[solstice]

I saw that they are reaching into the 1.36 at Bahrain which is promising but still ways to go to Rosberg's 1:32:3 lap last year ( recorded in Q3 ). At least it's in the right direction and they found some more downforce or just started to adapt to the new power delivery.

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by solstice

I saw that they are reaching into the 1.36 at Bahrain which is promising but still ways to go to Rosberg's 1:32:3 lap last year ( recorded in Q3 ). At least it's in the right direction and they found some more downforce or just started to adapt to the new power delivery.

I don't think anyone believe that they are doing qualification runs yet. They are most likely still doing set up and learning their new cars and engines.

The commentators I have seen have all compared the lap times with last years race lap times and been surprised/impressed that we allready are seeing lap times better than last years best race lap.

Only time will tell how close they do get to last years qualy times. With less aero and less mechanical grip they should not be as fast as last year though.

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by solstice

I saw that they are reaching into the 1.36 at Bahrain which is promising but still ways to go to Rosberg's 1:32:3 lap last year ( recorded in Q3 ). At least it's in the right direction and they found some more downforce or just started to adapt to the new power delivery.

Magnussen set a 1:34.910 today, only 2,6s off the P1 qualy time last year...

[SenorFunkyPants]

Kevin is showing a lot of promise - could be the man to watch if McLaren can cobble together a decent reliable car.

[eric@helix]

Originally Posted by jlh335i

To all the guys talking about the sound of a v10 or v12 being the essence of F1... I can't help but disagree. Don't get me wrong, the noise from those engines are intoxicating, and perhaps more so special since we don't see a lot of high VE road cars. But F1 has always been about applying leading technologies to a competitive race class. I think those of you who are truly automobile enthusiasts will be able to appreciate the application of technology and execution of mechanics in the modern f1 cars. To me, the new f1 cars sound great, but perhaps that is because I expect them to sound like a "balls to the wall" turbocharged v6... not a v10 or anything else.

I'd have to respectfully disagree. There are several racing series world-wide that are applying leading technology, but F1 has always been different, and the biggest piece of that difference is sound. Nothing else came close. Now that's finished. I hate to agree on anything with Ecclestone, but on this, he's right.

[URBAN LEGEND]

Originally Posted by jlh335i

To all the guys talking about the sound of a v10 or v12 being the essence of F1... I can't help but disagree. Don't get me wrong, the noise from those engines are intoxicating, and perhaps more so special since we don't see a lot of high VE road cars. But F1 has always been about applying leading technologies to a competitive race class. I think those of you who are truly automobile enthusiasts will be able to appreciate the application of technology and execution of mechanics in the modern f1 cars. To me, the new f1 cars sound great, but perhaps that is because I expect them to sound like a "balls to the wall" turbocharged v6... not a v10 or anything else.

your balls to the wall V6 sound at IRL races mean no ear plugs. It's that quiet. I want to hear and feel these cars just like I did at Indy with the V10s a few times and COTA/Indy with the V8s.

[solstice]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

Kevin is showing a lot of promise - could be the man to watch if McLaren can cobble together a decent reliable car.

He does indeed seem fast but I also hope that the trick rear suspension design to create favorable aero is helping. It would be great if McLaren have an advantage from the get go. They had a terrible season last year and have some formidable competition in terms of drivers in the other teams and RBRs Adrian Newey. An equalizer in better design from McLaren would make it more interesting as long as it's not too good...when it will either be shutdown or create another relative boring season. However I don't see that happening, there should be plenty of drama with overheating engines etc.

[M3_WC]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

Kevin is showing a lot of promise - could be the man to watch if McLaren can cobble together a decent reliable car.

Actually think Button could be in for a very good season. The McLaren is looking strong so far. Button is notoriously easy on tires. With the big increase in torque this year, tire wear could be even more of an issue this year.

[solstice]

Originally Posted by M3_WC

Actually think Button could be in for a very good season. The McLaren is looking strong so far. Button is notoriously easy on tires. With the big increase in torque this year, tire wear could be even more of an issue this year.

Good point, Button is a smooth operator and the new cars could fit him very well.

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by eric@helix

I'd have to respectfully disagree. There are several racing series world-wide that are applying leading technology, but F1 has always been different, and the biggest piece of that difference is sound. Nothing else came close. Now that's finished. I hate to agree on anything with Ecclestone, but on this, he's right.

Although I agree on the sound being a big part of F1 (and I actually believe I will miss the V8 sound), don't forget that F1 has been small displacement turbo engines previously as well.

Back in the '80ies they had 1,5l I4 and V6 turbo engines. According to Autosport etc, no one complained about the sound those engines made. And before the turbo engines, F1 had Cosworth DFV and Ferrari V12's, so it's not like they weren't used to great sound previous to the turbo engines back then either.

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by Boss330

(and I actually believe I will miss the V8 sound),

r.

it just feels weird you saying that.

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by Ezio

it just feels weird you saying that.

Because the F1 V8 engines sound NOTHING like your beloved S65

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by Boss330

Because the F1 V8 engines sound NOTHING like your beloved S65

well we have found a common ground that the old high revving V8 has a amazing sound.

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by Ezio

well we have found a common ground that the old high revving V8 has a amazing sound.

Yeah, and I'll even admit that the S65 sounds great as a well. Just that I personally prefer the straight six

Sometimes you just have to exxagerate your views a bit to make a point, which is what I have done with the S65 when comparing it to a Chevy van It obviously does NOT sound like a Chevy van Induction noise from the S65 is just awesome, and that will be gone in the S55

[Boss330]

Hamilton has done a 1m34.263s today, just 1,9s off last years P1 in qualy

[SenorFunkyPants]

Williams have been doing pit stop practice...really! who is in charge there, the chuckle brothers? Fly a whole team out to do stuff they could do at the factory.

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by Boss330

Yeah, and I'll even admit that the S65 sounds great as a well. Just that I personally prefer the straight six

Sometimes you just have to exxagerate your views a bit to make a point, which is what I have done with the S65 when comparing it to a Chevy van It obviously does NOT sound like a Chevy van Induction noise from the S65 is just awesome, and that will be gone in the S55

fair enough.

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

Williams have been doing pit stop practice...really! who is in charge there, the chuckle brothers? Fly a whole team out to do stuff they could do at the factory.

Please explain how they could do pit stop practice at the factory (apart from the obvious static car changing wheels routine that they do practice at the factory)?

They are not allowed any testing outside of the official tests, meaning the cars cannot be driven on any track. Even Ferrari with it's own track inside the factory is not allowed to drive their cars around there...

For the teams the only place they can do realistic pit stop practice (where the mechanics are waiting and the cars come driving into the pit) is at the tests and during P1, P2 and P3 during a race weekend. Which is why you see every team do pit stop practice during those sessions throughout the season.

And with a new driver in the team it's even more important to do live pit stops. Williams did 49 live pit stops today. EVERY team does this, so possibly all teams are run by the chuckle brothers...

[SenorFunkyPants]

They can do pit stop practice at the factory with a rolling car no problem - you don't need the engine running to do that. Maybe they are happy to do less laps despite the $massive it cost to get the team out to do testing. Seems bonkers to me to waste the best part of a day.

[David70]

I look forward to the possible "shaking things up" of the teams as they try to figure everything out, not sure about the rest but until I see actual qualifying and a race it's too early to say. Other seasons haven't been perfect and they will make modifications in the future if this one isn't.

Surprised at Bernie's reaction, once the decision is made and there's no turning back, everyone in the organization should put on a "happy" face or at least not go negative. The "total farce" comment isn't going to help anything at this point. I guess he's hoping for the "I told you so" but if F1 is hurt, so is he, even if he doesn't care.

[hellrotm]

McLaren consistently quick again, on day three of testing. Lewis in the Mercedes pulling the quickest lap of the day.

Red Bull ends another test day early with mechanical troubles.

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

They can do pit stop practice at the factory with a rolling car no problem - you don't need the engine running to do that. Maybe they are happy to do less laps despite the $massive it cost to get the team out to do testing. Seems bonkers to me to waste the best part of a day.

If it was that easy don't you think that's the only Pit stop practice they would do?

There is a big difference between a car being pushed at a slow speed to the pit area and one coming in at 80km/h... And the driver also needs to adapt to his pit crew and learn how the car stops and how much braking distance he needs etc. If you want to do a pit stop in less than 3s every little detail counts...