2009 F1 testing: March 18th
McLaren MP4-24: It's not fast, the photographer just lost his balance
And then there were two. Renault and Brawn GP polished off their pre-season preparations yesterday, with the BGP 001 on top yet again.
McLaren and Williams are the only two teams left at Jerez, but even that probably won’t be enough for the MP4-24 to hit the top of the times sheets. Unless McLaren have been having us all on up until now…
Today’s testing line-up
Kazuki Nakajima
Heikki Kovalainen
Live timing
You can find live lap times on the following sites (various languages):
Renault usually post details of their test on their blog.
If you find any more good sites for following testing lap times, please post details below. Further updates will be posted in the comments and any images or video from today’s testing will be added here.
2009 F1 testing
- 2009 F1 testing: March 17th
- 2009 F1 testing: March 16th
- 2009 F1 testing: March 15th (Video)
- 2009 F1 testing: March 12th (update: pictures and video added)
- 2009 F1 testing: March 11th (Update: pictures and video added)
- 2009 F1 testing: March 10th (Updated: pictures added)
- 2009 F1 testing: March 9th (Update: pictures and video added)
- 2009 F1 testing: March 5th (Update: pictures added)
- 2009 F1 testing: March 4th (Update: pictures added)
- 2009 F1 testing: March 3rd (Update: pictures added)
- 2009 F1 testing: March 2nd (update: pictures added)
- 2009 F1 testing: March 1st (Pictures)
- 2009 F1 testing: February 19th (Update: pictures added)
- 2009 F1 testing: February 18th (Update: pictures added)
- 2009 F1 testing: February 17th (Updated: pictures added)
- 2009 F1 testing: February 16th (Update: pictures added)
- 2009 F1 testing: February 11th (Update: pictures added)
- 2009 F1 testing: February 10th (Update: video and pictures added)
- 2009 F1 testing notes: January 24th
- 2009 F1 testing notes: January 23rd (Update: Pictures added)
- 2009 F1 testing notes: January 22nd (Update: new video and pictures added)
- 2009 F1 testing notes: January 21st (Update: video and pictures added)
- 2009 F1 testing notes: January 20th (pictures and video)
- 2009 F1 testing notes: January 19th (pictures)
carl said on 18th March 2009, 15:12
Does anybody now how long it takes them to create these NEW parts. For instance how long does it take them bo build a new rear wing. Or a front wing. Or in this case a new floor.
IDR said on 18th March 2009, 15:20
In fact very little time.
Yesterday, Max Mosley was anouncing new rules for independent teams.
Today you can see Heikki doing some test with a brand new model for a brand new team:
Chitty F1 :-)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/idrs/
Paul said on 18th March 2009, 18:54
I assume new floor takes about a week. I only know this because a friend of mine was at McLaren last Wednesday and they had about 4 gallons (16 litres) of Loctite 4040 (the bonding agent of carbon fibre) delivered. He was told it was to build a new floor. This new floor is apparently on its way tonight to Jerez. A large aircraft was on Fairoaks apron this afternoon it took off about an hour ago.
EGC said on 18th March 2009, 21:07
@ IDR
Pierrenodoyuna y patan? :-)
EGC said on 18th March 2009, 21:09
http://cache.mundijuegos.com/foto/principal/318960/
BC said on 18th March 2009, 15:30
Looking at the rear of the Mclaren today, seems like they are working on engine cover/exhaust variations, looks to be different set-up on each side of the car: http://f1.f-e-n.net/images/f1/20090318/mclaren/18.jpg
Theo said on 18th March 2009, 16:00
Judging by the new times it looks like Mclaren are back in the fight?
djdaveyp said on 18th March 2009, 16:40
I can’t help but feel they’ve been there all along and they’re playing games with the speculation! MY opinion is that they were sandbagging, then everybody started speculating that they weren’t so, they’ve used this opportunity to make us all believe they were!
All a big PR stunt!
Mr. Sarcasm said on 18th March 2009, 16:47
djdaveyp you’re compreshension of logic astounds me
Chalky said on 18th March 2009, 16:52
That’s a thought. Brawn fastest for the first few races while everyone else catches up. Button takes 4 wins and then the rest scrap it out for the remaining wins, leaving Button as WDC. Anythings possible now?
If Brawn is quick enough to win, with the new rules not there for consistency throughout the season, early wins could be a big bonus. Then Brawn start developing 2010 car early and do it all over again. :D
Luke said on 18th March 2009, 17:02
precisely, if their lead in testing was as it appeared and with the ban on in-season tests things could be looking quite rosey for the brawn brigade. maybe this medal malarky could be for the better
damjan006 said on 18th March 2009, 17:31
I have to warn everyone that Heiki’s stint was 3 laps when he did that time and Button’s time was on 7 lap stint so there is a big difference, in my opinion the McLaren’s are still at least one and a half seconds short on the Brawn GP but good enough for 4th behind the Ferraris, the Toyotas and the Renaults’. I think the McLaren’s are going in good direction so keep up the good work !
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 18th March 2009, 19:18
Interesting detail on the stint length, thanks for that.
Lynn said on 18th March 2009, 17:51
Good steady progress, if anyone can do it Mclaren can.
Aaron said on 18th March 2009, 18:11
What drivers in the car tomorrow?
Is it Hamilton tommorow or Kovalainen?
mail123456 said on 18th March 2009, 18:52
Kazuki Nakajima
Heikki Kovalainen
but if McLaren actually find fix for their troubles, I will be not surprised to see Hamilton after lunch …
Manny said on 18th March 2009, 18:23
Have Mclaren moved the KERS to the front of the car becuase the isolation stikcer is no longer at the start of the engine cover but its on the nose just before the cockpit
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 18th March 2009, 19:17
No, I’m sure it’s just the sticker!
Phil said on 18th March 2009, 21:44
Impossible for the KERS unit to be there, needs to be by the drivetrain; one explanation could be that they’re experimenting with using the batteries as ballast and putting them in the front (like Ferrari tried).
ray said on 18th March 2009, 18:55
lets see how well mac do with two matching engine covers…
Manny said on 18th March 2009, 19:28
No Keith. I’m sure they have to put the stickers according to where the batteries are placed so marshalls are aware where the batteries are.
Rob R. said on 18th March 2009, 19:37
If this order keeps the same, I wonder how long before the hysterical British sports fans and the hysterical Brit tabloids start demanding that Button gives up his seat to Hamilton, or something like that.
Robert said on 18th March 2009, 22:18
No I think they will all move on to button and go on about him being champion
todd said on 19th March 2009, 2:13
Yeah, I would think the movement of the sticker is relative to the location of the storage device. it doesn’t surprise me that mclaren moved the weight to the front, ferrari have a long nose for that exact purpose, more weight over the front wheels for more grip.
sounds like they are trying to correct some understeer by throwing more weight to the front.
CD said on 19th March 2009, 3:54
Personally I like Button over Hamilton. Why? That i don’t know yet. Maybe because Button speaks less than Hamilton. I like the silent type. another thing is the fluidity of Buttons driving style. He’s not hard on tires. I will give my support to Brawn GP next to Ferrari.
skova265 said on 19th March 2009, 7:31
The fact Button is a speaking guy is because whwn Hamilton came all the media has been focused on him :-)