Pre-2007 Season Testing

Ed · Joined: 19 Jan 2005 Posts: 21588

Pre-season testing commences on the 28th of November at Barcelona. This will be the first test since the end of the 2006 season.

All the teams with the exception of Spyker MF1 are scheduled to take part.

All the teams will be running Bridgestone tyres and those who ran on Michelin tyres during the past season will want to try and adapt to the new tyre as quickly as possible.

Bridgestone have confirmed that they tyres used at this test will be the same as those to be used at the first race of the season in Australia.

A number of top drivers will be taking part due to contractual matters.

Jenson Button will not be taking part due to injury. He sustained two hairline cracks to his ribs whilst participating in a karting test.

This will be the first of 3 major tests before the end of the year.

We'll provide results, reports and quotes as they become available.
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Ed · Joined: 19 Jan 2005 Posts: 21588

First day of testing commenced about 40 minutes ago.

Teams and drivers taking part in the morning session are:
Renault - Kovalainen & Piquet Jr.
Ferrari - Massa & Badoer
McLaren - Hamilton & de la Rosa
Honda - Barrichello & Rossiter
BMW Sauber - Heidfeld & Kubica
Red Bull Racing - Coulthard & Webber
Williams - Wurz
Toro Rosso - Speed & Liuzzi
Super Aguri - Davidson

All drivers except Kubica completed installation laps.

Wurz in the Williams is the only driver with a timed lap. A 1:21.685

Lewis Hamilton was the first to cause a red flag. His car stopped on the track. Cause not yet known.

Again just a reminder that all teams are running Bridgestone tyres.

For those interested in following the times live, go to the Catalunya Web site here (Java required)
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Your predictions in 2010 - Drivers - Constructors

Ed · Joined: 19 Jan 2005 Posts: 21588

Over an hour and 15 minutes into the test session and Luca Badoer is now fastest with a 1:18.739. Barrichello second with a 1:19.034

Lewis Hamilton has done a few more laps but hasn't yet set a competitive time.

Air temperature is a low 7 degrees with track temperatures a degree lower.
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Your predictions in 2010 - Drivers - Constructors

Ed · Joined: 19 Jan 2005 Posts: 21588

Just over an hour remaining in the test session for today.

Massa fastest with a 1:17.443, de la Rosa in second with a 1:17.455 and Badoer third with a 1:17.555.

Heidfeld, Barrichello, Hamilton, Rossiter and Wurz make the top 8.
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Your predictions in 2010 - Drivers - Constructors

Snowy · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 5:49 am Post subject:

You can find a PDF file with all the lap times of everyone at the test today if you follow the link and look for timekeeping. It gives a clearer picture of what is going on than just who set the fastest lap.

Ferrari still looks very fast though!

I noticed in particular the consistency of Nelson piquet's laps compared to Heikki Kovalainen. Also Lewis Hamilton's laps were more consistent if a tad slower than Pedro de la Rosa's.

Mclaren appear consistently quicker than Renault, could be fuel could be they are adapting to Bridgestone quicker. Any ho take a look for yourselves.

Ed · Joined: 19 Jan 2005 Posts: 21588

Thanks Snowy,

First day of testing ended with Massa fastest with a 1:17.160 followed by de la Rosa and Badoer.
Heidfeld, Barrichello, Hamilton, Kubica and Rossiter make the top 8.

The new Bridgestone teams had one car concentrating on adapting to the new tyres. All the teams were also testing developement components for 2007.

Ferrari's Massa and Badoer concentrated on long run tests, experimentation with new components and working on the set-up of the 248 F1.

McLaren's de la Rosa and Hamilton worked on initial evaluation of the Bridgestone tyres and their affect on the balance of the car.
The team also assessed front wing, rear wing and floor packages.
Lewis Hamilton's stop was due to a minor engine mapping issue.

BMW Sauber's Heidfeld concentrated on a new transmission while Kubica ran a tyre evaluation programme as well as testing some new 2007 parts.

Honda's Barrichello and Rossiter concentrated on tyre evaluation. Klien takes over from Rossiter on the second day.

Renault's Piquet Jr and Kovalainen concentrated on tyres as well as the new 2007 gearbox and other new components.

Red Bull's Webber and Coulthard concentrated on understanding the new tyres. Webber had a couple of minor problems.

Intersting the Red Bull's Chief Test Engineer, Ian Morgan indicated that the tyres are different to the ones used in 2006. He said:

Julian Mayo · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 6:20 pm Post subject:

As I understand it from a Webber interview Ed, the B'stones are closer to an '04 spec than anything Cool

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Ed · Joined: 19 Jan 2005 Posts: 21588

Day two at Barcelona commenced half an hour ago. Toyota has joined the test with Panis and Kobayashi.

Weather conditions are warmer than yesterday at this stage. Air temperature at 9.5 degrees while track temperature is at 9.4 degrees.

So far 6 drivers have set lap times with Nick Heidfeld fastest with a 1:18.199
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Your predictions in 2010 - Drivers - Constructors

Snowy · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:00 pm Post subject:

Massa has now done a 1'16.779 while Lewis is second fastest with a 1'18.049 third is Luca Badoer on 1'18.107.
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Snowy · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:46 pm Post subject:

Luca and Lewis have both improved setting 1'17.447 and 1'17.889 respectively.
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Snowy · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 9:03 pm Post subject:

Nick hasn't been out for ages. Pedro has set a 1'17.994, Christian Klein has done a 1'18.383 just pipping Barrichello's 1'18.553 closely followed by Mark Webber and Anthony Davidson with 1'18.700 and 1'18.953 respectively.
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Ed · Joined: 19 Jan 2005 Posts: 21588

Nick Heidfeld stopped early in the session. He has just completed a short run!

Massa improved again with a 1:16.406. That is quick time on these tyres.

I wonder how much quicker they will go.

Not sure why Renault are once again off the pace whereas McLaren are pretty much up there. The lap by lap times should tell us a bit more!

Christian Klien and the 2 Red Bull drivers (Webber and Coulthard) are doing well so far (timewise)!
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Your predictions in 2010 - Drivers - Constructors

Julian Mayo · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 9:19 pm Post subject:

Neweys new "thang" seems quick on the draw, straight outa the box Cool

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The Mountain is a savage Mistress.

Snowy · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 9:24 pm Post subject:

Nick's been out again and Mark has improved to a 1'18.249 he is now sixth fastest Just a fraction behind Nick's best and in front of Christian. DC is splotting the Hondas with a 1'18.526.
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Snowy · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 9:30 pm Post subject:

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