2009 Formula 1 testing begins (Pictures)
Bruno Senna had his first F1 test for Honda who evaluated him for a 2009 seat
Actually, 2009 F1 testing began months ago – we know Honda and BMW have already tested their KERS, and Williams ran a car with a 2009-spec rear wing on several weeks ago.
But today most of the teams were in action in Barcelona and all were preparing for next year. Some ran new aero (BMW – more pictures here), others ran KERS (including Ferrari and Honda) and many evaluated new drivers (like Giedo van der Garde at Renault, and Bruno Senna and Lucas di Grassi at Honda). Here’s a selection of photographs.
Click once to enlarge, click again for high resolution version.
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- Adrian Sutil, Force India, 2008
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- Adrian Sutil, Force India, 2008
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- Adrian Sutil, Force India, 2008
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- Adrian Sutil, Force India, 2008
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- Luca Badoer, Ferrari, 2008
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- Luca Badoer, Ferrari, 2008
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- Luca Badoer, Ferrari, 2008
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- Luca Badoer, Ferrari, 2008
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- Luca Badoer, Ferrari, 2008
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- Luca Badoer, Ferrari, 2008
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- Luca Badoer, Ferrari, 2008
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- BMW, 2008
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- BMW, 2008
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- BMW, 2008
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- Bruno Senna, Honda, 2008
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- Bruno Senna, Honda, 2008
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- Bruno Senna, Honda, 2008
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- Bruno Senna, Honda, 2008
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- Marc Gene, Ferrari, 2008
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- Marc Gene, Ferrari, 2008
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- Marc Gene, Ferrari, 2008
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- Giedo van der Garde, Renault, 2008
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- Giedo van der Garde, Renault, 2008
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- Giedo van der Garde, Renault, 2008
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- Giedo van der Garde, Renault, 2008
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- Giedo van der Garde, Renault, 2008
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- Giedo van der Garde, Renault, 2008
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- Giedo van der Garde, Renault, 2008
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- Giedo van der Garde, Renault, 2008
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- Giedo van der Garde, Renault, 2008
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- Giedo van der Garde, Renault, 2008
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- Giedo van der Garde, Renault, 2008
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- Giedo van der Garde, Renault, 2008
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- Lucas di Grassi, Honda, 2008
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- Lucas di Grassi, Honda, 2008
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- Lucas di Grassi, Honda, 2008
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- Vitantonio Liuzzi, Force India, 2008
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- Vitantonio Liuzzi, Force India, 2008
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- Vitantonio Liuzzi, Force India, 2008
Copyright as described in previews.
Zaphod said on 17th November 2008, 22:07
Is it just me or does the rear wings look on all the pictures look like 2008 specs? I was under the impression they would have been much narrower this year…
GuyPV said on 17th November 2008, 22:11
It look to me as if the BMW is running the 2009 wing.
Spud said on 17th November 2008, 22:19
Zaphod, it thewy will be narrower, I think some of the teams were trying out new drivers. Although you would think they would be driving the 2009 car, since thats the car they would be driving anyway but there you go!
What do you think of the cars anyway??
Diet Formula 1 eh???????
Derek said on 17th November 2008, 22:20
The BMW looks like the only car in the full 2009 spec, with the high narrow rear wing and the extra wide big front wing, and slicks. The others look like a blend of 2008 & 2009 specs.
HounslowBusGarage said on 17th November 2008, 22:21
Looks like the BMW is the only car running a 2009 rear wing – but most appear to be using slicks. What’s the point of that? Why test a 2009/2009 hybrid? Will they run a full 2009 spec car tomorrow and calculate how much speed the 2009 rear wing actually costs?
Derek said on 17th November 2008, 22:28
I’d like to see the rear because the 2009 spec has a large diffuser which should be noticeable, it’s supposed clean up the air turbulence to allow following cars to operate closer and aid overtaking. Lets hope!
Smitty said on 17th November 2008, 22:40
Williams was also running both 2009-spec front and rear wings too, for part of the day.
In regards to the first day, if Honda are looking to replace Barrichello (which they probably are now, by the looks of it – please don’t though Honda!) Senna has certainly gotten himself off on the right foot.
Same with Sato, beating Buemi and setting fastest time.
Ollie said on 17th November 2008, 22:58
Any idea if Force India were using up their supply of Ferrari engine units or if they’ve slapped a Mercedes power-plant in the VJM01 ‘just to see’?
Toby said on 17th November 2008, 23:04
Interesting that I can’t find a photo of the Williams. They also never seem to say too much about what they’re up to either, if you read the Pitpass wraps. They do this year after year, yet where’s the gain? All this secrecy, and for what…..
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 17th November 2008, 23:05
Ollie – I believe they’re using the last of their Ferraris this week. Waste not, want not!
Phil said on 17th November 2008, 23:59
Toby, if you want to see the Williams, check out their own website, here: http://www.williamsf1.com/news/view/780
It has pictures of a 2009 spec car being given a shakedown test at Kemble airfield.
Terry Fabulous said on 18th November 2008, 0:09
I love watching Badoer in a Ferrari.
His bright yellow helmet reminds me of Senna and imagine what might have been ‘sigh’.
Luiz Milanez said on 18th November 2008, 1:27
Di Grassi -> Honda
Senna -> Toro Rosso
Both are better than Buemi and Sato…..
ccolanto said on 18th November 2008, 2:46
what the heck is hood scoop looking thing on the top of the right radiator inlet of the Ferrari ????
todd said on 18th November 2008, 4:54
the reason they aren’t running full 09 specs is that they need to make incremental changes to fully understand what happens.
if you change the tires, rear wing, all the aero, add kers and a new driver… and go faster… what’s the reason why?
was the driver better? the tires? the wing? what?
one change at a time. maximize testing on that 1 change, work out how it works with the car, then implement the next change.
once the 2nd change is in with the first, they know what change that brought to the car, then they work the 2 together and test the 2 together and how they effect each other. testing is very time consuming!