F1 Testing 2012 - Week 2, Barcelona

Tweaker said:
How long have Mercedes committed to F1? As in, if they dont win this year, will they quit by 2014?
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they only own just over 40% of the team the same they did with mclaren so they arent likely to go anywhere aslong as the team isnt as huge money sink and not worth the advertising
Also, in equal cars, if Merc have the best car and are running 1-2, would MSc be able to overtake Rosberg? Does he have the necessary skills to do this in 2012?
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why not? he did it in 2011 a couple of times

i think nico is going to have a really tough fight this year tbh schumacher looked so happy with the car after the race simulation yesterday
 
Looks like an eighth day of pre season testing with Caterham still 4 seconds or more off the pace of the front teams :(

I was really expecting more from them :(.
 
Not necessarily, Rosberg showed that the car had the 1 lap pace but Michael was unable to find that same performance for whatever reason. Even if the car they gets still isn't fast enough to challenge the Red Bulls, I reckon if he can nail qualifying then he will certainly be in a better position to beat Rosberg as then he won't need to rely on his fast start to get himself further up the pack.

Overtaking-wise they both showed they have the skill to overtake, however in a 1-2 situation it will come down to the team and whether they let them race.

I would like to think that both drivers will be given the same opportunity, however as history has shown, Michael will always try and bully himself into the no.1 spot within the team, but with the way things are nowadays I can't see Rosberg taking that lying down.
 
Testing dictionary
“We don’t know what fuel loads others are running” – We do know, down to the liter, and we are quite worried
“There is room for improvement” – I don’t see us making Q2 this season
“I feel comfortable in the car” – I am not afraid it’s going to kill me
“The car gives me a good feeling” – Those engine vibrations tingle me down there
“We have some work to do to ride kerbs better” – I lost two fillings and bit off a chunk off my tongue
“McLaren look strong” – But we are stronger
“It’s a long season ahead” – Which we will be starting from the 7th row of the grid
“The engineers have worked really hard over the winter” – And that was the best they could come up with…
“We are focusing on data collection” – Because we cannot focus on performance
“We had a minor overheating issue” – We are shipping in an extra supply of power drills
“Lap times mean nothing at this stage” – Poker face, poker face, poker face…
“We will finalize our aero package in Melbourne” – And start working on the 2013 car immediately after
“We may not be the fastest, but we are not the slowest either” -This is “ree-dee-koo-loos“
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arknor said:
probably just going about there own busisness gathering useful data for the races the same as mclaren and redbull.

it just looks like sandbagging because of the midfield teams desperate for sponsor money running on fumes to make headlines.
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yeah i guess saying its a race sim is not quite right, they dont refuel in a race sim!, they could just be trying out stints on different tyres but keeping a similar fuel load each time to give comparable data. I didnt think they were trying to confuse the competition, rather just not going for low fuel runs etc at this stage in the test so as not to give away too much info. Could be loads of reasons for taking that approach though, really good to see the merc making such solid progress though.
 
http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12472/7541571/Ecclestone-eyes-Schuey-revival

With just one win to their credit last year, and that because of a one-off change of rules at the British Grand Prix, Ferrari cannot afford another barren campaign.

Ecclestone, though, is unconcerned for the most famous name in the sport as he said: "They know what the problem is.

"It's not difficult to fix, and I think you are going to find they are going to fix it quite shortly.

"But the sport needs them to be strong. Absolutely, 100 per cent. That's exactly what we need."

Ecclestone also shrugged off the fact there will be no Italian driver in F1 for the first time since 1969.

"It's better we do have a good Italian, but if Ferrari is winning it doesn't make any difference," said the 81-year-old.
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15:18 Marussia is ending its test early after failing to complete a lap today with Charles Pic.

15:19 @Marussia_F1Team As a result of today's problems we've decided to end our test early. The issue was a damaged suspension component to the right rear corner
 
Tweaker said:
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Off topic: I liked your keyboard cherry micro switch comparison.

I bought my cherry keyboard almost 10 years ago and it still remains the best keyboard I have bought. I am still using it today. It gets heavy use (daily) and is as good as it was the day I bought it.

For anybody who is used to using the el cheapo Logitech/MicroSoft keyboards, I urge you spend some money and buy a micro switch keyboard. Once you go microswitch, you will not accept anything less.

Back on topic...as you were gents.
 
pingwing said:
Sandbagging and traipsing around with max fuel at all possible moments....

(note this comment is probably tongue in cheek)
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My gut tells me that they have a car which is at least 2s/lap faster than the the RBR. They shall unleash (yes...UNLEASH is the right word due to its prodigious speed) it in Australia. They shall hit RBR so hard, Vettel won't know where to put his finger. :p
 
15:46 Red Flags.

15:48 It's Kobayashi's Sauber. Car is pulled off at the side of the track. Looks like either a technical problem. Could always be out of fuel though. He's pulled off on the inside on the approach to Turn 13.
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Maybe after doing 145 laps, the car has had enough and wants a rest.
 
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schumi84 said:
I would like to think that both drivers will be given the same opportunity, however as history has shown, Michael will always try and bully himself into the no.1 spot within the team, but with the way things are nowadays I can't see Rosberg taking that lying down.
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When MSc yields his political muscles, there isnt much any driver (including Rosberg) can do about it. If Rosberg is given lesser equipment or is asked to move aside, then he will have to comply...just like any employee is contractually obliged to comply with his employer's demand).

As in any sport, a sportsman (driver, footballer, cyclist), can be replaced and find himself on the side lines if he creates too much of a problem for management.

For me, its the political game which is the unknown factor and if MSc decides to play this card, Rosberg will be finishing behind ... there is absolutely no question in my mind about this.

Just remember, politics play a massive part in F1.
 
I cant see merc playing such games, they need the points and it would be silly to drop points. Unless there car is suddenly fast enough to be almost certain of a 1-2 finish
 
Day 4 times

Code: 
[b]Pos  Driver         Team            Time                Laps[/b]
1    Kobayashi	    Sauber	    1m22.312s	        145
2    Maldonado	    Williams	    1m22.561s  +0.249	134
3    Di Resta	    Force India	    1m23.119s  +0.807	101
4    Button	    McLaren	    1m23.200s  +0.888	115
5    Massa	    Ferrari	    1m23.563s  +1.251	103
6    Webber	    Red Bull	    1m23.774s  +1.462	85
7    Vergne	    Toro Rosso	    1m23.792s  +1.480	92
8    Rosberg	    Mercedes	    1m23.843s  +1.531	139
9    Kovalainen	    Caterham	    1m26.968s  +4.656	70
 
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