F1 2011 Pre-Season Thread

[Yann Laprevotte]

Go Jerome, take the virgin seat for 2011, he is the best option, not a rich boy

He'd be a paying driver though. Some sources said Gravity would gather a few millions for the seat.

Which would be definitely less than van der Garde with his millionaire father-in-law though.

 

[Damian Henderson]

Daniel Ricciardo completed his domination of the Formula 1 rookie test in Abu Dhabi, by setting a time 1.3 seconds faster than world champion Sebastian Vettel pole position lap for last Sunday's grand prix.

1. Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull 1m38.102s 77
2. Jerome D'Ambrosio Renault 1m38.802s 83
3. Sam Bird Mercedes 1m39.220s 82
4. Gary Paffett McLaren 1m39.760s 84
5. Jules Bianchi Ferrari 1m39.916s 93
6. Sergio Perez Sauber 1m40.543s 91
7. Paul di Resta Force India 1m40.901s 27
8. Pastor Maldonado Williams 1m40.944s 81
9. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso 1m40.974s 61
10. Yelmer Buurman Force India 1m41.178s 67
11. Davide Valsecchi Hispania 1m43.013s 32
12. Luiz Razia Virgin 1m43.525s 70
13. Josef Kral Hispania 1m44.143s 61
14. Rodolfo Gonzalez Lotus 1m44.312s 41
15. Vladimir Arabadzhiev Lotus 1m45.723s 49

Take note though that all these guys are running new engines at maximum specifications. At the race weekend most driver's had old engines and make them last a full race weekend at lower specs, as well the track is at least half a second faster now due to being rubbered in.

So my estimated guess with the new engines at full specs and track rubbered in it counts for about 1.5-1.7 seconds. So Daniel's time at a proper race weekend would of been around a 1:39.6 I guess.

 

[Kris Cabrera]

do they film these test to watch?

 

[Magnificent]

do they film these test to watch?

Sadly I don't think so, only fan footage is around on YouTube but none of these tests are officaly broadcasted.
Besides there isn't really much action at these driver tests and if there is a crash or something I'm pretty certain someone will have posted it on YouTube.

 

[Bram Hengeveld]

 

[Gaëtan Legastelois]

Hum... Red bull was a fast car (fastest ??), but Jérome d'Ambrosio make a good time in Renault, this is a surprise.
For guys of 11 at 15 Hispania, Lotus etc..., times say nothing, their cars are too bad

 

[Damian Henderson]

1. Massa Ferrari F10 1:40.170 44 pit
2. Vettel Red Bull Racing RB6 1:40.500 + 0.330 51 pit
3. Paffett McLaren MP4-25 1:40.874 + 0.704 69 pit
4. Kobayashi Sauber C29 1:40.950 + 0.780 42 pit
5. Kubica Renault R30 1:41.032 + 0.862 25 pit
6. Barrichello Williams FW32 1:41.425 + 1.255 62 pit
7. Rosberg Mercedes GP W01 1:41.778 + 1.608 47 pit
8. Alguersuari Toro Rosso STR5 1:42.019 + 1.849 38 pit
9. Sutil Force India VJM-03 1:42.859 + 2.689 20 pit
10. Kovalainen Lotus F1 T127 1:44.686 + 4.516 88 pit
11. Glock Virgin VR-01 1:45.057 + 4.887 41 pit
12. Maldonado HRT F1 Team F110 1:45.728 + 5.558 61 pit

More pics:
http://www.racedepartment.com/motorsport-forum/43072-shot-new-pirelli-tyres-2.html#post667912

 

[Muhammed Patel]

Massa likes 'em. Rosberg hates 'em.
So Ferraris car looks good on the Pirrelis, but cant take much. Dunno fuel levels...
Mind you, those tyres look heavily grained considering they have 4 sets to use (2 Softs and 2 hards)

 

[Magnificent]

Updated the fron page with the test results.
Ferrari and Schuey look good in these tyres but Rosberg seems to be struggling. It'll be interesting to see how the McLaren drivers cope at the next test considering the've had no time on these new tyres.
Long wait now till Feb.

 

[Ross Balfour]

Very impressed with Maldonado's pace, only a little bit of Trulli in the HRT = respect :thumb:

 

[azri]

the feb test should indicate the design of the 2011 cars right???

 

[ufunacaoenn]

Very impressed with Maldonado's pace, only a little bit of Trulli in the HRT = respect :thumb:

I dont know because look at Ferrari. They are quicker then a RED BULL!!!! This just proves that some cars handle better on this tire while others just can't. So in theory the HRT most be able to use the tire at it's max compare to then the Virgin. Same goes for the Ferrari.

 

[Adam Eggbeer]

You can't take anything from the test when comparing cars, or even drivers that raced on different days. Each of the 12 teams built there cars around the Bridgestone tyre and not the Pirelli tyre, so even if you are the quickest on the Pirelli's it doesn't mean you will be in 3 months time when the cars built for the tyres are used. Also, comparing laptimes between the young driver test and the Abu Dhabi GP doesn't work either as we have no idea on few loads, engine settings, along with a few other things. Besides, the track had different grip levels than during the F1 weekend so you can't compare the times. At the end of the day, we won't know what team will be best until Bahrain Qualifying.

 

[ufunacaoenn]

You can't take anything from the test when comparing cars, or even drivers that raced on different days. Each of the 12 teams built there cars around the Bridgestone tyre and not the Pirelli tyre, so even if you are the quickest on the Pirelli's it doesn't mean you will be in 3 months time when the cars built for the tyres are used. Also, comparing laptimes between the young driver test and the Abu Dhabi GP doesn't work either as we have no idea on few loads, engine settings, along with a few other things. Besides, the track had different grip levels than during the F1 weekend so you can't compare the times. At the end of the day, we won't know what team will be best until Bahrain Qualifying.

Btw They did the test during the day and I think it is ALOT hotter during the day then the Qualify time on the Abu Dhabi GP so the tires should lose there capacity due to the hot temperatur. It is just a theory but I think it sounds more possible then any other issue's that I can come up with. But I really wonder if the teams got enough data from the tests then they might be able to built a good car BUT remeber that this tires are not finished (as far as I know) so they might be a slight change which will really spice the 2011 season.

Will there be any further tests during the season?

 

[Adam Eggbeer]

Next test is in February.

 

[ufunacaoenn]

Next test is in February.

That makes the winter test. It's so boring with-out F1.

 

[William Elgh]

lotus will use the gold black paint theme like the old JPS cars, i think it will look amazing

 

[Lee Palmer]

lotus will use the gold black paint theme like the old JPS cars, i think it will look amazing

To anyone interested Lotus are running a design their livery competition: http://www.lotusracing.my/spark/competitions/black-and-gold-paint-competition.aspx

 

[Magnificent]

Well it looks like Pastor has been confermed at williams, how do you guys think he'll perform?

 

[ufunacaoenn]

I just read it on the Greek media, I really can't say that I am exited. I will "not judge a book by it's cover" (of how it was said....)

We will just have to see how quick he will be compare to Barrichelo and on the winter testing period.