Formula 1 2009: The Launch Season

[Alex.]

Anyone?

 

[Sureboss]

It's a McLaren.

 

[Blake]

 

[Hun200kmh]

This morning's times:

1º - Rubens Barrichello - 00:01'18''398 - 46 laps
2º - Fernando Alonso - 00:01'19''334 - 51 laps
3º - Lewis Hamilton - 00:01'19''629 - 35 laps
4º - Nico Rosberg - 00:01'19''783 - 70 laps

From the spanish commentator:

09:43h - Barrichello acaba de volver a bajar el crono del día con 1:18:398. O Ross Brawn ha encontrado la piedra filosofal de la F1 o no se entiende cómo un coche del 2009 pueda hacer estos tiempos.

(rough translation) - Barrichello again reduced his best laptime with a 1:18:398. Either Ross Brawn has found the F1 philosopher's stone or it isn't just understadable how a 2009 car can do these laptimes.

 

[TheCracker]

Anyone?

'Yo dawg, we put a defuser on your defuser so you can defuse while you're defusing'

 

[Metar]

Macca has been known to be off the ball when major regulation changes have occurred, so it's know real big surprise that they missed this one either, especially when you don't have any clue what the relative performance is of the other teams until you show up to the initial off season testing.

Despite 'Do you race?'s best efforts, I shall repeat: The last two major regulation changes were 1998 and 2005 - and McLaren won 1998 and were very fast in 2005...

This is actually a strong point, and while we're on the diffusers of Toyota and Williams; Where there ever actions taken against those "illegal" diffusers since they were placed too high (or was it too low?) or were they declared legit?

They're technically legal under the bodywork regulations, albeit against the spirit of the rules. Whiting and Mosley hinted that they're OK, but it's up to the Melbourne Scrutineers to decide.

Anyone?

It's a "birdcage" loaded with sensors, designed in order to measure pressures and velocities - basically, to verify if your wind-tunnel data is worth anything. In McLaren's case, it isn't.

'Yo dawg, we put a defuser on your defuser so you can defuse while you're defusing'

 

[The Outlaw]

Despite 'Do you race?'s best efforts, I shall repeat: The last two major regulation changes were 1998 and 2005 - and McLaren won 1998 and were very fast in 2005...

I wasn't necessarily talking about the season on the whole, rather the fact that they are off to a slow start isn't all that unusual, especially without Newey around. The 2005 season saw Mclaren struggle quite badly in the first several races of the season, only running mid pack and often nearly a second behind Ferrari in qualifying. Their slow start is arguably what cost them the 2005 Constructors Championship. You are correct about the 1998 season, but a lot of this can be attributed to Macca snagging Newey (who they no longer have) from Williams, as well as the departure of Renault as an engine supplier.

I smell a season eerily similar to the 05 season for Macca...

 

[Hun200kmh]

ALONSO does a 1.18.343 !!!! Qualifying simulation, but I guess so was the 1.18.9XX of Barrichello!


This is getting hotter, and I'm not speaking about the weather !!!! 👍

 

[Metar]

ALONSO does a 1.18.343 !!!! Qualifying simulation, but I guess so was the 1.18.9XX of Barrichello!

Yep, both qualifying-simulations, and both done on a 4-lap stint. Alonso did a five-lap stint of 1'19s as well. Just when we thought we had things figured out...

 

[The Outlaw]

The Magician does it again...great to see Alonso setting an extremely competitve pace 👍

BTW, Barrichello's best lap was a 1'18.398, not 1'18.9xx

Yep, both qualifying-simulations, and both done on a 4-lap stint. Alonso did a five-lap stint of 1'19s as well. Just when we thought we had things figured out...

Barrichello's 1'18.3 was done on a 7 lap stint, not 4. Even more impressive 👍

1:18:421
1:24:576
1:18:398
1:18:929
1:19:056
1:19:237
1:19:025

 

[Hun200kmh]

Indeed, my mistake ...

 

[The Outlaw]

Looks like the Brawn diffuser is in question...although I'd imagine Flavio is just looking for something else to bitch about The diffuser is likely legitimate, but time will tell 👍


Brawn's diffuser design also disputed Domenicali calls on FIA to clarify rules

16/03/09 10:29


Brawn GP is the third team whose diffuser design for its 2009 car has been questioned by F1 rivals including Renault's Flavio Briatore.

That is the suggestion of the Cologne newspaper Express, following Briatore's comments that the rear diffusers of three unnamed teams 'do not conform to the regulation'.

It is reported that Brackley-based Brawn, who have astonished the Formula One world with their test pace in the wake of Honda's withdrawal, has taken the controversial Williams and Toyota-like diffuser interpretation even further.

Express claims the BGP001 design effectively links the floor with the diffuser in a curved fashion, with the result of radically increased rear downforce.



Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali on Saturday was quoted as dividing F1 teams into two camps: those (including Ferrari) who applied the 2009 rules 'to the letter' and those who took 'a different approach'.

 

[Ardius]

I detect a strong sense of "wah, we want what they've got!". I hope the FIA nor the scrutineers at any of the GPs don't take any action against said teams and leave it for a minor rule change at the end of the season, otherwise a potentially interesting season will be ruined.

The benefits of the diffuser design may be overcome when it comes to races by the effect of KERS, the Brawn's may qualy on the front row, but will they be able to defend it? Over a lap, they can pull out a gap, but when it comes to actually defending against a car with KERS, the Brawn's will have a distinct disadvantage, so as it is this season is looking to be a good battle between KERS and non-KERS cars, with some circuits benefitting one or the other.

I hope that Renault and Ferrari's complaints don't ruin this potential battle.

 

[Bram Turismo]

Just when we thought no one was able to match the Brawn car, Renault comes in.. BAM!

Whew, I didn't expect that one...

 

[Ardius]

Just when we thought no one was able to match the Brawn car, Renault comes in.. BAM!

Whew, I didn't expect that one...

Looking at the stint times though, they haven't really caught up, it was a one off lap.....

The BGP's stint times are a good average of 1'19s and a few sprinkles of 1'18s. Whereas the Renault's was 1'20 with sprinkles of 1'19s. Renault haven't caught up that much.
The Renault is a bit closer than we though, but no where near the pace of the Brawn still.

I'm fairly sure we will see Button breaking into 1'17s tomorrow.

Alonso times 16.03.09:

09:00 installation lap

09:20 Pista
1.21:418
1.21:590
1.20:867
1.20:333
1.20:055
1.19:937
1.19:718
1.20:542
1.21:107
1.20:269
1.19:745
1.19:654
1.19:705
1.19:733
1.19:958 Box

10:17 Pista
1.20:258
1.19:617
1.19:432
1.19:334
1.19:524 Box

11:04 Track temp 30ºC Air temp 20ºC
1.21:215
1.20:477
1.20:822
1.23:585 Box

11:48 Pista
1.20:010
1.19:993
1.20:452
1.20:506 Box

12:05 Pista
1.20:513
1.20:354
1.21:019
1.20:759
1.20:551 Box

12:45 Pista
1.21:117
1.20:554
1.20:544
1.20:664
1.20:961 Box

13:05 Pista
1.20:256
1.20:797 Box

13:22 Pista
Box

14:37 Pista
1.20:951
1.20.252
1.21:081 Box

14:55 Pista
1.20:394
1.20:382
1.20:670 Box

15:42 Pista
1.20:397
Salida de pista vuelve por su pie a box

16:01 Pista
1.19:936
1.20:314
1.24:147 (se encuentra con la salida de pista de Hamilton)
1.20:244
1.19:997
1.20:538
1.20:249
1.20:782
1.20:048
1.19:979
1.20:238
1.20:162
1.19:774
1.19:727
1.20:775 Box

16:39 Pista
1.20:030
1.20:220
1.19:760
1.19:878
1.20:994 Box

16:52 Pista
1.22:061
1.18:343


Brawn (Barrichelo):
12:15 Pista vuelta de instalación y box
12:20 Pista
1.19:582
1.19:173
1.19:291
1.19:468
1.19:103
1.19:164
1.19:329
1.19:363
1.19:145
1.19:353
1.18:885
1.18:924 Box

12:46 Pista
1.19:243
1.19:181
1.19:347
1.19:379
1.19:131
1.19:389
1.18:937
1.19:152
1.19:476
1.19:476
1.18:939
1.19:159
1.19:207 Box

13:14 Pista
1.19:123
1.18:874
1.19:106
1.18:666
1.20:816
1.20:231
1.19:618
1.19.563
1.19:926
1.19:432
1.19:984 Box

 

[The Outlaw]

I'm looking forward to seeing what Jense can do tommorow. There's a lot of hype surrounding him, even though he has yet to best Ruben's times in the past days.

 

[mustang245]

Just when we thought no one was able to match the Brawn car, Renault comes in.. BAM!

Whew, I didn't expect that one...

So very nice. I've been waiting for Alonso to remind everyone just who the hell he is. Toma!

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Despite 'Do you race?'s best efforts, I shall repeat: The last two major regulation changes were 1998 and 2005 - and McLaren won 1998 and were very fast in 2005...

It's not like I'm trying here. I just seem to have been led to believe some bad information. It happens to the best of us, not just me.

 

[orimarc]

Holy potato omelette and iberic ham sandwich! I can't wait!
There's actually any car NOT capable of winning in Australia?

 

[Alex.]

Yeah, Mclaren

 

[Bram Turismo]

And Force India...

 

[Hun200kmh]

I'm fairly sure we will see Button breaking into 1'17s tomorrow.

Done!


EDIT:

Times so far:

Jenson Button Brawn GP 00:01'17''844
Nico Rosberg Williams 00:01'18''071
Nelson Piquet Jr Renault 00:01'18''382
Lewis Hamilton McLaren 00:01'19''121

So ...
- BrawnGP continues dominating,
- Williams however is now very close,
- Piquet did very well, similar lap to Alonso's best yesterday
- Mclaren is also improving, but needs to improve a lot more

 

[Alex.]

Couldn't con into the track AGAIN to watch Force India testing, I can hear them as I post (they are running both cars)

 

[Alltidxx]

Well, I think I decided that the beauty contest goes to Red Bull this year.

 

[The Outlaw]

Done!


EDIT:

Times so far:

Jenson Button Brawn GP 00:01'17''844
Nico Rosberg Williams 00:01'18''071
Nelson Piquet Jr Renault 00:01'18''382
Lewis Hamilton McLaren 00:01'19''121

So ...
- BrawnGP continues dominating,
- Williams however is now very close,
- Piquet did very well, similar lap to Alonso's best yesterday
- Mclaren is also improving, but needs to improve a lot more

Ahh...so Button did get that 17 👍. I wonder if todays conditions are better though...I'll have to look into it. I find it hard to believe that Piquet would be able to match Alonso's pace in equal coniditions

 

[Ardius]

Couldn't con into the track AGAIN to watch Force India testing, I can hear them as I post (they are running both cars)

Bet you didn't try the McCarthy trick again did you?.

 

[Hun200kmh]

Kovalainen set today a very, very good time at Jerez (01'18''202). It seems Mclaren is getting in shape. Nice, can't wait for Melbourne !!! 👍

 

[Ardius]

Kovalainen set today a very, very good time at Jerez (01'18''202). It seems Mclaren is getting in shape. Nice, can't wait for Melbourne !!! 👍

I'd like to see stint times before I assume that.

 

[Hun200kmh]

EDIT: it seems I had an unreliable source. Sorry.


Anyway, I got it from here: http://www.thef1.com/noticias/notic...ajima-logra-la-mejor-marca-de-la-pretemporada

 

[PeterJB]

What is going on? This is so confusing! Everythings been turned on it's head!