Pre-Season Testing - 2006

Ed · Post by Ed » Fri Jan 27, 2006 11:03 am

Fourth day of testing at Barcelona

Eight teams were present with 14 drivers setting lap times. The new Ferrari 248 F1 joined the test with Michael Schumacher driving while Kimi Raikkonen tested the MP4-21 for the first time.

Felipe Massa in the Ferrari F2004 V8 set the fastest time of the day ahead of Rubens Barrichello and Giancarlo Fisichella (both Barrichello and Fisichella were running 2006 spec cars).

Massa's best time was a 1:15.970 while Barrichello's best time was 1:16.361
Fernando Alonso covered the most number of laps with 109 including a race simulation.

Kimi Raikkonen had an oil leak problem. Michael Schumacher and Giancarlo Fisichella also had problems during the test.

Weather conditions were cold and sunny. Air temperature reached 13 degrees while track temperatures reached 14 degrees.

For reference, the best lap time set at Barcelona in 2005 was a 1:13.552 set by Jenson Button in the BAR Honda BAR007.

Testing continues tomorrow with 6 teams as BMW Sauber and Toro Rosso have concluded testing.

Full Report and lap times

Lap by Lap times - Provided by the Catalunya Circuit (in pdf)

Best Lap Times and lap records at Testing Tracks

Ferrari Test Notes - Honda Test Notes - Renault Test Notes - BMW Sauber Test Notes - Toro Rosso Test Notes - McLaren Mercedes Test Notes

Graham Ross · Post by **Graham Ross** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 12:36 pm

The McLaren is getting me worried! Those lap times aren't good!

I just hope McLaren aren't going backwards

Honda and Renault look good and BMW too!

JayVee · Post by **JayVee** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 3:35 pm

Looks like it will take McLaren a few races before they understand the car. But is that a surprise ? Didn't they once build a car that never raced.

You can wait until the MP4-22

Renault are looking good especially Alonso. He did over 100 laps on the new car

Honda are fast but didn't they do the same last year only to fail miserably in the first few races.

Still very quiet from all those Renault doubters!

Anyone willing to bet against Alonso winning in Bahrain

BlinkyBill · Post by **BlinkyBill** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 4:00 pm

Hi all,

I watched the 05 season from the sidelines on this webpage, and this is an awesome site for news and updates - one of the quickest - so I am jumping on board for 06!

But of this Barcelona test, I have to agree with Graham - BMW Sauber look to be the early suprise packet, and McLaren the early concern.

Ferrari, Renault and Honda look like the pacesetters. . . . Just wish Williams were taking part so we could compare their new cars. (fingers crossed for Williams in 06, go Nico, otherwise go RB - no-one in the 06 line up deserve a WDC more)

Kapel · Post by **Kapel** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 4:40 pm

Welcome Bill!!

Honda looks promising this year,but i'll wait till i get a feedback about their BBQ

Renault looks good too,they have to defend the title now

Ferrari looks promising,cant say till Bahrain about them.

Mclaren needs to change their colour,orange is giving them oil leaks

JayVee · Post by **JayVee** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 5:28 pm

Welcome BlinkyBill

I too hope Williams are strong but be careful supporting Nico publicly too much as some Webber supporters here think if you are an Aussie you have to be a blind supporter of Webber

Methinks Nico will start matching Webber early on (but don't tell Julian I said so

)

I also do hope that Rubens shines like he did at Stewart but I fear his brain has been washed after so many years in Ferrari where he was told what to do

BlinkyBill · Post by **BlinkyBill** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 7:41 pm

JayVee wrote: I also do hope that Rubens shines like he did at Stewart but I fear his brain has been washed after so many years in Ferrari where he was told what to do

Very true. Honda need to start RB in front of a little red car so that dont have to worry about a fear of overtaking it.

Kapel · Post by **Kapel** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 8:19 pm

BlinkyBill wrote:
JayVee wrote: I also do hope that Rubens shines like he did at Stewart but I fear his brain has been washed after so many years in Ferrari where he was told what to do

Very true. Honda need to start RB in front of a little red car so that dont have to worry about a fear of overtaking it.

Nah dont worry about him..he's pretty cool & confident..i'm just worried on the mental state of Jenson after a few races

Ed · Post by Ed » Fri Jan 27, 2006 8:34 pm

BlinkyBill wrote:Hi all,

I watched the 05 season from the sidelines on this webpage, and this is an awesome site for news and updates - one of the quickest - so I am jumping on board for 06!

Welcome on board BlinkyBill and thanks for the kind comments.

Happy debating

Ed · Post by Ed » Sat Jan 28, 2006 2:21 am

5th day of testing at Barcelona ended without much running due to cold weather and light snow falling on the circuit.

Honda Test Summary - McLaren Test Summary

Most of the teams now head for another big test at Valencia from the 31st of January. Williams will test their FW28 for the first time while Valentino Rossi will test the Ferrari for the first time in a general test session.

The next test at Barcelona will be held from the 21st till the 24th of February.

GhoGho · Post by **GhoGho** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 3:49 am

Kapel wrote:
Nah dont worry about him..he's pretty cool & confident..i'm just worried on the mental state of Jenson after a few races

What Kappy? When JB discovers he isnt as good as he thinks he is?

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 3:07 pm

Ah, G'day Blinky Bill

Just one thing to keep in mind guys. This is called TESTING........You know........where you try things out......where you push things til they break.......it can also be described as a time of experimentation. I am not going to read much into the results as yet ......looks at ferrari times and books season ticket to F1 boats)

JayVee · Post by **JayVee** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 5:06 pm

Julian, did you look at the times by Michael ? What are you worried about ?

Ah, Buttons times

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 5:17 pm

JayVee wrote:Julian, did you look at the times by Michael ? What are you worried about ?

Ah, Buttons times

No, as one who places much emphasis on test results you should be aware that the ferrari has been quick, consistant and reliable. The rules have been changed this year to further enhance the Red Teams prospects

( which is why the very canny Mr Sir Frank went with Bridgestone

JayVee · Post by **JayVee** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 5:25 pm

Julian Mayo wrote:
JayVee wrote:Julian, did you look at the times by Michael ? What are you worried about ?

Ah, Buttons times
No, as one who places much emphasis on test results you should be aware that the ferrari has been quick, consistant and reliable. The rules have been changed this year to further enhance the Red Teams prospects ( which is why the very canny Mr Sir Frank went with Bridgestone

Sure Ferrari have been quick, consistent and reliable but both Honda and Renault have also been consistent and reliable and quicker. Of course Renault have The Cute with them as well

Nah Ferrari will fight with Toyota for 4th place