F1 Testing 2020: Week 2 Barcelona (26th - 28th)

Shimmy · 25 Feb 2020 at 23:55

Testing feeds:
https://www.autosport.com/f1/live/2923636/barcelona-f1-test-two-day-one-2020
https://www.skysports.com/f1/live-blog

TV coverage:
Sky F1 8am - 12pm & 1pm - 5pm all 3 days

Weather Forecast:

Lap Records:
2019 Pole Position - 1:15.406
2018 Fastest Race Lap - 1:18.441

Day 1 Times:

Day 2 Times:

Day 3 Times:

Greboth · 26 Feb 2020 at 10:42

Thanks for the thread Shimmy.

I'm hoping to see some faster times from Ferrari as I'd like to see them challenging Mercs (and maybe RBR) for wins.

this_is_gav · 26 Feb 2020 at 10:46

Williams ground to a halt with another failure. Initially looked like a gearbox failure (and might still be) after Latifi bounced over the kerbs at the chicane on the previous lap, but cement dust going down on the tarmac suggests hydraulics or PU instead.

The way the PU shut down without him touching any buttons makes it look more like another Mercedes PU failure. Similar brief puff of smoke as last week's failure too.

CaptainRAVE · 26 Feb 2020 at 10:51

Mercedes look way too comfortable. I know its testing, but still.

Mr Jack · 26 Feb 2020 at 17:51

P1 for Kubica. You gotta love it

Yaayuh! · 27 Feb 2020 at 10:36

Bit messy today, cold/damp track (wet white lines) and wind seems to be challenging the drivers.

CaptainRAVE · 27 Feb 2020 at 13:32

The RB looks like a handful.

Flibster · 27 Feb 2020 at 13:58

Ferrari fastest, but still doesn't look good.

Yaayuh! · 27 Feb 2020 at 14:40

Hamilton's engine cut-out. Not many laps for him today.

this_is_gav · 27 Feb 2020 at 14:40

Ocon reckons the pecking order is about the same with a distinct top three with the usual suspects all behind still. Racing Point "look strong at the moment", which is hardly surprising with their W10, but according to Ocon they aren't ahead of Red Bull or Ferrari. Williams look closer, so the midfield may be even closer than last year!

After what looks like a PU issue this morning (meaning Hamilton just had his first laps half an hour ago, so presumably a PU change) they've again had an issue and stopped on track. Car just appeared to shut down without any smoke or anything, so probably not the same as previous issues.

Clearly Mercedes aren't as bullet proof as usual, but it's better it happens during testing than during the season proper.

CaptainRAVE · 27 Feb 2020 at 14:59

Flibster said:
Ferrari fastest, but still doesn't look good.

Unless they have fuel onboard and the engine on low they are not looking quick on the straights and the corners aren't making up enough for them.

Rossi~ said:
Hamilton's engine cut-out. Not many laps for him today.

this_is_gav said:
Ocon reckons the pecking order is about the same with a distinct top three with the usual suspects all behind still. Racing Point "look strong at the moment", which is hardly surprising with their W10, but according to Ocon they aren't ahead of Red Bull or Ferrari. Williams look closer, so the midfield may be even closer than last year!

After what looks like a PU issue this morning (meaning Hamilton just had his first laps half an hour ago, so presumably a PU change) they've again had an issue and stopped on track. Car just appeared to shut down without any smoke or anything, so probably not the same as previous issues.

Clearly Mercedes aren't as bullet proof as usual, but it's better it happens during testing than during the season proper.

None of the engines look bulletproof this year, I suspect they are on the absolute edge of reliability this year with Ferrari pushing everyone last year. I'd love to see Racing Point in the mix at the top.

MissChief · 27 Feb 2020 at 15:04

I've noticed last week and so far this week a great many teams attempting to sandbag. Half of them aren't even using DRS on the main straight!

this_is_gav · 27 Feb 2020 at 15:07

CaptainRAVE said:
None of the engines look bulletproof this year, I suspect they are on the absolute edge of reliability this year with Ferrari pushing everyone last year. I'd love to see Racing Point in the mix at the top.

I don't think Renault have had any issues, either for themselves or McLaren. Apparently Alan Permane has said Renault are still on the original ICE, MGU-K and MGU-H and intend to be until testing ends tomorrow.

Though I read last week that Renault don't intend to have any major engine upgrades this season as they're concentrating on a concept change for the PU for 2021. How true that is I've no idea as I can't remember where I read it!

MissChief said:
I've noticed last week and so far this week a great many teams attempting to sandbag. Half of them aren't even using DRS on the main straight!

Given you can only use DRS during free practice and qualifying (or when following a car in the race obviously) then it makes no sense to run DRS for most of testing, especially long runs.

MissChief · 27 Feb 2020 at 16:04

Gasly just went PB sector one and two. Then pulled into the pits. Definitely no showing of hands!

CaptainRAVE · 27 Feb 2020 at 20:47

Teds development corner was good today.

Yaayuh! · 28 Feb 2020 at 09:13

Commentary box with Claire was brilliant this morning. Especially the Rubens Barrichello fiasco

Quartz · 28 Feb 2020 at 09:23

Rossi~ said:
Commentary box with Claire was brilliant this morning. Especially the Rubens Barrichello fiasco

Do tell.

GravyMonster · 28 Feb 2020 at 09:35

Norris saying the McLaren hasn't improved as much as he'd hoped. I had my suspicions from the first test that this year's car didn't seem to have the pace. It's spent most days propping up the midfield. They seem to be 6th or 7th fastest at best.

Yaayuh! · 28 Feb 2020 at 09:38

Quartz said:
Do tell.

They'd mentioned about team members, engineers and drivers throwing hissy fits in debriefs etc and Claire said that she'd had a headset thrown at her in the past and wouldn't say who. Crofty and the gang got it out of her that it was Rubens and she was panicking and saying "No no no, i can't confirm nor deny". It was quite amusing

pacegod · 28 Feb 2020 at 18:07

One rule for Ferrari another rule for everyone else it would seem

The FIA announces that, after thorough technical investigations, it has concluded its analysis of the operation of the Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 Power Unit and reached a settlement with the team. The specifics of the agreement will remain between the parties.
The FIA and Scuderia Ferrari have agreed to a number of technical commitments that will improve the monitoring of all Formula 1 Power Units for forthcoming championship seasons as well as assist the FIA in other regulatory duties in Formula 1 and in its research activities on carbon emissions and sustainable fuels.