F1 Winter Testing / Driver Line-Ups for 2007
- Thread starter el_dazza
- Start date
There is a caveat though. Whilst everyone is equal in terms of tyres some are more equal than others 
. 2007 is just a continuation of the 2006 contracts or 1 year deals for those who were on Michelin, the control tyre contracts don't start until 2008.
Therefore Ferrari and to a lesser extent Williams and Toyota have different contracts to McLaren, Renault et al.
Now, will this make a difference? Who knows but it's worth bearing in mind.
. 2007 is just a continuation of the 2006 contracts or 1 year deals for those who were on Michelin, the control tyre contracts don't start until 2008.Therefore Ferrari and to a lesser extent Williams and Toyota have different contracts to McLaren, Renault et al.
Now, will this make a difference? Who knows but it's worth bearing in mind.
So far Mclaren are looking good, although everyone seems to be surprised by the pace of the BMWs, must be all those Intel C2Ds making a difference in their virtual wind tunnel
On a serious note, LHamilton is impressing loads, hope he cains Alonso (doubtful but would be nice to see). Kimi has been slow to adapt but I think will be on the money come start of the season.
Looks like it could be one of the closest F1 seasons to date, although thats just looking at winter testing times, and we know all the big teams sandbag bigstyleee!
On a serious note, LHamilton is impressing loads, hope he cains Alonso (doubtful but would be nice to see). Kimi has been slow to adapt but I think will be on the money come start of the season.
Looks like it could be one of the closest F1 seasons to date, although thats just looking at winter testing times, and we know all the big teams sandbag bigstyleee!
My old next door neighbour works for bridgestone, has done for the last few years, checking track temps etc, havent had a chance to *** to him recently about how different the tyre compound is this year.
Kimi commented on the ITV website that the new tyres didnt suit his type of driving so will have to adapt.
Also, Massa has made an interesting plug for BMW Sauber, saying they are the best prepared/fastest team atm. TBH i would like to see them do well, especially for heidfelds sake, as i think he got the raw deal when mclaren poached raikonnen when they in the same team at Sauber. After last season he has confirmed to me that he is a very good driver and should do well.
Hopefully his equipment wont let him down
Kimi commented on the ITV website that the new tyres didnt suit his type of driving so will have to adapt.
Also, Massa has made an interesting plug for BMW Sauber, saying they are the best prepared/fastest team atm. TBH i would like to see them do well, especially for heidfelds sake, as i think he got the raw deal when mclaren poached raikonnen when they in the same team at Sauber. After last season he has confirmed to me that he is a very good driver and should do well.
Hopefully his equipment wont let him down
Ferrari look to have more problems on the first day at Barca. McLaren and BMW look to be the teams to beat at the moment topping the time sheets on day 1. And what is happening at Red Bull? Renault Powered Adrian Newey car over a second off the best time of the day!?!?
Only 1 seat left!
Luizzi confirmed at STR
Berger has stated that Scott Speed is still the likely second driver but no contract has been signed. They should be having a launch event on Thursday but it's not clear if the new car will be there or not.
There's also still a lot of posturing about whether the STR2 will be identical to the RB3 or not. Berger says it will be very different but I'm not sure how this can be possible with Adrian Newey designing both. I'd not be surprised if the STR2 appears with zero keel front suspension (the RB3 has twin keels) but I'd also be suprised if both cars aren't running the same style by the end of the year - ie the designs will converge and STR is just the test team in disguise.
Luizzi confirmed at STR
Berger has stated that Scott Speed is still the likely second driver but no contract has been signed. They should be having a launch event on Thursday but it's not clear if the new car will be there or not.
There's also still a lot of posturing about whether the STR2 will be identical to the RB3 or not. Berger says it will be very different but I'm not sure how this can be possible with Adrian Newey designing both. I'd not be surprised if the STR2 appears with zero keel front suspension (the RB3 has twin keels) but I'd also be suprised if both cars aren't running the same style by the end of the year - ie the designs will converge and STR is just the test team in disguise.
Agreed, he was a bit wayward at times but there's isn't anybody else who stands out as being a better bet. Doornbos maybe but he committed himself to testing for RBR which suggests that he wasn't in with a shout at STR.
It sounds to me like STR want Speed and Speed wants to drive for STR but there's something needing ironed out, probably money. Mind you if I was working for Berger I'd want immunity from practical jokes ahead of cash!
It sounds to me like STR want Speed and Speed wants to drive for STR but there's something needing ironed out, probably money. Mind you if I was working for Berger I'd want immunity from practical jokes ahead of cash!
Looks like Ferrari are back on form with the two best times of the day. Renault starting to come good as well with BMW, Toyota and Williams with another good showing.
Code:
1. MASSA Ferrari 1m21.181s
2. RAIKKONEN Ferrari 1m21.719s
3. KOVALAINEN Renault 1m21.819s
4. ALONSO McLaren 1m21.901s
5. FISICHELLA Renault 1m21.997s
6. HAMILTON McLaren 1m22.078s
7. KUBICA BMW 1m22.100s
8. TRULLI Toyota 1m22.227s
9. ROSBERG Williams 1m22.249s
10. WURZ Williams 1m22.288s
11. MONTAGNY Toyota 1m22.476s
12. HEIDFELD BMW 1m22.618s
13. BARRICHELLO Honda 1m22.669s
14. BUTTON Honda 1m22.816s
15. WEBBER Red Bull 1m22.916s
16. COULTHARD Red Bull 1m23.322s
17. DAVIDSON Super Aguri 1m23.969s
18. ALBERS Spyker 1m24.425s