Pre-Season Testing - 2006

Ed · Post by Ed » Sun Feb 26, 2006 11:23 am

The last test at Barcelona was the closest we can get to trying to figure out the form guide for the start of the season. There is still a few more testing days next week but most teams will have their test drivers on duty shaking down the cars for Bahrain as well as testing components for later races.

We've been doing some analysis in preparation for our race review for Bahrain. Here are some of our findings:

21/2/06 - Max temps - Air 14, Track 24 - Sunny AM, Rain PM

Webber fastest - 1:17.699 (during a medium run of 11 laps)
Fastest lap set on the second lap and consistently slowed down to 1:20.900 prior to the in lap.

Raikkonen second - 1:17.790 (during a long run of 22 laps)
Fastest lap set on the second lap dropping into the low to mid 1:19's for most of the run prior to improving to 1:18.665 on prior to the inlap.

22/2/06 - Max temps - Air 14, Track 23 - Sunny all day

Raikkonen fastest - 1:15.223 (during a short run of 4 laps)
Fastest lap set on the second lap dropping to 1:17.186 on the subsequent lap prior to his inlap.

Fisichella second - 1:15.500 (during a medium run of 7 laps)
Fastest lap set on the second lap consistently dropping to 1:17.712 on the 6 lap before the in lap.

Alonso third - 1:15.801 (during a medium run of 7 laps)
Fastest lap set on the second lap consistently dropping to 1:18.395 on the 6th lap before the in lap.

Button fourth - 1:15.969 (during a medium run of 10 laps)
Fastest lap set on the second lap consistently dropping to 1:18.926 on the 9th lap before the in lap.

Trulli and R Schumacher where 5th and 6th setting their fastest laps on short runs of 3 laps.

23/02/06 - Max temps - Air 12, Track 19 - Cloudy to Sunny

Button fastest - 1:13.935 (during a short run of 3 laps)
Longest run was 11 lap stint with a a fastest time of 1:17.190 and the slowest time of 1:19.473 (excluding in and out laps)

Fisichella second - 1:13.971 (during a short run of 3 laps)
Longest run was a 19 lap stint - 11:20 to 11:43 am - with a fastest time of 1:16.388 and the slowest time of 1:18.354 (excluding in and out laps)

Alonso third - 1:13.977 (during a short run of 3 laps)
Longest run was a 23 lap stint - 9:36 to 10:05 am - with a fastest time of 1:16.603 and the slowest time of 1:19.391 (excluding in and out laps)
Most of the run consistently in the low to mid 1:18's.

Barrichello fourth - 1:14.266 (during a short run of 3 laps)
Longest run was a 14 lap stint with a fastest time of 1:16.897 and slowest time of 1:20.018 (excluding in and out laps)

Montoya fifth - 1:14.588 (during a short run of 3 laps)
Longest run was a 21 lap stint - 11:19 to 11:45 am - with a fastest time of 1:16.565 and the slowest time of 1:18.539 (excluding in and out laps)
Most of the run consistently in mid 1:17's

Analysing further the times set during runs at the same time (similar track conditions):

Alonso ran a 19 lap stint - from 11:14 to 11:37 am. Fastest 1:15.544, slowest 1:18.323

Raikkonen ran a 7 lap stint - from 11:15 to 11:23. Fastest 1:15.946, slowest 1:18.861

Barrichello ran a 10 lap stint - from 11:23 to 11:35. Fastest 1:16.748, slowest 1:19.864

Button ran a 9 lap stint - from 11:16 to 11:26. Fastest 1:18.661, slowest 1:19.345

Trulli ran an 11 lap stint - from 11:13 to 11:27 am. Fastest 1:16.938, slowest 1:18.928

Webber ran a 20 lap stint - from 11:43 am to 12:08 pm. Fastest 1:17.341, slowest 1:18.848

Montoya and Fisichella reported above

24/2/06 - Max temps - Air 9, Track 14 - Partly cloudy

Alonso fastest - 1:14.081 (during a short run of 3 laps)
Longest run was a 13 lap stint - 15:41 to 15:57. Fastest 1:18.242, slowest 1:18.588 (excluding in and out laps).
This was a very consistent stint!.

Barrichello second - 1:14.422 (during a short run of 3 laps)
Longest run was an 11 lap stint - 14:32 to 14:45. Fastest 1:16.748, slowest 1:19.816

Fisichella third - 1:14.520 (during a short run of 3 laps)
Longest run was a 14 lap stint - 15:41 to 15:58. Fastest 1:18.287, slowest 1:18.583 (excluding in and out laps).
This was also a very consistent stint!.

It looks like Renault are the team to beat. McLaren may have a more consistent race pace however they seem to be struggling a bit in qualifying trim. Also reliability is an issue.
Honda are fast in qualifying trim but lack the consistency in race trim. A problem they also had in 2005.
We don't know how Ferrari compare however the times from Bahrain had Honda ahead (on the same days) but Ferrari set an overall better time a couple of days later.
In the tyre battle, it appears that Michelin still have an edge, certainly not as much as last year though.

We hope this analysis made you more informed and less confused

Remember Bahrain is just 2 weeks away!

mlittle · Post by **mlittle** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 1:32 pm

Seems about right. Looks as though Renault has the upper hand.....let's just hope McLaren has a fast and reliable car this year. It'd be one thing for Alonso to beat Raikkonen on the track...it's another entirely for Alonso to win because the car failed Raikkonen. Remember all the times last year, either in qualifying or in the race when the MP4-20 either blew an engine or failed in some other way, relegating either Raikkonen or Montoya to the backhalf of the grid? I said it earlier, but it bears repeating.....if the MP4-21 is reliable week in, week out.....then McLaren has a shot at WCC and Raikonnen a shot at WDC. If the MP4-21 isn't reliable every week.....then both the WDC and WCC are Alonso and Renault's to lose, respectively.

JayVee · Post by **JayVee** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 9:01 am

Ed wrote: We hope this analysis made you more informed and less confused

Remember Bahrain is just 2 weeks away!

But I was never confused. I've been saying all along that Alonso The Cute will dominate in 2006 on Michelin tyres

Snowy · Post by **Snowy** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 9:36 am

JayVee wrote:
Ed wrote: We hope this analysis made you more informed and less confused

Remember Bahrain is just 2 weeks away!

But I was never confused. I've been saying all along that Alonso The Cute will dominate in 2006 on Michelin tyres

Never underestimate the power of the force Luke Skywalker.

The Empire and the Sith Lord Bridgestone are even more powerful than you can possibly imagine. And are mustering their forces to wreak terrible revenge!

Snowy · Post by **Snowy** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 9:48 am

Ed wrote: Alonso ran a 19 lap stint - from 11:14 to 11:37 am. Fastest 1:15.544,

Alonso fastest - 1:14.081 (during a short run of 3 laps)
Longest run was a 13 lap stint - 15:41 to 15:57. Fastest 1:18.242, slowest 1:18.588 (excluding in and out laps).
This was a very consistent stint!.

It looks like Renault are the team to beat. McLaren may have a more consistent race pace however they seem to be struggling a bit in qualifying trim. Also reliability is an issue.
Honda are fast in qualifying trim but lack the consistency in race trim. A problem they also had in 2005.
We don't know how Ferrari compare however the times from Bahrain had Honda ahead (on the same days) but Ferrari set an overall better time a couple of days later.
In the tyre battle, it appears that Michelin still have an edge, certainly not as much as last year though.

We hope this analysis made you more informed and less confused

Remember Bahrain is just 2 weeks away!

This is very good stuff Ed! You deserve a raise

Tell the guys in the office Snowy thinks you deserve a raise

It's pretty evident that Mr Alonso is well equiped this year, the engine change doesn't appear to have effected the status quo. However Farrari and Honda have had all that mileage in Bahrain so they might get the hope on Alonso for race one.

JayVee · Post by **JayVee** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 11:42 am

Snowy wrote: Never underestimate the power of the force Luke Skywalker.

The Empire and the Sith Lord Bridgestone are even more powerful than you can possibly imagine. And are mustering their forces to wreak terrible revenge!

Yes I've heard that before too .... you see The Sith Lord thought he got the secret Formula from The Jedi but the Formula was changed and The Sith Lord will have to wait another season before it all becomes his

Kapel · Post by **Kapel** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 5:01 pm

Great work Ed.

BlinkyBill · Post by **BlinkyBill** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 6:25 pm

JayVee wrote:
Ed wrote: We hope this analysis made you more informed and less confused

Remember Bahrain is just 2 weeks away!

But I was never confused. I've been saying all along that Alonso The Cute will dominate in 2006 on Michelin tyres

Apparently a couple of respected magazines and F1 commentators are hearing that a lot of the top teams (ie McLaren, Williams, Toyota and Ferrari) have been testing with extra weight on their cars. Their theory is that Honda and Renault get cocky about their performance because of the seemingly low times by other teams, but when Bahrain comes around . . . bam

. . . it all comes off with easy-off Bam.

GhoGho · Post by **GhoGho** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 1:30 am

JayVee wrote:
GhoGho wrote:
JayVee wrote:
To be fair to Button, I think Irvine had a bigger mouth
Ahhhh, but Irvine had more b@lls (and more skill)
You reckon ?

More skill ?

With the Ladies - absolutely!!!

In a car? Maybe not so much

sgd · Post by **sgd** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 7:39 am

JayVee wrote:
Ed wrote: We hope this analysis made you more informed and less confused

Remember Bahrain is just 2 weeks away!

But I was never confused. I've been saying all along that Alonso The Cute will dominate in 2006 on Michelin tyres

yeah Ed, i didn't mention it before but that was great info!

a good reason to be loking for updates in the forum...

Dear JayVee, it looks like you didn't even saw the info and just shooted your biased "Alonso The Cute will dominate in 2006"...

let's take a carefull look of this day:

23/02/06 - Max temps - Air 12, Track 19 - Cloudy to Sunny

Alonso third - 1:13.977 (during a short run of 3 laps)
Longest run was a 23 lap stint - 9:36 to 10:05 am - with a fastest time of 1:16.603 and the slowest time of 1:19.391 (excluding in and out laps)
Most of the run consistently in the low to mid 1:18's.

Montoya fifth - 1:14.588 (during a short run of 3 laps)
Longest run was a 21 lap stint - 11:19 to 11:45 am - with a fastest time of 1:16.565 and the slowest time of 1:18.539 (excluding in and out laps)
Most of the run consistently in mid 1:17's

So, what does it says? I'll tell you:
Alonso makes P1 on saturday, then in race finished P3 behind McLarens
that is what i call being 'more informed and less confused'!!!

Have a nice day! Bahrain is near. it should be the first pole position for FA, first win for JPM...

P.S:By the way, did you noticed that lately the McLarens stoped breaking away?? and are at the same level of test problems with your beloved FA?? open your eyes honey! Mclaren is ON!!!

Ed · Post by Ed » Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:46 am

Final preseason testing got underway at Valencia and Mugello.

At Valencia, 3 teams were present (Renault, McLaren and Williams).
Nico Rosberg set the fastest time of the day ahead of Pedro de la Rosa and Mark Webber.
Rosberg's best time was a 1:11.030.
(Fastest time so far at Valencia for a 2006 spec car is a 1:09.987 by Kimi Raikkonen)

Webber, Kovalainen and Paffett stopped on the track during the test.

Tooyta and Honda join the test tomorrow.

At Mugello, Michael Schumacher was the fastest of the 2 Ferraris. He set a time of 1:22.623.
(Fastest time so far at Mugello for a 2006 spec car is a 1:21.904 by Michael Schumacher)

Click here for the report and times

Best Lap Times and lap records at Testing Tracks

Ed · Post by Ed » Tue Feb 28, 2006 9:04 am

Selected quotes from the 1st day of testing at Valencia

Sam Michael, Technical Director, WilliamsF1:

Today, Nico and Mark started the final test for the FW28 before the Bahrain Grand Prix. The track was damp and cold this morning, but it cleared up for the afternoon. During the course of the day, Mark tested tyres for Bridgestone to finalise our choice for the initial races, while Nico spent the time working on mechanical set-up.

Christian Silk, Chief Test Engineer, Renault:

It was a tough day for us because of the mechanical problems: we fixed them, but our programme was disrupted because of it. However, the main thing for us is to be ready for Bahrain, and finding and solving these problems is very important for our preparation. Heikki had a very good day, and didn't make any mistakes in spite of difficult circuit conditions. We didn't do many laps, which makes it difficult for the driver to find his rhythm. But this means tomorrow will definitely be a very busy day!

Redhead · Post by **Redhead** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 9:07 am

Interesting to see where noted that the Michelins all went fastest on the second lap then consistently dropping. In some cases severely

Ed wrote: Alonso third - 1:15.801 (during a medium run of 7 laps)
Fastest lap set on the second lap consistently dropping to 1:18.395 on the 6th lap before the in lap.

Thats a big differential over 7 laps (it does say consistenly dropping, so its not as though the slowest time was an exception.)

I thought cars were supposed to get faster during a stint as the fuel burns off.

Looks like the qualifying/early lap advantage is still there, for some reason they think its important to be in front in F1, but to lose lap time afterwards

I wonder how big the Ferrari fuel tank is this year

Ed · Post by Ed » Tue Feb 28, 2006 9:19 am

We noticed that on some of the runs Redhead however there were some longer runs where the intial laps were quick followed by a small drop in pace then went quicker again as the fuel burnt off.

On the other hand, there was a run by both Renaults that was very interesting when for nearly 11 laps Alonso and Fisichella set lap times that were just 3 tenths difference (slowest to fastest!)

The variance between those stints would be mainly down to tyre compound (in addition to track condition, setup, fuel, etc...) and the trick is to find a compound in the middle for every race.

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 9:34 am

Ed wrote:We noticed that on some of the runs Redhead however there were some longer runs where the intial laps were quick followed by a small drop in pace then went quicker again as the fuel burnt off.

On the other hand, there was a run by both Renaults that was very interesting when for nearly 11 laps Alonso and Fisichella set lap times that were just 3 tenths difference (slowest to fastest!)

The variance between those stints would be mainly down to tyre compound (in addition to track condition, setup, fuel, etc...) and the trick is to find a compound in the middle for every race.

Ed, any idea on Webbers mech. problems ? The same both times ? Not that he would be too worried anyway, having been quoted as saying he expects Alonso to have an easy run to the Championship, and Alonso to 1-2, several times ( Melb Sun-Herald ) I rreally don't know how people can believe what they read in newspapers