Racing (Car) : Formula 1 2015 Season thread

[MalteseFalcon]

The 2015 Force India car has been revealed, set to debut on Day 2 of this coming Test apparently. Looks quite nice, like the livery on it.

Line up for testing (Day 1 to 4 L-R):

Mercedes: Hamilton, Rosberg, Hamilton, Rosberg
Red Bull: Kvyat, Kvyat, Ricciardo, Ricciardo
Williams: Massa, Bottas, Massa, Bottas
Ferrari: Raikkonen, Vettel, Raikkonen, Vettel
McLaren: Button, TBA, TBA, TBA
Force India: N/A, TBA, TBA, TBA
Toro Rosso: Sainz Jr., Verstappen, Sainz Jr., Verstappen
Lotus: Grosjean, Maldonado, Grosjean, Maldonado
Manor: NOT RUNNING
Sauber: Ericsson, Nasr, Ericsson, Nasr
Caterham: NOT RUNNING

[MalteseFalcon]

So, here are the other teams cars. I like the look of Sauber personally, if I was choosing a team to support based on livery alone I would be rooting for either Force India or Sauber this season.

[MalteseFalcon]

Times for Day 1. McLaren crap yet again, I hope they get their act together soon otherwise this will be yet another season of mediocrity.

1. Massa, Williams. 1:23.500, 103 laps
2. Ericsson, Sauber. 1:24.276, 122
3. Hamilton, Mercedes. 1:24.881, 48
4. Kvyat, Red Bull. 1:25.947, 75
5. Grosjean, Lotus. 1:26.177, 75
6. Raikkonen, Ferrari. 1:26.327, 80
7. Sainz Jr., Toro Rosso. 1:26.962, 86
8. Button, McLaren. 1:31.479, 7

Nice to see Mercedes also having some trouble today. But like I say, McLaren need to find something and find it fast. Sad to see such a great team end up being so crap.

[andy_m]

McLaren are this year where everybody else was last year. I'm not worried about them, I think that's a really good car once they sort out all the teething problems, but that might take a little while.

Meanwhile Williams looking good today, which makes me happy!

---------- Post added at 23:57 ---------- Previous post was at 23:50 ----------

In other news Lotus have signed a test driver so poor that they were pointless in gp3 last season and when somebody else drove their car for the final four races that same somebody managed a pole, 2 wins and a 2nd place.

But she is fit.

[MalteseFalcon]

Well if you are shallow like me then it is excellent news.

[MalteseFalcon]

FINALLY! McLaren seem to have some sort of consistency going, 101 laps today.

Day 2 times:

1. Rosberg, Mercedes. 1:22.792, 106 laps
2. Bottas, Williams. 1:23.995, 90
3. Nasr, Sauber. 1:24.071, 141
4. Vettel, Ferrari. 1:25.339, 143
5. Button, McLaren. 1:25.590, 101
6. Maldonado, Lotus. 1:26.705, 140
7. Verstappen, Toro Rosso. 1:26.766, 139
8. Kvyat, Red Bull. 1:26.965, 84
9. Hulkenberg, Force India. 1:28.412, 77

So Mercedes also look like they are back on top. Shame.

[andy_m]

Button managed a couple of 12/13 lap stints amongst all that as well. There's definitely a good car in there - I've been saying that all along. I'm looking forward to seeing it in the second part of the season.

Also, despite myself as a Williams fan (and yes, I realise I'm alone in this), I can't help but think the McLaren is the best looking car on the grid.

Rumour is McLaren might parachute Stoffel Vandoorne or KMag into Manor alongside the already confirmed Will Stevens in lieu of money owed to them.

Caterham now doesn't appear on the entry list.

[MalteseFalcon]

So after a good day yesterday, McLaren back to mediocrity again. *sighs*

Day 3 times:

1. Hamilton, Mercedes. 1:23.022, 76 laps
2. Massa, Williams. 1:23.262, 102
3. Raikkonen, Ferrari. 1:23.276, 136
4. Sainz Jr., Toro Rosso. 1:24.191, 132
5. Grosjean, Lotus. 1:24.200, 116
6. Ericsson, Sauber. 1:24.477, 123
7. Hulkenberg, Force India. 1:24.939, 158
8. Magnussen, McLaren. 1:25.225, 39
9. Ricciardo, Red Bull. 1:25.742, 128

[andy_m]

Just need to be patient with them. It's a huge change, and they've arguably made it a season too late. They won't win anything this year - they themselves don't expect to even be competetive until the championship is.back in Europe http://www.theguardian.com/sport/201...en-off-pace-f1 - but the car looks incredible - so tightly packed - and it's not as if Honda don't know how to make engines. This will come good for them I'm completely convinced of it.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by Hom3r

To be honest I just think they're be overly cautious, possible head injury.

As much as I dislike Alonso, it's better safe than sorry.

Yes l dislike him but l would not wish harm even to my worse enemy.

[MalteseFalcon]

Day 4 times:

1. Bottas, Williams. 1:23.063, 89 laps
2. Vettel, Ferrari. 1:23.469, 129
3. Nasr, Sauber. 1:24.023, 159
4. Verstappen, Toro Rosso. 1:24.527, 85
5. Ricciardo, Red Bull. 1:24.638, 72
6. Perez, Force India. 1:25.113, 130
7. Rosberg, Mercedes. 1:25.186, 148
8. Button, McLaren. 1:25.327, 30
9. Maldonado, Lotus. 1:28.272, 36

Laps by team in Test 3:

1. Sauber, 545 laps
2. Ferrari, 488
3. Toro Rosso, 442
4. Williams, 384
5. Mercedes, 278
6. Lotus, 367
7. Force India, 365
8. Red Bull, 359
9. McLaren, 177

---------- Post added at 20:32 ---------- Previous post was at 20:19 ----------

Total laps all tests:

1. Mercedes - 1,340
2. Sauber - 1,246
3. Toro Rosso - 1,206
4. Ferrari - 1,181
5. Williams - 1,069
6. Red Bull - 924
7. Lotus - 918
8. Force India - 669
9. McLaren - 380

Drivers by laps driven:

1. Rosberg, Mercedes - 759
2. Verstappen, Toro Rosso - 754
3. Nasr, Sauber - 653
4. Vettel, Ferrari - 601
5. Ericsson, Sauber - 593
6. Raikkonen, Ferrari - 580
7. Hamilton, Mercedes - 533
8. Bottas, Williams - 501
=9. Maldonado, Lotus - 486
=9. Ricciardo, Red Bull - 486
10. Kvyat, Red Bull - 456
11. Sainz Jr., Toro Rosso - 452
12. Massa, Williams - 437
13. Grosjean, Lotus - 355
14. Perez, Force India - 285
15. Hulkenberg, Force India - 271
16. Button, McLaren - 224
17. Alonso, McLaren - 117
18. Wehrlein, Force India - 113
19. Wolff, Williams - 86
20. Palmer, Lotus - 77
21. Wehrlein, Mercedes - 48
22. Magnussen, McLaren - 39

[andy_m]

Worth pointing out that Bottas was on super soft tyres, but still 3 tenths down on Rosberg's fastest lap the other day, which he set on softs. Pirelli reckon the super softs are 8 or 9 tenths quicker than the softs so presumably Merc have still got 1.1 or 1.2 seconds a lap on Williams, which appears to be the next best car. Obviously we don't know fuel loads, what stage of the testing programme either team were at etc and nor have I taken into account the fact that the track was warmer when Rosberg st his time, but either way, they still appear streets ahead.

[SnoopZ]

Alonso to miss the season opening race in Australia, even though they say he made a full recovery from his crash, doctors advise to avoid the race as maybe at risk of another concussion.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/31713292

[MalteseFalcon]

Wow. Either there is something not being told about the crash or since Bianchi they are being VERY cautious about concussions now. Hopefully he will be back for the second race.

Wolff will be driving in first practice for Williams in both Spain and Britain.

[Hom3r]

Manor GP are going to race with Will Steven to drive, other driver TBC.