1645 replies to this topic

[Exb]

Finally the 2015 cars hit the track*. The first of the 3 pre-season tests gets underway tomorrow! 
(*with the exception of Force India who will not attend the Jerez test)
 

 Where
Circuito de Jerez, in Southern Spain 
 
When
Sunday 1^st February until Wednesday 4^th February
The test runs from 09.00 – 17.00 CET (08.00-16.00 GMT) each day (I don’t think there is an official break for lunch in Jerez)

Driver line-up for the 4 days is as follows:
Team                     Day 1                 Day 2                     Day 3                     Day 4
Mercedes            Rosberg               Hamilton              Rosberg               Hamilton
Red Bull              Ricciardo              Kvyat                   Ricciardo              Kvyat
Williams              Bottas                   Bottas                  Massa                  Massa
Ferrari                Vettel                    Vettel                   Raikkonen            Raikkonen
McLaren             Alonso                  Button                  Alonso                  Button
Toro Rosso        Sainz                    Verstappen          Sainz                    Verstappen       
Lotus                  Maldonado           Grosjean             Maldonado           Grosjean
Sauber               Ericsson                Nasr                    Nasr                     Ericsson
 
The Track:
2.75 miles long
13 corners

For reference at the 2014 Jerez test the fastest lap was set by Kevin Magnussen in the McLaren with a time of 1.23.276 whilst the most number of laps completed over all 4 days was by Mercedes with a total of 309 laps (with the lowest amount of laps completed by Red Bull at just 21)
 
Weather Forecast:  Looks like it will be dry and sunny for all 4 days, around 14°C http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2516326
 
Coverage
Sky F1 has two 15 minute programs from 21.00-21.30 each night – Paddock uncut and Teds Notebook.
Sky Sports News will have live updates throughout the day.
Live text coverage from multiple sites:
Autosport - http://live.autospor...9332.1421516325
BBC –
Sky –
A version of live timing (lap counts and fastest laps anyway) - http://www.f1i.com/live-f1/
 
Cars being launched in the pit-lane before testing starts (maybe shown live on Sky Sports News)
Mercedes - 08.30 CET (07.30GMT)
Red Bull?
 
ScottMB has promised to post photos each evening at this link: http://www.scottmbailey.com
 
Lots to look forward to in this test – New cars, new partnerships, new drivers:
McLaren-Honda is back!!!   
Fernando back in a McLaren!   
Seb driving for Ferrari!   
Daniil stepping up to Red Bull!   
Lotus will be hoping the Mercedes engine give them a performance boost.   
How will the rookies (Max, Carlos, Felipe) get on in their 1^st test as official F1 drivers?   
Which team will cause the first red flag, and which team the most?   
Will Lewis find its 3^rd time lucky and manage to avoid a car failure and subsequent crash during the opening test?   
Who will set the initial pace and ‘win’ the first round of testing? (and who will cause their fans despair at thoughts of a season-long struggle)?

 

It’s time to start reading way to much into testing times and for some to start dreaming of those race wins as others watch their hopes fade away… F1 2015 starts here! 

Edited by Exb, 31 January 2015 - 07:44.

[Exb]

Some photos from Jerez: https://www.facebook...?type=3

 

 

Over 50 photos of the set-up from Amus: http://www.auto-moto...ke-9242001.html

Edited by Exb, 31 January 2015 - 07:26.

[pusko]

Awesome!!!

[K20a]

Excellent post! This is where it all starts ladies and gentleman!

I must say personally, I'm most looking forward to hearing the Honda engine

[blacky]

What about this russian website?!

2 years ago they delivered a great service with their live timing, but not last year. This year again?

[spanishcaravan]

Good morning from Jerez!

 

Today it is grey and rainy here, but tomorrow it will be dry and sunny and the teams will find perfect conditions for testing (i hope). 

I will be in the paddcok and try to post some pictures too. 

I cant wait to see and hear the new cars!!

[Jackmancer]

 

For a second, I thought that was Vettel's helmet xD

[thegamer23]

Great post exb!
Tomorrow is the day, F1's atmosphere is finally back!
Any chance of seeing Red Bull today?

[Lights]

For a second, I thought that was Vettel's helmet xD

 

Inspiration has to come from somewhere.

[Lights]

Any chance of seeing Red Bull today?

 

Latest rumor is that their latest crashtest failed and therefore might not make it.

Edited by Lights, 31 January 2015 - 10:08.

[jonpollak]

Thanks for the concise and informative OP Exb

 

Jp

[Jimisgod]

Considering KMag set the fastest time last time and the McLaren was mediocrity defined, is there any reason to draw conclusions from this test?

[dau]

Considering KMag set the fastest time last time and the McLaren was mediocrity defined, is there any reason to draw conclusions from this test?

Regarding performance, nope. But we may get some clues regarding early reliability. Like we did with Renault last year.

[Jimisgod]

Regarding performance, nope. But we may get some clues regarding early reliability. Like we did with Renault last year.

The RBR Renault was no less reliable than Mercedes over the season though yet everyone was predicting they wouldn't finish a race until Spain.

[aramos]

Considering KMag set the fastest time last time and the McLaren was mediocrity defined, is there any reason to draw conclusions from this test?

 

You need a bit more analysis than outright laptimes to determine performance. You should look at how many laps the driver completed on that run and watch the cars on track behaviour. The conclusions we draw from testing are more often than not accurate. 

[dau]

The RBR Renault was no less reliable than Mercedes over the season though yet everyone was predicting they wouldn't finish a race until Spain.

Right, but even though i found it hard to believe at that time, Renault had obvious issues with the PU and every Renault team struggled over the season. Not necessarily meaning they didn't finish races, but they couldn't run the engine at its full potential to avoid just that.

[khatibrifath]

Even in 2012 Mclaren were best in pre-season testing and ferrari were worst and the rest is history.......mclaren fans pray for pre-season to go worse so that it goes best during races in the season

[Mat13]

Even in 2012 Mclaren were best in pre-season testing and ferrari were worst and the rest is history.......mclaren fans pray for pre-season to go worse so that it goes best during races in the season

But the 2012 season went well for McLaren...

[khatibrifath]

But the 2012 season went well for McLaren...

It went well but they ended up 3rd and behind ferrari.........from pre-season everyone were expecting them to take both wdc and wcc but it was not.....thanks to the immense efforts made by whitmarsh and the pit crew members

[Mat13]

It went well but they ended up 3rd and behind ferrari.........from pre-season everyone were expecting them to take both wdc and wcc but it was not.....thanks to the immense efforts made by whitmarsh and the pit crew members

That was nothing to do with the car though, nor how it performed in testing.

[Button4life]

Even in 2012 Mclaren were best in pre-season testing and ferrari were worst and the rest is history.......mclaren fans pray for pre-season to go worse so that it goes best during races in the season

I think you're confusing McLaren with Mercedes/Lotus, McLaren only finished in the top 2 twice in pre season in 2012.

Edited by Button4life, 31 January 2015 - 11:22.

[Newbrray]

Does anyone know of any website that will show test lap times etc. There was a Greek site that used to display all that a couple of years back but I think it's dud now

[f1tomi8]

Does anyone know of any website that will show test lap times etc. There was a Greek site that used to display all that a couple of years back but I think it's dud now

For example:http://www.f1i.com/live-f1/ or f1today.net

Edited by f1tomi8, 31 January 2015 - 11:36.

[ScottMB]

Very windy in Jerez this afternoon. Hope that calms down for tomorrow.
Autosport chaps are here, they were next in line at the car rental at Seville Airport.

[Newbrray]

For example:http://www.f1i.com/live-f1/ or f1today.net

 

Thanks   

[TomNokoe]

Many online weather outlets indicate a dry and mild test for the entire four days.

[Sheepmachine]

Well that's my Sunday sorted.
Thanks for the info exb
Hope they enable live chat in autosport live

[aray]

Considering KMag set the fastest time last time and the McLaren was mediocrity defined, is there any reason to draw conclusions from this test?

I remember Merc was clearly touted as the best engine...and i believe we will get some basic ideas of who stand where in terms of engine at least,if not the car...

[rghojai]

The only question that matters: will the kind and magnificent Autosport people have live chat fired up??!

[MortenF1]

This thread (very good, and informative opening post) is going to be a great library ahead of the season. I'm excited about the first test, and hopefully we'll get good, serious running more or less from the off. After system checks etc, they should get down to real running as these cars aren't as new anymore, as they were last year.

Especially intrigued to see what McLaren Honda can do.

[MortenF1]

I think you're confusing McLaren with Mercedes/Lotus, McLaren only finished in the top 2 twice in pre season in 2012.

That's totally, totally irrelevant. We're always talking about pace over a stint, and it's analyzed beyond belief from all corners before a half-definite conclusion is reached.

[BullHead]

as said, great op, looking forward to the week!

[Red17]

It's about time we got the cars back on track.

 

Looking foward to see how the other engine makers played the catch up.

 

[Richard T]

The only question that matters: will the kind and magnificent Autosport people have live chat fired up??!

 

 

Of course! Im sure Jp will be there as well 

[KTownDevil]

http://www.formelaus....at/liveticker/ is looking good, too 

[Antonov]

people in T-Shirts in the sun, in Europe? Where is this place? I need some time to relax!!

[BullHead]

this age of tech and media coverage, we never had it so good. remember when testing was just a mention in the magazine or pre season telly build up? only when it was all done were comments made about anything that stuck out. otherwise we just went off the previous season form into the first race

[TheRacingElf]

Sky did some live coverage few years ago which was great but I think it was a bit to expensive unfortunately.

[DanardiF1]

Sky did some live coverage few years ago which was great but I think it was a bit to expensive unfortunately.

 

It was their launch year as well so I think they spent the money on it because it was part of their channel launch coverage. Got my 'Ferrari Y U NO FINISH NOSE?' banner featured in their opening montage of that first F1 Show

 

[Ducks]

Sky did some live coverage few years ago which was great but I think it was a bit to expensive unfortunately.

 

It was like days 3-4 of the last Barcelona test.

 

And yeah probably cost them a boat load.

[chumma]

They did it in 3d no less. Wasn't very exciting and I think the numbers reflected that.

[Christbiscuit]

I'm more excited about tomorrow than is really rational.

[DanardiF1]

I kinda wish I was there this time... haven't been since 2012 but Jerez is always a good trip.

[TomNokoe]

absolutely love testing. Just the magic of F1 being back. Ted's Notebooks, too!

[Lord_Shaitan]

What about Lotus and E23? Are they going to hit the track tomorrow? Does anyone know?

 

 

Guys, I love this period in F1  . Sooo good that F1 is back  !

[MotorsportFerrari]

This time, I am not hopeful at all. I expect Mercedes to trash the whole field. Lewis and Nico won't have to work for anything, even one of their mechanics could win the title in that car. 

[NoDivergence]

^LOOOOOOL

[sennafan24]

Testing is tomorrow? I need to get my **** together.

 

Thanks for the info EXB. Great post 

[dave34m]

What time do things kick off today?

[pusko]

9 am local time...T - 4 hrs.

Edited by pusko, 01 February 2015 - 04:18.