FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[The Ram]

Yup, I read that, the Mercedes seems to be tricky under braking (going on eye witness reports) which i guess would make sense if they have a weight distribution problem. Solving that with an update sounds like a bit of an ask though, it would surely require some substantial re-packaging.
Perhaps they have a center of pressure issue rather than a weight distribution issue. This would cause a similar handling problem but could be fixed with aero updates.
The fact that they are seemingly very fast on longer runs but not (relatively) on shorter ones would indicate to me that it is a weight problem rather than an aero one.

Not that much repackaging you can do in terms of the fixed parts. The relative position of the parts are almost Identical between cars. Especially when you have cars with similar wheelbase. So maybe a down-force distribution adjustment, or wheel base adjustment is the quickest way without repackaging.

In one of his interviews (could be the same on you are alluding to), Button said he could see the Merc locking up it's rear tyres while under braking. So we know that there is too much at the front or too little at the rear. Those rear tyres are huge, so locking is a huge worry.

[Cubejam]

Hulkenberg did a very good long run earlier, was consistant and his pace picked up too towards the end.

The page this came from has some laps missing.

86 Out lap
87 1:23.138 -0.994
88 1:22.616 -0.522
89 1:24.089 +1.473
90 1:23.446 -0.643
91 1:23.461 +0.015
92 1:23.316 -0.145
93 1:23.222 -0.094
94 1:23.131 -0.091
95 1:23.139 +0.008
96 1:23.309 +0.17
97 1:23.229 -0.08
98 1:23.241 +0.012
99 1:23.228 -0.013
100 1:23.834 +0.606
101 1:23.971 +0.137
102 1:23.840 -0.131
103 1:23.769 -0.071
104 1:23.493 -0.276
105 1:23.728 +0.235
106 1:23.818 +0.09
111 1:23.333 -0.485

Very consistent times from Hulkenberg. I was impressed by Kobayashis times to. he averaged a 1:19.900 in his 25 lap stint today.

[scotty]

Virgin's car sure seems unreliable... not good. I dare say it's a touch quicker than the Lotus - but at least they appear to be getting more runs in, and the pace will obviously build from there...

Yup, I read that, the Mercedes seems to be tricky under braking (going on eye witness reports) which i guess would make sense if they have a weight distribution problem. Solving that with an update sounds like a bit of an ask though, it would surely require some substantial re-packaging.
Perhaps they have a center of pressure issue rather than a weight distribution issue. This would cause a similar handling problem but could be fixed with aero updates.
The fact that they are seemingly very fast on longer runs but not (relatively) on shorter ones would indicate to me that it is a weight problem rather than an aero one.

Not that much repackaging you can do in terms of the fixed parts. The relative position of the parts are almost Identical between cars. Especially when you have cars with similar wheelbase. So maybe a down-force distribution adjustment, or wheel base adjustment is the quickest way without repackaging.

Wheelbase adjustments mean redoing the suspension which has a whole host of knock on effects... also i think you'd be surprised at how different the cars can be underneath that bodywork (specifically speaking).

I heard the Merc is okay with fuel onboard, then the problems come as the fuel is burned off, which would point towards the fuel tank simply being in the wrong place (which thus causes dynamic weight distribution). Seems like a weird and elementary mistake for such a big team to make!

[7UpJordan]

Very consistent times from Hulkenberg. I was impressed by Kobayashis times to. he averaged a 1:19.900 in his 25 lap stint today.

Yes, good job by Kobayashi, I wonder though if he had softer tyres on or just the right amount of fuel onboard to get the times that low? Having said that the Sauber does look neat pace-wise and should get into the points often at the least.

The comments about the Mercedes being happier with more fuel onboard seem to remind me with the same being said about last year's Brawn car when they would lock out the front row quite comfortably in Q3.

[Cubejam]

Very consistent times from Hulkenberg. I was impressed by Kobayashis times to. he averaged a 1:19.900 in his 25 lap stint today.

Yes, good job by Kobayashi, I wonder though if he had softer tyres on or just the right amount of fuel onboard to get the times that low? Having said that the Sauber does look neat pace-wise and should get into the points often at the least.

The comments about the Mercedes being happier with more fuel onboard seem to remind me with the same being said about last year's Brawn car when they would lock out the front row quite comfortably in Q3.

Apparently word from many teams is the softs grain when its colder, like today but work better when its warmer. they grain really bad after 5 laps. The mediums last for about 10 - 15 laps before they start to grain. So probably on the mediums if he managed to keep that pace up.

[Denthúl]

Very consistent times from Hulkenberg. I was impressed by Kobayashis times to. he averaged a 1:19.900 in his 25 lap stint today.

Kobayashi's 1:19.900 average came on a much shorter run than that.

Virgin's car sure seems unreliable... not good. I dare say it's a touch quicker than the Lotus - but at least they appear to be getting more runs in, and the pace will obviously build from there...

I have noticed that too. But Mike Gascoyne says that one of the Lotus' problems is its rear tyres seem to wear faster than the fronts. And Kovalainen did say that the car is lacking downforce - reminds me a little of the comments that came out of Sutil and Fisichella this time last year regarding the VJM02. Should be interesting to see what updates they bring with them to Barcelona.

I'm also starting to get concerned about the reliability of the Williams car. Most of the red flags seem to have been caused by a Williams stopping on-track somewhere

[7UpJordan]

I'm also starting to get concerned about the reliability of the Williams car. Most of the red flags seem to have been caused by a Williams stopping on-track somewhere

I have a feeling Williams are running parts deliberately until they expire from extreme high mileage, that has been the cause of most of the stoppages so far, it would appear today's stoppage was one of the rear brakes giving in. It always seems to be in the final hour as well...

[Denthúl]

I'm also starting to get concerned about the reliability of the Williams car. Most of the red flags seem to have been caused by a Williams stopping on-track somewhere

I have a feeling Williams are running parts deliberately until they expire from extreme high mileage, that has been the cause of most of the stoppages so far, it would appear today's stoppage was one of the rear brakes giving in. It always seems to be in the final hour as well...

Seems to be the case.

....due to a problem with a high mileage part on the gearbox. Cosworth done a really good job with engine reliability.

[scotty]

Alonso: Ferrari best car I've ever had

By Pablo Elizalde and Matt Beer Saturday, February 20th 2010, 21:03 GMT

Fernando Alonso has declared the Ferrari F10 the best car he has ever driven - and says the team is yet to show what it can really do.

Ferrari was quickest throughout the first test of the winter at Valencia a fortnight ago, but has kept a lower profile during the past fortnight at Jerez.

However Alonso has set some eye-catching times on long runs, and he ended this week's test full of confidence.

"There are no reasons to be pessimistic," the double champion told Spanish media. "As of today, this is the best car I've ever had."

Having taken over from team-mate Felipe Massa on Friday, Alonso enjoyed the best of the weather at Jerez this week, and was able to accumulate plenty of mileage - logging 269 laps over the past two days.

"The two days that I tested it was sunny and the track was dry and I could work more than I thought so I'm very happy," he said. "We have done a good job in terms of reliability and long runs."

Alonso said he was not underestimating Ferrari's rivals - but warned them that the Italian squad had not displayed its real potential yet.

"Red Bull, McLaren and Renault have been very quick and they have shown their cards, while we are still hiding ours," he said. "We are going to analyse the data, but we are very optimistic. As of today, if I were in a different team I would be looking at Ferrari because everything is going very well.

"Maybe where Ferrari needs to improve is in the short runs with little fuel onboard. That's where the Red Bull and the McLaren have been quicker, and they will be the reference to try and improve the F10 in the next test in Barcelona."

The Spaniard's declaration comes after McLaren's Jenson Button said that he also reckoned Ferrari could be the team to beat.

"I think the Ferrari is a very strong car," Button said yesterday. "If you look at their runs today, they're very consistent. I think they have better consistency than anyone at the moment."

Strong words there...! I'm surprised to see him namecheck Renault as being quick though.

Argh, the next 20 days are going to be hell!!

[bud]

Asked about the 1.5s gap to Button, Alonso replied: "I think that someone showed his muscles today, while we didn't. We'll see in Barcelona - when we'll show up with the latest updates - where we are compared to the others.

I like this one better

[f1ea]

Asked about the 1.5s gap to Button, Alonso replied: "I think that someone showed his muscles today, while we didn't. We'll see in Barcelona - when we'll show up with the latest updates - where we are compared to the others.

I like this one better

That was very strong from Button and Mclaren. At least shows that Mclaren have a pretty decent car to start the season... while most are concentrating (or rather expecting) on Red Bull and Merc to have the stuff, the Maccas are putting themselves right where they should be.

So, how does Alonso KNOWS that the others have showed their cards?? he must be very smart
Aaaanyways.... when he says the F10 is the best car he's ever had, and that Ferrari is the fastest... he's quite setting himelf up. Those were some strong comments indeed. So he better be right.

[bud]

they are strong words and yeah from testing you shouldnt really act so bullish until after the first race, as you say youre opening yourself up for embarrassment. But he must be certain to make these claims.

[Frosty]

I don't think it's just the speed of the F10 it's the pace over long runs that is impressive. I'm happy with the fact McLaren have got good pace though and I believe McLaren can develop a car over a season better than most teams. Last year must of taught the team a lot about development with minimal testing.

[Denthúl]

I don't think it's just the speed of the F10 it's the pace over long runs that is impressive. I'm happy with the fact McLaren have got good pace though and I believe McLaren can develop a car over a season better than most teams. Last year must of taught the team a lot about development with minimal testing.

I think the consistency is the most impressive thing about the Ferrari. Aside from the initial drop-off, it manages its tyres exceptionally well, allowing the drivers to put in almost identical times lap after lap. Also, their new cone-shaped wheel nuts are rather interesting. Could shave a tenth or two of their pit-stop times.

[cap-dude]

they are strong words and yeah from testing you shouldnt really act so bullish until after the first race, as you say youre opening yourself up for embarrassment. But he must be certain to make these claims.

Well we know last year with Jenson, he knew the Brawn car was winner straight away. So I'd assume those aren't comments to take lightly. Everyone has been talking about Ferrari's long run pace so far. But yeah, on the flip side he could set himself up to look very stupid come Bahrain.

Interesting that Alonso mentioned Renault and not Mercedes. I don't know if thats because he was with the team for so long and won 2 world championships with them, and that one of his best mates is driving there. So maybe he's making slightly bais comments. But again, we just have to wait till the first race in March.