Pre-Season Testing - 2006

[tld]

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 ( )

Wow. You guys are really into this stuff, huh? Me, I just watch the races, and read the mag. That's about it. lol I seriously wouldn't be able to keep up with TWO motor sports at the same time though (V8s). Besides that though, I don't think any other motor sport can really compare to F1. It's the pinnacle, after all.

Hey, I see that you're a staunch MW supporter (as am I). This because he's an Aussie? If so, do you know anything about the other one testing for Toyota?

[Julian Mayo]

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 ( )

Wow. You guys are really into this stuff, huh? Me, I just watch the races, and read the mag. That's about it. lol I seriously wouldn't be able to keep up with TWO motor sports at the same time though (V8s). Besides that though, I don't think any other motor sport can really compare to F1. It's the pinnacle, after all.

Hey, I see that you're a staunch MW supporter (as am I). This because he's an Aussie? If so, do you know anything about the other one testing for Toyota?

I read that tyre stuff while waiting for some work to be done on "therapy"
Do you mean Ryan Briscoe ?
He has been racing in North America, had a god-awful crash, recovered, and is about to find out if he has a seat there this year. He is also contracted to race For the Holden Racing Team (Mark Skaife)in the Sandown & Bathurst Enduros alongside Jimmy Richards in the V8 Supercars......if you read the V8supercar forums you don't have to follow V8's..its all there for you.
I have been a MW fan since he drove FF here. In the wet and under brakes his car control stood out, despite the heap of junk he was piloting

[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

Kimi might disagree that michelins can last a whole race

Kimi flat spotted his tyres. HIS problem

Besides Kimi should go complain about the engines he used to blow or maybe complain about himself for being so hard on his cars.

You'll see Alonso The Cute in '07

[JayVee]

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 ( )

I think it is the other way around, the Michelins are heavier but can someone confirm ? Ed ?

I agree, Michelin won't dominate this year but the Bridgestone runners will have crappy cars

[JayVee]

I have been a MW fan since he drove FF here. In the wet and under brakes his car control stood out, despite the heap of junk he was piloting

Oh and Tap, Julian forgot to tell you that he reckons MW is half a second quicker than his teammate. Julian must have a fast stop watch

[Ed]

Testing continued at Bahrain on Friday with Michael Schumacher testing solo. He covered 92 laps setting a best time of 1:32.702.
Ferrari take a break on Saturday and return to testing at this circuit on Sunday.

Weather conditions were cloudy and windy. Air temperature reached 22 degrees while track temperatures reached 26 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.

Testing concluded at Valencia with 4 teams.
9 drivers set lap times with Kimi Raikkonen in the McLaren MP4-21 setting the fastest time with a 1:09.987 - The fastest so far for a 2006 spec car.
Kovalainen once again covered the most number of laps with 161.

There were 2 red flags during the session with Fisichella and Sutil stopping on the track. Monteiro had an off during the session.

Testing returns to Valencia from the 27th of February.

The next major test will be at Barcelona from the 21st of February with 8 teams scheduled to take part.

Full report and times

Best Lap Times and lap records at Testing Tracks

[Ed]

... the Michelins are heavier but can someone confirm ? Ed ?

Indeed, the Michelin is the heavier squarer tyre whereas the Bridgestone is the rounder one. It will be intersting to see if either company changes their approach this year!

[JayVee]

Impressive time by Kimi.

Looks like we'll have a quick McLaren for 20 laps again

[<T-K>]

Impressive time by Kimi.

Looks like we'll have a quick McLaren for 20 laps again

You really think it will get that far?

[Ed]

Testing resumed at Bahrain on Sunday after a one day break.

Michael Schumacher driving the 248 F1 set the fastest time of the day ahead of team-mate Felipe Massa in the F2004.

Michael's best time was a 1:32.007.

Ferrari continue testing at Bahrain tomorrow.

Weather conditions were cloudy and windy. Air temperature reached 20 degrees while track temperatures reached 30 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.

The next major test will be at Barcelona from the 21st of February with 8 teams scheduled to take part.

Full report and times

Best Lap Times and lap records at Testing Tracks

[mlittle]

Impressive time by Kimi.

Looks like we'll have a quick McLaren for 20 laps again

You really think it will get that far?

It might even make 30 laps......

[JayVee]

Yet another day with Massa told to drive the old car

Hasn't Michael had enough with the new car

He's like a spoilt kid, wants everything to himself

Oh well, we won't have to keep up with this much longer

[Julian Mayo]

Yet another day with Massa told to drive the old car

Hasn't Michael had enough with the new car

He's like a spoilt kid, wants everything to himself

Oh well, we won't have to keep up with this much longer

Massa just keeps saying "yes Massa" when they point at the old dunga

[Ed]

Testing continued at Bahrain on Monday.

Felipe Massa in the F2004 set the fastest time of the day ahead of Michael Schumacher in the 248 F1.

Massa's best time was a 1:30.410.

Michael Schumacher had problems with his car limiting his running to 49 laps.

Ferrari continue testing at Bahrain tomorrow.

Weather conditions were sunny and windy. Air temperature reached 20 degrees while track temperatures reached 30 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.

The next major test will be at Barcelona from the 21st of February with 8 teams scheduled to take part.

Full report and times

Best Lap Times and lap records at Testing Tracks

[tld]

Maybe you were right about Msch not even finishing in Bahrain JV. Perhaps Ferrari should try using a restricted V10 as well!