2017 F1 general testing thread

[godlameroso]

I'm notorious for drawing conclusions from limited data, and even I am not foolish enough to read anything from today, other than the cars are a lot faster than last year.

Let's have this discussion again next Wednesday, by then there should be enough data, for the engineers and drivers to actually start pushing the cars to the limit. Wait until you see race simulations then you can make ballpark estimates. Even then you don't know the development progress between testing and Melbourne, or the rest of the season.

[Racer X]

I love the way the Force India looks. The car should be quick and remain ahead of the midfield. This year as well

I predict over all for 2017 we will see

Top 3
Mercedes
Ferrari
Redbyll

Then Force India/Williams
Then the rest with the occasional Toro Roso fighting with Williams and Force India for those 6th -8th positions.

[godlameroso]

I think we're going to see things see-saw throughout the season as the cars get developed. There's a lot of potential to unlock with these regulations, we just haven't realized it yet.

[FrukostScones]

so these were aparently the op speed today

at finish line we had those:

Driver Max speed
1. Vettel 283.4 0
2. Hamilton 280.5 0
3. Massa 280.5 0
4. Magnussen 278.3 0
5. Ricciardo 276.9 0
6. Hülkenberg 276.9 0
7. Bottas 276.2 0
8. Sainz jr 273.4 0
9. Perez 270.6 0
10. Alonso 270 0

my deduction says the RB is an efficient diffuser stalling monster (lowers rear on straight) that Newey created there, destruction of the competition through beauty of simplicity.
if those numbers are correct.

[Jef Patat]

[Mansell89]

How long does it take to add a more robust oil tank into a power unit?

Trying to find some hope for Honda

The sport needs them to fire McLaren back onto the pace- we need racing

[IFK]

Any website giving lap per lap timing ?

[CriXus]

[dans79]

my deduction says the RB is an efficient diffuser stalling monster (lowers rear on straight) that Newey created there, destruction of the competition through beauty of simplicity.
if those numbers are correct.

hmmm, seems really unimpressive compared to last years speeds. Specially when you consider the extra downforce the cars have this year should allow them to come out of turn 16 with a lot more speed. https://twitter.com/f1/status/705816714584305664

[IFK]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrFNZRxDe8c

Could someone please clarify the rules about filming ? Is it allowed or not ?

[continuum16]

my deduction says the RB is an efficient diffuser stalling monster (lowers rear on straight) that Newey created there, destruction of the competition through beauty of simplicity.
if those numbers are correct.

hmmm, seems really unimpressive compared to last years speeds. Specially when you consider the extra downforce the cars have this year should allow them to come out of turn 16 with a lot more speed.
https://twitter.com/f1/status/705816714584305664

There's a combination of factors:
A) Last years tweet says "as we wrap up testing" meaning the end of the preseason. Inevitably this years cars will be faster than their day 1 speeds.
B) The extra downforce = extra drag = less top speed

[GPR-A duplicate2]

After a day's running, the drivers are already fearing the lack of overtaking due to increased wake from the leading cars. The tyres seems to be much more durable than last year and they can go on and on with them, causing more one stoppers and dull racing.

1. Can FIA not mandate two stoppers (and three stoppers where the races are long), just like they have mandated two different compounds for races (out of three made available)? That would take away tyre preserving, if any, that a team would be asking the driver to do and give way for different strategies.
2. Taking a cue from MotoGP, reserve the option of using fastest compound, in any race, to probably, the last 5 teams in the latest standings (after every race).
3. Ask PIRELLI to get rid of Medium and Hard compounds that would cause endurance racing.

Otherwise, we would see fast cars, but a dull spectacle.

[SR71]

After a day's running, the drivers are already fearing the lack of overtaking due to increased wake from the leading cars. The tyres seems to be much more durable than last year and they can go on and on with them, causing more one stoppers and dull racing.

1. Can FIA not mandate two stoppers (and three stoppers where the races are long), just like they have mandated two different compounds for races (out of three made available)? That would take away tyre preserving, if any, that a team would be asking the driver to do and give way for different strategies.
2. Taking a cue from MotoGP, reserve the option of using fastest compound, in any race, to probably, the last 5 teams in the latest standings (after every race).
3. Ask PIRELLI to get rid of Medium and Hard compounds that would cause endurance racing.

Otherwise, we would see fast cars, but a dull spectacle.

Drivers in 2016 could not overtake due to tires not wake.

Tires gave out, over heated, failed when asked to work a bit harder.

That shouldn't be a problem in 2017.

Seems pretty simple to me, man up, be aggressive, learn somebting new (aka do what max does) and you're tires will allow you to overtake.

This is F1, you're always going to have to work for your overtake (Ignoring DRS).

Why aren't we fans of that?

[Fulcrum]

Personally, I'd like to see fewer marbles on the track. Overtaking is hard enough under any given rule-set without prejudicing a driver for going offline in the attempt of an overtake.

[djos]

Drivers in 2016 could not overtake due to tires not wake.

Tires gave out, over heated, failed when asked to work a bit harder.

That shouldn't be a problem in 2017.

Seems pretty simple to me, man up, be aggressive, learn somebting new (aka do what max does) and you're tires will allow you to overtake.

This is F1, you're always going to have to work for your overtake (Ignoring DRS).

Why aren't we fans of that?

I agree 100% mate.