F1 Testing 2016: Week 1 Barcelona (22nd - 25th)

SPARC · 22 Feb 2016 at 21:03

That Red Bull livery is really growing on me.

Kris_90 · 22 Feb 2016 at 21:22

SPARC said:
That Red Bull livery is really growing on me.

Me too. I thought it was awful at the launch but on track I can't decide what's better, the Ferrari or Red Bull.

CaptainRAVE · 22 Feb 2016 at 21:29

Mercedes doing what they did last year, but looking even better.

Duke · 23 Feb 2016 at 08:12

Day 2 http://autosport.com/live/commentary/id/1866595/formula-1-testing-2016-barcelona-f1-test-day-2

SS-89 · 23 Feb 2016 at 08:31

Arai stepping down as of 1st March. Was due to retire at the end of the season but being brought forward.

Skeeter · 23 Feb 2016 at 08:54

Were there any swords and falling on ones own involved?

smr · 23 Feb 2016 at 09:05

Good mornin guys. 32 today! Gettin the mileage up now... let's hope McLaren can do the same today!

gord · 23 Feb 2016 at 09:38

smr said:
Good mornin guys. 32 today! Gettin the mileage up now... let's hope McLaren can do the same today!

Happy birthday you crazy McLaren/Jenson superfan.

Nismo · 23 Feb 2016 at 09:46

Mercedes have bolted some weird "teeth" things to the floor/under the sidepods to Rosberg's car this morning, like an exaggerated serrated edge. They are calling it the combine

Also rumours they will be testing a new nose later.

Shimmy · 23 Feb 2016 at 10:05

Nismo said:
Mercedes have bolted some weird "teeth" things to the floor/under the sidepods to Rosberg's car this morning, like an exaggerated serrated edge. They are calling it the combine

Also rumours they will be testing a new nose later.

Yup, almost Mad Max like!

I think their new nose is being tested tomorrow.

Kris_90 · 23 Feb 2016 at 10:19

New fastest lap from Vettel a 1:24.940.

Shimmy · 23 Feb 2016 at 10:59

Rosberg top now, 1m24.867s.

New sig smr?

Nismo · 23 Feb 2016 at 11:08

He prefers Button's helmet.

Junglist · 23 Feb 2016 at 11:19

Rosberg is notching up the laps today.

Reckon he has what it takes to beat Lewis this year? I think he can.

Shimmy · 23 Feb 2016 at 11:28

Nismo said:
He prefers Button's helmet.

Shhh, I was hoping he wouldn't notice

Shimmy · 23 Feb 2016 at 11:45

Vettel and Ricciardo trading fastest times on the super softs atm.

gord · 23 Feb 2016 at 11:48

Shimmy said:
Vettel and Ricciardo trading fastest times on the ultra softs atm.

FTFY.

Shimmy · 23 Feb 2016 at 11:55

Oops, forgot we have those now.

Both in pits, Vettel top with 1m22.810s.

Kris_90 · 23 Feb 2016 at 11:57

Hopefully Rosberg will do an ultrasoft run soon. The Merc didn't get as much time out of the softer compounds as Ferrari and Red Bull did last year. If the same is true this year they might not get pole every race

drunkenmaster · 23 Feb 2016 at 12:08

They really did, it was just a couple of not the best laps and Sky doing what they do, making up drama. 99% of time in qualifying Merc pushed ultra hard on the harder of the two compounds because they had the best chance at going through without wasting the softer compound. Then in Q2 Merc put on softer compound and went (for them) ultra easy on the tires they'd start the race on. That meant often small difference between Q1 and Q2... which Sky insisted meant they sucked on softer compounds. No, their insane speed meant they pushed harder in Q1 and went easier in Q2 than anyone else could.

Last year Rosberg got a 1:22.8 or so on the soft while Williams were second fastest with a 1:23.2-3 on the supersoft. As such 1:22.8 on an ultra soft doesn't exactly jump out as great. Hopefully some more aero parts and maybe some engine tweaks will bring better times from both of them in the second test. Honestly I hoped we'd be getting into the 1:20's on ultrasofts.

1:22.8 for Rosberg on softs, half a second for each compound and half a second for a faster 2016 car should be pushing on getting below 1:21 this year.