2010 F1 testing live: 27th February

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Virgin need to do as much running as they can today and tomorrow

I’m at the Circuit de Catalunya for the penultimate day of testing ahead of the 2010 F1 season.

I’ll post as much as I can from the track below and on Twitter so join us to follow the test live here.

Times from today’s test

DriverCarBest timeLapsDifference
Nico RosbergMercedes W0180.6861280
Sebastien BuemiToro Rosso-Ferrari STR581.4131060.727
Jenson ButtonMcLaren-Mercedes MP4-2581.451050.764
Rubens BarrichelloWilliams-Cosworth FW3281.9751011.289
Felipe MassaFerrari F1082.3441151.658
Vitaly PetrovRenault R3082.523681.837
Adrian SutilForce India-Mercedes VJM0382.606611.92
Sebastian VettelRed Bull-Renault RB683.123512.437
Jarno TrulliLotus-Cosworth T12785.0591024.373
Kamui KobayashiBMW Sauber-Ferrari C2986.2161055.53
Timo GlockVirgin-Cosworth VR-0186.305315.619

Testing notes

If the first sets of times from Barcelona have shown us anything, it’s that the new teams have the most ground to make up on tracks like the Circuit de Catalunya which place a high emphasis on efficient aerodynamics.

I’m going to be at the track today. It’s my first ever visit to the venue so I don’t know exactly what to expect when I get there, so please bear with me if updates come through a little slowly to begin with.

I hope to get a close look at what stint times the drivers are doing so I can share the information with you and hopefully get a firm idea who is strongest heading into the first race. But it’s clear from what we’ve seen so far this is the hardest pre-season testing form to read in a long time.

Today’s testing line-up

McLaren MP4-25Jenson Button
Mercedes W01Nico Rosberg
Red Bull RB6Sebastian Vettel
Ferrari F10Felipe Massa
Williams FW32Rubens Barrichello
BMW Sauber C29Kamui Kobayashi
Renault R30Robert Kubica
Force India VJM03Adrian Sutil
Toro Rosso STR5Sebastien Buemi
Virgin VR-01Timo Glock
Lotus T127Jarno Trulli

The track: Circuit de Catalunya

The final test of 2010 is being held at the Circuit de Catalunya, where the teams will return later this year for the Spanish Grand Prix.

Rubens Barrichello set the fastest time during last year’s Spanish Grand Prix race weekend with a 1’19.954 in Q2. The fastest lap of the race itself was also set by Barrichello, a 1’22.762,

For further comparison, Valentino Rossi lapped the track in a 2008-specification Ferrari on GP2 slick tyres in a time of 1’21.900 earlier this year.

Live Tweets and times

Check out MSFree.gr for live times from the track during the test.

Here’s the latest Tweets from people at the track, including me:

If you would like to suggest a Twitter feed to add to the list, please name them in the comments. The list only updates when this page is refreshed.

2010 F1 testing

Author information

Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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62 comments on “2010 F1 testing live: 27th February”

  1. renault is supposed to get aero update today. Might improve their (so far) slow car.

  2. I get the impression that nobody has really been able to read anything into the times at all, so its been assumed that the “top four” teams are the quickest. I really think nobody has any real idea yet, which is awesome!

  3. For those who want another website w/ the “Live” timings…in French : http://www.f1-direct.fr/live-essais-prives.php
    Better than Greek, no ?

  4. Can anyone tell me who are participating today?

    1. Read the article. Its in there!

      1. Thanks I missed that

  5. My opinion, but what do I know:

    Ferrari>Mclaren
    Redbull>Redbull
    Williams>Sauber>Renault
    Force India>STR
    Virgin Racing>Lotus

    1. ? huh i dont understand

    2. Don’t you mean Red Bull>Mercedes

      1. Yeah that’s exactly what I meant

        Redbull>Mercedes

        @AP: I expect Ferrari to be better than Mclaren in the fight for 1st and 2nd, Redbull better than Mercedes in 3rd + 4th battle and so on:
        (Ferrari>Mclaren means Ferreri greater than Mclaren)

  6. @ wasiF1 – McLaren Mercedes: Jenson Button, Mercedes Grand Prix: Nico Rosberg, Scuderia Ferrari: Felipe Massa, Sauber-Ferrari: Kamui Kobayashi, Williams-Cosworth: Rubens Barrichello, Renault F1 Team: Robert Kubica , Scuderia Toro Rosso: Sebastien Buemi, Red Bull Racing: Sebastian Vettel, Force India Adrian Sutil, Virgin Racing: Timo Glock and Lotus: Jarno Trulli.

    1. Thanks kem.

  7. Here’s a comprehensive Stint analysis from yesterday’s test.
    Ferrari,Red Bull, Sauber, ToroRosso, Force India’s race simulations compared.
    Interesting to say the least. http://bit.ly/akU87O

    1. Thanks Sandy,

      Thanks some interesting analysis, its renewed my optimism that it is actually pretty damn open. those stats do point to the possibility of the races actually being quite interesting with cars relative competitiveness changing as fuel loads change. The way I read that graph tells me that given the right conditions the Sauber could snatch a sneeky win at some point. I do suspect that after 3 races or so the teams will get to grips with things more and it will all iron out.

      I think the real question should be first car to break down in 2010 in a race. Its going to be one of the new boys, I would be tempted to go with Campos as if they make it race 1 will be almost a shake down run, they are going to have to go out and drive that think in anger on day 1! that is a scary thought!

  8. I would love you to do another ‘behind the scenes’ article from this different location if that is possible.

  9. Toro Rosso Definately should be getting points this year with the new points system and all, but if the track is good an all links up they could be challenging for 4th and 5th, anyone think the same or different ?

    1. I believe you are right they are basically running a the same car as Red Bull….. and this is bad for the sport.

      1. It’s legal though, in 2007 Spyker complained about the legality of STR having what was essentially a Red Bull customer car and access to parts. All the stewards did was confiscate some components for evidence, but nothing else was done. The stewards rejected Spykers second complaint about it.

        I was reading 2007 Season review last night ;)

        1. they paid Spyker some money to settle the dispute…

      2. “I believe you are right they are basically running a the same car as Red Bull…..”

        They have built their own car for this season. They were allowed special dispensation to use RedBull chassis by the FIA for 2008 and 2009.

    2. I would have to agree David,

      having said that I would never say the TR is a bad car, in fact its based on one of the best aerodynamic designs with an engine that we know is a front runner so in theory they should be strong, I would be very interested in seeing what an established driver could do with it that’s for sure, while I know the point in TR is young driver development as they become more Independent of RB it could become their really weakness.

  10. Do you still think they are running the same car, even after the rule changes.
    I dont know maybe they are but, as you said it is bad for the sport.

    1. They are using their own car this season, because the FIA are no longer allowing STR to use RedBulls chassis.

  11. I dont think its the same, but being as both RB and TR drew a line on 2009 and went of to both evolve that design they are going to share 98% of the same DNA

  12. 1 word to describe Barcelona soon ”Rain

  13. Any pictures of the new R30 yet, guys???

      1. This is a picture of yesterday’s test. It is Kubica dirving, whilst today Petrov has the car.

        The rear wing is different, than the one used in Jerez. The bottom is not so curved, so actually the inovative design from the first tests, is becoming more convencional

        Compare your pic to this one from Jerez:
        http://www.renaultf1.com/local/cache-gd2/42ccb211e3b9c828457f8ff0f19b2e1d.jpg

        Not much more noticeable differences in the rest of the car, but I’ll keep an eye on pics from today, with Petrov driving, to check for any improvements. I would bet on development on the front wing, and if tehre are more, it will be on “hidden” places, at least not easy to spot.

        1. shame…I loved the inverse bottom shaped one at Jerez

  14. anyone who is bored, give a look at this times from yesterday, a bit like what sandy posted a while ago. very intersting.
    http://i.imgur.com/wt0I0.png

  15. Somebody can please put up link of http://www.msfree.gr
    I am not understanding the language.

  16. http://www.msfree.gr/ms.php?id=11020
    that should bring you straight to the timings.

  17. About an hour before lunch, Trulli is doing a race simulation which was interrupted by the red flag caused by Barrichello’s spin.

    Renault say they’re going to be trying different fuel loads followed by qualifying and race simulations.

  18. david

    Thanks.

  19. anyone else notice the new ferrari shark fin engine cover on friday?

  20. No, really? Where? :)

    1. its not that clear but if you look at some of the friday testing pictures you can just make it out. i missed it until i caught a reflection in it. thought is must have been made clear if i had missed it so many times so checked pictures and definatly only there on friday.

      also a slightly remastered front wing.

  21. Here’s the best times by each driver as we head into the lunch break;

    Nico Rosberg 1’20.681 (56 laps)
    Sebastien Buemi 1’21.413 (34)
    Adrian Sutil 1’22.951 (22)
    Felipe Massa 1’23.490 (37)
    Rubens Barrichello 1’23.976 (40)
    Jarno Trulli 1’25.059 (61)
    Kamui Kobayashi 1’26.216 (77)
    Vitaly Petrov 1’26.346 (23)
    Jenson Button 1’36.667 (21)
    Timo Glock No Time (16)
    Sebastian Vettel No Time (3)

  22. it will be ferrari/red bull then mercedes, rosberg will have a beta year than m.s. Mclaren are way behind those 3. Nt a perfect design without kers.

    1. what are you on about i think of all teams mclaren have performed the best.

      and mercedes, from the way i see it there car isnt as good a renault, bmw or even toro rosso

      for me personally it goes malaren, bmw and then ferrari.

      1. sauber runs on low fuel… i would take a closer look at r30. pace not bad (in jerez it was 2nd) but kubica said he did not run on low fuel yet.

  23. Sutil sums up perfectly what 2010 F1 will be like:

    “For sure the times of sprint racing are over,” he said. “You have to take it easy, make the tyres last as long as possible and save some fuel. In the last 20-30 minutes you can start to push and take it to the limit. It’s more endurance style racing that’s required at the moment.”

    “You need to change certain things and probably also your driving style. I think it’s a new challenge, but probably not the most interesting challenge. I love to go to the limit and push it all the race through, that’s what I was used to in the last few years. It’s a new experience probably for most people in F1.”

    1. HounslowBusGarage
      27th February 2010, 12:28

      Interesting quote from Sutil. But this sentence worries me a bit “I think it’s a new challenge, but probably not the most interesting challenge.”
      Doesn’t exactly sound like a recipe for excitement does it? Hope he’s wrong.

      1. I think that particular sentence is more to do with what the driver feels rather than what the spectator sees.

      2. According to Sutil, F1 racing is just matter of pushing hard the gas pedal.
        If it were so, I’d ask why races should last over 300 km…
        I don’t think that the best pilot is only who’s got the best sense of limit in the optimal car conditions, the best pilot has to be a good manager of the car, with a smooth driving style, etc. and has to be able to feel how the car’s limit changes all along the race.
        I believe that this year, with the refuelling ban and with so similar cars and big question marks about their performances, we’ll see the distance between real drivers and common mortals.

  24. For me what is most interesting is that yesterday Schumi said the W01 is not as fast as expected and they have to improve in order to chalenge for race wins, but today, Rosberg comes and takes 1s to Michael’s time, and currently has the best time of the session…

    Curious. Rosberg is making a point here. He wants to show he’s the better guy, for sure.

    This will be on the of the key points of the season beggining. The fight (I say it will a war) for the best position inside Mercedes, between Schumi and Rosberg!

  25. “Rosberg comes and takes 1s to Michael’s time, and currently has the best time of the session…”

    How much fuel? Which tyres? Track condition? Car configuration?

    1. they can’t do it better.

  26. @ Bruno Bakano

    Q. Are you more pleased with the car on low fuel or over a race distance?

    Michael Schumacher: I don’t think I have done a qualifying run yet. We are not finished yet, so let’s find out.

    There’s the answer, btw 1:19 is possible Button has shown that during last years GP.

  27. The thing is gaining an advantage over your team-mate.
    Smae thing hapenned in the first test on Jerez. Rosberg was the first to test the car. Micahel comes the next day, after years of retirement and nails a better time.
    Of course that it doesn’t mean anyhting, its not because Rosberg made a 1s better time that it means he’s 1s faster. But on the “war” against your teammate, the next day after your teammate said the car is not good enough you nad a pretty fast time, that’s a statement, and a bit bold statement from Rosberg.

    This is what makes F1 very interesting, all these moves to gain the upper hand.

    But you guys now if this time from Rosberg was with low fuel? Is it confirmed or not? Do you think it’s impossible for Rosberg to catch a better feeling on the car and/or make some improvements in the settings and get a 1s fastest time, with same tyres and same fuel?

    Too many variables I know, but we I don’t think you can say that Rosberg times is due only to low fuel…

    I’ not sure if the session continues in the afternoon or not, but nevertheless after this last testing week, when we compare the times, there will be on fact. One guy is faster then the other. Conditions are unknow so only speculation, but the fact will be that one guy will have a faster time than the other, and that for me it may be interesting.

    Regarding Rosberg VS Schumi, its VERY interesnting for me.

  28. please do another behind the scenes article for Barcelona!

  29. It’s raining again.

  30. looking at the pic in the bottom right ,it does look like him :)

  31. Is the track dry now?

  32. Buttons just gone the fastest McLaren have gone all week

  33. Has anyone else here been reading the Autosport forums? The McLaren fans there are losing their minds!

    1. I’m not, I have complete faith that they will have built apon a strong finish to last year, and if there are any problems with this years car, Mclaren will make sure it is sorted with THE best resources in F1!

    2. why should they? its only TESTING. They try different setups and dont care what position they are. They do what ever it takes to find the right setup for the car. Then when it comes to the race the time matters!

  34. Disappointed to see Virgin racing (my new second team ;) ) languishing at the bottom of the time charts.

  35. Fairly candid (as these things go) interview with Kubica in Polish here http://f1.pl/Artykul.82+M5f487691d73.0.html

    …. he says there will be aero upgrades tomorrow (mentions front wing) and concedes that aero is what they need to do the most work on.

  36. I don’t disagree with this blog..

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