2009 Testing - March (Jerez & Barcelona)

[tahadar]

Video of the starting-procedure James Allen mentioned: Look at the Ferrari go, or look at the McLaren - slow. (rhymes!)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ihr4yGRMYpo[/youtube]


Also, Brawn pace!

i've always loved the sound of an F1 engine being revved around tall structures like that. the rev peaks sound like angry elephants : )

[gcdugas]

At 2.2 Kg. fuel burn per lap, an average stint of 24 laps is 52.8 Kg. (116 lb.) fuel load on full tanks. (3 stint race at Barca)

All other things being equal, how much under weight would the Brawn car have to be running to equal 0.9 sec per lap advantage?

[timbo]

At 2.2 Kg. fuel burn per lap, an average stint of 24 laps is 52.8 Kg. (116 lb.) fuel load on full tanks. (3 stint race at Barca)

All other things being equal, how much under weight would the Brawn car have to be running to equal 0.9 sec per lap advantage?

Fastest lap in Q2 was just over a second better than the fastest lap of the race, so I would conclude that 40-45 kg gives you that difference.
However, I can't remember correctly but weren't teams obliged to follow minimum weight rules after that 1999(?) Honda testing campaign?

[RacingManiac]

Obliged but I don't think they tech the car at tests, at least not weigh them...(they probably check for safety).

[tk421]

Anyone know the procedures for the practice starts? Sometimes two cars are starting together, sometimes one speeds onto the same grid spot that another car just left, sometimes it's a single car...How do they coordinate these practice starts? Thanks in advance!

[axle]

Anyone know the procedures for the practice starts? Sometimes two cars are starting together, sometimes one speeds onto the same grid spot that another car just left, sometimes it's a single car...How do they coordinate these practice starts? Thanks in advance!

I expect they just use their common sense...no rocket science needed.

[myurr]

Video of the starting-procedure James Allen mentioned: Look at the Ferrari go, or look at the McLaren - slow. (rhymes!)

Also, Brawn pace!

I wouldn't get too excited, if you look carefully the Ferrari leaves the line a good half second before the McLaren - hence looking like it was much quicker.

[ben_watkins]

Could also be that Ferrari are using their KERS for their start proceedure, to give boost from the line..

[FLC]

End the speculation: Mclaren admit new car is not fast enough

EDIT: Just saw that someone already posted this in the Mclaren thread. Sorry for the repetition.

[jddh1]

End the speculation: Mclaren admit new car is not fast enough

EDIT: Just saw that someone already posted this in the Mclaren thread. Sorry for the repetition.

No worries. All's forgiven.

[xpensive]

On the subject of deliberately running underweight in testing, I wonder how much lighter it is possible to run, in other words, how much ballast would a 2009 F1 car typically carry without KERS?

[Metar]

They said a while ago that the RBR has less than 10kg to play with when Webber is driving - and they're without KERS. Would that put them at around 75kg underweight without driver and ballast?

It's been said that the Renault weighs around 480kg (or even less, as was speculated) when dry.

[Spencifer_Murphy]

A few years ago, (sorry but I can't remember exactly when, possibily 2002-2003) I read in F1 Racing magazine that the current Ferrari (at the time) weighed just 440kgs (excluding driver & fluids) thats bloody impressive.

Now obviously the minimum weight rule for the engine has hampered that figure somewhat by this time, and the addition of KERS would have done its bit to "fatten up" the cars...but surely the RBR has more than just 10kgs of ballast to play with when Mark's in the car...I know he's (relatively) heavy due to the fact he's taller than most F1 drivers (at 6ft 1in) but not THAT heavy?!

[Moanlower]

Could also be that Ferrari are using their KERS for their start proceedure, to give boost from the line..

I was also wondering if KERS is usefull during starts. You would believe that they have enough power without KERS but that the difficulty is effectively transfering that power to the tarmac which is more ECU related than shortage of power??

It's probably effective but I guess no earlier than 3rd gear.

[Spencifer_Murphy]

I dunno, I guess they could stoe KERS energy on the formation lap then use it once they are in 2nd or 3rd gear during the start...this would give a startline performance boost and also prevent too much wheelspin. (I guess?!)