Pre-2007 Season Testing

[Ed]

Hey Ed
Does Jerez put out lap by lap times similar to Catalunya?

As I mentioned a few posts earlier, Jerez only provide the fastest lap times for the day

[Snowy]

We will provide updates on this test but unfortunately unlike the tests in Barcelona we don't have access to lap by lap times.

[cmlean]

Hey Ed
Does Jerez put out lap by lap times similar to Catalunya?

As I mentioned a few posts earlier, Jerez only provide the fastest lap times for the day

Teach me not to look first

[Ed]

It has been reported that McLaren's Martin Whitmarsh will be seeking the early release of Fernando Alonso from Renault's Flavio Briatore. The 2 will be meeting on Friday.

Contractually Alonso remains a Renault driver until the end of the year but McLaren are hoping to get Alonso released earlier so he can test for them at the last test of the year next week at Jerez.

I guess they need to know if Fernando is gonna fit their new car or if it is heading in the right direction for his particular style of driving. Which is similar to schuey's - early entry carry lots of speed and deal with the consequences as they arise - isn't it?

Had to put off my response to this as I was told we were adding some cool new code to the forum.

So I think that given the limited amount of testing the teams can do, McLaren are keen to get Alonso in the car as soon as possible so he can get used to the Bridgestone tyres and give them as much feedback as he can. Now he won't be testing the new car yet as it isn't ready but it certainly helps the team and the driver to start working together as early as possible.

As for driving styles, well Alonso has a different style to many, in fact Martin Brundle calls it weird and ugly but effective!

Why did I put off this response, well I found a video on YouTube that helps explain the driving styles a bit but rather than point you to a link, we can now embed in a post. But rather than embed here, I've created a new thread in the new YouTube forum that show that video. Have a look here

[GhoGho]

It has been reported that McLaren's Martin Whitmarsh will be seeking the early release of Fernando Alonso from Renault's Flavio Briatore. The 2 will be meeting on Friday.

Contractually Alonso remains a Renault driver until the end of the year but McLaren are hoping to get Alonso released earlier so he can test for them at the last test of the year next week at Jerez.

I guess they need to know if Fernando is gonna fit their new car or if it is heading in the right direction for his particular style of driving. Which is similar to schuey's - early entry carry lots of speed and deal with the consequences as they arise - isn't it?

Had to put off my response to this as I was told we were adding some cool new code to the forum.

So I think that given the limited amount of testing the teams can do, McLaren are keen to get Alonso in the car as soon as possible so he can get used to the Bridgestone tyres and give them as much feedback as he can. Now he won't be testing the new car yet as it isn't ready but it certainly helps the team and the driver to start working together as early as possible.

As for driving styles, well Alonso has a different style to many, in fact Martin Brundle calls it weird and ugly but effective!

Why did I put off this response, well I found a video on YouTube that helps explain the driving styles a bit but rather than point you to a link, we can now embed in a post. But rather than embed here, I've created a new thread in the new YouTube forum that show that video. Have a look here

thanks Ed, thats realy cool. unfortunately the video you chose seems to be acting up both on youtube and your post

[Ed]

We noticed the clip was slow to download but once it finished it played smoothly!

[GhoGho]

We noticed the clip was slow to download but once it finished it played smoothly!

Ok then, sorry my bad. I waited about ten minutes and still got nothingfrom either site, must be youtube problem

[Julian Mayo]

We noticed the clip was slow to download but once it finished it played smoothly!

cant get it to load

[Snowy]

Had to put off my response to this as I was told we were adding some cool new code to the forum.

So I think that given the limited amount of testing the teams can do, McLaren are keen to get Alonso in the car as soon as possible so he can get used to the Bridgestone tyres and give them as much feedback as he can. Now he won't be testing the new car yet as it isn't ready but it certainly helps the team and the driver to start working together as early as possible.

As for driving styles, well Alonso has a different style to many, in fact Martin Brundle calls it weird and ugly but effective!

Why did I put off this response, well I found a video on YouTube that helps explain the driving styles a bit but rather than point you to a link, we can now embed in a post. But rather than embed here, I've created a new thread in the new YouTube forum that show that video. Have a look here

Snap! I looked up the exact same video. It is very informative.

[Snowy]

Times from day 2 at Jerez

1. HAMILTON McLaren 1m18.682s
2. FISICHELLA Renault 1m19.681s
3. BARRICHELLO Honda 1m19.789s
4. ROSBERG Williams 1m19.957s
5. R SCHUMACHER Toyota 1m20.019s
6. MASSA Ferrari 1m20.030s
7. KLIEN Honda 1m20.048s
8. DE LA ROSA McLaren 1m20.134s
9. HEIDFELD BMW 1m20.161s
10. KOVALAINEN Renault 1m20.198s
11. KUBICA BMW 1m20.461s
12. BADOER Ferrari 1m20.553s
13. WEBBER Red Bull 1m20.586s
14. DAVIDSON Super Aguri 1m20.696s
15. SPEED Toro Rosso 1m21.125s
16. COULTHARD Red Bull 1m21.275s
17. KOBAYASHI Toyota 1m21.294s

[Snowy]

Times from day 3 at Jerez

1. BARRICHELLO Honda________1m19.994 70
2. ROSSITER Honda __________1m20.158 90
3. HAMILTON McLaren ________1m20.321 83
4. DE LA ROSA McLaren_______1m20.335 84
5. R SCHUMACHER Toyota______1m20.343 66
6. KOVALAINEN Renault_______1m20.369 71
7. FISICHELLA Renault_________1m20.385 87
8. HEIDFELD BMW Sauber______1m20.436 107
9. DAVIDSON Super Aguri______1m20.539 88
10. GLOCK BMW______________1m20.779 72
11. KOBAYASHI Toyota________1m20.984 75
12. WEBBER RBR_____________1m20.991 77
13. MASSA Ferrari____________1m21.148 47
14. SPEED Toro Rosso_________1m21.322 52
15. COULTHARD RBR__________1m21.323 64
16. BADOER Ferrari___________1m21.333 44
17. NAJAJIMA WilliamsF1_______1m23.609 17
18. KUBICA BMW _____________1m27.707 37

[Ed]

Thanks Snowy,

The times you have reported are from the McLaren team. Our preference is to publish the times available from the circuit if available. In this case they are so here are the times from days 2 and 3 as reported by the Jerez circuit.

Day 2
1.-Lewis Hamilton (Mclaren-Mercedes) 1.18.684 (78 laps)
2.-G. Fisichella (Renault) 1.19.685 (63)
3.-Rubens Barrichello (Honda) 1.19.784 (111)
4.-Nico Rosberg (Williams) 1.19.962 (105)
5.- Ralf Schumacher (Toyota) 1.20.024 (70)
6.-Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 1.20.046 (60)
7.-C. Klien (Honda) 1.20.055 (99)
8.-Pedro de la Rosa (Mclaren ) 1.20.141 (64)
9.-N. Heidfeld (BMW) 1.20.167 (97)
10.-H. Kovalainen (Renault) 1.20.204 (78 )
11.-R. Kubica (BMW) 1.20.461 (88 )
12.-L. Badoer (Ferrari) 1.20.556 (107)
13.-M. Webber (Red Bull) 1.20.596 (89)
14.-A. Davidson (Super Aguri) 1.20.701 (112)
15.-Scott Speed (Toro Rosso) 1.21.134 (59)
16.- D. Coulthard (Red Bull) 1.21.276 (78 )
17.-K. Kobayshi (Toyota) 1.21.292 (53)

and from Day 3

1.-Rubens Barrichello (Honda) 1.20.008 (65 laps)
2.-James Rossiter (Honda) 1.20.171 (108)
3.-Lewis Hamilton (Mclaren) 1.20.325 (79)
4.-R.Schumacher (Toyota) 1.20.339 (61)
5.-Pedro de la Rosa (Mclaren) 1.20.342 (84)
6.-Heikki Kovalainen (Renault) 1.20.372 (70)
7.-G. Fisichella (Renault) 1.20.390 (89)
8.-N. Heidfeld (BMW) 1.20.436 (110)
9.-A. Davidson (Super Aguri) 1.20.542 (87)
10.-Timo Glock (BMW) 1.20.785 (105)
11.-K.Kobayashi (Toyota) 1.20.978 (70)
12.- M. Webber (Red Bull) 1.20.985 (79)
13.-Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 1.21.143 (46)
14.-David Coulthard (Red Bull) 1.21.325 (63)
15.-Luca Badoer (Ferrari) 1.21.327 (43)
16.-Scott Speed (Toro Rosso) 1.21.327 (51)
17.-K. Kakajima (Williams) 1.23.600 (16)

[Ed]

Quickest times by team over the 3 days:

McLaren
Day 1 - 1:20.245 (Hamilton), Day 2 - 1:18.684 (Hamilton), Day 3 - 1:20.325 (Hamilton)

Ferrari
Day 1 - 1:19.462 (Massa), Day 2 - 1:20.046 (Massa), Day 3 - 1:21.143 (Massa)

Renault
Day 1 - 1:20.784 (Kovalainen), Day 2 - 1:19.685 (Fisichella), Day 3 - 1:20.372 (Kovalainen)

Honda
Day 1 - 1:20.394 (Klien), Day 2 - 1:19.784 (Barrichello), Day 3 - 1:20.008 (Barrichello)

Williams
Day 1 - 1:20.961 (Rosberg), Day 2 - 1:19.962 (Rosberg), Day 3 - 1:23.600 (Nakajima)

Toyota
Day 1 - 1:20.398 (Montagny), Day 2 - 1:20.024 (Schumacher), Day 3 - 1:20.339 (Schumacher)

BMW Sauber
Day 1 - 1:21.079 (Kubica), Day 2 - 1:20.167 (Heidfeld), Day 3 - 1:20.436 (Heidfeld)

Super Aguri
Day 1 - 1:20.437 (Davidson), Day 2 - 1:20.701 (Davidson), Day 3 - 1:20.542 (Davidson)

Red Bull
Day 1 - 1:21.053 (Webber), Day 2 - 1:20.596 (Webber), Day 3 - 1:20.985 (Webber)

Toro Rosso
Day 1 - 1:21.472 (Liuzzi), Day 2 - 1:21.134 (Speed), Day 3 - 1:21.327 (Speed)

[Ed]

Quotes from the 3 day test at Jerez

Martin Whitmarsh - McLaren

Despite a mixed week weather wise, the three day test in Jerez that concluded today was a positive session and we were able to complete the planned programme. The main focus for the test team continued to be developing our understanding of the Bridgestone Potenza tyres. The wet weather conditions have also allowed us to run on wet weather tyres, which has proved useful in gaining valuable intelligence of this track condition. Alongside the main Bridgestone programme Lewis and Pedro have been working on individual programmes. Lewis?s week has seen him focus on continued set-up evaluation and rear suspension. Pedro meanwhile has been spearheading the aerodynamic development programme, including work on the front and rear wing packages.

Giancarlo Fisichella - Renault

I am pleased with how this first session went. It was important to do lots of laps in order to learn about our new Bridgestone tyres. I learned a lot, and I feel that I made some good progress this week in Jerez. We will continue to improve next week, so I am feeling pretty optimistic.

Heikki Kovalainen - Renault

It was a difficult but interesting session this week, because we ran in every kind of conditions. There was a lot of data collected and once we have analysed it, we will be able to make even more progress next week. We worked very hard, and we know where we are with the programme; I am feeling confident, and happy with what we have done this week.

Rubens Barrichello - Honda

The car has felt better and more balanced this week than in Barcelona.
We have repeated some of our work from last week, alongside some new evaluations, so we have a good conclusion for which direction to take the new car. I had a good two days this week, covering a lot of laps yesterday in particular and the car has been very reliable. As this is my last test of the year, I would like to thank the team for their hard work and the good times that we have had this year, and I'm looking forward to seeing how we improve in 2007.

Christian Klien - Honda

It was my second test with the team this week and again everything went very well. We were able to get on with some proper testing straight away and did a lot of work on the tyres to increase our understanding of how to get the best out of them. We also did a good amount of general set-up work with the car. I am feeling more comfortable in the car this week and I am really enjoying working with Honda.

James Rossiter

We have learnt a lot this week, particularly about understanding the tyres better. The weather conditions weren't ideal yesterday but we did complete some valuable running in the afternoon. The wet weather this morning gave us the chance to run on the extreme wets for the first time which was useful. In the dry conditions we worked on the balance of the car and improving the balance for long runs.

Mark Ellis - Honda

We have had another very productive week, working to acclimatise to the new Bridgestone tyres. Since last week's test in Barcelona, we have been analysing all the data gathered, which has provided us with some new and interesting directions for the car set-up. These have proven to be successful and reflected in our competitiveness this week. This week's changeable weather conditions have also allowed us to work with the new wet weather tyres which have also performed consistently.

Mike Condliffe - WilliamsF1

Although he (Nakajima) has already briefly driven the car in Fuji, today was effectively Kazuki's first day testing a Formula One car. There was very heavy rain in the morning and the track was very slow to dry, so we were forced to wait for more favorable conditions before starting our programme. When he did get out on track, Kazuki spent the day familiarising himself with the car and making adjustments between runs to suit his driving style. He made good progress and his lap times improved throughout the session.

Kamui Kobayashi - Toyota

My two days here went quite well. I had to find a suitable driving style for Formula 1 and I tried out different set-ups until I found one I liked. I also had experience of new tyres which I enjoyed and I think it went well. Considering this was my first time at Jerez and only my second test with Toyota, I think I did a good job. But of course I can still improve and I need more experience with the car. During my two days here the Toyota team has been fantastic. It is different to anything else I have experience because everyone in the team is a professional, from the mechanics to the engineers. It was very easy to work with them and they have helped me learn about Formula 1. In particular I have learnt about the importance of communication when testing and also physically I know more about what being a Formula 1 driver requires. Also a Formula 1 car is very different from the cars I have driven previously and I have had to get used to traction control and some very specialised parts. I found that a bit tricky on my first test but I have improved this week and all the experience I have gained should really help me in my career.

Anthony Davidson - Super Aguri

This has been another positive week for the team. Jerez is a circuit I know very well and so I was able to get of a better feel for the 2007 Bridgestone Potenza tyres this week than I did in Barcelona. We made improvements to the car all week and ended with a good balance at the end of day three so I am happy with our progress.

G?rry Hughes - Super Aguri

Anthony has completed a comprehensive chassis programme this week and a total of 252 laps, in what at times have been difficult weather conditions. The week's test programme has been structured wholly around learning more about the 2007 Bridgestone Potenza tyres and the experience gained will be put to good effect when Takuma Sato joins the SAF1 team in Jerez next week for his first F1 test since the Brazilian Grand Prix in October.

Ian Morgan - Red Bull

Yet again, the main item on our test agenda was evaluating the Bridgestone Potenza tyres. We were provided with a different, one-step softer tyre than the one we tried in Barcelona, but in addition, rain on Wednesday and again today (Friday), meant we were also able to try the Standard and Extreme wet weather tyres. We can be happy with the work we did, as both cars ran trouble free and we completed our programmes.

Laurent Mekies - Toro Rosso

In the dry, we were running a tyre that is one step softer than the one we tried in Barcelona last week and it behaved quite differently, which made for an interesting test.
Because of the weather, we effectively tried three types of tyre. Both Tonio and Scott did a good job and apart from the tyre work, Tonio did some brake material testing, while Scott worked on mechanical set-up. We are back here in Jerez next week, which means we will have the luxury of verifying the data we have acquired this time.

[Ed]

Toyota have resumed their testing at Jerez a day earlier than the rest of the teams.
Franck Montagny and Kohei Hirate were on duty. Montagny's fastest lap time was a 1:20.073 while Hirate's fastest was a 1:21.214