We used to have quite a decent F1 following in the Paddock and we are at day 3 in Jerez and not a single post despite bold new regs and interesting tech.
So, in order to try and kickstart some enthusiasm, here is a season update.
The new engines sound amazing, so much going on under the 'hood' with turbo whistle and generators whining etc. The YouTube Ferrari - La Ferrari Test Mule video I posted earlier in this thread is exactly what they sound like. Here's a snapshot of good, bad and the recovery truck! (More laps than Red Bull) [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_GwL2KFw9I"]F1 Testing 2014: Jerez - Day 1 - YouTube[/ame]
Day three finished just now like this: New Boy Kevin Magnussen (McLaren) quickest on a low 1:23, followed by Massa (Williams) Hamilton (Mercedes) Button (McLaren) and Alonso (Ferrari). However, they are still 6 seconds off last years Day 3 times, but with chilly running and Mercedes and Ferraris only running at 75% or thereabouts, there's more to come. Button reckons they'll be down in the 22's tomorrow but it will be wet.
The BIG story is the complete failure of the Renault powered cars to hardly turn a lap. Torro Rosso have achieved most but non competitive. The Fire Truck has completed more laps than the Red Bulls and they (Red Bull) have given up for the week not having even completed 10 laps. Apparently, they have packaged the energy recovery and turbo systems too tightly and it's not easily rectified. However, that doesn't explain the problems suffered by the other Renault teams.
By contrast, Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari are in the 3 figure range of reliable running, with Mercedes powered cars easily topping the mileage charts.
Controversies: There's always some. FIA don't like the noses on Mercedes or Ferrari and they are studying the crash test results. Everyone and their uncle is frantic about the rear end of the McLaren. It's clever, but is it legal? Have they pulled off a Brawn style 'Double Diffuser' trick? Some think so, although McLaren say they specifically ran it by the FIA in the middle of last year and got a green light. Ferrari, in the meantime, may have a turbo insulation problem vis a vis the rules. They have interpreted the rule that the turbo housing itself is a sufficient heatshield, whilst Merc and Renault have opted for a fairly hefty 3kg carbon fibre shield in their rule interpretation. Not an easy fix if it becomes a problem.
So, lots of excitement!
That is all.
Dont mention the cricket:thumbsdown:
