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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
I think people are overreacting concerning the Renault engine.
Last I checked they have won the WDC and WCC 4 years straight and between RBR and Lotus and Williams in the past few years have produced very reliable and competitive engines. Plus they have a history with turbo power plants and the likes compared to say Mercedes. If there is fault to be assigned, it will have to go down to the teams IMO. plus these are early days and if I were to speculate on Lotus, the engine is probably not the problem.
Caterham were always going to produce a conservative car and STR and RBR are probably closer in design than most suspect. At least from a fundamental platform. Given that they are owned by the seam folks and are both running the same engine package.
Its also early days, so lets see what happens by the time we get to Australia. Of course I hope that RBR are pegged down a notch and that their issues are down to the tight packaging and not the engine.
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
Difference between sound of last year, and this year from testing.
I quite like the v6, just wish it was a little more revvey.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9OYmVw ... ata_player
Steve
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
Reminds me of 80s & 90s sounds. I don't think generally its too bad.
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
Quote:
Originally Posted by big_sw2000
Good video.
Not only is the rev limit lower with the 1.6 engines but because of the way the power is delivered they can shift earlier so don't need the whole rev range. They sound "nice" to me, but even if they are going as fast they won't give the same impression of speed because they will "sound" slower.
Interesting that even when the Torro Rosso was running it sounded rough and the gearchanges were very slow.
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
Quote:
Originally Posted by big_sw2000
the new sound will take a bit of getting used
those 2013's sounded sweet!
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
Having watched the various videos on YouTube I think the new V6s sound great. The cars look interesting too. I'm really pleased so far. Looking forward to the racing!
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
I agree about the V6 sounds. I know its different, but I like it.
It does remind me of the late 80s and early 90s sounds, despite differing engine types.
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
So far, what can we say about 2014 tires?
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
I think the sound is crap. Thankfully this doesn't translate too much on TV so if the racing improves, we'll forget all about it. Fuel loads are a concern and if we have tyres with degradation on top of that, we could have a worrying pattern for conservative races. I hope I am wrong.
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Kaput button
It hasn't taken Riciardo to discover his car is blessed with a kaput device. Just wait till he gets on the grid. He will discover the joys of being passed by heaps of cars after the red lights go off, then missing tyres at pit stops, and loose wheel nuts. You think he can win a race this year? HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
Testing is back. Lotus are back. Possible sweaty backs.
Driver line-up for the teams
Red Bull: Sebastian Vettel (Wed/Thurs); Daniel Ricciardo (Fri/Sat)
Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton (Wed/Fri); Nico Rosberg (Thurs/Sat)
Ferrari: Fernando Alonso (Wed/Thurs); Kimi Raikkonen (Fri/Sat)
Lotus: Romain Grosjean (Wed/Thurs) Pastor Maldonado (Fri/Sat)
McLaren: Kevin Magnussen (Wed/Thurs); Jenson Button (Fri/Sat)
Force India: Nico Hulkenberg (Wed/Thurs); Sergio Perez (Fri/Sat)
Toro Rosso: Daniil Kvyat (Wed/Fri); Jean-Eric Vergne (Thurs/Sat)
Marussia: Jules Bianchi (Wed/Fri); Max Chilton (Thurs/Sat)
Caterham: Robin Frijns (Wed); Kamui Kobayashi (Thurs/Sat); Marcus Ericsson (Fri)
Sauber: Adrian Sutil (Wed/Sat; Esteban Gutierrez (Thurs/Fri)
Williams: Felipe Massa (Wed); Other days TBC
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
No laps for Red Bull or Torro Rosso yet...
Still think the McLaren looks really good; the cars with the smooth transitions on the noses, penis or not, look best IMO (like the Sauber and McLaren)
http://gpupdate2.ed5.nl/large/237599.jpg
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
I wonder how McLaren feels about moving to Honda engines next year?
Mercedes have nailed the transition to turbo engines.
Testing times so far:
Code:
P Driver Team Time
1 Hulkenberg Force India 1m36.880s
2 Hamilton Mercedes 1m37.908s +1.028
3 Magnussen McLaren 1m38.295s +1.415
4 Alonso Ferrari 1m39.628s +2.748
5 Vettel Red Bull 1m40.224s +3.344
6 Sutil Sauber 1m40.443s +3.563
7 Frijns Caterham 1m42.900s +6.020
8 Kvyat Toro Rosso 1m44.346s +7.466
9 Grosjean Lotus 1m44.832s +7.952
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranger
I wonder how McLaren feels about moving to Honda engines next year?
Mercedes have nailed the transition to turbo engines.
It's rumoured that Honda are already supplying McLaren with sacks of cash. If so I'm sure that will be assuaging any discomfort McLaren might be feeling.
Renault are still not looking in great shape. Apart from Williams and Marussia, all the Mercedes- and Ferrari-powered teams have completed a lot of laps, while of the Renault teams only Caterham has managed a decent lap count so far.
The top times look pretty respectable already. Last year's fastest race lap was a 1:36 and pole a 1:32. Given the greater weight, reduced downforce and the early stage of development, I'm surprised to see them this close already.
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
Pos Driver Team Time Gap Laps
1. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes 1m36.880s 78
2. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m37.879s +0.999s 64
3. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1m37.908s +1.028s 74
4. Kevin Magnussen McLaren-Mercedes 1m38.295s +1.415s 81
5. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m40.224s +3.344s 14
6. Adrian Sutil Sauber-Ferrari 1m40.443s +3.563s 82
7. Robin Frijns Caterham-Renault 1m42.534s +5.654s 68
8. Daniil Kvyat Toro Rosso-Renault 1m44.346s +7.466s 5
9. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1m44.832s +7.952s 8
10. Felipe Massa Williams-Meredes no time 5
11. Jules Bianchi Marussia-Ferrari no time 3
News sources are quick to point out that Hulk's fastest lap is faster than the fastest race lap in last year’s Bahrain GP. However it is also slower than Max Chilton's best quali lap that earned him grid position 22 for that same race. Pole last year was 132.3. I think they will find at least 2 seconds before they are done in Bahrain.
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
Vettel's time was not so bad considering how few laps Red Bull have done. Maybe the Renailt wll perform ok once they sort the reliability out.
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
I really don't pay much attention to testing times until the last couple of tests, and then only pay a little bit of attention. There are far too many variables as to who it testing what at what point in the day, fuel loads, sandbagging, etc.
It's great to see that some cars are near last years times, but without the full picture it still doesn't tell us much. If that time was a flyer in qually trim then they might be slow, if that lap was after a lot of laps in race conditions in race trim it tells us more, but still not the whole picture really.
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
Seems like its been another tough day for Red Bull.
Renault clearly having some difficulties.
I too am surprised by how close to last years times the cars are already. That normally means massive aero gain and thus tougher overtaking.
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
Looking forward to seeing what Marussia can do.
Perhaps Red Bull's time is fairly ominous given their difficulties. 6 months worth of dispensation later and it could be business as usual.
And, no, I'm not at all jealous of Red Bull. I never get bored of Sebastien Loeb and his titles in the WRC. I wish he could have made it 10 but I guess he saw what was coming with Ogier and VW.
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
rjbetty
What do you think Marussia can achieve this season. They have had some struggles today, but do you think they could actually score a point or more.
We must be two of the biggest supporters of the two backmarker teams. Most appear to think they are a waste of space. Every season we have the "this season a crazy race will give them a point"
I think with all the changes going on this could be the season.
Here's hoping
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
I'm all for the teams at the back of the pack making up ground, and I'd be happy if they made up so much that the cars became pole winning and podium earning cars at that. The closer the cars are in performance, the more the races get mixed up based on driver skill, strategy, qualification, etc. You'll never see me oppose tight racing, even if my preferred drivers don't win.
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
Quote:
Originally Posted by airshifter
It's great to see that some cars are near last years times, but without the full picture it still doesn't tell us much. If that time was a flyer in qually trim then they might be slow, if that lap was after a lot of laps in race conditions in race trim it tells us more, but still not the whole picture really.
If Hulkenberg's time was set after a lot of laps in race trim it would be truly astonishing. If it was a flier in full qualy trim then it means the 2014 cars are not going to be as slow as was previously speculated.
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
Quote:
Originally Posted by airshifter
I really don't pay much attention to testing times until the last couple of tests, and then only pay a little bit of attention. There are far too many variables as to who it testing what at what point in the day, fuel loads, sandbagging, etc.
I think that's true in "normal" years but this year is so up in the air I think the testing is more significant.
I doubt anyones even thought about sandbagging for example, I think the majority of teams are just concentrating on getting the things reliable and driveable and set up and performance will come later.
I think it could be quite significant that all four Mercedes teams are fairly consistently at the head of the times, bar the odd interruption from Ferrari.
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
Obviously we can't draw any conclusions from the times they are setting. We would have to know who has turned the wick up and who hasn't. It's probably safe to say that RB hasn't even come close. Perhaps a team or two did near the end of practice when the fastest times were set. FWIW McLaren and FI set their fastest times on super softs. Ferrari and Mercedes were on softs, not sure about the rest of the field.
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
Super softs? Not available at Bahrain AFAIAA
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
Magnussen today only ~2secs slower than last years pole. The cars are not as pathetic as some have predicted. Surely not as slow as GP2 cars as I have heard some people saying
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
Quote:
Originally Posted by SGWilko
Super softs? Not available at Bahrain AFAIAA
13:24 The McLaren returns to the pits after that short run. EDD STRAW reports that Magnussen was running the super-soft tyre.
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
Today is Kimi back in the Ferrari. I hope he gives us a glimse of what the car really can do.
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mia 01
Today is Kimi back in the Ferrari. I hope he gives us a glimse of what the car really can do.
They will not tip their hand. Right now many have problems. I would imagine Ferrari is running very low boost.
They have the upper hand and they will not show all. Alonso will storm Aussie
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
It is awesome to see Massa interviewed in Williams blue! Seems strange too after so many years at the Scuderia. Really suits him though and I hope he has a competitive year :)
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
No Renault engined car has yet been within 3s of the top time from each test day. They will have to run them at full beans sometime to see whether they can cope with the heat. Only 6 more test days to go, start of the season could be interesting!
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tazio
Quote:
Originally Posted by SGWilko
Super softs? Not available at Bahrain AFAIAA
13:24 The McLaren returns to the pits after that short run. EDD STRAW reports that Magnussen was running the super-soft tyre.
My Bad - as usual, I aint right!!! ;)
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
Quote:
Originally Posted by SGWilko
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tazio
Quote:
Originally Posted by SGWilko
Super softs? Not available at Bahrain AFAIAA
13:24 The McLaren returns to the pits after that short run. EDD STRAW reports that Magnussen was running the super-soft tyre.
My Bad - as usual, I aint right!!! ;)
It's cool daddy-o, as the bard said it ain''t about being right, just about being! :confused: ;)
Remember, every dog shall have his day :dog: :dork: :angel:
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
http://www.motorsport.com/f1/photo/main ... r=7830&s=2
Awesome pic of the Boss - F1 cars do have working suspension!
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
http://www.motorsport.com/f1/photo/main ... r=7830&s=2
Go Danny boy!!!!!!
Just getting my parochial on... ;)
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
Good sesssion for lewis today, and as he said, " the car seems to be responding to my style of driving."
That must be very encouraging news for his fans...... :D
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
The Boss is tits, that is why I gave him the nom de guerre. :bounce:
What about Fred, or better yet Kimi. The Ferrari F1 challenger is going to be a quick little car.... MARK ME!! :angryfire :stareup:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMDVMp3CbdY :sailor:
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tazio
The Boss is tits, that is why I gave him the nom de guerre. :bounce:
I thought it was because he speaks in an American accent, like "The Boss" Bruce Springsteen.
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Re: 2014 Pre-Season Testing
The Fastest testing times over the 4 days. :)
1. Nico Rosberg (Ger) Mercedes one minute 33.283 seconds
2. Lewis Hamilton (GB) Mercedes 1:34.263
3. Kevin Magnussen (Den) McLaren-Mercedes 1:34.910
4. Jenson Button (GB) McLaren-Mercedes 1:34.957
5. Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Force India-Mercedes 1:36.445
6. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Ferrari 1:36.516
7. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:36.718
8. Felipe Massa (Brz) Williams-Mercedes 1:37.066
9. Esteban Gutierrez (Mex) Sauber-Ferrari 1:37.180
10. Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Williams-Mercedes 1:37.328
11. Sergio Perez (Mex) Force India-Mercedes 1:37.367
12. Felipe Nasr (Brz) Williams-Mercedes 1:37.569
13. Pastor Maldonado (Ven) Lotus-Renault 1:38.707
14. Daniil Kvyat (Rus) Toro Rosso-Renault 1:38.974
15. Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Red Bull-Renault 1:39.837
16. Kamui Kobayashi (Jpn) Caterham-Renault 139.855
17. Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Red Bull-Renault 1:40.340
18. Adrian Sutil (Ger) Sauber-Ferrari 1:40.443
19. Jean-Eric Vergne (Fra) Toro Rosso-Renault 1:40.609
20. Romain Grosjean (Fra) Lotus-Renault 1:41.670
21. Marcus Ericsson (Swe) Caterham-Renault 1:42.130
22. Max Chilton (GB) Marussia-Ferrari 1:42.511
23. Robin Frijns (Ned) Caterham-Renault 1:42.534
