F1 Testing 2014: Week 2 Bahrain

Approximate kilometres by each engine manufacturer during pre-season
Mercedes - 9618 km.
Ferrari - 4747 km.
Renault - 3816 km.
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The overall miles done by each type of engine is pretty interesting. While the Ferrari is seemingly more reliable in terms of testing miles done and data able to be gathered by the engine manufacturers Ferrari due to low number of cars using it didn't get that much more running in total than Renault. So in terms of finding bugs, looking at data, maybe tweaking for power, efficiency and the like Ferrari weren't too far ahead of Renault thanks in the most part, to Caterham, though in terms of how useful the data is, Ferrari cars were going faster and for mostly longer stints.

Merc both due to the reliability of most of their runners and seemingly the engine itself got double the amount of running Ferrari did. That could be a pretty crucial difference come the start of the season and the engine freeze. Williams switching to Merc engines this year is probably turning into the best decision they've made in years.


Rosberg has said his fast lap was done in full qualifying setup, trim and fuel levels. Only about a second off last year's pole lap but on different tyres. The supersofts this year I'm sure I heard someone say they were like 3/4's of a second faster than the soft. Without using the same tyres as last year though I don't know if these tyres are faster or slower. They supposedly degrade less but that might make them faster due to being able to abuse them more or slower simply as they are less soft and give less grip.

I usually relate the idea that better wearing tyres should mean less grip but that doesn't have to be true, in any case with very little tweaking and first qualifying run being within a second of last year's pole not on the fastest tyre is interesting for sure.

We saw people saying on the live feeds(without know the actual times) that Merc/Mclaren were doing longer stints in the 1:39-1:41's at various points, which are pretty similar to the stints Vettel did in the race last year.
 
Duke said:
Lol

Same here, they sound different as expected but still good.
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On TV yes, but at the race live is completely different.

Although the power is definitely upped now, at Jerez it was very apparent that the sound volume was completely different. From the races I went to the V8s appeared to have little directionally (is that even a word?!) sound - they sounded very loud in front, at the side or behind the exhausts.

These V6s, with the single near horizontal exhaust, are very directional. There's little volume at all from the front, only a bit more from the side, and the max volume is only when the car is driving away from you.

The actual sound is very pleasant, as are the whines of the turbos and the mechanical clatter of changing down on braking, but they are incredibly quiet in places the V8s would be able to raise the dead.

I'm not judging it as good or bad. I loved the V8s - they'd make you shake in awe at the power - but you could equally argue that the racing was painful at trackside. Ear plug vendors will not be attending F1 races in 2014.
 
MissChief said:
From watching some of the testing clips I'm looking forward to the season starting. The cars have a lot more torque than they've had for a long time and along with the harder Pirelli tyres we should see some tail out slides as drivers try to get on the power quicker than the other guy. The best drivers will benefit, the lesser drivers, especially the younger ones used to traction control (I have no doubts some teams were running it somehow although no proof) or super sticky tyres and low amounts of torque will struggle to adapt, especially in the wet.
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Drivers that manage the torque will, IMO, be the early winners in 2014. Although there's still more testing to do there's no doubt that from what I saw in Jerez (and since on TV in Bahrain) there's a lot of wheel spin on the corner exits. Slwo corner exits, on many of the newer F1 tracks with longer straight sections, will hinder drivers greatly. Even on short sections it will impact - think of the last corner on an old circuit like Montreal. Anyone spinning up the rear wheels and having to correct there will either be in the wall or will lose a place by turn one to the driver behind with smoother, more consistent drive out of the bend.

It could make for some great action in the early races. And that's before we get a bit of rain on the track!
 
Shimmy said:
Got a link to the Rosberg quote dm? Be interesting to hear what else he said.
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http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/1...but-admits-pacesetters-took-fuel-out-on-day-4

I got the impression the previous day was fast laps but not that low fuel and he thinks other teams didn't drop as much fuel. If that is the case they they expect they were showing a much bigger gap to Mclaren than otherwise. I suspect the relative closeness of Mclaren/Merc on day 3 is more both cars not not pushing to their max and yesterdays time is also not the best they can achieve but a fairly decent attempt and with noticeably lower fuel.

The times seem relatively impressive given the lack of time testing and practising qualifying style setups and driving. If they are a second off last year's pole time there in basically the first day even trying qualifying style runs and not on the fastest tyre I wouldn't be surprised to see them comfortably beat it when the Bahrain race comes around, I wouldn't be surprised to see them beat it at the next test but after several races, driving on the edge(being less worried about ruining a test day) and more practice on the limit I think they'll be another significant step forward after several races.

We really don't know how fast each car is, if some are leaving a few extra laps of fuel on, Merc may have done just to see if they could get others to show their hand, who knows really. Really excited about the first race, even if it's cack and the races end up boring, just seeing how the cars work, if any blow up(or if any finish :p ), and who made the best starting car.
 
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Good to hear the view of someone who has heard them IRL Abyss.

I'm a bit concerned I will be disappointed. I've been to a number of V8 GPs and a couple of V10s and listening to the cars around the whole lap has always been part of it. Standing at the entrance to Maggots at Silverstone flinching at the sound of 24 V8s trying to make you deaf was always part of the experience for me. Same with listening to them sing through the Belgium forests. They sound totally different in the different environments too.

I'm fearful that the volume just won't be enough with the V6s. The thought that ear protection simply won't be needed by anyone other than small kids does make me feel it might lose something.

Ill have to wait until Spain to hear for myself. And if the racing is good I won't be that concerned.
 
I agree with Zak brown, being made death, unable to talk and socialise, its to loud. So a reduction of noise is great, its just how quite are they. people raw getting knickers in a twist, yet already been proved wrong on Latimer and I bet once they turn them up to 100% they'll be loud enough. Its not a linear line for noise.
 
The engines are quieter but on the flipside there are loads more new noises now. The whining wooshing turbo etc. Sounds brilliant, and quite futuristic. Love the sound they make when cornering and the drivers lift. Lots of really cool droning whooshing powering down sounds then when the throttle is pressed whooshing up sounds...

But I will miss the ear splitting v8s which you could feel in your bones.

I love both sounds.
 
CaptainRAVE said:
Mercedes looking decent. Hoping they continue their form from last season and have some pace.
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Here's hoping, had a debate with a friend over who we think will win the WDC so ended up being money where our mouths were so I have £10 on Hamilton for WDC.

As for the sound, I can't make my mind up. From the video's posted it is certainly different and I like the sound of the turbo and ERS's/MGU's and I think it will sound good when the track is full as each car will be in different stages of the noise. Time will tell, though what is certain is regardless of how much I might end up liking the new sound I will miss the v8's and still miss the v10's.
 
Would love to see mercy/McLaren battling it out for the win and Ferrari/RBR battling it out for the podium and the occasional win, that would be my dream 2014 season.
 
Sounds too much like an electric whine to me rather than the throaty roar of years past

Still looking forward to Melbourne however, even if the nearer the day gets the longer it seems to be away lol
 
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