F1 2015

[Mosha]

Pirelli say the new tryres for the coming season will make the cars much faster.

http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/188235.html

[Mosha]

2015 race start times:

Australian Grand Prix      1600 (0500 GMT)Malaysian Grand Prix       1500 (0800 GMT)Chinese Grand Prix         1400 (0700 GMT)Bahrain Grand Prix         1800 (1600 GMT)Spanish Grand Prix         1400 (1300 GMT)Monaco Grand Prix          1400 (1300 GMT)Canadian Grand Prix        1400 (1900 GMT)Austrian Grand Prix        1400 (1300 GMT)British Grand Prix         1300 German Grand Prix          1400 (1300 GMT)Hungarian Grand Prix       1400 (1300 GMT)Belgian Grand Prix         1400 (1300 GMT)Italian Grand Prix         1400 (1300 GMT)Singapore Grand Prix       2000 (1300 GMT)Japanese Grand Prix        1400 (0600 GMT)Russian Grand Prix         1400 (1200 GMT)United States Grand Prix   1400 (1900 GMT)Mexican Grand Prix         1300 (1900 GMT)Brazilian Grand Prix       1400 (1600 GMT)Abu Dhabi Grand Prix       1700 (1300 GMT)

Read more at http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/189055.html#64M6JcCmsyEV0lMe.99

[Basil B]

Pre Season testing under way in Jerez

Unofficial Sunday testing times from Jerez

1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 1m 22.620s, 60 laps
2. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber, 1m 22.777s, 73 laps
3. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 1m 23.106s, 157 laps
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, 1m 23.338s, 35 laps
5. Valtteri Bottas, Williams, 1m 23.906s, 73 laps
6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso, 1m 25.327s, 46 laps
7. Fernando Alonso, McLaren, 1m 40.738s, 6 laps

Well Vettle did well... bet that really rubbed salt into the wounds of the Spaniard who must be kicking himself (and anything else that is in reach) that he is not still at Ferrari.

Looks like a bad year ahead for McLaren having problems not only with a Honda engine, but Denis is looking for capital/financing to buy a majority share holding in the group, rumour is if he does not get it he will be out, and not forgetting the predictable tantrums from the Spaniard.

Mercedes proving reliability, if not top speed, but why put all your cards on the table at this time.

Edited February 2, 2015 by Basil B

[Loptr]

Me tinks Fernando was riding his bike around Jerez... And to think he doesn't have a get-out-of-jail performance clause in his contract with McLaren...

[Basil B]

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said: "It's just showing off really - to turn up and do 157 laps is taking the mickey.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/31098258

So they will not show you what's under the bonnet.

Seem to recall when there was all the jiggery, pokery with the exhaust system a few years back how Red Bull place pit boys around the back of the car to stop anyone getting a close up of the exhaust.

[Mosha]

http://en.espnf1.com/fia/motorsport/story/190825.html

1000bhp? Why not take the engine out and go to pedal power?

[Basil B]

From the first 4 day test.

Seems Ferrari intend to be competitive this year, and Mercedes are giving their cars a real shake down, unfortunately for Christian Horner to do that you do not run the car light... probably a few sands bags in the back.

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, Red Bull, 1m 23.338s, 84 laps
13. Romain Grosjean, Lotus, 1m 23.802s, 53 laps
14. Daniil Kvyat, Red Bull, 1m 23.975s, 82 laps
15. Jenson Button, McLaren, 1m 27.660s, 41 laps
16. Fernando Alonso, McLaren, 1m 35.553s, 38 laps

http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2015/2/16808.html

[andklei]

Hey Basil B you seem to follow the test days quite closely. So how would you rank the teams so far? Any surprises?

[Basil B]

Souber may do well.

McLaren may well have a very rocky season on track, in the pits and in the board room.

With only 9 teams competing, (Caterham almost certainly a dead duck now, the receiver has not been able to find a buyer with a realistic offer), but all in I see a more competitive season with 6 or 7 teams going strong.

[andklei]

Thanks, sounds promissing indeed. Looking forward to the season.

[mania]

Good to see you folks have a F1 2015 thread ready

Some of the new cars are looking good

What do you think of the Sauber?

I know Redbull probably will not compete with this camo but wish they would

McLaren looks good with a little red on it

I like the new Torro Rosso nose better & Ferrari is running something similar too

Looking forward to the season opener

Edited February 8, 2015 by mania

[ignis]

Season not even started yet and talk about Valtteri Bottas possibility of going to Ferrari in 2016, silly season started already ?

[ignis]

Ferrari in 2016 ??

http://en.espnf1.com/ferrari/motorsport/story/191481.html

[Mosha]

OT but Britain's 1st GP track is to get a 7 Million pound face lift out of the lottery heritage fund

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-31506646

150mph in cars with no front brakes, when road vars were doing about 20!

[ignis]

OT but Britain's 1st GP track is to get a 7 Million pound face lift out of the lottery heritage fund

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-31506646

150mph in cars with no front brakes, when road vars were doing about 20!

Getting ready for the Driverless Race Cars ?

http://www.f1reader.com/news/a-vision-of-the-future-the-driverless-race-car-97148

[Basil B]

Season not even started yet and talk about Valtteri Bottas possibility of going to Ferrari in 2016, silly season started already ?

If I were a betting man I would be running over to the bookies to see what the odds were for Suzie to be his replacement...

Susie Wolff will drive the new Williams FW37 on the first day of testing at the Circuit de Catalunya on Thursday.

The Scot, 32, was named the team's test driver in November after taking part in two practice sessions last year.

Race drivers Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa will each get a day and a half in the new car over the following three days of running in Barcelona.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/31522278

[Basil B]

Alonso taken to hospital after crash on day four

Fernando Alonso has been airlifted to hospital after crashing on the final morning of the second pre-season test at Barcelona.

McLaren said on Twitter that he is "conscious and speaking".

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2015/2/16826.html

[Mosha]

http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/192975.html

1. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:23.022 76 laps
2. Felipe Massa Williams 1:23.262 102 laps
3. Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1:23.276 136 laps
4. Carlos Sainz Toro Rosso 1:24.191 132 laps
5. Romain Grosjean Lotus 1:24.200 116 laps
6. Marcus Ericsson Sauber 1:24.477 123 laps
7. Nico Hulkenberg Force India 1:24.939 158 laps
8. Kevin Magnussen McLaren 1:25.225 38 laps
9. Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull 1:25.742 128 laps

[Basil B]

Big problems at McLaren...

wonder if Ron has called Ross to ask if he is already feed up of retirement?

[Mosha]

Methinks another season of which Mercedes powered team comes 2nd in the team standings.

[Mosha]

Alonso will not be driving in the Australian GP.

[Basil B]

Methinks another season of which Mercedes powered team comes 2nd in the team standings.

Methink 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th...

(Mercedes, Williams, Lotus, Force India.)

Edited March 4, 2015 by Basil B

[Mosha]

Methinks another season of which Mercedes powered team comes 2nd in the team standings.

Methink 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th...

(Mercedes, Williams, Lotus, Force India.)

Yes I meant to say which other Merc powered team would be in 2nd, and as you say, 3rd, 4th...

[mania]

[Mosha]

More pearls of wisdom from Bernie.

http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/193689.html

[ignis]

More pearls of wisdom from Bernie.

http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/193689.html

Could be a new meaning to back markers ?

So lets have 40 cars 30 of them getting in the way..

[Basil B]

When I read "More pearls of wisdom from Bernie." I thought the old codger was going to suggest postponing the Aussie GP so Alonso could participate...

[mania]

Wonder what Alonso thinks of the Ferrari's going so well

[Basil B]

Lewis on pole.

Wiped the board in qualifying...

[Basil B]

Wonder what Alonso thinks of the Ferrari's going so well

Do not know but seems he is not interested in racing an uncompetitive car...

Fernando Alonso return unknown - McLaren

McLaren have admitted they do not know the cause of Fernando Alonso's crash in pre-season testing nor when he will return to the cockpit.

The Spaniard misses the season-opening Australian Grand Prix to recover from concussion sustained on 22 February.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/31866157

Will they have to pay him his £27 million quid if he does not race this season?

Edited March 14, 2015 by Basil B