[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by 2blu

I've always followed F1 from a distance (quite far lately actually) but have been getting quite into it this offseason, so excuse my ignorance, but is it normal for teams to seem so unprepared 3 weeks from the first race ? With three days left in final testing it looks like some of these teams have no idea what they're doing ! Or is it business as usual and it's normal for teams to be at this level of preperstion and three weeks is plenty of time to sort things out ?

I remember some hiccups here and there during testing, but this is not typical. Renault will be very busy for the next few weeks. Interested to see what transpires for the remainder of this test.

[SenorFunkyPants]

Exerts from todays BBC's F1 testing coverage

BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer Andrew Benson:
"One of the best rumours of the winter is about Sebastian Vettel. At the first test in Jerez, it is said anecdotally, midway through the second day, after a fractured and massively truncated programme of kangaroo-hopping around laps as a result of the chronic problems of the Renault engine, the world champion got out of his car and said something along the lines of: 'This is pointless; I'm not driving that again until it's sorted out.' And left


BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer Andrew Benson:
"It has emerged that one of the items on the agenda for Friday's meeting of the F1 strategy group (effectively the rule-making body) is for an extension to the deadline for homologating engines. This is 28 February - ie today. Manufacturers have to submit a specification for the season and changes are only allowed for reliability, cost-saving and safety reasons.
"Renault had indicated on Thursday that they were not worried about the deadline, but it seems they were being a bit disingenuous, as Auto Motor Und Sport are reporting it was the French company that asked for the extension.


BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer Andrew Benson:
"It's fair to say Renault's request for an extension to the engine homologation deadline has stirred up a bit of a hornet's nest. It's a very controversial thing to request, for two reasons - 1) these engine rules are effectively only in F1 because Renault wanted them and threatened to quit if they were not introduced; 2) the manufacturers have already had an extra year to develop the engines, after the initial date for the introduction of hybrid turbos was pushed back from 2013. Renault want an extra two months of development before specs are frozen, [....] unanimity is needed for Renault's request to pass.


BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer Andrew Benson:
"Renault has issued a statement regarding the request for an extension of the engine homologation deadline that is being discussed at the F1 strategy group this morning. It says: 'Renault is providing the reference Power Unit and appropriate supplementary material to the FIA, as per today's homologation deadline.
"There is a background request from some teams for alternative proposals (as will be discussed by the strategy group today) that regard some parts and components. However, the basic requirements of the homologation deadline will be delivered today as mandated by the FIA.' Renault declined to provide details of the proposals, or which parts they applied to."

Later:
The [Strategy] group decided not to make changes to the engine homologation rules after some teams supplied by Renault raised the idea of amendments.

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

the world champion got out of his car and said something along the lines of: 'This is pointless; I'm not driving that again until it's sorted out.' And left.

Sounds completely plausible, and that's not a rip on Vettel. 4x World Champion. Give him something he can work with.

[solstice]

We like to think the driver makes all the difference but let's face it, the car is 90% and sometime you get a good one other times a bad one. This time it seems RBR will start off with a bad one. About time if you ask me. Suck it up and work on it as the other teams have done the last 4 years and that goes to drivers and engine manufacturer alike.

[Chihuahua]

I just got a text message from my friend that says he read Renault confirmed it is down 135bhp to Mercedes and has asked for a Homologation extension. Anyone else hear this too?

[hellrotm]

Red Bull got off to a better start day two of final pre-season testing. Ricciardo turned their quickest lap in six days of testing in Bahrain and completed 66 laps. For comparison Ferrari completed 122 laps today. RBR had to cut additional vents in their bodywork for engine cooling.

Vettel will get in the car for the final two days of testing.

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by solstice

This time it seems RBR will start off with a bad one. About time if you ask me. Suck it up and work on it as the other teams have done the last 4 years and that goes to drivers and engine manufacturer alike.

I agree that it will be interesting to watch them play catch up for the first time in years. I can't remember what that Red Bull looks like. I wouldn't bet against them having everything sorted by AUS though, and sv doing his first lap disappearing act.

[FormulaMMM]

@‏andrewbensonf1

Not a great day for Vettel so far. Breaks down on installation lap. Tries again 45 mins later, breaks down at end of pit lane



redbullracing

Plan B?...



Meanwhile...

[SenorFunkyPants]

BBC F1 pit-lane reporter Tom Clarkson: "The re-introduction of GPS this year is proving very useful for the teams. Every car is fitted with a transponder, which allows the teams to monitor the pace of their rivals.

"It's even possible for them to produce an overlay of another car's fastest lap and work out where it's faster or slower relative to theirs. Perhaps now, as we start to see some low-fuel runs this afternoon, this will take on even more significance."

Ian McCormack: Ask Bernie if we can have triple points in first three races. The other teams could possibly get a head start before RBR come good!

[DieGrüneHölle]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

@‏andrewbensonf1

Not a great day for Vettel so far. Breaks down on installation lap. Tries again 45 mins later, breaks down at end of pit lane

Yup, RBR didn't finish a single lap today. Their worst day of testing. One day of testing left, not looking good at all.

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by Blipit_

Yup, RBR didn't finish a single lap today. Their worst day of testing. One day of testing left, not looking good at all.

So sv never got back out on track? WOW.

[954Stealth]

The decision on 1 or 2 new F1 licenses is delayed:
http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com...ense-awarding/

[SenorFunkyPants]

Williams are looking very strong.....do they have to run at the full minimum weight during testing? - I can't remember.
The cynic in me thinks that they are doing a "Jordan" and running underweight in order to scare up extra sponsorship money.

[gary88]

Vettel spinning out today

Also Ferrari recorded a top speed of 340km/h (211mph) today, good to see.

[DieGrüneHölle]

Final day of testing lap times:

1) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1:33.278

2) Valtteri Bottas (Williams) 1:33.987

3) Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) 1:34.280

4) Nico Hulkenberg (Force India) 1:35.577

5) Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso) 1:35.701

6) Adrian Sutil (Sauber) 1:36.467

7) Max Chilton (Marussia) 1:36.835

8) Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber) 1:37.303

9) Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) 1:37.468

10) Jenson Button (McLaren) 1:38.111

11) Kamui Kobayashi (Caterham) 1:38.391

12) Romain Grosjean (Lotus) 1:39.302

[DieGrüneHölle]

Total 2014 test distance - by team:
1. Mercedes, 4972.644 km
2. Williams (Mercedes), 4893.432 km
3. Ferrari, 4488.516 km
4. McLaren (Mercedes), 4153.464 km
5. Sauber (Ferrari), 4039.32 km
6. Force India (Mercedes), 3974.868 km
7. Caterham (Renault), 3313.128 km
8. Toro Rosso (Renault), 2436.384 km
9. Red Bull (Renault), 1705.764 km
10. Marussia (Ferrari), 1686.084 km
11. Lotus (Renault), 1288.056 km (Lotus missed opening Jerez test)

Total 2014 test distance - by power unit:
1. Mercedes (4 teams), 17994.408 km
3. Ferrari (3 teams), 10213.92 km
2. Renault (4 teams), 8743.332 km

[jaco]

Over/Under 14 cars finish in Australia?

[2blu]

Under. Between unreliability, crashes and low fuel management I wouldn't be surprised if less than 14 cars finished.

[gary88]

New Martini livery for Williams is so good.

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by gary88

New Martini livery for Williams is so good.

Looks great!!!
And yet McLaren hasn't announce their title sponsor yet.

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by gary88

New Martini livery for Williams is so good.

That is awesome!

[Mtxzptlk]

Originally Posted by E90SLAM

Looks great!!!
And yet McLaren hasn't announce their title sponsor yet.

Macca doesn't have a title sponsor yet.

They say that on the backend Honda is already footing the bill and that they were competing with Lotus for Title sponsorship with a Japanese tech company.
Not much else has been heard since then.