Official Pre-season Testing Thread

[Boudica 0]

Third day of testing for the Scuderia at Sakhir

Maranello, 6th February

Circuit: Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir - (5.412 km)

Drivers: Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa

Cars: F2008

Weather: air temperature 14/18

[Boudica 0]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynL83Bivg7c

[Boudica 0]

Translated Q&A with Raikkonen: (Thanks to AFCA)

Q: How do you feel about the simulation ?

Raikkonen: ''Interesting. We haven't encountered a single technical problem, the car worked perfectly, as in all of the first three days. I can't indicate any problem. We're all satisfied.''

Q: Not just for the improvement over one lap, also over a stint.

Raikkonen: ''Yes, we're very consistant. Driving a car like this F2008 is fantastic. It's already very fast. But the interesting thing is that I've noticed this speed both in race and in the more extreme qualifying conditions. In both situations the car is always very gentle on the tyres, it doesn't ruin them. It's because the power is very equally put on the road, the engine handling is perfect (Ferrari brought new engine management solutions to Bahrain - AFCA). In other words the (whole) package works in great harmony. I'm certain that the next three days of testing cannot but confirm this.''

Q: What did you think when the mechanics put out the word 'Winner' on the pitbord ?

Raikkonen: ''My car was the only one in the race. It was mostly a joke from the pitbox. What has struck me most though, is how these first three days went on the whole, the continuous improvement, all that my engineers and I have learned about the F2008.''

Q: You've been setting times faster than the pole time from last year.

Raikkonen: ''I've kept going faster and I know I can still easily improve quite a bit. Because the car is great but also because the team has planned everything precisely, also the (introduction of the) improvements. And I'm most happy about the fact we exactly know where we are and we don't simply improve by chance.''

Q: Today no-one seems faster than the Ferrari...

Raikkonen: ''Well, I don't know about that. We will only see at the first Grand Prix.''

----------

On the race simulation: ''I need time to better analyse the data. Really though, the result from Tuesday was excellent and not just in terms of reliability.''

TS has also reported that Ferrari think Kimi is even faster without TC, because he has more freedom to utilize his own reflexes.

[Ash1 0]

someone should be scared ....

[Jean Todt 4]

really scared!

If a driver like Kimi says something like that, yes, it is scary!

[BradSpeedMan 6]

TS has also reported that Ferrari think Kimi is even faster without TC, because he has more freedom to utilize his own reflexes.

lovely lovely stuff!!!!

[JayStorm 0]

If this continues he looks absolutely unstoppable.

Reallt seems to be thrashing Massa based on that evidence and no other teams seem to be getting anywhere close to that.

[Boudica 0]

Here is the order by Autosport, they did a analysis from Valencia testing, although they do state they are not 100% sure about things like fuel loads and tyres.

1. McLaren

2. Ferrari + 0.2s

3. Williams

4. Renault

5. BMW

6. Red Bull

7. Toyota

8. Honda

It compares Lewis's long runs with Kimi's but also says that McLaren is traditionally quick around Valencia and Ferrari are quite pleased to be that close.

The other teams were basically a second or more slower

Williams - Nico quicker than Nakajima with the car good on long runs but the front wing failure suggests there might be an aero problem with a redesign possibly compromising the car.

Renault - Alonso was right the Renault was 1 second slower whilst Piquet is slower and struggling with understeer

BMW - Kubica quicker than Heidfeld with the car good on short runs but poor on long runs suggesting its using its tyres to much

Red Bull - Good over one lap but not on long runs, the car doesn't seem a leap forward from last year

Totoya - The car seems to have similar performance deficits to last years car

Honda - Really struggling with the car being 3 seconds off the pace

[Boudica 0]

This is amus take on things:

Over a single lap McLaren has a slight edge over Ferrari: on average 0,1 s. In the long runs though, Ferrari is clearly the one to beat. In the worst case scenario for McLaren, Ferrari is 0,3 s faster a lap.

At Jerez McLaren's fastest lap was 1:19,5, a tenth faster than Ferrari's fastest lap. At Valencia Kovalainen did a 1:11.0, almost 0,2 s faster than the best Ferrari there. According to McLaren, Kovalainen could have done a 1:10,5 on a real qualifying lap.

Haug about driving at Barcelona: ''We should already be able to drive low 1:21's, when we aim for it (at least).'' It's questionable if Ferrari can be beaten with that.

So far McLaren has done 8.672 km with their new car, which is a record.

Ferrari has overcome its weak points from 2007. It's fast over one lap and in slow corners. Raikkonen was a lot faster in Bahrain than his teammate was last year. But then a sandstorm afflicted the whole weekend making the track extremely slow. Ferrari obtained the exact same times as last year in testing.

But it shows how well Ferrari has worked nontheless. Bahrain is a stop and go track, braking and accelerating are keyfactors. If you're able to do the same times without traction control and engine braking, you deserve being the favourite.

BMW Sauber has certainly caught up, the gap to McLaren shrank to 0,4 s in long runs. Whether BMW Sauber's mechanical problem is really solved is to be seen next week at Jerez. Which is where Williams should confirm their performance Valencia also. According to Haug Red Bull is to be kept an eye on also: ''Webber's times are to be taken seriously. According to us they haven't been playing with the fuel loads.''

There's some mystery over Renault. Over a lap Alonso lost out 0,5 s to McLaren. But over a long run on average he was only 0,2 s behind Hamilton. Renault could still play a role in case this turns out to be a trend.

[goferrarigo 0]

lovely lovely stuff!!!!

Yup Can't wait for Kimi's domination (just like the way i am doing in the batracer game with Andres and all....)

[aussief1 4]

Here is the order by Autosport, they did a analysis from Valencia testing, although they do state they are not 100% sure about things like fuel loads and tyres.

1. McLaren

2. Ferrari + 0.2s

3. Williams

4. Renault

5. BMW

6. Red Bull

7. Toyota

8. Honda

I would agree with what autosport have come up with here. I think Ferrrari and McLaren are well in front (easy by the 0.2 seconds autosport suggest) with the battle between Renault, Williams, BMW & Red Bull being even closer than last year.

Naky and Nelsinho are going to have to be on their game from round one in Melbourne as their teams will need all the constructors points possible with the midfeild battle being so intense.

[goferrarigo 0]

I would agree with what autosport have come up with here. I think Ferrrari and McLaren are well in front (easy by the 0.2 seconds autosport suggest) with the battle between Renault, Williams, BMW & Red Bull being even closer than last year.

Naky and Nelsinho are going to have to be on their game from round one in Melbourne as their teams will need all the constructors points possible with the midfeild battle being so intense.

Excepting Ferrari and possible Mclaren the rest 6 teams are midfield, leaving Honda, SA and FI as backmarkers??

[bathurst1000 0]

This is amus take on things:

Over a single lap McLaren has a slight edge over Ferrari: on average 0,1 s. In the long runs though, Ferrari is clearly the one to beat. In the worst case scenario for McLaren, Ferrari is 0,3 s faster a lap.

At Jerez McLaren's fastest lap was 1:19,5, a tenth faster than Ferrari's fastest lap. At Valencia Kovalainen did a 1:11.0, almost 0,2 s faster than the best Ferrari there. According to McLaren, Kovalainen could have done a 1:10,5 on a real qualifying lap.

Haug about driving at Barcelona: ''We should already be able to drive low 1:21's, when we aim for it (at least).'' It's questionable if Ferrari can be beaten with that.

So far McLaren has done 8.672 km with their new car, which is a record.

Ferrari has overcome its weak points from 2007. It's fast over one lap and in slow corners. Raikkonen was a lot faster in Bahrain than his teammate was last year. But then a sandstorm afflicted the whole weekend making the track extremely slow. Ferrari obtained the exact same times as last year in testing.

But it shows how well Ferrari has worked nontheless. Bahrain is a stop and go track, braking and accelerating are keyfactors. If you're able to do the same times without traction control and engine braking, you deserve being the favourite.

BMW Sauber has certainly caught up, the gap to McLaren shrank to 0,4 s in long runs. Whether BMW Sauber's mechanical problem is really solved is to be seen next week at Jerez. Which is where Williams should confirm their performance Valencia also. According to Haug Red Bull is to be kept an eye on also: ''Webber's times are to be taken seriously. According to us they haven't been playing with the fuel loads.''

There's some mystery over Renault. Over a lap Alonso lost out 0,5 s to McLaren. But over a long run on average he was only 0,2 s behind Hamilton. Renault could still play a role in case this turns out to be a trend.

i like the part in bold the most, Webber's time apparently came in a 20 lap stint on the final day in Barca

[Boudica 0]

The best time to 10:30:

1. R

[Boudica 0]

Best times this morning:

1. F. Massa

[JayStorm 0]

Hmm, impressive.

Shame that we're only seeing four cars today and it would be silly to suggest that the two teams would be close.

Massa getting closer to Kimi can only be encouraging news.

[Boudica 0]

Bahrain day 4

1. K.Raikkonen Ferrari 1:30.914 66

2. F. Massa Ferrari 1:31.174 53

3. Trulli Toyota 1:32.382 73

4. Glock (Toyota) 1:32.762 77

Testing session resumed today in Bahrain for the Scuderia

Maranello, 9th February

Circuit: Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir - 5.412 km

Drivers: Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen

Cars: F2008

Weather: air temperature 16/24

[goferrarigo 0]

Hmm, impressive.

Shame that we're only seeing four cars today and it would be silly to suggest that the two teams would be close.

Massa getting closer to Kimi can only be encouraging news.

Yup. Massa adjusted to a non tc car in a very short time...

[Boudica 0]

Today the tracktemperure rose to up to 36,5

[Boudica 0]

The two Ferrari drivers tested with a different rear wing today, not a new one, just the wavey one they used at a few circuits last year (Canada, Indy for example). They had been using the more traditionally shaped one.

Those pics are from earlier in the week, Massa was also testing the wavey wing today:

[JayStorm 0]

Hmm, I suppose that the wing is a little different.

The cars look so much better with the full Marlboro sponsoring. Not those silly lines.

Bring back Tabacco sponsoring!!

---

Nice find though, great shots.

[Boudica 0]

Translated Q&A with Baldisserri (Translation thanks to AFCA)

Baldisserri: ''This is a special track. It's a lot cooler than last year during the race and there's no wind blowing. So comparisons are only worth when they're made at the same moment, otherwise variables come into play. Having said that, we're very satisfied with the times.''

Q: You're pace over the long runs is extraordinary also.

Baldisserri: ''Yes. But I'm more happy for other reasons: it's been some time since we've been testing without problems and this has allowed us to complete our programme, driving less than we had to. Now (this time), it's a good thing the testmileage is limited. But if the car doesn't break down and is really fast, it's the maximum.''

Q: The 2008 regulations were to cut the costs and bring down performance. Is it like that ?

Baldisserri: ''The costs have gone down. Whether the MECU brings down the the performance is more questionable. If you don't have a solid car driving with used tyres, whilst there are another 21 cars on a hot track, it's more difficult to drive because without aids, there will be a greater possibility of making mistakes and loosing time.''

Q: Will the tyres be different ?

Baldisserri: ''The construction hasn't changed. We're now trying the same ones as in 2007. But we know that in sight of the first Grand Prix they will change: we'll have softer tyres that will hold up longer, like the medium tyre.''

Q: Will we see more pitstops ?

Baldisserri: ''The simulation we've done here doesn't suggest so. But the tyre wear at Valencia and Jerez was higher. And when Bridgestone brings soft tyres you'll have to tackle the race in a different fashion.''

Q: The tyre wear will be a problem for Hamilton given his driving style...

Baldisserri: ''True. Hamilton's driving style is demanding for the rear tyres. Therefore I hypothesized that he could have more problems, now it's up to McLaren to solve them.''

Q: Have you tried out some new things ?

Baldisserri: ''Yes, mainly mechanical related things. We've been working on the shock absorbers and suspensions to later get back working on the set-ups (again). (So not to) neglect working on the set-up for the Grand Prix in April. The reason we've come here is the fact we've found ideal weather conditions.''

Q: What do you like most about the F2008 ?

Baldisserri: ''Everyone was saying the drivers would have a car that is more difficult to drive without the electronic aids. Instead, for now the F2008 is very solid and has great traction. The times reflect that. We've been doing a simulation on the design of the geometry of the front- and rearsuspension and it seems be working. Certainly, we also we have to verify things when we drive with the other teams on track.''

Q: There's nothing that seems to worry you...

Baldisserri: ''The problem Massa had on Tuesday are things that worry me. A little alarm bell.''

Q: How do you see Raikkonen doing ?

Baldisserri: ''Pretty well in form...''

[Boudica 0]

Timo Glock

[goferrarigo 0]

Thanks for the pics Boudica, the rear wing does look interesing...

[Boudica 0]

On Saturday Raikkonen and Massa concentrated on trying out how the car reacted to different set-ups, neither went for down-right qualifying runs...

A good-mooded Raikkonen believes that the new aero-package will enhance their competitiveness even further.

-"Of course, you can never be absolutely sure, but yes,the new aero-package should make the car faster. We will see when we run it at Barcelona. At least the engineers at the factory say that it works, and insofar they have been correct in their predictions. When they find something in the wind-tunnel, then we have made it work on track", Raikkonen tells TS.

In the last tests before the start of the season, Raikkonen will test the new aero-package foe three days while Massa will drive the Bahrain-version.

The competition with McLaren is hard but Raikkonen does not believe that Ferrari are finishing their package so late only in order to keep hidden all its details from its opponents.

"We are not trying to hide anything. It [the car] has been polished for a long time. This was how we did it last year as well, then the last aero-package arrived only to the last tests in Bahrain and we tried it out only on one car"

"It has been good testing in Bahrain. We've done much of everything, everything we needed. This is the best test in a long time and the best I've driven with Ferrari. There has not been any hassle and we've been able to do our job in peace. It has been good that not many teams came here."

Raikkonen is not surprised by the lack of technical problems. " It should not be news to anyone that everything just works in this car. We change already during last season most systems. We've learned from everything"