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F1 News & Discussions => General F1 Discussion => Topic started by: J.Clark on February 22, 2016, 05:43:26 PM

Title: TESTING
Post by: J.Clark on February 22, 2016, 05:43:26 PM
I was a bit surprised to not see anything about the testing that began today.

The time sheet is not worth too much at this point, granted, but it does tell us a few things I believe.
1. Vettel    Ferrari   69 laps   1m 24.939
2. Hamilton  Mercedes 155 laps     m 25.409
3. Ricciardo  Red Bull   86 laps   1m 26.044
4. Bottas  Williams   80 laps   1m 26.091
5. Celis  Force India   57 laps   1m 26.298
6. Button  McLaren   83 laps   1m 26.735
7. Sainz    Toro Rosso   55 laps   1m 27.180
8. Ericsson  Sauber   88 laps   1m 27.555
9. Wehrlein  Manor   54 laps   1m 28.282
10. Grosjean  Haas   31 laps   1m 28.399
11. Palmer  Renault   36 laps   1m 29.365

Ferrari has been busy over the winter.
Mercedes has benefited greatly from sewing up the Constructors' Championship early last season.
Red Bull looks fairly solid with the Renault power  unit.
Honda got more laps in on day 1 than they had at all testing and early racing in 2015.
Haas looks to be a potential threat to the mid-field group, having had a relative good time posted on day 1, and getting 30+ laps on a car, by a team, that has never been on the grid before today.
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: Jericoke on February 22, 2016, 05:54:46 PM
I agree that not many conclusions can be made from one day of testing, however, the lap count for all teams indicates a full (and competitive) grid will show up for Australia.

If nothing else, that's good news for the sport.
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: cosworth151 on February 22, 2016, 08:12:08 PM
Grosjean got quite a surprise on the 13th lap. The mountin points for the nose failed catastrophically at 199 mph. 

"Suddenly the front of the car went up in the air," said Grosjean.

Also, I've read that Ericsson was running a 2015 Sauber.

http://autoweek.com/article/formula-one/part-failure-hinders-haas-f1-team-first-day-formula-one-test
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: J.Clark on February 23, 2016, 05:09:06 PM
Day 2 results/time sheet:
1. Vettel      Ferrari   101 laps      1m 22.810
2. Ricciardo  Red Bull 112 laps      1m 23.525
3. Perez  Force India   79 laps      1m 23.650
4. Rosberg  Mercedes 152 laps         1m 24.867
5. Ericsson  Sauber   96 laps      1m 25.237*
6. Bottas  Williams   120 laps        1m 25.872
7. Gutierrez  Haas   67 laps       1m 25.873
8. Wehrlein  MRT     46 laps          1m 25.925
9. Alonso    McLaren   117 laps         1m 26.082
10. Palmer  Renault   42 laps        1m 26.189
11. Verstappen  Toro Rosso   106 laps 1m 26.755
* Sauber in 2015 car

Ferrari continues to look strong on both pace and reliability.
Honda remains a question mark regarding performance, but reliability appears to no longer be a big issue.
Haas has had another good day from the looks of it, working through their first testing and accumulating more laps.  They have moved up the time sheet too.
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: Monty on February 23, 2016, 06:15:52 PM
We all know that the first test days tell us nothing. However, based on the results for the first two days I think congratulations are due to Manor - over 100laps and not at the bottom of the time sheets.
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: Scott on February 23, 2016, 08:16:50 PM
Sure, but two things are clear...the Honda no longer blows up every 10 laps, and Haas is putting in respectable lap counts and times for a team never on an F1 grid.   :good: :good:
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: John S on February 23, 2016, 10:58:59 PM
Some serious sandbagging must surely be going on though when last year's Sauber can outpace the new 16 Williams car. ;)   

Pirelli made the new ultra softs (purple band) tyres available for the first time, however it's clear teams decided to use different fuel loads - how else can we account for some of these times? :DntKnw: 

As others have said nothing can be taken at face value from the first test, or any test really, teams choose engine settings and fuel loads and extrapolate their relative overall speed after deducting - or not - their own test set up versus race conditions.  Having said that good solid running for new or previously struggling teams is encouraging.

     
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: J.Clark on February 24, 2016, 04:38:09 PM
Three days under their belts now, and things are generally positive for all.
Times:

1. Hulkenberg  Force India 74 laps 1m 23.110
2. Raikkonen Ferrari   46 laps   1m 25.977
3. Magnussen  Renault   102 laps   1m 26.014
4. Rosberg  Mercedes 74 laps       1m 26.084
5. Grosjean    Haas   68 laps   1m 26.214
6. Sainz  Toro Rosso   142 laps    1m 26.239
7. Nasr     Sauber   103 laps   1m 26.392
8. Kvyat  Red Bull       74 laps   1m 26.497
9. Hamilton  Mercedes 64 laps   1m 26.628
10. Massa  Williams   109 laps   1m 26.712
11. Button  McLaren   51 laps      1m 26.919
12. Haryanto  MRT   65 laps   1m 29.808

Ferrari I have read had some issues today.
McLaren are no doubt happy for the number of laps.
No telling what Williams were up to, but they put a lot of laps behind them.
Haas continues to run more-or-less problem free, and Gene Haas explained in an interview what the front wing problem was and that they know how to fix it permanently.
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: John S on February 24, 2016, 05:06:07 PM
Sorry J Clark your list appears to have be taken before the actual end of today's proceedings, here is the official F1.com timesheet:-

1 Hülkenberg Force India  1:23.110 99
2 Grosjean Haas  1:25.874 82
3 Räikkönen Ferrari  1:25.977 78
4 Magnussen Renault Sport  1:26.014 111
5 Rosberg Mercedes  1:26.084 74
6 Sainz Toro Rosso  1:26.239 161
7 Nasr Sauber  1:26.392 115
8 Hamilton Mercedes  1:26.421 88
9 Kvyat Red Bull  1:26.497 74
10 Massa Williams  1:26.712 109
11 Button McLaren  1:26.919 51
12 Haryanto Manor  1:28.249 78



Hulk's fastest time looks impressive, and indeed it is because he also did a 1:25.286 on medium tyres which would still have put him the top of the timesheet. :swoon:  To put this in even brighter perspective the Hulk qualified in 17th at last years Spanish GP with a time of 1:28.365. Finding over 3 secs on mediums is either the sign of a really, really good car/engine..... or a fluke. :D     

Most of the above times are set on mediums, except Hulk on supersoft for his fastest run, with Grosjean, Kmag and Nasr on softs.
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: J.Clark on February 25, 2016, 07:09:31 PM
Four days of testing behind us.
Thursday's final times:
1. Raikkonen Ferrari   78 laps   1m 23.477
2. Kvyat  Red Bull       95 laps   1m 24.293
3. Celis  Force India     75 laps     1m 24.840
4. Magnussen  Renault 153 laps   1m 25.263
5. Verstappen Toro Rosso 110 laps 1m 26.393
6. Nasr  Sauber      121 laps   1m 26.053
7. Rosberg  Mercedes  86 laps   1m 26.187
8. Hamilton  Mercedes 99 laps   1m 26.295
9. Massa  Williams      54 laps   1m 26.463
10. Gutierrez  Haas   89 laps   1m 27.802
11. Haryanto  MRT   51 laps   1m 28.266
12. Alonso  McLaren   3 laps No time

Unsure of what is going on at Honda.
Ferrari continue to shine.
Renault looks strong on both pace and reliability at the moment.
Haas just seems to keep on pounding out laps and doing well for a new team.
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: Scott on February 25, 2016, 08:23:51 PM
Ouch...3 laps for the Mclaren.

Merc is obviously sandbagging, testing something that is delicate or practicing for that photo finish a la Schumi and Ruby  ;) ;)

Haas gets another respectable 90-ish laps, albeit a bit slower.
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: John S on February 25, 2016, 09:09:02 PM
I've taken the liberty of adding the tyres for these fastest laptimes on the last test day, gives a bit more context I think. It's still hard to draw any conclusions from the times - except Merc seem reluctant to give any indication of their real pace by once again sticking with medium tyres.

1. Raikkonen Ferrari   78 laps   1m 23.477 (US)
2. Kvyat  Red Bull       95 laps   1m 24.293 (US)
3. Celis  Force India     75 laps     1m 24.840 (SS)
4. Magnussen  Renault 153 laps   1m 25.263 (S)
5. Verstappen Toro Rosso 110 laps 1m 25.393 (M)
6. Nasr  Sauber      121 laps   1m 26.053 (S)
7. Rosberg  Mercedes  86 laps   1m 26.187 (M)
8. Hamilton  Mercedes 99 laps   1m 26.295 (M)
9. Massa  Williams      54 laps   1m 26.463  (S)
10. Gutierrez  Haas   89 laps   1m 27.802  (M)
11. Haryanto  MRT   51 laps   1m 28.266  (S)
12. Alonso  McLaren   3 laps No time  (M)
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: J.Clark on March 01, 2016, 07:32:05 PM
Back on track in Barcelona.
Test two Day one results:
1. Rosberg  Mercedes   82 laps   1m 23.022
2. Bottas  Williams   123 laps   1m 23.229
3. Alonso  McLaren   93 laps      1m 24.252
4. Raikkonen  Ferrari   72 laps   1m 24.836
5. Kvyat    Red Bull     69 laps   1m 25.049
6. Hamilton  Mercedes  90 laps   1m 25.051
7. Verstappen  Toro Rosso 144 laps   1m 25.176
8. Hulkenberg  Force India 121 laps   1m 25.336
9. Nasr        Sauber   103 laps   1m 25.493
10. Magnussen  Renault   119 laps   1m 25.760
11. Gutierrez  Haas   23 laps   1m 26.661
12. Haryanto  MRT   45 laps   1m 27.625

McLaren looked good today.
Haas suffered some problems with fuel delivery and didn't get much running done.   >:(
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: J.Clark on March 02, 2016, 04:50:00 PM
Well, Day 2 of the second test session is nearly finished.
Some, such as Williams seem to have turned up the wick a bit and may be revealing something of their actual pace.
Some are struggling.  Haas was having trouble with fuel flow (I think) yesterday and today, a problem with the turbo, so far only logging one lap.

Times, but not final:
1. Bottas  Williams       93 laps   1m 23.261
2. Hamilton  Mercedes   73 laps   1m 23.622
3. Magnussen  Renault   123 laps   1m 23.933
4.  Vettel    Ferrari   127 laps   1m 24.611
5. Button McLaren   102 laps    1m 25.183
6. Ricciardo  Red Bull   112 laps   1m 25.235
7. Sainz  Toro Rosso    140 laps   1m 25.300
8. Perez  Force India   115 laps   1m 26.188
9. Rosberg    Mercedes 71 laps   1m 26.298
10. Wehrlein  MRT   63 laps   1m 27.064
11. Ericsson  Sauber   49 laps   1m 27.862
12. Gutierrez  Haas   1 laps   No time
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: Scott on March 02, 2016, 05:37:26 PM
I was excited to see Mclaren putting in a lot and respectable laps, but they seem to be down 2sec consistently this round.  Hope they pick it up.
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: Monty on March 03, 2016, 01:57:06 PM
Scott, that was more or less my exact thoughts but to be fair the McLarens were actually well in touch with the bulk of the pack. It was really only Ferrari and Mercedes that laid down really fast times. Almost everyone else were within about three quarters of a second of each other.
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: J.Clark on March 03, 2016, 05:23:25 PM
Basically true Monty, but Williams sort of flashed their gams too.  Again today, Massa posted a good result.

Haas got some laps in, finally, on Day 3.
1. Raikkonen Ferrari   136 laps   1m 22.765
2. Massa  Williams    119 laps   1m 23.193
3. Hulkenberg  Force India 137 laps   1m 23.251
4. Verstappen STR     159 laps   1m 23.382
5. Rosberg  Mercedes   81 laps   1m 24.126
6. Nasr  Sauber          115 laps   1m 24.760
7. Alonso  McLaren     116 laps     1m 24.870
8. Wehrlein  MRT    48 laps   1m 24.913
9. Kvyat  Red Bull      121 laps   1m 25.141
10. Palmer  Renault   63 laps   1m 26.224
11. Hamilton Mercedes 98 laps   1m 26.468
12. Grosjean  Haas   77 laps   1m 27.196
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: cosworth151 on March 03, 2016, 07:52:29 PM
Kimi did some laps with Ferrari's prototype halo device on the car. He says it wasn't as different as one might think.

http://autoweek.com/article/formula-one/ferrari-unveils-prototype-halo-formula-one-cars
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: Scott on March 03, 2016, 08:32:25 PM
I like it better than an enclosed cockpit.   :good:
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: Andy B on March 04, 2016, 05:07:07 AM
Kimi did some laps with Ferrari's prototype halo device on the car. He says it wasn't as different as one might think.

http://autoweek.com/article/formula-one/ferrari-unveils-prototype-halo-formula-one-cars
Kimi did one lap, out and straight back into the pits when the "Halo" was taken off so not much of a run to to make a decision on.
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: J.Clark on March 04, 2016, 06:45:20 PM
Next stop Australia.

Final times for today - Day 4 of Test 2:
1. Vettel    Ferrari     142 laps   1m 22.852
2. Sainz  Toro Rosso  133 laps   1m 23.134
3. Massa  Williams    129 laps   1m 23.644
4. Perez Force India   60 laps   1m 23.721
5. Hamilton  Mercedes 69 laps   1m 24.133
6. Ricciardo Red Bull  123 laps   1m 24.427
7. Button  McLaren    121 laps      1m 24.714
8. Palmer Renault   90 laps   1m 24.859
9. Ericsson  Sauber    132 laps   1m 25.031
10. Grosjean  Haas      66 laps   1m 25.255
11. Gutierrez  Haas   25 laps   1m 25.422
12. Haryanto  MRT   58 laps   1m 25.899
13. Rosberg Mercedes 70 laps   1m 26.140

I hope Haas has their problems solved.
Renault look to be doing alright.
Honda too seems to be doing much better.
Williams, Ferrari and Mercedes all look fairly strong at present.
Force India leaped up to the fore as well.

Testing days/times combined - all 8 days:
1. Raikkonen Ferrari   363 laps   1m 22.765
2. Vettel Ferrari      493 laps   1m 22.852
3. Rosberg Mercedes    656 laps   1m 23.022
4. Hulkenberg Force India 357 laps 1m 23.110
5. Sainz  Toro Rosso   514 laps    1m 23.134
6. Massa  Williams   411 laps   1m 23.192
7.  Bottas Williams   442 laps   1m 23.261
8. Verstappen Toro Rosso 577 laps 1m 23.382
9. Ricciardo Red Bull    456 laps   1m 23.525
10. Hamilton Mercedes 673 laps   1m 23.622
11. Perez Force India   295 laps   1m 23.721
12. Magnussen  Renault  509 laps   1m 23.933
13. Kvyat  Red Bull      358 laps   1m 24.293
14. Alonso  McLaren   331 laps    1m 24.735
15. Button    McLaren   376 laps    1m 24.714
16. Nasr  Sauber     452 laps   1m 24.760
17. Celis  Force India   162 laps   1m 24.840
18. Palmer Renault   273 laps   1m 24.859
19. Wehrlein MRT   251 laps   1m 24.931
20. Ericsson Sauber   380 laps   1m 25.031
21. Grosjean  Haas   256 laps   1m 25.255
22. Gutierrez  Haas   156 laps   1m 25.422
23. Haryanto  MRT   228 laps   1m 25.899

As pointed out, these are spread out over 8 days and with a 4 day break in the middle of the two sessions.
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: Jericoke on March 04, 2016, 08:41:19 PM
I realize that testing doesn't tell the full story, but I think we're in for a great season.

Even the teams with 'technical problems' put in a great amount of laps, and posted competitive times.

There is a variety of teams (and engines!) at the top of the time sheets. 

I don't see a cloud hanging over 2016 like in the past.  The teams look strong (financially).  The teams look competitive (Is it possible for HAAS to be the a new team not be last place?).
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: lkjohnson1950 on March 05, 2016, 02:28:32 PM
If the car is durable, I think Grosjean gives Haas an advantage over MRT in the fight at the bottom.
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: Scott on March 05, 2016, 03:02:30 PM
I have a funny feeling Haas won't be fighting Manor, but more often in the midfield.  To have the tests go almost flawlessly (one front wing and the rest of the issues appear to be Ferrari kit related).
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: Scott on March 05, 2016, 03:24:16 PM
I've been trying to catch up on the testing broadcasts and just saw an interview with Alonso shortly after one with Jenson. 

I used to suggest that Button was at the very least a fantastic team ambassador for Mclaren, and so often we've heard Alonso speak badly of whatever team he was with.  This time however I got the complete opposite.  Jenson's body language and skepticism was uncomfortable to watch, while Alonso was practically the team cheerleader, he smiled about  things he could genuinely compliment, and he was extremely diplomatic and optimistic on things he couldn't. 

Quite a surprise.
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: J.Clark on March 06, 2016, 12:56:25 PM
Haas also had a brake-by-wire issue on day 3 of the second test session, but everything got analyzed and fixed overnight.

The overall time sheets don't indicate tires used.  I am not sure that any of the data from Haas was on the ultra soft tire either.  It will be exciting to see how the fare, but like Scott, I don't see them fighting with Manor.  Both drivers have the talent, and the car seemed to do relatively well.  I think they have a shot at fight for championship points from the first race.

McLaren is still struggling, according to Alonso, but he indicated they are much farther along than they were in 2015.  Button is not happy though and that is obvious.

STR and Williams each seem to have had a productive test.
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: John S on March 06, 2016, 04:37:39 PM
You're correct J Clark, Haas never put on Ultra softs at the test. Below I have posted the top time recorded by each driver at the test days with the tyres they posted that best time on.

However this still doesn't tell the whole story of where the teams are for the new season as Kimi set a 1m23.009s lap on Softs on Thursday - that's faster than Merc's best soft tyre run by Rosberg at 1:23.022 - game on for Oz I'd say.

Date     Driver          Team        Tyres     Time        Gap 
03-Mar  Raikkonen   Ferrari            US     1:22.765  125.814 mph 
23-Feb  Vettel          Ferrari            US     1:22.810  0.045 
01-Mar  Rosberg         Mercedes      S       1:23.022  0.257 
24-Feb  Hulkenberg   Force India     SS     1:23.110  0.345 
04-Mar  Sainz          Toro Rosso      US     1:23.134  0.369 
03-Feb  Massa          Williams         S       1:23.193  0.428 
01-Mar  Bottas          Williams         US     1:23.229  0.464 
03-Mar  Verstappen   Toro Rosso     US     1:23.382  0.617 
23-Feb  Ricciardo      Red Bull         US     1:23.525  0.760 
02-Mar  Hamilton     Mercedes         S       1:23.622  0.857 
23-Feb  Perez          Force India       SS     1:23.650  0.885 
02-Mar  Magnussen  Renault          SS     1:23.933  1.168 
25-Feb  Kvyat         Red Bull          US     1:24.293  1.528 
04-Mar  Button         McLaren         US     1:24.714  1.949 
01-Mar  Alonso         McLaren          S       1:24.735  1.970 
03-Mar  Nasr           Sauber            S       1:24.760  1.995 
25-Feb  Celis           Force India       S       1:24.840  2.075 
04-Mar  Palmer         Renault           SS     1:24.859  2.094 
03-Mar  Wehrlein      Manor             US     1:24.913  2.148 
04-Mar  Ericsson        Sauber           S       1:25.031  2.266 
04-Mar  Grosjean     Haas                S       1:25.255  2.490 
04-Mar  Gutierrez     Haas               SS     1:25.422  2.657 
04-Mar  Haryanto      Manor            US     1:25.899  3.134 
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: Scott on March 06, 2016, 05:08:49 PM
Yeah, I saw a report on that too.  It doesn't show fuel levels or if there were any other settings they were playing with though, so as much as I would love Ferrari to line up in front of Merc, I wouldn't put money on it.
Title: Re: TESTING
Post by: J.Clark on March 06, 2016, 10:39:29 PM
Thanks John.

That would suggest that the Mercs are still well ahead perhaps since Nico's time is only a quarter second behind Kimi's, while on a tire two compounds harder.  Massa's time was also on the soft, and less than a half second behind Kimi.

Force India, at .345 off of Kimi, and being set only one compound higher suggests they may be more or less on par with the Prancing Horse.

It will all get very interesting in another two weeks.
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