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93 comments on 2009 F1 testing: March 11th (Update: pictures and video added)

1. 

   Jian said on 11th March 2009, 18:21

   McLaren are really chained at the bottom aren’t they? I’d always support them as a team and Lewis but it doesn’t matter as long as Brawn GP reamins competitive. Fairytale in making and if either Barichello or Button wrestles the title away from Ferrari then we have the most incredible season ever!

   Reply
2. 

   Joe said on 11th March 2009, 18:22

   am slighly worried about MCL but i know that they wouldnt take a big risk knowing Lewis has to defend the title. I honestly think they are sand bagging but again who knows in F1.

   nice to see BrawnGP going quick i just hope its honest pace. Red Bull for sure have the nicest car on the grid this year and it should be quick, hope to see McLaren, BMW, RBR , Toyota maybe and Ferrari

   Reply
3. 

   Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 11th March 2009, 18:51

   Thanks for making a start on this Becken. More press releases…

   Force India

   Giancarlo Fisichella took over the Force India Formula One Team’s VJM02 for the third day of the team’s four day test at the Circuit de Catalunya, Spain. The Italian continued the team’s programme of evaluating different set-up options, aerodynamic improvements and tyre testing. Again the VJM02 demonstrated good reliability and Giancarlo was able to complete 97 laps in total with a best time of 1min 21.545, the eighth fastest time of the ten man field.

   Giancarlo will conclude the test tomorrow, where a race weekend simulation will be the overall target.

   Giancarlo Fisichella
   We had some good reliability again today and could go through the programme as planned. We did a lot of set up work, which we needed to do after the limited running in Jerez. I feel that the mechanical grip is good so we need to concentrate on the aero package now. I’m looking forward to the race simulation tomorrow where we can look at the performance over a longer run.

   James Key, technical director
   Giancarlo was back in the car this afternoon and carried on the trends we saw yesterday with Adrian. We made some decent progress, some down to driver preference but others were genuine improvements, so it’s been a very useful day. We completed some more work on tyres, comparing new and older sets, and began to unlock the difference between the compounds. We also tried some new aero parts, such as a tweak on the bodywork, a new rear wing and some parts around the front wing and the wheel spinners, which seemed to work as intended. Again the reliability was extremely good and we look forward to another productive day tomorrow.

   BMW

   Testing data
   Driver: Giancarlo Fisichella
   Track: Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
   Best lap time: 1min 21.545
   Laps completed: 97
   Kilometres completed: 452km
   Air temperature: High of 16C
   Track temperature: High of 24C
   Weather: Overcast

   Robert Kubica Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.09-04 / BMW 86/9 Test kilometres today: 508 (109 laps) Fastest lap: 1:20.217 min Programme: On his first day at the Barcelona test Robert Kubica concentrated on several different race- related situations to fine tune the working relationship between him and his pit crew. He also worked on solutions for the set-up of the BMW Sauber F1.09 on the mechanical and aero side of the car. As well as this, he tested different tyre options and, before the lunch break and after the end of the afternoon session, did a couple of practice starts. “Today was very productive”, Kubica said after covering 508 kms. “We tried various solutions we weren’t able to complete last week in Jerez because of the unfortunate weather conditions. Obviously our main target today was to do a lot of evaluations for the forthcoming Australian Grand Prix.”

   Toro Rosso

   Sebastien Buemi
   Chassis: STR4-02
   Best time: 1:21.569
   Laps: 145
   Much better! After two difficult debut days for the STR4, today’s session proved much more useful with the new car running reliably throughout and the problems of the first two days dealt with.

   For Buemi, this was his first real drive in the car, having done just a handful of in and out laps yesterday and the team made several adjustments to elements such as pedals to ensure our Swiss driver is comfortable in his new working environment. We also tackled a race simulation and this ended up being two laps short of the full total, as the session was red flagged when another car went off the track, right at the end of the day.

   For a rookie driver, Buemi can congratulate himself on having racked up an impressive 145 laps today, and he is under strict orders to get plenty of sleep tonight!

   Toyota

   PENULTIMATE TEST
   Panasonic Toyota Racing had another busy day on the track as its last week of testing for 2009 continues at Barcelona. On a cool and cloudy day at the Catalan circuit, Timo Glock took over at the wheel of the TF109. He ran through a programme of aerodynamic evaluations, suspension and set-up, clocking up 132 laps despite some interruptions for red flags. Timo will return to the cockpit tomorrow for Toyota’s last day of winter testing for 2009.

   Timo Glock – Chassis TF109-04
   Position: 4th of 10
   Best lap time: 1min 20.410s (+1.283s)
   Total laps: 132
   “This morning started well and we made it through a lot of set-up and comparisons in the course of the day. We found some different directions and overall it was a productive session. Late on we had a slightly longer break so we couldn’t quite finish our plan. But we should have enough data to investigate and make some positive steps for tomorrow.”

   Dieter Gass, Chief Engineer Race and Test
   “Today was a bit more difficult for us. We had a full programme of work on aero and set-up but in the end we had a few red flags and minor problems which slightly interrupted our programme. Still, we got through a lot of laps and it was another busy day for Timo. Tomorrow is our last day of winter testing so we will try to make the most of it. Then we can look forward to Melbourne where we hope to keep up our pre-season testing form.”

   Red Bull

   Driver: Sebastian Vettel
   Car: RB5 – 03
   Laps: 102
   Best time: 1:21.165
   Circuit length: 4.655 km
   Fastest lap: J. Button – 1:19.127

   It was Sebastian Vettel’s first of two days at the wheel today and his programme focussed on two areas: set-up work with RB5 aimed at the first few races of the season and general development of the car, evaluating some new components.

   This produced some positive results, with the only glitch of the day coming right at the very end of the session, when Seb was a bit optimistic going into Turn 4 and brought the car to an undamaged halt in the gravel trap. He continues driving tomorrow for the final day of the test.

   Brawn GP

   BARCELONA TEST REPORT – DAY THREE

   Date Wednesday 11 March
   Track Circuit de Catalunya
   Driver Jenson Button

   No of Laps 130 laps
   Best Lap Time 01:19.127
   Kilometres Covered 605km
   Track Length 4.655km

   Weather Overcast
   Ambient Temperature Maximum 14°C
   Track Temperature Maximum 23°C

   Brawn GP’s Jenson Button topped the timesheets at the Circuit de Catalunya today as the Formula One team continued its maiden test in Barcelona.

   On the third day of testing with the new BGP 001 car, Jenson completed a full race distance with live pit stops in the morning, followed by a qualifying simulation and various set-up evaluations in the afternoon. Another successful day for the team saw Jenson complete an encouraging 130 laps.

   Team-mate Rubens Barrichello will take over the car tomorrow to conclude the team’s first test of 2009.

   JENSON BUTTON
   “It’s been another great day and a very positive test generally. It’s so good to have achieved a full day’s running, including a race distance, without any issues and it’s fantastic that we clocked up so much mileage. After the challenges we have faced, to come here and get off to such an encouraging start is just what we all needed and I can’t thank the team enough. All that effort has really paid off and everyone can feel very proud.”

   RESULTS (All timings are unofficial)

   Pos Driver Team Time Laps
   1. Jenson Button Brawn GP 1:19.127 130
   2. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:20.168 109
   3. Robert Kubica BMW 1:20.217 114
   4. Timo Glock Toyota 1:20.410 132
   5. Fernando Alonso Renault 1:20.863 107
   6. Sebastien Vettel Red Bull 1:21.165 102
   7. Nico Rosberg Williams 1:21.324 89
   8. Giancarlo Fisichella Force India 1:21.545 97
   9. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso 1:21.569 145
   10. Lewis Hamilton McLaren 1:21.657 86

   Reply
4. 

   luky said on 11th March 2009, 19:41

   full massa and alonso stints

   http://www.sportlifepress.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2286&Itemid=286

   Reply
5. 

   Skova265 said on 11th March 2009, 20:18

   Think MCL have major problems Lewis had one off last week and another today wich means he is probably pushing the limits, but the times are not there. Lets just hope they truly are sandbaging because i would hate it if Ferrari gets the title

   Reply
6. 

   Eduardo Colombi said on 11th March 2009, 20:46

   Can it be possible that BrawnGP be testing without the KERS to be lighter and get better results to get sponsors?
   Hope they have a competitive car that can, at least, be in the middle of the grid.

   p.s.: great work whit the site Keith, best blog about F1 i know.

   Reply
   • 

     Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 11th March 2009, 20:47

     Thanks Eduardo – tell your friends! 8-)

     Reply
7. 

   Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 11th March 2009, 21:23

   Williams

   Nico Rosberg joined the team in Barcelona today for day three of this week’s four day test, the first of 2009 involving all ten teams which will line up for this year’s Formula One World Championship.

   With the season kicking off in just under three week’s time, the team are using the week to test reliability, carry out systems checks and continue with an extensive programme of set-up work.

   On his first day back in the cockpit, Nico completed 89 laps of the Circuit de Catalunya’s 4.655km track, a total of 414kms, and set the seventh fastest time of the session with a 1:21.324.

   Dickie Stanford, Test Team Manager, Williams F1:
   “Nico Rosberg took over from Kazuki today and carried on with our programme of set-up and development work on the FW31. He’ll stay in the car tomorrow for our last day in Barcelona.”

   Reply
   • 

     Ali said on 11th March 2009, 23:04

     Don’t Ferrari release any press info?

     Reply
8. 

   Leslie said on 11th March 2009, 21:36

   No sandbagging & perhaps Lewis is trying a bit too hard. And Ron would say that wouldn’t he.

   Reply
9. 

   kaushal said on 12th March 2009, 1:28

   hey keith, i m not sure if this video is in your blog or not. here is the link
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ihr4yGRMYpo&eurl=http://www.force-india-f1.blogspot.com/&feature=player_embedded

   Reply
10. 

    Liquid said on 12th March 2009, 5:02

    Is BrawnGP really doin tat good even with all the issues they had and starting late.. or are they just running on less fuel loads or some other stuff lik tat just to get the spirits up n show theyre strong.. n may be even try n get some sponsors too in the process.. Or are they genuinely doin well.. hmm.. well i guess we’ll have to wait until melbourne to find out..

    Reply
    • 

      Adrian said on 12th March 2009, 8:19

      There’s 2 trains of thought on this question:

      First a fact, they were setting times in the low 1:21′s and 1:20′s on long runs so they weren’t fueled light and the pace is consitant and the car is reliable (both fantastic starting points to work from to make the car faster).

      Okay here are the 2 contradictory theories I’ve read so far:

      1) Ross Brawn needs to get sponsors in so they are running the car light on ballast to get some headlines.

      2) Ross Brawn knows what he’s doing, knows how to design a fast car and spent most of last year working on this car – it is genuinely fast and they wouldn’t compromise their very limited testing just to get some headlines. It’s funds for next year they need, not this year (reports suggest their budget for 2009 is around the £150 million mark – equal to Renault and red Bull I believe) and Ross will realise that by playing games now they’ll just appear stupid once they get to the actual races. They can get sponsors later in the year for 2010 and being competitive in races means much more than setting fast times in testing.

      Personally I’m in the group that thinks scenario 2 is more likely (hence why I was able to write a paragraph for it rather than 1 sentence)…

      Reply
11. 

    Liquid said on 12th March 2009, 5:08

    @kaushal – damn tat was some crazy video..! how did they do tat

    Reply
12. 

    buzz54321 said on 12th March 2009, 9:54

    sorry first time on this had to see what i was doing any way brawn gp i think last year they new there honda engine was under powered and they teied there hardest to make up for this in aro dinamics but evry thing went boobs up and they have now ended up with a more powerfull engine which is a super bonus and all this to gether is just creates 1.1 jigger watts ha ha and there flying now

    Reply
13. 

    Mig said on 12th March 2009, 14:31

    video part 2 of gone – any possibility to get them again ?
    Thx

    Reply
14. 

    Mig said on 12th March 2009, 14:43

    Sorry to ask – are there no pics from McLaren, Williams, Renault ?… It’s always the same teams that have pics day after day – and great pics I might add, but we know that all the teams are there and we can’t ‘see’ them. Brown GP also.

    Thx again!

    Reply
15. 

    ccolanto said on 12th March 2009, 14:52

    @Mig
    here’s the fixed version
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz_W2UbWEgg

    Reply
    • 

      Mig said on 12th March 2009, 17:56

      Thanks ccolanto!! :)

      Reply

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