2389 replies to this topic

[Hotwheels]

After 6 weeks of no action and great news on moves within teams, testing starts less than 24 hours from now.

on Nov 25th

Ferrari / BAR / Sauber test in Barcelona
Renault / Toyota / Williams / Mclaren / Jaguar in Valencia

I'm looking especially forward to Mclaren - will it be MP 4 / 19 from day 1 or again MP 4 / 17 DDDCCTR

Also I'm looking forward to the tyres - I hope that Michelins kick BStones.

Bring on 2004

[Enkei]

HEEEEELL YEAAAAHH
The Mp4/19 will be the first 2004 car on the track, McLaren will have 3 months testing it, making it reliable and sorting out problems. It better be good

[Chevy II Nova]

I am waiting for Minardi. They are trying to get in this month, otherwise it's 10th and 11th of December. :

[Sir Frank]

McLaren:
The MP4/19 is going to make its debut with DC at the wheel in Valencia. Kimi is unlikely to test this year at all due to his wrist operation that is still healing. Wurz is rumoured to have a deadline for his contract negotiations with Jag, that will be nearing, he will be testing tyres on the 17D.
Whitmarsh: While the 18 & 19 look very similar in profile, they are completely different in terms of their structure under the skin.
The car is powered by the latest FO110Q engine, the P was said to have had problems with its power output and vibration.
Haug: We had teething problems with the P engine [in MP4-18]. That will be the baseline for 2004, when we will run the Q engine.

Ferrari:
MS is kept away by Montezemolo from testing until mid January, Massa will be running alongside Burti and Badoer. They will be testing some new single components for the new engine.
Bridgestone will have 20 new tyres for testing, new compounds, constructions and different sizes.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport Ferrari is preparing two cars for next year, the F2004 and a modified F2003-GA-B, which should incorporate a new heavier engine. That means Ferrari will have to lighten the weight of other components in the back so the basic characteristics of weight distributions are kept. The B is expected to be a few cm shorter than its predecessor.
The F2004 will be ready for the end of January.

Williams:
They will be running with the new P84 BMW engine which was already run during Monza tests with great results. BMW is looking frightening again. Nico and Nelsinho are scheduled to run in December. JPM, RS and Gené are all scheduled to test in the regular scheme. New Michelins test for both race drivers and engine mapping and development for Gené.

Renault:
Will be running José Maria Lopez and Heikki Kovalainen on dec2-4, it is rumoured that between the two there will be a seat at Minardi. Trulli and Montagny will be at the wheel.

Sauber:
Fisico will make his debut. Massa will test both for Ferrari and Sauber. Jani is expected to test as well at some point.

Toyota:
New TF103B will be run at Ricard this week with Zonta at the wheel. It has a complete new rear end incorporating the new engine, new rear suspension, new electronics and the TF103B is essentially already half of the new car. The "old" car will be run in Valencia by Briscoe.

BAR:
Michelins are confirmed. This change is likely to create some difficulties as it has at other teams in the past.
Button will be running and interim silver-black car with significant advances for next year with both engine and transmission. It will be the first time the new engine will be on the track. It is lighter, more compact and has a lower centre of gravity than last season's unit. Sato will be driving the 005. The launch of the 006 is expected for February.

Jag:
Bell vs. Klien vs. JW in Valencia, Klien extended his contract with RedBull during the weekend and his backing seems to be very solid indeed. Verstappen and Wurz are still in the running.

Minardi:
Will they be testing with Bruni? Do they have the new PS04 "half Arrows/half Minardi" ready?
The new car will have the rear of the PS03 with one of the lightest and most reliable gearboxes in F1 and a Cosworth engine that puts out about 20HP more than the 2003 engine. The rest of the car will be ideas taken mainly from the Arrows. Their programm only starts in December.

Jordan:
Going to test Janis but not befor December. They look to be in a very bad state, even worse than Minardi. Only 45m$ are available at this point from a minimum target budget of 70m$. Heidfeld is almost certain to get a ride if he can bring 4m$ sponsor money. Baumgartners manager Tamás Frank will be meeting with Eddie Jordan next week but they dont have the full budget yet.

[renaultFan]

Originally posted by Sir Frank
McLaren:
Will Kimi run this week? Did his wrist already fully hail after the op?
Wurz has a deadline for his contract negotiations with Jag, that will be nearing.
and of course the brand new MP4/19 is going to make its debut.

Ferrari:
MS is kept away by Montezemolo from testing, Massa will be used.
Bridgestone has 20 new tyres for testing, new compounds, constructions and different sizes as well.

Williams:
I suspect they will be running with the new BMW engine which was already run during Monza tests with great results. BMW is looking frightening again. Nico and Nelsinho are scheduled to run in December.

Renault:
Will be running José Maria Lopez and Heikki Kovalainen on dec2-4, it is rumoured that between the two there will be a seat at Minardi.

Sauber:
Fisico will make his debut.

Toyota:
New TF103B will be run at Ricard this week. It has a complete new rear end incorporating the new engine, new rear suspension, new electronics and the TF103B is essentially already half of the new car.

BAR:
What tyres will they use?

Jag:
Bell vs. Klien vs. JW in Valencia, Klien extended his contract with RedBull during the weekend and his backing seems to be very solid indeed. Verstappen and Wurz are still in the running.

Minardi:
Will they be testing with Bruni? Do they have the new PS04 "half Arrows/half Minardi" ready?

Jordan:
Going to test Janis, they look to be in a very bad state, even worse than Minardi.

Excellent Post Sir Frank

[Ghostrider]

Fisi will kick ass from the word go.

I hope.

[HSJ]

According to www.turunsanomat.fi/f1 Kimi is unlikely to test this year at all, though if his wrist gets better soon he could test for one week before Xmas break. That would be the last of the three test weeks ahead and he won't be testing this week at least. If the info from TS is correct, that is, they reported it a week ago or so, so the situation may have changed since then. But I think KR will in fact start testing in January.

[Sir Frank]

Originally posted by renaultFan



Excellent Post Sir Frank

Check back I have edited it.

[Enkei]

This hasnt really got something to do with testing, but Dutch F1 commentator Olav Mol is in the UK at the moment, together with Jos Verstappen. They're not there on holidays, Olav is a DJ at Yorin, a Dutch radiostation and he should be at work today but he isn't, another DJ has taken over and he says Olav is indeed in the UK with Jos. Another thing that hints for an announcement on Jos' future in F1 is the fact that Dutch racemagazine Racereport will not be spread this week yet, but next week, due to the fact that they have more news on Jos' next week. So will it be Jordan or will it be Jaguar?

[The Vulcan]

With the testing being so close, we should get a fairly good idea of who will be filling those vacant race seats!!

[Tomecek]

Originally posted by Sir Frank
BAR:
What tyres will they use? It is reported that they will use Michelins.

Michaelin ;) Sorry, Michelin Spokesperson has confirmed it.

[pusko]

Originally posted by The Vulcan
With the testing being so close, we should get a fairly good idea of who will be filling those vacant race seats!!

I really hope H.H. Frentzen gets a ride. I like the guy and I'd miss him if he won't be with us in 2004.

http://www.f1racing....ws.php?ID=65644

[Clatter]

Originally posted by Enkei
HEEEEELL YEAAAAHH
The Mp4/19 will be the first 2004 car on the track, McLaren will have 3 months testing it, making it reliable and sorting out problems. It better be good

They had the whole of last season to do this with the MP4/18 and couldnt manage it. I certainly hope they do a better job with the MP4/19.

[Sir Frank]

Originally posted by Tomecek
Michaelin ;) Sorry, Michelin Spokesperson has confirmed it.

so no big troubles there.

[Deeq]

Sir Frank
As always very informative. anymore on Wurz and Jag will he or won't he Join them! Jag is turning to a Jordan seeking PR on off track events.

Montoya well it seems he is set for Williams next year, OTOH there is lot of time and developments from here to Melbourn.

@Tomecek where did you hear it?

[man from martinlaakso]

Sir Frank, Kimi has told recently, that although his wrist is now in a relatively good form, it will not tolerate driving for several weeks. He will not test before January 04.

[boost]

JPM, RS and Gené are all scheduled to test in the regular scheme

Gonna be curious to see how much testing JPM gets compared to the rest. :

[kos]

Today is The Day

[Magister Mundi]

Originally posted by Tomecek
Michaelin ;) Sorry, Michelin Spokesperson has confirmed it.

http://f1.racing-liv...124193258.shtml

According to this it seems that there is still some confuscion

[Sir Frank]

That one on f1live is an older quote taken over from F1total.

Heres a link where both Bridgestone and BAR confirm the end

[Sir Frank]

The Buttonmobil:

[paulogman]

seriously?

that's really button's mobil home? or whatever you call it.

with that tacky paint job he could be a country singer on tour

[Sir Frank]

G.Willis:
This week’s programme is essentially the start of our 2004 season. We have made significant advances for next year with both engine and transmission, and we are eager to start evaluating those with the benefit of our ‘04 Concept car,” Willis said. “Another major technical development is of course our move to Michelin tyres and this week’s test will see us working with their engineers for the first time. We are embarking on a steep learning curve in order to reoptimise our car in light of this significant change, and to this end we are planning to conduct substantially more testing than we did prior to the 2003 season.”

Nakamoto:
We are excited about seeing our new engine put through its paces on the track for the first time this week. It is lighter, more compact and has a lower centre of gravity than last season's unit, and we are looking forward to a productive winter testing season to lay the foundations for improved race results next year

Sato is in the old 005 while Jenson is the interim car running a brand new colour scheme: Black and Silver! The launch of the 006 is expected for February.

[Enkei]

Black and Silver? That's gotta look cool Hopefully it's not a McLaren rip though ;)
Aren't there any photographs of testing yet? Sutton usually has the first images before they reach Atlas...

[renaultFan]

Coulthard in the MP4-19

http://www.autosport...sp?id=25367&s=5

[Enkei]

Originally posted by renaultFan
Coulthard in the MP4-19

http://www.autosport...sp?id=25367&s=5

WOAAAAAAAAAH!!! She's a beaute

[Sir Frank]

Is that the same short story and very little picture that autosport.com is running?

[renaultFan]

Originally posted by Sir Frank
Is that the same short story and very little picture that autosport.com is running?

I think so. 2 pics are present now.

[Double Apex]

So there you have it, the MP-19 is just a B version of the 18. Oh, well, at least we won't have to explain HSJ anything!

[karlth]

So if Kimi is competitive next year then it is amazingly in a B spec of last year's car.

[Sir Frank]

I have edited my first post again in this thread with additional info on Jordan and some others.

[Enkei]

http://www.suttonima...&search=mclaren

For Mp4/19 pictures

[K-One]

Originally posted by Enkei
Black and Silver? That's gotta look cool Hopefully it's not a McLaren rip though ;)
Aren't there any photographs of testing yet? Sutton usually has the first images before they reach Atlas...

Picture of Bar

http://www.autosport...sp?id=25368&s=5

[HSJ]

Originally posted by Sir Frank

Sato is in the old 005 while Jenson is the interim car running a brand new colour scheme: Black and Silver! The launch of the 006 is expected for February.

WHAT!?!? Cool colors, but they're already taken!

[HSJ]

Originally posted by Double Apex
So there you have it, the MP-19 is just a B version of the 18. Oh, well, at least we won't have to explain HSJ anything!

Actually it isn't. The difference is that the 17D had only upgraded external parts and an upgraded engine over the 17 of 2002, whereas the 19 has been redesigned internally as well as on the outside and will have a new engine instead of a mere upgrade.

[Sir Frank]

Silver/Black BAR engine cover

[HSJ]

A pic of the new BAR livery on the engine cover: http://f1.racing-liv...9/diapo_114.jpg

Will that be used during the 04 season as well or only in testing?

Edit: Sir Frank beat me to it!

[Sir Frank]

Originally posted by HSJ
Will that be used during the 04 season as well or only in testing?

Its only a special livery for the winter tests for this hybrid car.

Edit: Sir Frank beat me to it!

As ever HSJ, as ever

[CCC]

I'm expecting Juan Pablo to be doing most of the testing for the Michelins.

[KWSN - DSM]

When will get the first lap records, and promises of new found speed from Jordan and Minardi??

[karlth]

First times in from Barcelona courtesy of Autosport.com:

1 Giancarlo Fisichella Sauber-Petronas B 1m17.799s 42

2 Felipe Massa Ferrari B 1m18.184s 46

3 Takuma Sato BAR-Honda M 1m19.072s 33

4 Luciano Burti Ferrari B 1m19.192s 37

5 Luca Badoer Ferrari B 1m19.743s 37

6 Jenson Button BAR-Honda M no time 2

Edit: A small mistake while copying the times: Exchange Fisichella with Badoer.

[Sir Frank]

Times from GP2003.com

1. Badoer (Ferrari) 1.17.801 (42 laps)
2. Massa (Ferrari) 1.18.184 (46 laps)
3. Sato (BAR Honda) 1.19.056 (33 laps)
4. Burti (Ferrari) 1.19.189 (32 laps)
5. Fisichella (Sauber) 1.19.720 (38 laps)
6. Button (BAR Honda) No time

[Sir Frank]

Coulthard after testing the 19 on Autosport

This morning Coulthard completed two installation runs and three timed laps.
"We only made one set-up change this morning and the car responded very well. If it is as responsive as that, it will be very interesting.”

This was also the first outing for the new Mercedes-Benz FO110Q engine
“I can't say there is much of a difference yet, but so far it is promising.”

"I'm keen to know what we can do. Alex is in the 17D and we will be doing some comparisons. We want to see how far we can go."

[karlth]

"The challenge for the championship starts here today"
David Coulthard

I bet that they are calling an emergency meeting at Fiorano because of that comment, Brawn must p*ssing his pants with fear.

Interesting comment though about not feeling a difference between the old engine and the new one. Perhaps it is the norm that the 2004 engines will hardly lose any power compared to the shorter lifespan 2003 models.

[HP]

Originally posted by karlth
"The challenge for the championship starts here today"
David Coulthard

I bet that they are calling an emergency meeting at Fiorano because of that comment, Brawn must p*ssing his pants with fear.

If it produces an even better car, great But then we all know how PR savyy DC is...

[Sir Frank]

Originally posted by karlth
Interesting comment though about not feeling a difference between the old engine and the new one. Perhaps it is the norm that the 2004 engines will hardly lose any power compared to the shorter lifespan 2003 models.

I would assume that McLaren was running limited revs today just to get in a few laps check the systems and the behaviour of the car so DC was not even in a position to map the engine right for himself.

Recently both Theissen and Marmorini were quoted saying that not a lot of power will be lost because of the new rules. Theissen and BMW were expecting a 10% drop in power before they ran their new P84 engine but after it ran Theissen said that its actually a lot less. A few % at most.
Haug has said that no manufacturer will be satisfied with a loss.

Its also intresting if the engines can be run without extra weight. The Ferrari engine is expected to gain some weight and McLaren were saying that their new Q is more compact and has improvements in terms of CoG but no mention of reduced weight. While Honda did improve in all of the mentioned disciplines (of course their outgoing engine was probably one of the heaviest on the grid)

[lukywill]

massa driving a ferrari?! isn't he with sauber for 04?

[Earthling]

Originally posted by lukywill
massa driving a ferrari?! isn't he with sauber for 04?

They will paint the car blue afterwards...dont worry.
He needs this 1 to beat Fizzy Cola.

[K-One]

Originally posted by lukywill
massa driving a ferrari?! isn't he with sauber for 04?

Yes but sauber uses Ferrari customer engines. For future you should now that, everytime Ferrari is passing Sauber, it's not because Sauber is supposed to that, they are always "racing"

[Clatter]

Originally posted by lukywill
massa driving a ferrari?! isn't he with sauber for 04?

Yes, but they have an agreement where he can test for Ferrari as well.