1519 replies to this topic

[JimmyClark]

Back in the days when the discussion was about reducing mid-season test days, the argument was made that big teams would just benefit more from reduced track days by having the availability to compensate with more wind tunnel or simulation work. The funny thing is we went from that into just preseason testing and now into minimal preseason testing. I don't see any point reducing it further really.

Whatever kit they have in the factory, it can never replicate on track conditions - tracks rubbering in, asphalt coarseness, temperature changes, wind conditions, interactions with other cars - eg look at Red Bill's engine cover yesterday.

[Goron3]

So the theory is that Mercedes decided to struggle for 3 days and then bring a new aero package that they can test for a total of 30 laps over two days on unrepresentative tyres.

On a dusty track.

[Seanspeed]

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Mercedes are as good at marketing as they are at building race cars.  

 

They manage to convince people race after race, season after season, that they are 'in trouble' and that others may genuinely have a real chance of beating them.  

 

I'd like to say it's become predictable and ridiculous and nobody would fall for it anymore, but people always do.  Every. Single. Time.  

[vlado]

Yes, its quite amusing at this point. 

 

I can't really believe that the rule changes at the rear would have such a huge impact on their car. They had so much time to prepare, more than anyone really since they had more resources and they probably started development earlier. 

 

Watch for a "B" spec car in two weeks destroying the field. 

[vlado]

 

https://twitter.com/...0706213893?s=20

[BRK]

Mercedes are as good at marketing as they are at building race cars.  

 

They manage to convince people race after race, season after season, that they are 'in trouble' and that others may genuinely have a real chance of beating them.  

 

I'd like to say it's become predictable and ridiculous and nobody would fall for it anymore, but people always do.  Every. Single. Time.  

 

Maybe it's just hope! Oddly, somehow this has vibes of 2003 or 2005 pre-season testing. People were SO adamant Ferrari were going to show up and obliterate everyone...even with an older car.

Edited by BRK, 15 March 2021 - 03:39.

[FirstnameLastname]

They’d have been as well running a ‘test weekend’ where they actually run the real sessions... Friday is 8hrs of FP.... Saturday 8x qualifying sessions and then 4 races on the Sunday. All of them optional but you can’t join partway into any session.

[aray]

Taken from F1 Technical from Oehrly's post.

All timing information of three days.

 

https://docs.google....t#gid=861716284

Edited by aray, 15 March 2021 - 05:01.

[ARTGP]

It's in Mercedes own interest to be conservative during testing. Mercedes are in the sport because people watch it. They did a hell of a job trying to convince us Red bull are the favorites but I'm not buying the cool-aid they are selling....

Edited by ARTGP, 15 March 2021 - 05:01.

[Kao18]

 

https://twitter.com/...0706213893?s=20

 

 

Kimi doing more testing than anyone else bar Gasly. Not exactly lacking motivation at age 41 

[gillesfan76]

Two issues going on with the Merc. Firstly the floor isn’t sealing very well, at least not consistently so they’re getting magic rear downforce. Magic as in, now you see it, now you don’t. In trying to replace the downforce lost by the new regulations, they may have inadvertently introduced something that simply isn’t translating from the CFD and windtunnel models. It might be a serious flaw that can’t be fixed without a new floor redesign, or it could be a simple solution. We shall see.

 

Secondly, and likely related to the first issue, they can’t get the tyres into the window. So while I thought that it’s just initial testing teething problems, I’m leaning towards the idea this is quite serious for them. Lewis just doesn’t spin so easily especially when not even pushing very hard. So either he’s completely lost his touch or the rear downforce is there one second and gone the next.

[Timstr11]

Two issues going on with the Merc. Firstly the floor isn’t sealing very well, at least not consistently so they’re getting magic rear downforce. Magic as in, now you see it, now you don’t. In trying to replace the downforce lost by the new regulations, they may have inadvertently introduced something that simply isn’t translating from the CFD and windtunnel models. It might be a serious flaw that can’t be fixed without a new floor redesign, or it could be a simple solution. We shall see.

 

Secondly, and likely related to the first issue, they can’t get the tyres into the window. So while I thought that it’s just initial testing teething problems, I’m leaning towards the idea this is quite serious for them. Lewis just doesn’t spin so easily especially when not even pushing very hard. So either he’s completely lost his touch or the rear downforce is there one second and gone the next.

 

I think Lewis is conciously testing the limits of the car, thereby exposing the snappy behaviour under certain conditions.

I'd like to think that's how cars should be tested. Otherwise car vices will not be discovered.

In a race situation he will drive more within the limits of the car.

[Clatter]

I think Lewis is conciously testing the limits of the car, thereby exposing the snappy behaviour under certain conditions.

I'd like to think that's how cars should be tested. Otherwise car vices will not be discovered.

In a race situation he will drive more within the limits of the car.

 

Has he done the same during other tests? If not I think that theory falls flat.

[Marklar]

Marko is bigging up Merc on RTL, declaring them as the favourite because they ran with more fuel. this is a good sign, normally he would say Red Bull is half a second up or something

[Ali623]

Marko is bigging up Merc on RTL, declaring them as the favourite because they ran with more fuel. this is a good sign, normally he would say Red Bull is half a second up or something

 

That has to be the most convincing reason to be positive about Red Bull so far this pre-season 

[Elloh]

Marko is bigging up Merc on RTL, declaring them as the favourite because they ran with more fuel. this is a good sign, normally he would say Red Bull is half a second up or something

 

First time I actually believe Red Bull are ahead, Marko pulling a Merc on Merc

[JimmyClark]

Has he done the same during other tests? If not I think that theory falls flat.

 

Unless he doesn't do it because in Barcelona there's a lot less tarmac runoff (although it does take some talent to get stuck in gravel in Bahrain). 

 

But I agree, I don't think that's the reason. His body language suggested he was very annoyed. 

Edited by JimmyClark, 15 March 2021 - 18:56.

[Ivanhoe]

Marko is bigging up Merc on RTL, declaring them as the favourite because they ran with more fuel. this is a good sign, normally he would say Red Bull is half a second up or something

Now all we need is Toto being bullish about Mercedes and WDC/WCC are sealed for Red Bull.

[Chick0]

Sorry if this has been asked / posted in this thread already.   Just wondering if anyone has compiled the race simulation average times  (or even some average stint time) for the teams that completed them.   

[H0R]

Now all we need is Toto being bullish about Mercedes and WDC/WCC are sealed for Red Bull.

 

In fact Ferrari was playing 4D chess and will run away with the championsheep.