2018 pre-season testing thread

[LeClerc]

The only problem with that is that as much as the grinding noise fits does blue smoke pouring out of the back support it?

Whatever it was, I hope they can fix it and stop breaking down every 2 laps.

As an Alonso-hater, I'm starting to get blisters from rubbing my hands together. This will not do!

[cyclon]

Here's a video of the car breaking down (Facebook).

The sound is... not good.

I am afraid of gearbox to engine teething problems ....
By the way what is the made of STR gearbox?

The only problem with that is that as much as the grinding noise fits does blue smoke pouring out of the back support it?

Hhhmm....
While Alonso and Leclerc are out of action for obvious reasons, Sainz's Renault has also been absent for a while now. The team is investigating a gearbox problem.
Hhhmm....

[Vladimir]

Seems that is sound of gearbox related problem.

[Anthropolyte]

If it is the gearbox, is that an engine swap? Or would they be able to replace the 'box and get going again this morning?

[JPBD1990]

Raikkonen is going fast on SS but only marginally faster than Haas on the same tyre yesterday. They’re short stints too. I wonder if they’ve got 10-15 laps of fuel onboard and just do 3-4 laps so everyone immediately assumes they’re doing quali sims orrrr... if they’ve got issues and are slow.

I’m assuming the first but the media and rumblings from other teams suggests the latter...

[Vladimir]

I am afraid of gearbox to engine teething problems ....
By the way what is the made of STR gearbox?

The only problem with that is that as much as the grinding noise fits does blue smoke pouring out of the back support it?

Hhhmm....

While Alonso and Leclerc are out of action for obvious reasons, Sainz's Renault has also been absent for a while now. The team is investigating a gearbox problem.
Hhhmm....

Renault use all new carbon gearbox this year, so problems are possible.

[cyclon]

If it is the gearbox, is that an engine swap? Or would they be able to replace the 'box and get going again this morning?

Depends on packaging but in any case i doubt we will see the car before lunch time !

[f1316]

Raikkonen is going fast on SS but only marginally faster than Haas on the same tyre yesterday. They’re short stints too. I wonder if they’ve got 10-15 laps of fuel onboard and just do 3-4 laps so everyone immediately assumes they’re doing quali sims orrrr... if they’ve got issues and are slow.

I’m assuming the first but the media and rumblings from other teams suggests the latter...

Yeah, the Haas time is a bit of a red-herring - like Williams in 2015, for example.

Is Magnussen 1.2s quicker than Hamilton on the same tyre? Of course not. They'll inevitably use less fuel than the big boys.

[LM10]

I think Hamilton is doing a race sim now.

[Restomaniac]

I think Hamilton is doing a race sim now.

Indeed. If Hamilton was telling the truth about their car always running with plenty of fuel in it. I do wonder if they are going to bother with a qualy test at all?

[JPBD1990]

Raikkonen is going fast on SS but only marginally faster than Haas on the same tyre yesterday. They’re short stints too. I wonder if they’ve got 10-15 laps of fuel onboard and just do 3-4 laps so everyone immediately assumes they’re doing quali sims orrrr... if they’ve got issues and are slow.

I’m assuming the first but the media and rumblings from other teams suggests the latter...

Yeah, the Haas time is a bit of a red-herring - like Williams in 2015, for example.

Is Magnussen 1.2s quicker than Hamilton on the same tyre? Of course not. They'll inevitably use less fuel than the big boys.

No doubt at all. My comparison was only between Ferrari and Haas as there is absolutely zero doubt the Haas was on fumes. The question is... is the Ferrari on fumes? The other teams and the media seem to be suggesting so... “concern at ferrari” headlines combined with comments from Toto and Helmut that Ferrari is lagging behind give this impression. So I guess the question is, is Ferrari only a few tenths faster than Haas on the same tyre, or are they comfortably fat with fuel and the media/teams are blowing smoke up our butts?

[MtthsMlw]

Track temperature is now 34° nearly 15° higher than yesterday morning.

[Phil]

I think it’s the race sim that was less impressive which is what is suggesting that Ferrari may be a bit behind, NOT some arbitrary quick runs with an undisclosed amount of fuel.

[JPBD1990]

I think it’s the race sim that was less impressive which is what is suggesting that Ferrari may be a bit behind, NOT some arbitrary quick runs with an undisclosed amount of fuel.

Agree, but from my (admittedly completely amateurish) analysis - Ferrari were comfortably ahead of redbull on pace in the long run... it’s just an oddly confusing preseason this one.

[CriXus]

Raikkonen is going fast on SS but only marginally faster than Haas on the same tyre yesterday. They’re short stints too. I wonder if they’ve got 10-15 laps of fuel onboard and just do 3-4 laps so everyone immediately assumes they’re doing quali sims orrrr... if they’ve got issues and are slow.

I’m assuming the first but the media and rumblings from other teams suggests the latter...

Yeah, the Haas time is a bit of a red-herring - like Williams in 2015, for example.

Is Magnussen 1.2s quicker than Hamilton on the same tyre? Of course not. They'll inevitably use less fuel than the big boys.

No doubt at all. My comparison was only between Ferrari and Haas as there is absolutely zero doubt the Haas was on fumes. The question is... is the Ferrari on fumes? The other teams and the media seem to be suggesting so... “concern at ferrari” headlines combined with comments from Toto and Helmut that Ferrari is lagging behind give this impression. So I guess the question is, is Ferrari only a few tenths faster than Haas on the same tyre, or are they comfortably fat with fuel and the media/teams are blowing smoke up our butts?

The media could not know how much fuel Ferrari have during the "qualy" laps. It is pure speculation and mind games.