F1 testing

[vat_man]

I've been picking through the F1 testing news from the last couple of weeks (been away from the web), and it has made interesting reading.

I understand there are some interesting rumours kicking about - such as the Mercedes and Honda engines being disappointing, and that Williams are disappointed with the car.

Picking through the times, it's hard to make out a pattern. Jaguar are in huge trouble, BAR are really struggling, and Renault and Sauber look like they might be battling for best of the rest honours (after Ferrari, McLaren and Williams), perhaps with Jordan nibbling behind them (the car appears to be inconsistent, although Sato looks to be something of a genius).

At the risk of putting my neck out, I would suggest the order at this point appears to be:
Ferrari
McLaren
Williams
Sauber
Renault
Jordan
BAR
Jaguar
Toyota
Arrows
Minardi
I had a PM from Giles Guthrie suggesting McLaren and Toyota might be sandbagging. I don't know about McLaren (they've always had their own agenda in testing), but I would be inclined to agree with him on Toyota - although I doubt they'd be higher than BAR.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Re: McLaren
I don't know how much detail your testing reports went into, but the MP4/16 with the 2002 engine was quicker than the MP4/17 with the 2001 engine, but not by much. It would indicate to me a desire to mask the true performance of the whole package.

Re: Jordan
Not sure about the car, or about Sato. I think they'll have more reliability issues - it seems they have the money to do the research to get the good parts, but maybe not enough to trial them properly before installing them.

Re: Renault
Agreed. Renault are looking hot this year. The Renault/Sauber thing could be interesting over the course of the season.

Re: Jaguar
Think you've got this one wrong. I expect Toyota and Arrows to beat Jaguar this year. (ooh, contentious!)

But we'll all see!

 

[vat_man]

Well, this is at the moment.

Arrows have a couple of issues to overcome at the moment - new engine, untested (and late) car, new senior driver, yada yada yada.

I agree Jaguar are in big trouble - you know that when you put a new floor on your car after less than a month things aren't going well. They may bring up the rear.

McLaren are always tough to pick at testing - I remember McLaren in '98 had looked okay in testing but came out in Melbourne and just blew everyone away.

I still think Sato looks good - remember he's a rookie!

I'm looking forward to the Button/Trulli fight - Jenson does look like he's got the fire back.

It will be interesting if BAR are in as much trouble as I think they are.

 

[f1king]

I do expect toyota to out do Jag no problems there, Jordan I really dont know what the heck is going on there. They looked so promising a couple of years ago?????????? Williams i think will surprise everyone, like I said on my post JPM will win the Championship. Ferrari i have nothing to say about them, they are just ready to go. But the biggest surprise might just be Suaber could easly finish 4th. You know what they might even win one.

 

[f1king]

Oh as far as driver go (aside from JPM) Kimi is looking Great. Does anyone else agree with me on this one.

 

[vat_man]

Originally posted by f1king
Oh as far as driver go (aside from JPM) Kimi is looking Great. Does anyone else agree with me on this one.

Actually, now that you mention it, he's just slotted into McLaren and is running the times no problem.

Sauber have no reason to be running light or going for times - that machine just might be something special. Depends if Williams have been dogging it...

 

[KevinPSX]

I think Williams will be number two this year. If they're reliable they'll blow past McLaren. And with JPM having a year under his belt he'll be better than ever.

With Sauber, it's a question: How much was the Sauber and how much was Kimi? Heidfeld compared favorably with Kimi, so I'd tend to the car being good. But Sauber did fire the designer of the C20 before the 2001 season.

 

[vat_man]

Originally posted by KevinPSX
I think Williams will be number two this year. If they're reliable they'll blow past McLaren. And with JPM having a year under his belt he'll be better than ever.

With Sauber, it's a question: How much was the Sauber and how much was Kimi? Heidfeld compared favorably with Kimi, so I'd tend to the car being good. But Sauber did fire the designer of the C20 before the 2001 season.

That's a little harsh given it was Kimi's first season, with little previous experience.

I rate both those guys - it's one thing to have a good car, but you had two young guys there who really put in very sensible seasons. That said the car was good - and looks to be even more so this year.

The talk from testing is that Williams have similar issues to last year - ie. the chassis doesn't care for corners. I think they'll struggle to overcome McLaren - particularly on the same tyres.

 

[Talentless]

Admittedly, I have little interest in JPM, and announce a hope for the success Sauber, maybe Toyota, but despite Sauber's being successful a pro and con for me in Guthrie's Fantasy F1, I hope they move forward.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Originally posted by Talentless
Admittedly, I have little interest in JPM, and announce a hope for the success Sauber, maybe Toyota, but despite Sauber's being successful a pro and con for me in Guthrie's Fantasy F1, I hope they move forward.

It will be interesting to see how Sauber perform. I hear they're after Jos Verstappen - early exit for Massa perchance?

 

[Talentless]

couple o' crashes don't help

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Originally posted by Talentless
couple o' crashes don't help

No. By all accounts they've set back the budget somewhat. Be interesting to see how Massa goes in Melbourne - if he can keep it between the green bits.

 

[Talentless]

do any f1 websites have live practice?

 

[Talentless]

for today. is it over? speed channel airs tape delayed coverage at 11 pm

 

[-Fred-]

Originally posted by Talentless
for today. is it over? speed channel airs tape delayed coverage at 11 pm

it's not delayed... different time zones make that happen. that's why you see most races at 7-8am, in fact all the races are at noon or so, local time from where they are.

Live coverage will be at 11pm tonight, tomorrow night and saturday night...

 

[vat_man]

Originally posted by Talentless
do any f1 websites have live practice?

Yup - go to http://www.f1-live.com/en/index.html

Oh man - I can't wait....it starts today!!!

 

[Talentless]

i tried there, date confusion on my part. Well, i'll have to watch it on tv only, can't be on the comp then.