or not giving it their all. Maybe its the airplane wing.

Williams and Ferrari had different objectives so the times do not really compare.

[Led ZeppF1]

Originally posted by graves
MS 1 second a lap quicker than JPM over 15 lap run!!!

So?

[climb]

The performance is good, even the most anti-ferrari fan has to admit.
But it deserves to be noticed that, anyways, it's no surprise that BS tyres perform well (and better then Michelin) in such cold conditions.
Weether BS will do well during the hot summer or not, that is the question.

[Glen]

Cold conditions suit Ferrari/Bridgestone, and so does Imola - they have been very strong there for several years. Good time though.

Roll on Melbourne - enough testing now!

[neilap]

Its not that the car is not to be noticed. I just am not surprised. I actually expected them to be this fast from the begining of testing. I was begining to feel they were intentionally sandbagging.

[graves]

Originally posted by Led ZeppF1
So?

I'd call that pretty significant! I've got to say that up until that test I was begining to wonder whether Ferrari just may have been struggling for pace. Not any more.

[Rennen]

neilap...Silverstone Wednesday: Button in the concept car. 1.20.297. Davidson shaking down a new 006 1.20.404. Pedro de la Rosa 1.21.276. Pantano 1.22.553. Glock was lapping too in the 23s.

[neilap]

Thanks! Isn't it odd that they are consistently at the top of the testing times? Is the car really that good? This is going to be the longest week of the off season.

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Just a round up of Tests Top 10: Valencia
P Driver Team Engine Car Tyre Best Lap Gap

1 Raikkonen McLaren Mercedes MP4-19 M 1:08.995 -.---

2 Webber Jaguar Jaguar R5 M 1:09.096 0.101
3 Montoya Williams BMW FW26 M 1:09.103 0.108
4 Pizzonia Williams BMW FW25 M 1:09.165 0.170
5 R Schumacher Williams BMW FW26 M 1:09.406 0.411
6 M Schumacher Ferrari Ferrari F2003-GA B 1:09.414 0.419
7 Button BAR Honda BAR006 M 1:09.467 0.472
8 Coulthard McLaren Mercedes MP4-19 M 1:09.493 0.498
9 Klien Jaguar Jaguar R5 M 1:09.514 0.519
10 Sato BAR Honda BAR006 M 1:09.615 0.620

[Rennen]

Neilap...the last time Davidson tested at Silverstone was April 2002 (despite it being only 10 miles from BARs base) his best lap time was 3 seconds faster (with enough fuel on board to do over 20 laps) No qualifying runs were done.

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Testing Round Up Barcelona:

P Driver Team Engine Car Tyre Best Lap Gap

1 Sato BAR Honda Concept M 1:13.797 -.---
2 Button BAR Honda BAR006 M 1:13.867 0.070

3 Alonso Renault Renault R24 M 1:14.672 0.875
4 R Schumacher Williams BMW FW26 M 1:14.677 0.880
5 Montoya Williams BMW FW26 M 1:14.804 1.007
6 Gene Williams BMW FW26 M 1:14.996 1.199
7 Barrichello Ferrari Ferrari F2003-GA B 1:15.058 1.261

8 Pizzonia Williams BMW FW26 M 1:15.085 1.288
9 Montagny Renault Renault R23B M 1:15.170 1.373
10 M Schumacher Ferrari Ferrari F2003-GA B 1:15.423 1.626

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And the cream Testing Round Up Imola:

P Driver Team Engine Car Tyre Best Lap Gap

1 M Schumacher Ferrari Ferrari F2004 B 1:19.666 -.---
2 Alonso Renault Renault R24 M 1:20.493 0.827
3 Montagny Renault Renault R24 M 1:20.767 1.101
4 Coulthard McLaren Mercedes MP4-19 M 1:20.950 1.284

5 Montoya Williams BMW FW26 M 1:21.045 1.379
6 Trulli Renault Renault R24 M 1:21.250 1.584
7 Barrichello Ferrari Ferrari F2003-GA B 1:21.250 1.584
8 Massa Sauber Petronas C23 B 1:21.291 1.625
9 Badoer Ferrari Ferrari F2003-GA B 1:21.416 1.750
10 Fisichella Sauber Petronas C23 B 1:21.798 2.132