Post here all non technical related topics about Formula One. This includes race results, discussions, testing analysis etc. TV coverage and other personal questions should be in Off topic chat.
i never read much into winter testing cause there is so many variables, wait for Bahrain then we will see how bad the problems with Mclaren really are.
In regards to Mclaren...The recent departures of their technical director and Chief Aerodynamics will not hurt them as much as it will in the 2007 season. Just remember after Adrain Newey left Williams right before the season started his Williams car that he designed was so good that Williams won the championship that year without Adrian Newey being the Technical Director of that team. I believe it was in 1996.
Simon: Nils? You can close in now. Nils?
John McClane: [on the guard's phone] Attention! Attention! Nils is dead! I repeat, Nils is dead, ----head. So's his pal, and those four guys from the East German All-Stars, your boys at the bank? They're gonna be a little late.
Simon: [on the phone] John... in the back of the truck you're driving, there's $13 billon dollars worth in gold bullion. I wonder would a deal be out of the question?
John McClane: [on the phone] Yeah, I got a deal for you. Come out from that rock you're hiding under, and I'll drive this truck up your ass.
jezzwa wrote:i never read much into winter testing cause there is so many variables
That's my point too
And about McLaren - I think there are 2 ways:
1. Newey and Tombazis left because they saw that Mercedes wasn't able to solve engine problems again and they didn't want their design work to be ruined by FO 108S.
2. They left because new challenge/money/etc and Mercedes are having only minor problems with engines (and not only - there was a hydraulics failure on JPM's car recently) which can be solved before Bahrain and the team will be able to perform on highest level.
I think 1st way is more real (I've always been Mac fan and it's very difficult for me to think about but what can u do)
McLaren Formula 1 Team
11 Times drivers world champions
8 Times constructors world champions
This is testing season, when things are tried, and parts are broken. I've seen teams with horrible pre-season testing sessions suddenly show up at the first race with competitive cars and the complete package. It's just too soon to really make any hard assessment, just guesses.
And I believe that a 100% reliable car isn't quick enough. They have to walk that fine line between reliability or blazing fast, but unreliable speed.
what about ferrari a few years back (ive only been following closely for a few years, but i beleive they were the 2002 and 2004 seasons) which saw them be both blazing fast, and almost 100 percent reliable (esp the engine)? it would seem that reliability and speed can co-exist, if the team does a good enough job - just because some teams have been very reliable this winter, i dont think we can automatically say there cars are to slow (sorry if this isnt what you were implying dave, if so please disregard this).
Well, with Mercedes road cars, the problem w/ reliability came from the fact that the electronics worked fine in lab tests, but when it comes to real life road testing, they fail. Although they still haven't corrected many of their road car mistakes, hopefully they don't bring this state of mind to their F1 engines.
This is testing season, when things are tried, and parts are broken. I've seen teams with horrible pre-season testing sessions suddenly show up at the first race with competitive cars and the complete package. It's just too soon to really make any hard assessment, just guesses.
And I believe that a 100% reliable car isn't quick enough. They have to walk that fine line between reliability or blazing fast, but unreliable speed.
This used to be very true prior to 2003. I think with todays competition, its close and teams need to know where they stand. My opinion but the facts of the past few years would seem to support it.
