2014 Testing - Jerez 28-31 Jan

[FoxHound]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keLcrTw7FOI

It looks like the majority of the drivers are struggling to get to grips with the amount of torque these new engines are producing, which begs the question.. how much can the teams be learning from an aero point of view if the cars aren't being driven anywhere near to their potential yet?

Jerez track surface is notoriously bad to make judgements on traction.
Also, they are using a one off cold weather tyre. Expect things to improve in Bahrain methinks.

[Ferraripilot]

21 consecutive laps for the Merc cut short because of a red flag caused by another Renault powered car breaking down.

in the 1:27s too, impressive.

The Merc engines appears to be quite on it

[Sevach]

Engine is not Renault's problem it's Red Bull Renault problem. Since they are a works team, like Mercedes, Ferrari, with all the benefits they are as a whole responsible. That's what you get when you let Newey influence engine design

When they mainly focussed on Newey designed Mclarens, Mercedes engines self destructed quite often...

[danielk]

So Rosberg looks likely to be knocking on having completed around 80 laps before the end of the day. I wonder if someone will break the 100 laps mark tomorrow?

[Frafer]

pretty impressive from macca, that rear suspension layout seems working

[Dreameagl]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keLcrTw7FOI

It looks like the majority of the drivers are struggling to get to grips with the amount of torque these new engines are producing, which begs the question.. how much can the teams be learning from an aero point of view if the cars aren't being driven anywhere near to their potential yet?

Are they allowed electronic driver aids again this year? ABS and ASR?

[ecapox]

Nope.

[ACJJ619]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keLcrTw7FOI

It looks like the majority of the drivers are struggling to get to grips with the amount of torque these new engines are producing, which begs the question.. how much can the teams be learning from an aero point of view if the cars aren't being driven anywhere near to their potential yet?

Are they allowed electronic driver aids again this year? ABS and ASR?

Not had those for years.

[motobaleno]

jenson 1.24.1 it seems that the venice blind works

[douglas]

jenson 1.24.1 it seems that the venice blind works

But still 6 seconds slower then last years Jerez test times

[kooleracer]

Mercedes targeting a "century" [cricket term for 100] today. To get good publicity and its a nice milestone for the new era.

[ACJJ619]

jenson 1.24.1 it seems that the venice blind works

But still 6 seconds slower then last years Jerez test times

Although considering last years cars had both more downforce and were developed from 2009 with engines from even further back - 6 seconds slower isn't too bad.

[NathanOlder]

Last years best time was a 1.17.8 from Massa. So if this years cars are estimated at 3 seconds(ish) slower, are we expecting something around a 1.21 come friday ? weather permitting.

[motobaleno]

jenson 1.24.1 it seems that the venice blind works

But still 6 seconds slower then last years Jerez test times

just for this reason I wrote this. because 6 s slower according to the rumors is starting to be not a joking time for these new cars.
If you remember there were speculations that these cars would be 10 s slower than the old ones and nobody thought the they will be, at least at the start of the season less than 4 s slower...

[Faustino]

I think the initial estimate was that this years car would be about 2 or 3 seconds slower, so i'm pretty sure none of these cars are going anywhere near the limit as yet.

Rumours that the Merc was faster than last years car seems completely unfounded at this stage.