F1 Testing 2017: Week 1 Barcelona (27th - 2nd)

Mr Jack said:
The teams really aren't keen on this wet testing are they? I'm surprised, I thought it would be valuable information.
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Trouble is i suppose, you never know what level of rain there will be so will be different anyway, and by the time you get to a rain effected race the car might be considerably different to what it is now and a level playing field for everyone, as we have seen in the past the driver is one of the biggest influences on the cars performance when the rain comes down.

In terms of Pirelli though, sure there will be some good data coming back from the tyres as such a mix of driving styles, cars and setups in use. Even with "winter testing" seems the track doesnt stay in a wet state for long enough compared to a full wet race with continuous rain.
 
Steampunk said:
If that's the case, it's the same as happened last year. Mercedes looking good, but Ferrari and to a lesser extent Red Bull looking very threatening. We all know how that worked out.

I wonder if Mercedes are still a little sensitive about their domination. They are accused of making F1 boring because they are just doing a much better job than the other teams that can't catch up. So they try to hide their speed until the race, and then blast off into the distance.
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Even then they will probably just create a small gap and maintain it. Only when they are under pressure so we see their true pace.

Mr Jack said:
The teams really aren't keen on this wet testing are they? I'm surprised, I thought it would be valuable information.
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Like they are ever actually allowed to run in the wet anyway. Inters at best!
 
Way to costly. Here they have all the teams already at the circuit. They wouldn't get that if they were to invite teams to perform a 1 day wet weather test. Paul Richard isn't ideal for the rest of the testing either. Catalunya is used because its widely known to be a good representation of all areas of performance.

Also the reasons we have seen limited wet running in previous races was due, in a big way, to the sub par performance of the wet weather tyre's, hence why Pirelli asked for this day.

This isn't the only wet tyre testing they have done, Vettel was running round soaked Fiorano until he parked it in the barrier.
 
as most of us where saying when the new rules where announced, hamilton already saying that the cars are far worse in dirty air.
 
So, who wants to over-interpret testing and predict how the season will play out? That's always fun!

Mercedes look to have retained an advantage. My guess is that Hamilton will win the season, and Bottas will come second. I'll admit that was where the smart money was before testing, but it looks to be confirmed to me. Ferrari have closed the gap and so will probably win some races on merit but not enough to challenge for the season. McLaren have not taken the great leap forward they needed. The Red Bull is a decent car but not up to the level of Mercedes/Ferrari.

I'm expecting a dull season, to be honest. All the changes they've made look like they'll make racing worse.
 
i think same pecking order as last year tbh.

Has Bottas commented on how much more downforce/performance the Mercedes has over the Williams? Might take him a few races to get used to it and push the car fully.
 
Who's taking bets that Alonso will quit before race 2 if Honda are dead last?
 
CoreKrogoth said:
anyone here been to the tests this week? heading out there next week just wondering what the easiest way of getting to the track from Barcelona city centre is
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Yep - we were there Monday and Tuesday. We stayed in Sabadell this year though, and drove to the circuit (free parking, right next to all the team trucks!).

If you're in Barcelona centre and there are four or more of you then it is just cheaper to get a taxi direct. If not then get a train to Montmelo and walk the rest of the distance.

I strongly suggest you take your own food - the catering at the circuit is worse than ever this year. Semi-raw Catalunyan sausage wasn't something we were happy to pay for...!
 
EVH said:
Who's taking bets that Alonso will quit before race 2 if Honda are dead last?
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He might quit McLaren but if he's seen enough about the new cars and tyres to keep him interested I'm sure he'll hang around for a spot at a top team.

On day one the whole crowd were just laughing at the McLaren on the few occasions that it actually went on to the circuit. The past three years have done enormous damage to the brands of McLaren and Honda.
 
The_Abyss said:
Yep - we were there Monday and Tuesday. We stayed in Sabadell this year though, and drove to the circuit (free parking, right next to all the team trucks!).

If you're in Barcelona centre and there are four or more of you then it is just cheaper to get a taxi direct. If not then get a train to Montmelo and walk the rest of the distance.

I strongly suggest you take your own food - the catering at the circuit is worse than ever this year. Semi-raw Catalunyan sausage wasn't something we were happy to pay for...!
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Thanks! will make sure we pickup some lunch beforehand.
 
The_Abyss said:
He might quit McLaren but if he's seen enough about the new cars and tyres to keep him interested I'm sure he'll hang around for a spot at a top team.

On day one the whole crowd were just laughing at the McLaren on the few occasions that it actually went on to the circuit. The past three years have done enormous damage to the brands of McLaren and Honda.
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There's hanging around as a rookie and there's wasting your career with bad decisions. I'd see he falls in to the latter and that only gets worse day by day.

It must be soul destroying for him to make so many bad moves. Especially as he watches his ex team mate go on to a potential 4th WDC, a former team come good (if testing is at all accurate) and he's running around at the back with a car that has an engine so underpowered it implodes constantly.
 
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