Test 1 @ Jerez 7th - 10th February 2012

Hampus Andersson · Feb 9, 2012

Wish i had better pictures but looked like rear tire was destroyed. Probably a nice shunt

Too bad going off after a few laps.

James Chant · Feb 9, 2012

Unofficial Thursday test times from Jerez:
1. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes*, 1:17.613, 118 Laps
2. Romain Grosjean, Lotus, 1:18.419, 117 Laps
3. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 1:19.297, 96 Laps
4. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, 1:19.464, 80 Laps
5. Jean-Eric Vergne, Toro Rosso, 1:19.734, 79 Laps
6. Sergio Perez, Sauber, 1:19.770, 48 Laps
7. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, 1:20.412, 67 Laps
8. Bruno Senna, Williams, 1:21.293, 125 Laps
9. Giedo van der Garde, Caterham, 1:23.324, 74 Laps
10. Jules Bianchi, Force India, no time, 2 Laps
* 2011 car

Scott Webber · Feb 9, 2012

DAY 3 IN PICTURES

Scott Webber · Feb 9, 2012

Eric Parker · Feb 9, 2012

So, how long do you think it will be before Bianchi is let back in the car?

Dmitry Zaharov · Feb 10, 2012

Consider me crazy but i've put some good money on Raikonnen's WDC.

Eric Parker · Feb 10, 2012

http://live.autosport.com/commentary.php/id/438
Autosport's day 4 coverage.

Hampus Andersson · Feb 10, 2012

Dmitry Zaharov said:
Consider me crazy but i've put some good money on Raikonnen's WDC.

How much did you put up? and what will you get back if he becomes WDC champ?

Chris Jenkins · Feb 10, 2012

@MyCaterhamF1: 1st Jarno report: Track is very very cold but the car in general is well balanced and I'm getting good feedback from the steering.
Must be cold. Hell just froze over!

Chris Jenkins · Feb 10, 2012

Interesting bit of info from The F1 Times:

It's believed Mercedes tested a component planned for their 2012 car in Jerez on Thursday, which helped propel Nico Rosberg to the top of the times.
Rumours circulated last year that Mercedes had developed a front-wing F-duct which allows air to enter the front-nose, before being channelled down the wing struts and out under the floor.
Mercedes tested the new component in Jerez in the afternoon, identified by the open nose (see photo below), compared to that of the closed nose in the morning, allowing the outfit to make a direct comparison.
Martin Whitmarsh first speculated that a passive F-duct could provide as much as 5-7kph extra straight-line speed, as well as creating further downforce.
Whilst the original F-duct was banned at the end of 2010, the regulations only govern the rear-wing, leaving teams to experiment with the front-wing - which isn't quite as advantegeous.

Ben Tusting · Feb 10, 2012

Red Bull have someone sitting at the Lotus garage!

Lets hope Lotus are fast!

Eric Parker · Feb 10, 2012

Chris Jenkins said:
@MyCaterhamF1: 1st Jarno report: Track is very very cold but the car in general is well balanced and I'm getting good feedback from the steering.
Must be cold. Hell just froze over!

10:10 Jarno Trulli apparently is very positive with this year's power steering

HA!

Ben Tusting · Feb 10, 2012

08:50 Red Bull meanwhile has a man down by the Lotus garage, watching proceedings

GAIAjohan · Feb 10, 2012

Chris Jenkins said:
Interesting bit of info from The F1 Times:

It's believed Mercedes tested a component planned for their 2012 car in Jerez on Thursday, which helped propel Nico Rosberg to the top of the times.
Rumours circulated last year that Mercedes had developed a front-wing F-duct which allows air to enter the front-nose, before being channelled down the wing struts and out under the floor.
Mercedes tested the new component in Jerez in the afternoon, identified by the open nose (see photo below), compared to that of the closed nose in the morning, allowing the outfit to make a direct comparison.
Martin Whitmarsh first speculated that a passive F-duct could provide as much as 5-7kph extra straight-line speed, as well as creating further downforce.
Whilst the original F-duct was banned at the end of 2010, the regulations only govern the rear-wing, leaving teams to experiment with the front-wing - which isn't quite as advantegeous.

Hmm, but in barcelona last year, they drove with this:

Chris Jenkins · Feb 10, 2012

The hole in the nose is nothing new. Most teams have one.
its the fact that they're experimenting with the use of the hole that's new and interesting.

Eric Parker · Feb 10, 2012

It could be something as simple as it was cold enough yesterday morning that they didn't need the port to cool the driver but in the afternoon they did.