F1 Winter Testing Topic

The cars have all been revealed with a range of noses that reflect a zoo more than a F1 paddock.

Testing begins at Jerez today with all but Lotus getting first running of the new cars and Hamilton is first to test the safety features with a trip to the barriers

Mercedes calling it a car failure as it locked up into turn one and carried on to the barriers

Yeah, just seen that front wing failure. Going to be many issues throughout testing. The Mercedes looks quick though. The good thing about this testing is that there is really no time for sandbagging, teams need to understand everything n push the cars to the limit to understand how good reliability is.

McLarens not starting. Squeaky bum time for those in charge of F1

Never trust RB, the kings of sandbagging.

Only so much you can really take from a track like Jerez anyway tbh.

Eric Boullier confirmed at McLaren this morning at testing.

Yeah, just read about it on the BBC. That came a bit out of leftfield. Not the appointment most of us were expecting.

Are there signs of Renault engine powered cars struggling? Oooooohhhhhhh!

Still early, however, RB have admitted they are a long way off where they would ideally like to be. Jenson Button/Perez swapping fastest times of the day, in their Mercedes powered cars. Interesting stuff.

The big talking point of day 2 has been Mclaren's Rear Blocker System

The interesting thing about this package is that when the car is at higher ride height, these sections will almost completely close the gap at the top of the diffuser, helping it to work at low speed.

At higher speed, because of suspension deflection, a gap will open up between the bottom of the lower blocker and the diffuser, which will reduce drag.

So this makes it a double whammy, giving you more downforce under braking and in slower corners and less drag at high speed.

This could be McLaren's secret weapon because, if it does work, it is not something that can be copied in five minutes as it is dependent on a number of design parameters at the rear of the car.

Interesting development from McLaren, they clearly started working on this concept early on in 2013. Renault powered cars seem to have an ERS issue, safe to say, Mercedes powered cars have the advantage.

RB are clearly just practicing sabotaging the car

It looks like the teams making their own engines, Mercedes and Ferrari, may have an early season advantage over the rest with the new turbo engines.

Red Bull has stopped for Ricciardo, problem with the rear-end. Once again, Mercedes engined cars adding mileage & setting fastest laps on day 3.

Renault seem particularly confident in quickly sorting the issue. Early tests were always going to be more about fixing the engine issues.

McLarens rear system seems to be the talk of the paddock

So far Buttons 7 seconds off last years Jerez benchmark, understandable given this is an exploration test

GSC wrote:So far Buttons 7 seconds off last years Jerez benchmark, understandable given this is an exploration test

I was wondering about that, given that part of the design brief for these cars was that they shold be no more than 4 seconds a lap slower than last seasons cars.

Suppose it makes sense that they're not really pushing the limits just yet.

Button's fastest time so far is 1:25.0. Last year he set a time of 1:18.8.


Max Chilton reportedly in his race overalls, so we could finally see the new Marussia today.

Things won't ramp up until Bahrain. Jerez is just about system checks & driver familiarity with the car. Once Bahrain begins, teams can focus on reliability (long runs), lap time, development & then the tyres, especially the rears, which haven't even been discussed as of yet.

Renault just need to sort this problem out before the next test & when Lotus appear. Red Bull have called it a day again I'm hearing, only 13 laps completed in three days? Apparently, Lotus were in the loop & knew that there was an issue that Renault had & decided against coming to Jerez, as a cost cutting exercise. Looks a good shout now by Lotus, if true.

GSC wrote:Renault seem particularly confident in quickly sorting the issue. Early tests were always going to be more about fixing the engine issues.

Apparently the Red Bull is packaged so tightly that the batteries are close to the engine they are overheating and conking out quickly. That's what is going around the paddock anyway.

Newey wasn't impressed he wasn't allowed to put the batteries next to the gearbox this year

I read somewhere that the battery systems / ERS generates quite a bit of heat on its own, adding to the cooling problems.

Interesting stat from the BBC regarding the lap times done by the teams. These are the average numbers of laps done by cars with different engines:

Mercedes: 51.7 (Mercedes, McLaren, Force India, Williams)
Ferrari: 47.5 (Ferrari, Sauber, Marussia)
Renault: 6.3 (Red Bull, Toro Rosso, Lotus, Caterham)

Sucks to be a Renault customer right now. Lets hope they resolve their issues pretty quickly.

Bit early to be overly concerned I suspect. Thats what these early tests are for. Renault didnt seem to think it a major issue

Day Three times

1. Kevin Magnussen (McLaren-Mercedes) 1m23.276s, 52 laps
2. Felipe Massa (Williams-Mercedes) 1m23.700s, 47 laps
3. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1m23.952s, 62 laps
4. Jenson Button (McLaren-Mercedes) 1m25.030s, 40 laps
5. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) 1m25.495s, 58 laps
6. Nico Hulkenberg (Force India-Mercedes) 1m26.096s, 17 laps
7. Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso-Renault) 1m29.915s, 30 laps
8. Adrian Sutil (Sauber-Ferrari) 1m30.161s, 34 laps
9. Robin Frijns (Caterham-Renault) No time, 10 laps
11. Max Chilton (Marussia-Ferrari) No time, 5 laps
10. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull-Renault) No time, 3 laps


Mercedes: 218 laps
Ferrari: 97 laps
Renault: 43 laps

Mercedes apparently running well down on the rpm max so far, expected to be upped tomorrow & in Bahrain, therefore should see the times decreased, allaying fears the F1 cars could be slower than the GP2 cars   

As for RB, it's their fault really. They got the standard parts from Renault & Newey got greedy in his quest for aerodynamic performance. Cutting or drilling holes during today to cool the car down will do nothing to sort this problem out. Can only see a complete re-design of that area having to be undertaken. Agree?

Day 4 Times
1 Massa (Williams) 1m28.229s, 86 laps
2 Alonso (Ferrari) 1m29.145s, 115 laps
3 Juncadella (Force India) 1m29.457s, 81 laps
4 Magnussen (McLaren) 1m30.806s, 110 laps
5 Hamilton (Mercedes) 1m30.822s, 41 laps
6 Bianchi (Marussia) 1m32.222s, 25 laps
7 Sutil (Sauber) 1m36.571s, 69 laps
8 Rosberg (Mercedes) 1m36.951s 91 laps
9 Kobayashi (Caterham) 1m43.193s, 54 laps
10 Kvyat (Toro Rosso) 1m44.016s, 9 laps
11 Ricciardo (Red Bull) 1m45.374s, 7 laps

That brings an end to Jerez testing. What a four days it's been.

John wrote:Day Three times

1. Kevin Magnussen (McLaren-Mercedes) 1m23.276s, 52 laps
2. Felipe Massa (Williams-Mercedes) 1m23.700s, 47 laps
3. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1m23.952s, 62 laps
4. Jenson Button (McLaren-Mercedes) 1m25.030s, 40 laps
5. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) 1m25.495s, 58 laps
6. Nico Hulkenberg (Force India-Mercedes) 1m26.096s, 17 laps
7. Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso-Renault) 1m29.915s, 30 laps
8. Adrian Sutil (Sauber-Ferrari) 1m30.161s, 34 laps
9. Robin Frijns (Caterham-Renault) No time, 10 laps
11. Max Chilton (Marussia-Ferrari) No time, 5 laps
10. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull-Renault) No time, 3 laps


Mercedes: 218 laps
Ferrari: 97 laps
Renault: 43 laps

Mercedes apparently running well down on the rpm max so far, expected to be upped tomorrow & in Bahrain, therefore should see the times decreased, allaying fears the F1 cars could be slower than the GP2 cars   

As for RB, it's their fault really. They got the standard parts from Renault & Newey got greedy in his quest for aerodynamic performance. Cutting or drilling holes during today to cool the car down will do nothing to sort this problem out. Can only see a complete re-design of that area having to be undertaken. Agree?

Weird that Caterham and Toro Rosso were able to get some decent running in, before the gremlins struck...well, more than RB managed. It does seem as though the way the engine and ERS (or just the whole drive train) are packaged in the RB must be the difference.

I expect they'll come up with a temporary fix so they can at least get some worthwhile mileage during testing, then introduce some major design changes early in the season, as part of their first upgrade package.

Think its a little harsh blaming Newey for being selfish in his quest for aerodynamic performance, as all the Renault powered cars have struggled to varying degrees. Have to admit though, there is a certain delicious irony that RB are having the biggest problems with the Renault power train.

John wrote:Day 4 Times
1 Massa (Williams) 1m28.229s, 86 laps
2 Alonso (Ferrari) 1m29.145s, 115 laps
3 Juncadella (Force India) 1m29.457s, 81 laps
4 Magnussen (McLaren) 1m30.806s, 110 laps
5 Hamilton (Mercedes) 1m30.822s, 41 laps
6 Bianchi (Marussia) 1m32.222s, 25 laps
7 Sutil (Sauber) 1m36.571s, 69 laps
8 Rosberg (Mercedes) 1m36.951s 91 laps
9 Kobayashi (Caterham) 1m43.193s, 54 laps
10 Kvyat (Toro Rosso) 1m44.016s, 9 laps
11 Ricciardo (Red Bull) 1m45.374s, 7 laps

That brings an end to Jerez testing. What a four days it's been.

Certainly been more eventful than usual. It was to be expected with the new rules...though I doubt Red Bull expected to be having this tough a time...

Barmy Bernie's been carping on, saying "I told you so", about the new engines (possibly the only thing I've ever found myself agreeing with him on, was sticking with V8 engines) though I suspect he's mainly upset because Red Bull and his fair-haired boy Vettel are the ones suffering most.

Isn't it Newey's tight rear-end design for the batteries & overheating, where it's more of a generalised problem for Renault with the power-train. Anyway, I fully expect Newey to develop something before Bahrain, today was pretty pointless for them, they just drilled holes & aided cooling - just a bodge job really & a total write-off first test.

Yeah, heard Bernie complaining. Certainly has taken away that ear-splitting noise from the sport, which many fans loved. Have you heard the cars coming into the pits & the KERS & Turbo powering down. It's like a spaceship.

Amazing that changing an engine this year will take up to 6 hours & just changing a gearbox around 2 or 3 hours, such are the complexities this season. If a driver has a problem in practice or qualifying with either of these, then their sessions are completely written off. Can see that being a huge factor at varying points this season.

F1 had to come into line with relevant technology though. Understandable Bernie doesn't like it but the double points idea sums up Bernies interests

http://www.renaultsportf1.com/Q-A-with-Rob-White-deputy-managing.html?lang=en

Press release from Renault. Difficult few weeks for them ahead.

I know it's early days in testing but does anyone have any predictions on who the front running teams will be this season?

Far too early to call really

I shall have a go in my preview article i wouldn't count on anything being correct though   

If you need me to proof read anything Fernando, you know where I am.   

As for judging who's where, it's a complete unknown until the engines are turned up to the rpm max & genuine reliability & lap time can be analysed.

I hope it's different to last season. I actually hope Massa has a good season with Williams would love to see him do well seems like a genuine chap .... Want Mercedes to have a good season. Would be odd if Red Bull were a Mid running team I wonder if this bad test for Red Bull is just a blip they can turn around quickly or if it's a big problem that will leave them trailing a bit. I've been reading about the new innovation that the Mclaren has something to do with the wing I think... I can't remember...

9th comment down covers the Mclaren Wing Sikh

Ah that's where I read it before.... I was searching the BBC f1 website for it.... Cheers Fernando

Fernando wrote:The big talking point of day 2 has been Mclaren's Rear Blocker System

The interesting thing about this package is that when the car is at higher ride height, these sections will almost completely close the gap at the top of the diffuser, helping it to work at low speed.

At higher speed, because of suspension deflection, a gap will open up between the bottom of the lower blocker and the diffuser, which will reduce drag.

So this makes it a double whammy, giving you more downforce under braking and in slower corners and less drag at high speed.

This could be McLaren's secret weapon because, if it does work, it is not something that can be copied in five minutes as it is dependent on a number of design parameters at the rear of the car.

Missed this before. Tried looking for an article about it on the BBC's F1 pages but came up empty-handed. Only thing I remember reading, vaguely related to this, was that they'd changed their rear suspension...maybe it was to accommodate this "RBS".

Would be nice to see McLaren return as genuine title contenders this season.

It won't be the defining innovation that will win a Championship. That idea will already be tested & copied by many teams, if they themselves, find it beneficial to their car's in the wind tunnels & testing. Ted's notebook discussed this point & other technical talking points about the cars on Day 4.

I actually quite like the Ferrari design & some of their concepts. They also are the engine supplier with the best cooling, hence, the smaller sidepods & small triangulated airboxes on the Ferrari & the Sauber respectively. Could be very important.

Depends if as Nando says its something McLaren designed their car around. Neweys innovations weren't secrets for long but they couldn't be copied because they fit his design

And to give an example of what GSC has just said - Williams when they took the Coanda Exhaust off their 2013 car. Took from another car and didn't work well on their car.

John wrote:I actually quite like the Ferrari design & some of their concepts

Although Mercedes is being touted as the early 2014 Formula 1 season favourite, Ferrari is reportedly also ahead of the game as Formula 1′s new V6 turbo engine era dawns.

Speed Week reports that, when Ferrari-powered cars decelerated at the recent Jerez test, they sounded “very different” to their Mercedes and Renault-equipped counterparts.

Reports in Italy say that engine designer Luca Marmorini has devised a unique system that stops the flow of fuel when the driver is not accelerating, improving not only fuel consumption but also the effect of engine-braking.

Also attracting attention at Jerez were Ferrari’s airboxes and sidepods, amid suggestions the Italian marque is ahead of the game in the challenging area of cooling the all-new engine, turbo and energy-recovery system.

Ferrari also have devised a lighter casing to cover the turbo at the rear of the car, which is saving them much needed weight, in comparison to some of their rivals designs.

All looking very positive for Ferrari for this season, not only in terms of innovation but in terms of a much needed championship bid.

Lotus have also become the final team to run its 2014 Formula 1 car. The new E22 hit the track at Jerez in Spain on Friday. Anyone got any images?

You won't find any full images of the car well atleast not until this evening maybe tomorrow if lucky, but Lotus has posted one of their nose attached to an old car. It's looks like it will be the same as the CGI picture. 

Also if you want a giggle check out the picture they've added to their Winter Olympic tweet   2

Lotus have completed their filming day and did all their 1000km allowance with their renault engine that's 22 laps for everyone else. 

Lotus have approached Olivier Quesnel about a job in their F1 team, He was formerly team manager of the Citroen WRC team that had dominated WRC for years.

Adrian Newey has admitted his rush to design Red Bull's title-defending car for 2014 was a cause of the early-season technical crisis.
Much of the blame for the team's situation, where the RB10 struggled merely to run at the recent Jerez test, has fallen on troubled engine supplier Renault.
But Newey says Red Bull must also take the blame.
"What stopped us at Jerez - on our side as opposed to Renault - was a problem where the bodywork local to the exhaust was catching fire," he is quoted by the Daily Star.
"It was really a lack of time. It was something we could have proved out on the dyno if we had managed to get everything together earlier.
"But Renault have been up against it in terms of their use of the dyno; we have been up against it making the parts in time," Newey added.
"So had we been a couple of weeks further ahead then that could all have been done in private on the dyno. But unfortunately it was done in public.
"Hands up on our side, that was a Red Bull problem," the Briton said.

Incredibly interesting to see what happens in Bahrain this week. Should get a clearer picture.

Seems like Red Bull still haven't solved their engine issues. Toro Rosso having problems too.

Delayed start to RB's running in Bahrain - nearly 5 hours before Vettel got out on track and it wasn't long before his car had to be recovered for the track with a smoking engine...

Better news for Renault and Caterham. Seems pretty much as you were for the rest of the teams.

Jennie Gow, BBC Radio 5 live pit-lane reporter in Bahrain
"While Red Bull have at least got out of the garage and managed 13 laps so far, they are clearly still in trouble. The turbo is not kicking in on fire-up in the way it does on other cars, and there is a distinct smell of burning from the car after it has been running - suggesting those overheating problems are far from solved. All the Renault-powered teams seem to be suffering from similar problems, with electrical and software issues blighting their progress. Meanwhile, the word among the teams is that Mercedes and McLaren look in good shape, and Kevin Magnussen is impressing many people up and down the pit lane."

Thought they would of solved these issues, clearly Renault/RB combination in a mess in comparison to Mercedes. Could be a complete unknown going into Melbourne at this rate, hope these issues are resolved, otherwise it could be a farsical defence of the titles for RB, which would be a shame.

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

Final lap times day two
1. Kevin Magnussen (McLaren) 1:34.910
2. Nico Hulkenberg (Force India) 1:36.445
3. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) 1:36.516
4. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 1:36.965
5. Valtteri Bottas (Williams) 1:37.328
6. Kamui Kobayashi (Caterham) 1:39.855
7. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) 1:40.340
8. Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso) 1:40.609
9. Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber) 1:40.717
10. Romain Grosjean (Lotus) 1:41.670
11. Max Chilton (Marussia) 1:42.511

A more pleasing day for Red Bull it appears with Vettel completing over 50 laps. Once again, McLaren impressing with Magnussen.

For the doom mongers, pole in the 2013 race was a 32.3

Reports say the power units are at 85-90% currently or what I've heard. Fully expect the times to come down, aided by the latest aerodynamic upgrade packages for Australia.

McLaren appear to be either doing low fuel runs in order to impress a new title sponsor or they've genuinely got a very good car this year, aided by concentrating on the car from halfway through last season. I can't wait to see Magnussen this year up against Button. RB seem to have found some reliability, would never rule them out.