2018 pre-season testing thread

[DiogoBrand]

I just don't see McLaren doing it. They get a ton of press and Brown has said he doesn't want/need a major sponsor because he doesn't want to change the team name. They really don't need to do it to get their name or their car in the media.

The livery alone has been getting them tons of media coverage.

Agreed, McLaren have never been out of the head lines - not always for the right reason, but the spotlights & cameras are always all over them. What Brown said is that sponsors were not interested in a car running at the back of the grid, at least not the ones with big bucks to spend.

I'm not sure why, but from what I see, since McLaren reforged their parnership with Honda and signed Alonso, they seem to be one of the teams that most appers on the spotlights. For example, I believe since 2015 their car threads are the most discussed. This year with a new engine partner and their flashy livery it just seems to have helped them even more in that sense.
I think it's just a matter of getting good performances for them to get some good deals.

Seems odd...but it's the first time in the V6 turbo era that no one is having engine problems in the first test! Everyone seems to be able to complete over 100 laps without any engine problems...even Honda! That's really nice for the competitiveness of the sport!! Let's see how close they are by Melbourne...

That' what happens when the rules/designs fully mature. It's also why I think its dumb that people constantly want to change the rules in the name of competitiveness.

To be honest, if it wasn't for the ridiculous PU prices, I wouldn't see a reason to change the rules too much anymore. In 2021 with the MGU-H removed, if that manages to lower prices and improve the sound, they may just reach near-perfect engine rules.

[AMG.Tzan]

Seems odd...but it's the first time in the V6 turbo era that no one is having engine problems in the first test! Everyone seems to be able to complete over 100 laps without any engine problems...even Honda! That's really nice for the competitiveness of the sport!! Let's see how close they are by Melbourne...

That' what happens when the rules/designs fully mature. It's also why I think its dumb that people constantly want to change the rules in the name of competitiveness.

Agreed...and that's why they should look at 2021 rules without changing much!

And on to testing...Mercedes seems fast again...and they are running mediums only! Red Bull seem a bit out of sync today...only 35 laps! But i think they have the potential to be close to Mercedes!

[1158]

161 laps for McLaren
147 laps for TR

Who'd a thunk that?

[bauc]

161 laps for McLaren
147 laps for TR

Who'd a thunk that?

Well is year 5 in development and year 4 in racing for Honda so......

[zoroastar]

is it just me or does redbull look like they are a little unstable. i think they may be having some problems with downforce. in most of the videos of tesing that i have seen the car looks a little "twitchy". they have also run off a few times. i guess the weather could be partly to blame.

[Morteza]

[1158]

161 laps for McLaren
147 laps for TR

Who'd a thunk that?

Well is year 5 in development and year 4 in racing for Honda so......

I was thinking more about the late PU change. I figured there would be some issues with PU integration. Great job by both teams to pull it together.

[bauc]

161 laps for McLaren
147 laps for TR

Who'd a thunk that?

Well is year 5 in development and year 4 in racing for Honda so......

I was thinking more about the late PU change. I figured there would be some issues with PU integration. Great job by both teams to pull it together.

Yeah, that I agree with

[Morteza]

Most laps done by drivers, teams and engines (via @F1debrief)







Why are Renault and TAG Heuer separated?

[the EDGE]

Top speeds for today from F1Today, not sure Honda & Renault have quite caught up on the power front

1. Vettel 291.1
2. Stroll 291.1
3. Perez 288
4. Hamilton 288
5. Leclerc 286.4
6. Magnusen 284.9
7. Bottas 284.9
8. Ericsson 283.4
9. Gasly 282.7
10. Alonso 282.7
11. Vandorne 281.9
12. Sainz jr 279.7
13. Sirotkin 279
14. Verstapen 274.8
15. Hülkenbrg 273.4

[etusch]

Do anyone has overall times with tyres ?

[dans79]

To be honest, if it wasn't for the ridiculous PU prices, I wouldn't see a reason to change the rules too much anymore. In 2021 with the MGU-H removed, if that manages to lower prices and improve the sound, they may just reach near-perfect engine rules.

Prost said they are substantially cheaper now than they where when he was running a team (a decade and a half ago.)

And on to testing...Mercedes seems fast again...and they are running mediums only! Red Bull seem a bit out of sync today...only 35 laps! But i think they have the potential to be close to Mercedes!

They are looking good, but Autosport is getting carried away.

11:16 Here's our report from the day - did Mercedes fire a warning shot with that pace on mediums? We'll find out a lot more next week when we get more running and the first proper race simulations, which offer proper clues about pace on various fuel loads.

[GM7]

Global test conclusion after week 1 :

[etusch]

anyone has this times' same tyre converted version by calculating tyre performance difference ?

[PhillipM]

No, because nobody knows the tyre performance difference at those temperatures, teams were basically just running whichever tyre they could switch on.