F1 2010: Testing sessions thread

The first idea of who IS the quickest will be at Catalunya - the home of the Spanish Grand Prix and the last test before the first grand prix at Sakhir.

Naturally I am totally chuffed that Jenson was the quickest of all during the eight days at Jerez and the only one to lap in the 1.18's :-]]] oogah! oogah!

But it was also a reflection of time of day, weather conditions and so on - but its still great - yeah! :-]

I am warning all the Jenson doubters, resenters and haters - underestimate the Brit at your peril.

But Catalunya will see the cars in almost race configuration and I think it can be considered as the beginning of the 2010 season - let the racing [and shennanigans] begin!

A safe season to all.

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Originally Posted by SGWilko

So, do we think Alonso has more involvement in strategy than he let on in the Crashgate scandal?

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If we have learnt anything from this year's testing, that's definetly it. And I don't know if we think, I do sometimes when I don't have a choice.

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Originally Posted by Saint Devote

But Catalunya will see the cars in almost race configuration and I think it can be considered as the beginning of the 2010 season - let the racing [and shennanigans] begin!

A safe season to all.

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I wouldn't be so sure of that. With so many variables with the tyres, fuel consumption, fuel weights etc, I expect any team with a possible advantage to keep it well and truly hidden.

I'm much happier having the Scuderia going well in testing rather than buried at the bottom of the timesheets and "keeping their powder dry" or some other cliche for "we're slow but we're going to pretend that everybody else is showboating".

The F10 might not be the F2004 Mk II but it's also not going to be the F60 Mk II either. I'll take that, thank you very much.

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Originally Posted by SGWilko

I wouldn't be so sure of that. With so many variables with the tyres, fuel consumption, fuel weights etc, I expect any team with a possible advantage to keep it well and truly hidden.

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This is the only time the teams will have an opportunity to test on a track they race on. So aside from compiling data for the Spanish Grand Prix, it is also the first time they can compare the performance of the 2009 car to 2010.

Mclaren have said that they will run for the first time in a near race set-up during the test and of course both Jenson and Rubens will now be able to compare their new cars to the Brawn.

Sure there will be updates for Sakhir but the Catalunya circuit is a good mix of quick and slow sectors.

Hence for me this is the real start to the season.

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Originally Posted by Hawkmoon

I'm much happier having the Scuderia going well in testing rather than buried at the bottom of the timesheets and "keeping their powder dry" or some other cliche for "we're slow but we're going to pretend that everybody else is showboating".

The F10 might not be the F2004 Mk II but it's also not going to be the F60 Mk II either. I'll take that, thank you very much.

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I agree wholehearteedly.

To have the top teams languishing and top drivers in uncompetitive cars is frustrating. Alonso in the Renault for two years was such a waste.

Similarly it will be good this year if all the teams slot into their correct level and let the drivers show just how good THEY are.

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Originally Posted by Saint Devote

Let me try again:
It has to be the best car because technology has moved on since 2006, after the F60 disaster, Ferrari began work on this car early and given that it is year two of the current regs the probability they would get it right is high, he has not sat in a good car since 2007 - and is not about to compliment a Mclaren - instead he celebrates the car and the team.

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That is the strangest way to look at it. That's like if Luca Badoer came out and said the F60 was the best car he'd even raced - it was, but against the competition it wasn't.

Why oh why would a double WDC come out and make such an obvious statement, he wouldnt . The only logical thing he could mean is that the F10 is the car that he believes will see him lift a 3rd title.

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Originally Posted by henners88

Indeed.
I'm pretty sure Hamilton and Vettel believe their cars are capable of taking them to the title too. Its what comes with being highly motivated for an up and coming F1 season. Alonso doesn't think any differently to any of the other top 4... :)

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Great isn't it! :D

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Originally Posted by Saint Devote

Alonso never deliberately crashed into fellow drivers as did Schumacher - to have the disgrace of being thrown out of a championship.

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What disgrace? He finished second in WDC. He cheated and still lost!

Alonso blackmailled his own boss which is far more disgraceful IMO. Not even Schumi or Senna sunk that low. ....OK maybe Senna in '93! :D

The point is, both have used devious/underhand/unsporting tactics in the past.

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Originally Posted by SGWilko

I wouldn't be so sure of that. With so many variables with the tyres, fuel consumption, fuel weights etc, I expect any team with a possible advantage to keep it well and truly hidden.

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But you can't hide lap times!