Pre-Season Testing - 2006

[tld]

Hellooo...

I'm new to this too. I'd like to ask if any of the other teams intend to test at Bahrain as well, or if it's just those three. Also, don't Brigestone do better when it's hot? I thought they usually take a while to warm up. Or do they have a problem if it's too hot? (sorry if I'm a tad slow - not quite an F1 idiot yet )

I'm also looking forward to this year. And I have been highly entertained reading what you guys write in the forums, especially considering some of you have very biased opinions about certain drivers. I must admit though that I'm not sitting on the fence and am proud to say that I'm with Julian all the way. GO WEBBER!!!

Last season I didn't want MS to win at all (too boring), but after the first half dozen races or so, I started to feel the same way abt FA. SOO, with great anticipation, I hope it to be a level playing field this year and more of a competition.

Well, that's all for now. Hope to read more about the times leading up to Bahrain. Oh, and one last thing.....in the 'F1Idiots' group, who won the 8'N'Pole comp last year?[/quote]

[Julian Mayo]

Hellooo...

I'm new to this too. I'd like to ask if any of the other teams intend to test at Bahrain as well, or if it's just those three. Also, don't Brigestone do better when it's hot? I thought they usually take a while to warm up. Or do they have a problem if it's too hot? (sorry if I'm a tad slow - not quite an F1 idiot yet )

I'm also looking forward to this year. And I have been highly entertained reading what you guys write in the forums, especially considering some of you have very biased opinions about certain drivers. I must admit though that I'm not sitting on the fence and am proud to say that I'm with Julian all the way. GO WEBBER!!!

Last season I didn't want MS to win at all (too boring), but after the first half dozen races or so, I started to feel the same way abt FA. SOO, with great anticipation, I hope it to be a level playing field this year and more of a competition.

Well, that's all for now. Hope to read more about the times leading up to Bahrain. Oh, and one last thing.....in the 'F1Idiots' group, who won the 8'N'Pole comp last year?

[/quote]


I think most of us just want a level playing field, regardless of driver allegiance
My ideal would be 6-7 different drivers winning, with Webber taking the title by 1 point
Don't forget to have a look at the V8Supercars forum, we will be running a comp there too

[BlinkyBill]

Hi

Thanks for the warm welcome
And your absolutely right JayVee, I hadn't even noticed that .

JayVee wrote
You really think it was down to Bridgestone. I disagree.
The F2005 was no good. They have dumped it and are using the F2004 for testing. They are prepared to go back more than a year to avoid using the F2005. That should tell you something about the F2005.

I am really looking forward to this season and that's something I haven't done for a while. It promises a lot, there are a great number of what if's

What if Fisci ups his game and Renault respond by putting more effort into his campaign than alonso's? (could happen )

What if Rubens out paces Jenson? :oops:

What if Jenson wins one and is no longer content with podiums? :oops: :drink:

What if Massa outpaces Schuey?(what were those times he set at Barcelona about )

What if Williams runs away with the title with a Cosworth engine?

What if Mercedes, Honda, Renault and Toyota don't sign on the dotted line by the 10th of March? Will they be excluded from or lose their championship points for 2006 :?:

Snowy,

Welcome.

I think some of these things will happen. Especially the Rubens beating Jenson. You forgot to mention the next thing. Jenson running home to mummy all upset.

You should pop into the 2006 Pre-season predictions. A bit of an early season tipping of constructors and drivers rankings this year. Something to allow us to quote from later when everyone except me is wrong!!

[BlinkyBill]

Hellooo...

I'm new to this too. I'd like to ask if any of the other teams intend to test at Bahrain as well, or if it's just those three. Also, don't Brigestone do better when it's hot? I thought they usually take a while to warm up. Or do they have a problem if it's too hot? (sorry if I'm a tad slow - not quite an F1 idiot yet )

I'm also looking forward to this year. And I have been highly entertained reading what you guys write in the forums, especially considering some of you have very biased opinions about certain drivers. I must admit though that I'm not sitting on the fence and am proud to say that I'm with Julian all the way. GO WEBBER!!!

Last season I didn't want MS to win at all (too boring), but after the first half dozen races or so, I started to feel the same way abt FA. SOO, with great anticipation, I hope it to be a level playing field this year and more of a competition.

Well, that's all for now. Hope to read more about the times leading up to Bahrain. Oh, and one last thing.....in the 'F1Idiots' group, who won the 8'N'Pole comp last year?

[/quote]



tld, I seem to recall Bridgestones worst problem last year being getting up to temp quickly. They therefore seemed to be a poor qualifying tyre, not too good in the early parts of a race, but ok towards the end.

But its just so hard to compare to this year. As Jayvee pointed out, the Ferrari was the best of the bridgestones cars, but still so bad that they have shelved it in favour of the 04 car for testing . . . so how much was the tyres??

Also, qualifying this year will be more than one lap, allowing more temp to get into the tyres.

Finally, Bridgestone in previous years have been the masters of the shorter life, better grip tyres. Re-introduction of tyre changes should mean last years tyre differentials are no benchmark for this year.

Enjoy yourself. Dont spend too much time here . . . its like a drug . . . you taste . . . you like . . . and then you cant stop. weeeeeeeee

phew. . . tired now . . .

[Ed]

Testing continued at Bahrain on Thursday with Ferrari, Honda and Toro Rosso present. 6 drivers set lap times with Felipe Massa in the F2004 fitted with a V10 setting the fastest time of the day with a 1:30.578. Jenson Button in the Honda RA106 was second fastest and the fastest of the 06 spec cars setting a time of 1:31.248.
Third fastest was Vitantonio Liuzzi in the Toro Rosso (an RB1 with a V10 engine was being tested in fact)

Michael Schumacher continued having problems only managing 23 laps and was 5th on the timesheets.

Weather conditions were partly cloudy and warm. Air temperature reached 28 degrees while track temperatures reached 37 degrees.

For reference, the fastest time set at Bahrain in 2005 was a 1:29.527 set by Mark Webber during the second Saturday practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Michael continues testing solo on Friday.

Testing continued at Valencia with 5 teams.
9 drivers set lap times with Heikki Kovalainen in the Renault R26 setting the fastest time with a 1:10.618.
Kovalainen also covered the most number of laps with 140.

There were 2 red flags during the session with Montoya and Rosberg stopping on the track. Montoya also had an off earlier in the session.

For reference, the fastest time set so far this year at Valencia was a 1:10.552 by Fernando Alonso in the Renault R26 on the 3rd of February.

At Barcelona, BMW Sauber concluded their private test and Nick Heidfeld set the fastest time so far in a 2006 spec car with a 1:15.928 (times according to BMW Sauber).

At Vallelunga, Toyota's testing was hampered by poor weather. The team still managed to test the new aero package on one car. Times aren't comparable as the track layout was modified.

Full report and times

Best Lap Times and lap records at Testing Tracks

[Ed]

Hellooo...

I'm new to this too. I'd like to ask if any of the other teams intend to test at Bahrain as well, or if it's just those three. Also, don't Brigestone do better when it's hot? I thought they usually take a while to warm up. Or do they have a problem if it's too hot? (sorry if I'm a tad slow - not quite an F1 idiot yet )

I'm also looking forward to this year. And I have been highly entertained reading what you guys write in the forums, especially considering some of you have very biased opinions about certain drivers. I must admit though that I'm not sitting on the fence and am proud to say that I'm with Julian all the way. GO WEBBER!!!

Last season I didn't want MS to win at all (too boring), but after the first half dozen races or so, I started to feel the same way abt FA. SOO, with great anticipation, I hope it to be a level playing field this year and more of a competition.

Well, that's all for now. Hope to read more about the times leading up to Bahrain. Oh, and one last thing.....in the 'F1Idiots' group, who won the 8'N'Pole comp last year?

Welcome tld,

It is good to see new faces contributing here.

Only those 3 teams will be testing at Bahrain prior to the start of the season in March. There are no scheduled tests at Bahrain during the season. It is a costly excersise to fly the cars and the equipment but they have the advantage of testing at a race circuit.

Last year the Bridgestone tyres took a while to warmup but they also struggled at high temperatures and at a full race distance.
This year the tyre changes are back so expect the tyres to be closer performance wise with both Michelin and Bridgestone having a slight edge at some tracks but not all.

The regulars make me confused sometimes
There is the 8 'n' Pole competition which now I am told has nearly 1650 players in it and then players can create there own groups (an office group, a family group, etc ...). The regulars here made up a group and called it F1 idiots group which was won by JayVee last year. The 8 'n' Pole competition was won by indie3128.

[tld]

Wow...that's some fast responses! And no shortage of them too. btw, please call me Tap.

Welcome tld,

It is good to see new faces contributing here.

Only those 3 teams will be testing at Bahrain prior to the start of the season in March. There are no scheduled tests at Bahrain during the season. It is a costly excersise to fly the cars and the equipment but they have the advantage of testing at a race circuit.

Last year the Bridgestone tyres took a while to warmup but they also struggled at high temperatures and at a full race distance.
This year the tyre changes are back so expect the tyres to be closer performance wise with both Michelin and Bridgestone having a slight edge at some tracks but not all.

The regulars make me confused sometimes
There is the 8 'n' Pole competition which now I am told has nearly 1650 players in it and then players can create there own groups (an office group, a family group, etc ...). The regulars here made up a group and called it F1 idiots group which was won by JayVee last year. The 8 'n' Pole competition was won by indie3128.

Thanks for the headsup Ed.

Enjoy yourself. Dont spend too much time here . . . its like a drug . . . you taste . . . you like . . . and then you cant stop. weeeeeeeee

Yah, I'll try to remember the tip BB. Although judging by the speed of responses from the others, I don't think I'll be able to stop!

My ideal would be 6-7 different drivers winning, with Webber taking the title by 1 point

Absolutely! I reckon he could do it too. Like you've been saying, so far the tests have been good. (touch wood)

Don't forget to have a look at the V8Supercars forum, we will be running a comp there too

Eh, thanks but no. Too much brain power to be able to keep track of two motor sports at the same time!

[JayVee]

Tap (even though you've sided with Julian before you even started)

Remember that Williams are on Bridgestones, Julian reckons that is a smart move but I reckon not.
If Michelin perfected a tyre that lasts for a whole race, it should be easy to do one that lasts a third of one

[JayVee]

Encouraging time from BMW Sauber

And the Renaults are back fast and reliable and Kimi must be wondering about the 2 upcoming Finns (I know one is German!!)

[tld]

Thanks for the . {and I supported MW since he started in Minardi}

Remember that Williams are on Bridgestones, Julian reckons that is a smart move but I reckon not.
If Michelin perfected a tyre that lasts for a whole race, it should be easy to do one that lasts a third of one

Well, I don't think it'll really come down to tyres this year. I reckon they should be about even.

And I'm not on any particular team's side (except MW). I'm more 'anti-Ferrari/MS'. So I guess I'd be talking to Kappy from the other side of the fence.

[Julian Mayo]

Tap (even though you've sided with Julian before you even started)

Remember that Williams are on Bridgestones, Julian reckons that is a smart move but I reckon not.
If Michelin perfected a tyre that lasts for a whole race, it should be easy to do one that lasts a third of one

Kimi might disagree that michelins can last a whole race

[tld]

Kimi might disagree that michelins can last a whole race

Don't forget that he ran into the gravel on that one..

[Julian Mayo]

Kimi might disagree that michelins can last a whole race

Don't forget that he ran into the gravel on that one..

And Indy ?

[tld]

And Indy ?

lol
Well, he didn't have much control over that debacle. I think Michelin should be fine, but Bridgestone will be good this year too.

[Julian Mayo]

And Indy ?

lol
Well, he didn't have much control over that debacle. I think Michelin should be fine, but Bridgestone will be good this year too.

I agree. I read some facts, that are now a tad blurry, but it was something along the lines of the Bridgestone tyre carcass has traditionally been a couple of kilos heavier than the Michelin. In O4 this actually helped, with a stiffer tyre wall which allowed them to run a thinner compound. We saw what that extra weight did to them in 05, particularly with heat build up. With the regs this year, I expect the tyre war to be evenly balanced, aligned or whatever ( )