Formula 1 - 2015

[MasterDon]

So It's Alonso Button combo for McLaren,,,Feel sorry for Magnussen.

Look at 'em...It's like spygate never happened.

[vishkid]

Would hv been sorrier if Button was let go, personally ... McLaren would need to nurture someone young and talented for 2016 or 17 though.

So the grid is almost complete with Caterham drivers to be confirmed.

Marussia (or Manor) will not be there in 2015.

Time for any more switches?

Edited December 12, 2014 by vishkid

[anonymous]

At last Button got the seat. If it wasn't for Kimi and Button I would have started watching WEC.

[Pericles]

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-should-think-again-as-myth-tracks-disappear-imola

Thoughts?

[MasterDon]

HAM's custom Zonda

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-should-think-again-as-myth-tracks-disappear-imola

Thoughts?

Sadly true.Particularly in the last decade whoever filled Bernie's pockets the most got to host a race.Having said that I'm not against F1 going to emerging markets.As long as Monza,Spa,Suzuka and Silverstone remain in the calender I'm happy.

[MasterDon]

First test is underway.Few new liveries to get used to...

http://www.planetf1.com/photo-gallery/29152/Testing-Begins-At-Jerez

[B2Spirit]

And McLaren-Honda is Struggling

Edited February 2, 2015 by B2Spirit

[The Don]

And McLaren-Honda is Struggling

Teething issues I recon

[vishkid]

If I'm not very much mistaken, Ferrari set the best time on day 01 at Jerez in 2014 and ran the most laps too. That got my blood racing but look where they ended up (even that mostly down to Fernando's efforts). Also RBR went through a horrid time in Jerez and ended up at podiums* in the first couple of races.

There's not much you can read in to Jerez timings, but generally those who rack up laps will have more reliability from the start. Hopefully McLaren-Honda will clock 20+ laps today.

One good thing seem to be that everyone has upped their game and a little closer to Merc.

Merc arguably has the best looking car and not showing their full hand yet.

[vishkid]

This week’s unofficial aggregate test times from Jerez:

1. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, 1m 20.841s, 200 laps

2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 1m 20.984s, 149 laps

3. Felipe Nasr, Sauber, 1m 21.545s, 197 laps

4. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 1m 21.982s, 308 laps

5. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber, 1m 22.019s, 185 laps

6. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1m 22.172s, 208 laps

7. Felipe Massa, Williams, 1m 22.276s, 144 laps

8. Valtteri Bottas, Williams, 1m 22.319s, 134 laps

9. Max Verstappen, Toro Rosso, 1m 22.553s, 170 laps

10. Pastor Maldonado, Lotus, 1m 22.713s, 137 laps

11. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso, 1m 23.187s, 183 laps

12. Daniel Ricciardo, R*D B*LL, 1m 23.338s, 84 laps

13. Romain Grosjean, Lotus, 1m 23.802s, 53 laps

14. Daniil Kvyat, R*D B*LL, 1m 23.975s, 82 laps

15. Jenson Button, McLaren, 1m 27.660s, 41 laps

16. Fernando Alonso, McLaren, 1m 35.553s, 38 laps

Total distance run - by team (power unit, where different):

1. Mercedes, 516 laps - 2,284km

2. Sauber (Ferrari), 382 laps - 1,691km

3. Toro Rosso (Renault), 353 laps - 1,563km

4. Ferrari, 349 laps - 1,545km

5. Williams (Mercedes), 278 laps - 1,230km

6. Lotus (Mercedes), 190 laps - 841km

7. R*D B*LL (Renault), 166 laps - 735km

8. McLaren (Honda), 79 laps - 349km

Total distance run - by power unit:

1. Mercedes, 984 laps - 4,357km (3 teams)

2. Ferrari, 731 laps - 3,236km (2 teams)

3. Renault, 519 laps - 2,298km (2 teams)

4. Honda, 79 laps - 349km (1 team)

Jerez test comparison - Year on Year

2014 - 1,470 total laps (6,509 kilometres) completed in four days

2015 - 2,294 total laps (10,156 kilometres) completed in four days That's a 56 % increase

2014 fastest overall time - 1m 23.276s (Kevin Magnussen)

2015 fastest overall time - 1m20.841s (Kimi Raikkonen) That's 2.9 % faster

[f1.com]

[pug306xsi]

Is it to soon to say the Iceman & Ferrari are back?

or the others sandbagging? what do you guys think?

Edited February 6, 2015 by pug306xsi

[MasterDon]

Can't read much in to the first test results.As most teams are just focused on just doing systems checks and reliability...Ferrari do seem to have a better car than last year,but I'm afraid Mercedes are still miles ahead.I still stand by the prediction I made two years ago that Mercedes will dominate for awhile.Let's hope I'm wrong.

[B2Spirit]

Can't read much in to the first test results.As most teams are just focused on just doing systems checks and reliability...Ferrari do seem to have a better car than last year,but I'm afraid Mercedes are still miles ahead.I still stand by the prediction I made two years ago that Mercedes will dominate for awhile.Let's hope I'm wrong.

True. And Ferrari have a tendency to go for headline times during these testing periods and free practice for whatever reasons.

Don't think we will have a decent picture until the last test in end of February where they will have the final engine specs and most of the aero parts finalized and running.

[Pericles]

https://plus.google.com/102446491544048229827/posts/LZKHYmJDnSu

[sasika]

Alonso was airlifted to the hospital after a massive crash at turn three of catalunya. No idea of his condition though

[sasika]

Is it to soon to say the Iceman & Ferrari are back?

or the others sandbagging? what do you guys think?

Might be too soon, but I guess they are good for the no.2 or 3 team. Well I don't personally think they can overcome Williams..

Edit: Bulls are unpredictable as well ???

Edited February 22, 2015 by sasika

[vishkid]

Williams will have a hard time with hungry dudes with better cars than last year (Vettel, Ricciardo etc). Now that the iceman seem to have suddenly found his groove (skepticism/sarcasm implied) there is some competition for that podium place - good for us fans!

Interesting conspiracy theories regarding Fernando incident

[B2Spirit]

Interesting conspiracy theories regarding Fernando incident

Official Status Update from McLaren Honda.

http://www.mclaren.com/formula1/inside-the-mtc/further-update-regarding-fernando-alonso/

[sasika]

He is still kept in ICU. Wonder if there's light to some conspiracy theories like inhaling the toxic fumes of the batteries. Can't be an electrical shock, can it? Wouldn't have survived IMO If that's the case.

However this is what Mclaren says

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/alonso-remains-in-intensive-care-unit-after-crash/?v=2&s=1&r=13235

Edited February 23, 2015 by sasika

[pug306xsi]

I hope there wont be any team orders! May the best man win.

Edited February 24, 2015 by pug306xsi

[pug306xsi]

By mistake.

Edited March 15, 2015 by pug306xsi

[MasterDon]

Looks like it's gonna be a Mercedes year again.And I do not think it'll be a close fight between ROS and HAM like last year either.I think Hamilton will just run away with the championship.

Arnold was awesome on the podium interviews.

[Pericles]

Also can finally be a RB fan this year, now that the Finger has moved.

[MasterDon]

LOL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYOyYBrGcHg

[sasika]

In FP2 today Iceman got on top of the time sheets until about five minutes before the end of the session, first non-Merc since Singapore 2014