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This Thread has been started to talk about the upcoming testing sessions.
Help to keep everyone updated about the latest news in the testing sessions.
Here are the dates of the testing session:
February 1st – 3rd – Valencia (Ricardo Tormo), Spain
February 10th – 13th – Jerez, Spain
February 17th – 20th – Jerez, Spain
February 25th – 28th – Circuit de catalunya, Spain
Testing dates source:http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2010/01/0...ates-confirmed
Was going to start a new thread about this but might as well stick it here.
Anyone else annoyed at the testing ban? The winter used to be boring enough as it was F1-wise even when there was more testing going on, but at least we got to see new car/driver combinations bed themselves in, make early comparisons and predictions (often meaningless, but nothing better to do!).
Now it's all basically going to be done in one quick burst of just over a month :(
Can't wait for the 1st.
BMW-Sauber will reveal its 2010 F1 car on January 31st at Valencia.
The wraps will come off the new car at 2:30pm local time.
Testing for the 2010 F1 season will begin at the track the day after, when Mercedes will also launch their 2010 challenger.
Source: F1 fanatic
:DI hate the test ban too, but the problem is how is the cost factor affected if there was no limitation.Quote:
Originally Posted by V12
On the positive side it is pressurized and THAT is very formula 1. Generally I like the Bernie idea of the racing teams having the Monday as test days.
I think the first testing times in 2010 will be the most waited for in many seasons given the new driver combinations and Schumacher factor.
The great advantage that a team gains with Ross and this is leveraged with Schumacher is that they RACE so well. That was evident last year at Brawn where Jenson was able to score points constantly and protect his lead.
The Ross factor cannot be underestimated given that Jenson tightened up so much inteh second part of the season. And this must be forgiven because what people forget that after ten years of struggle this was also something new for Jenson despite his experience.
I am sure that Schumacher is going to suck the air out of the room that first day he returns to the cockpit and begins to set times......!
I imagine that the circuit will attract a crowd rivvalling a grand prix on Feb 1 :D
While I can't wait for the testing to start I am quite happy to have the testing ban to help reducing costs.Quote:
Originally Posted by V12
Schumi comeback is hype only..Quote:
Originally Posted by Saint Devote
With good reason. Come on man, there's no need for this... :dozey:Quote:
Originally Posted by f1indiablog
I sincerely hope you are merely trying to be idiotically provocative, because for someone like myself, who since when I was a little boy and my mother educated me as to who Jack Brabham was and gave me a toy of his racing car, I have been in love with motor racing, it is an offensive statement.Quote:
Originally Posted by f1indiablog
Red Bull plan to skip the first test;
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80809
They've done it before, but I should think that with so little testing under current regulations getting the boots on the ground straight away would be important?
Do we take it at face value? Or are they behind schedule due to the relatively late confirmation of Renault engines?
Testing has after all been discovered to be not AS vital these days as was always thought.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonic
I don't think the RBR-Renault is in trouble based on the Mclaren engineers conclusion after last year's frenetic turnaround, that being able to test would have significantly SLOWED the amazing progress of the MP4-24.
Interesting.
And the question surrounding the Virgin-Cosworth is - will they discover that using CFD only and not any windtunnel is sound after all - just look at the 2009 Acura's performance in ALMS?
This confounded the rule that CFD-only is workable in the front but from the middle of the car its effectiveness drops sharply making it impossible to design an effective rear.
Virgin is definitely the most interesting concept this year.
Thats correct and many of the processes have been changed as a result. They had people at the track that had never attended a grand prix and it was as they said a "culture shock" for the race team as they had to act as a test team.Quote:
Originally Posted by henners88
The factory was going 24 hours a day and they complimented the drivers in particular Lewis who they said worked intensely.
On the Friday night for example the carbon fabricators literally took over the garage and were cutting the floors that were to be used on the Saturday in qualifying - very "unMclaren" as they said.
They concluded that having the luxury of separate test sessions with a test team as it used to be would have been less effective than being forced to use Fridays as test sessions.
Great story is 2009 Mclaren :D
I see what you're saying with regards to McLaren (and others) having to adapt to last seasons lack of testing. However I don't think you can quite connect the dots so simply. It is impossible to say (without access to a alternate universe where test was permited) that the progress made on the McLaren would have slowed with in-season testing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Saint Devote
Its similar to when par ferme condtions were introduced. Reliabity improved. Can it be said with certainty that one caused the other? Possibly, but not without doubt.
I'm not against the in-season testing ban so much, I can even stomach the ban from the end of the season to the end of the calendar year. I just don't see the reasoning in banning testing during January as well. OK none of the new cars have been launched yet, but wouldn't mind getting to see how Jenson gets on against Lewis in the '09 McLaren or Schuey take to the wheel of a repainted Brawn instead of a GP2 car.
I understand the cost concerns and I'd much rather see testing sacrificed ahead of introducing things like common parts and so on, I guess I'm just bored of waiting for the season to start! :)
The aero rules are the same as far as I know - it is the fuel regs and tyres that are the greatest changes.Quote:
Originally Posted by henners88
But I do agree with you in terms of Brawn falling behind in development during the season compared to Mclaren - how well have they salvaged the situation.
It was Ross who mentioned they had a difficult time trying to finish 2009 as well as they could as well as developing the 2010 car.
If they are behind it will not be as marked as Mclaren or Ferrari were in 2009.
The comment regarding testing and how slow or quickly they would have progressed was made during an inteview with the three primary Mclaren development engineers.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonic
I've heard other people say this too, but never seen any real facts or figures to back it up. It boggles my mind how you can design and build something as complex as an F1 car, and then proceed to racing with only a "minimal" amount of testing. I know a lot of "testing" is done on simulators, but surely "wheels on the ground" is the only real testing that matters. Does anyone have a link to explain the process for testing a new car?Quote:
Originally Posted by Saint Devote
Same here.Quote:
Originally Posted by V12
Yes I infered as much from your previous statement. But, not wishing to sound like I know more than McLaren staff (because clearly I don't), they cannot say that the car would have progressed slower with in season testing because they have no evidence to support that claim. Just their, gut instict, as it were.Quote:
Originally Posted by Saint Devote
Lotus won't participate in first two tests
http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,189...856715,00.html
Quote:
Heikki Kovalainen has revealed that Lotus will not only miss the Valencia test, but also the second one Jerez.
The reason? The F1 newcomers don't have enough spare parts to test properly in the first two outings.
i think this may be a bit of bull or should i say it will give other teams less time to copy the bull be fore the first raceQuote:
Red Bull boss Christian Horner has already confirmed his team will not head to the Circuito Ricardo Tormo as the RB6 won't be ready in time
Are the NEW teams ready for F1: the pinnacle of motorsport?
Nope, but F1 is being dragged down to a level that they can play on, sadly.Quote:
Originally Posted by f1indiablog
Maybe, but IMO Red Bull pushed till the very end of 2009, so I am not surprised if they are a bit late.Quote:
Originally Posted by thunderbolt
And Lotus can be forgiven for missing out the first couple of tests - they did have the shortest timetable of them all.
didn't do Brawn any harm to miss a couple of tests
If you read what Ross Brawn said a while ago when asked about the difficulties of having to adapt the car to the engine and starting so late - he answered that they were constantly battling difficulties throughout the season and their advantage actually ended by the time they reached Bahrain.Quote:
Originally Posted by Robinho
He said it was similar to situations with Schumacher from then on where Schumi was not the "best" driver the weekend but he RACED better than the others and won.
He mentioned during the last part of the season the Barrichello side of the garage engineered the car better and Jenson's side would simply copy the set-up although Jenson continued to RACE extremely well - which includes the pit strategy don't forget.
Love to read what Ross one day will have to write about the incredible single season of Brawn GP - the only team in history to have a 100% championship record :s mokin:
Lotus will launch its Formula One entry on Feb. 12, although it's still unclear where the car will be unveiled.
Source:http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor...58188207_x.htm
US F1 Team Signs Manager and Schedules First Test
Peter Windsor, US F1 sporting director, stated on the team's Web site that the team has received permission to test there instead of taking part in the first pre-season practice session at Valencia, Spain.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor...58188207_x.htm
1) Lotus F1 team : 12th Feb 2010
2) Mercedes F1 team: 28th Jan 2010
3) McLaren F1 team : 29th Jan 2010
4) Renault(Renault R30): 31st Jan 2010
5) BMW Sauber :31st Jan 2010
6) Ferrari: 28th Jan 2010
7) Williams(FW32): 1st Feb 2010
8) Toro Rosso(STR5) : 1st Feb 2010
28th will be a big day with Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz...Quote:
Originally Posted by f1indiablog
That's good news to see at least one of the new teams getting a proper move on with things :up:Quote:
Originally Posted by f1indiablog
I can't find anything about that on the team's website but, taking the above as truth, it's good to see that they may be near to getting their feet off the ground on this one :up:Quote:
US F1 Team Signs Manager and Schedules First Test
Peter Windsor, US F1 sporting director, stated on the team's Web site that the team has received permission to test there instead of taking part in the first pre-season practice session at Valencia, Spain.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor...58188207_x.htm
Its not popular and he is somewhat outrageous in how he expalins himself but I go with Bernie's reckoning that until proven incorrect, there will be two teams that do not make it to the the Sakhir grid.
I wonder if it will be too cold to adequately test iin Europe - then the mid-east tracks look inviting?
After watching the Abu Dahbi Grand Prix again I have to declare that I have totally changed my view on the event. Perhaps "emotions of the season" we had - but I gave it a totally open mind shot and I enjoyed the grand prix and LIKE the track. The long straight is superb and the slight undualtion and corner difficulties are actually enjoyable to watch. So thumbs UP for the Yas Marina track.
I think it could be a good place to do early testing along with Sakhir.
Martin Brundle has also made a good statement at the Autosport show in Birmingham regarding reserve and new driver testing.
He makes some good comments on Alguersuari - whose career as a result of his 2009 f1 exploits appears to have been destroyed.
orce India will join Red Bull Racing in missing the first of the pre-season Formula 1 tests that takes place at Valencia next month.The Silverstone-based outfit will not run its new car, the VJM3, until the Jerez test that begins on February 10.
That's another downer. But you should make a habit of posting the source of your info each time please :)Quote:
Originally Posted by f1indiablog
[quote="52Paddy"]
Sure Sir. I will
Sure SirQuote:
Originally Posted by 52Paddy
Thumbs up! I respect people who can admit that they were wrong!Quote:
Originally Posted by Saint Devote
Well, not much left until the first testing day. Time to have a bit of a warm up before it :) Often it is said that "tests count for nothing and especially the first few days are meaningless", but IMO it's completely opposite. I recommend to take a very serious note of what is going on on the first few test days. The experience from the past says that top cars are fast straight out of the box - they are fundamentally balanced and have a nice platform for further developments. Those, who are struggling, may try all kinds of bits and later on may even become competitive, but by then it would be too late to fight for the crowns. Excuses like "it's only testing and they will eventually come good", do not matter much. The brightest memories from the 2009 winter tests are the debuts of Red Bull and Brawn, who stunned the F1 community already with their very first laps. Who will shine in 2010? :s mokin:
Red Bull was a bit late in pre-2009 too, revealing their car before mid-February, so I don't think there is much to worry. I remember a priceless picture from Day1 of Red Bull's testing at Jerez, when McLaren engineers were taking a very close and anxious look at RB5, who was waiting for a green light. :p : Of course back then most people were saying "nah McLaren is sandbagging and Red Bull is showboating, the season will show, who is the real top team, etc, etc..." :p : But in retrospect it can be said that the picture was very telling about the real situation.Quote:
Originally Posted by F1boat
It's very hard to guess who's going to be good and who's not. There are no tell-tale signs really. All three cars that have been launched so far (Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes) look more than decent and up to the challenge but looks aren't everything. I guess Ferrari will have stepped up their game from last year's disappointment. McLaren the same - though they did start coming good in the second part of 2009. Mercedes have Ross Brawn on board and, now that Brawn has more investment behind him, I expect him to be as threatening as he was during the first half of last year. As for the others, well we have nothing other than last year's form to go on. Red Bull will be the obvious ones to keep an eye on. After that, we'll have to just see who pulls what out of the bag.
How many teams are confirmed to make the first test anyway?
Am I the only one who thinks that teams should be allowed three tests each, regardless of when they start testing? It just seems really harsh to the teams missing test sessions that they wouldn't be able to make those up elsewhere at another later date after getting their car put together. Why mandate the tests? As long as they get the equal number of "days" on approved tracks, wouldn't that make more sense? Some of the late arrivals will have a real struggle on their hands, which could have easily been avoided, giving them a fair shot at testing their car and getting some miles in. Wouldn't be too much to ask, IMO...
Anyone know a site where I can see streaming video or live timing?