In Season Test 1: Mugello, Italy - 01 to 03 May 2012

[JimClarkFan]

...

My first question is why the heck are they using reserve drivers to do the tests?

Surely the likes of Button and Hamilton would be better suited to drive in season development to their liking?

...

[Chuckjr]

I believe it has to do with a balanced perspective and trying new parts out with a driver who can be unbiased and flatline objective about the changes. I think also teams want their race drivers to maintain a certain feel of their car and placing esoteric parts on the can can cause that vibe to be jeopardized. That said, I can see both sides of the coin as Alonso would have none of leaving the testing to another driver. I think some of the decision is unfortunately political (see below). 

I seem to remember Hamilton complaining last year about a lack of r&r and I'm sure Macca has learned from his antics of last year. 

Finally, I don't think there's much doubt your not going to get an objective and unbiased opinion of development parts from LH. JB may well could, but if they allowed JB and not LH to test....well let's just not even go down that rabbit hole. 

[JimClarkFan]

I believe it has to do with a balanced perspective and trying new parts out with a driver who can be unbiased and flatline objective about the changes. I think also teams want their race drivers to maintain a certain feel of their car and placing esoteric parts on the can can cause that vibe to be jeopardized. That said, I can see both sides of the coin as Alonso would have none of leaving the testing to another driver. I think some of the decision is unfortunately political (see below). 

I seem to remember Hamilton complaining last year about a lack of r&r and I'm sure Macca has learned from his antics of last year. 

Finally, I don't think there's much doubt your not going to get an objective and unbiased opinion of development parts from LH. JB may well could, but if they allowed JB and not LH to test....well let's just not even go down that rabbit hole. 

I suppose that makes sense, if I was a driver though I would be making the point strongly that I need to set in car for the new parts. Its like going in blind for the next race.

[godlameroso]

Not necessarily, if McLaren's simulator is as good as they say, then I'm pretty sure they can use the test drivers to help model the behavior of the car, and the drivers can just use the simulator to get an idea of what it's like. I doubt they'll forget how to drive in the time they spend on break anyway.

[PlatinumZealot]

The track seems more high speed from the looks of it.. Maybe there is not much to test other than down-force levels?

[raymondu999]

They could always do constant speed aero tests. Very few traction zones though.

[strad]

In this weeks GP Magazine in Windors Flying lap on page 20, He says that it was a decision made at the start of the season...blah blah,,listen for yourself if you like viewtopic.php?f=1&t=12534

[mith]

Will Autosport provide live commentary as they always do during the preseason tests?

[enz0]

You guys know a site that streams live video or at least times from the mugello test?

[Hail22]

Will Autosport provide live commentary as they always do during the preseason tests?

Unfortunately i don't think they're

Anyone have an appropriate link, going to look for the live timing/average time website if its still up.

[raymondu999]

Williams usually does: http://www.williamsf1.com/test-timings

[Teechnical]

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/05/01/l ... -test-day/


Here you go.

[Hail22]

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/05/01/l ... -test-day/


Here you go.

Yourself and Ray are on my Christmas card list from now on!

Timing link:

http://f1tests.co.cc/2012.php

Good for checking out if teams are on qualifying, or race laps

[Teechnical]

Pardon me, I should've opened the link before posting it

[enz0]

Did no one find a video stream?