F1 2018 Season

[pauldyson1uk]

Vettel setting pace for Ferrari with quickest time of testing so far; Magnussen impresses for Haas; Good start for McLaren but still bottom of lap charts, Kubica returns for Williams and sets their fastest time of winter; Hamilton back in Mercedes after lunch.

Timesheet (2pm):
1) Vettel, Ferrari, 109 laps, Hypersoft tyres - 1:17.182;
2) Magnussen, Haas, 94 laps, Supersoft tyres - 1:18.360;
3) Hulkenberg, Renault, 79 laps, Hypersoft tyres - 1:18.675;
4) Gasly, Toro Rosso, 103 laps, Hypersoft tyres - 1:18.758;
5) Vandoorne, McLaren, 65 laps, Hypersoft tyres - 1:18.855;
6) Ericsson, Sauber, 79 laps, Hypersoft tyres - 1:19.244;
7) Bottas, Mercedes, 97 laps, Medium tyres, 1:19.532;
8) Kubica, Williams, 73 laps, Supersoft tyres - 1:19.629;
9) Perez, Force India, 83 laps, Hypersoft tyres - 1:19.634.
10) Verstappen, Red Bull, 107 laps, Soft tyres - 1:19.842;
11) Hamilton, Mercedes, 24 laps, Medium tyres - 1:20.550;
12) Sainz, Renault, 15 laps, Medium tyres - 1:20.277;
13) Stroll, Williams, 11 laps, Soft tyres - 1:20.422;

 

[Adam-Utd]

So it's looking like Ferrari, Redbull and Mercedes could be pretty close; but as we know Barca is a tight technical track so power isn't king here.

Bodes well for the new season, let's hope they can truly challenge Mercedes this year.

I'm still not sure what to make with Mclaren, they've definitely had an improvement but they're still a way off. Reliability as usual seems to be an issue with them.

 

[Santi_Mesut_Alexis_87]

I refuse to get carried away. Last season's tests looked great for Ferrari as well.

 

[pauldyson1uk]

End of Day Seven timesheet

1) Vettel, Ferrari, 188 laps, Hypersoft tyres - 1:17.182;

2) Magnussen, Haas, 153 laps, Supersoft tyres - 1:18.360;

3) Gasly, Toro Rosso, 169 laps, Hypersoft tyres - 1:18.373;

4) Hulkenberg, Renault, 79 laps, Hypersoft tyres - 1:18.675;

5) Sainz, Renault, 69 laps, Hypersoft tyres - 1:18.725;

6) Vandoorne, McLaren, 151 laps, Hypersoft tyres - 1:18.855;

7) Ericsson, Sauber, 148 laps, Hypersoft tyres - 1:19.244;

8) Hamilton, Mercedes, 84 laps, Medium tyres - 1:19.296;

9) Bottas, Mercedes, 97 laps, Medium tyres, 1:19.532;

10) Kubica, Williams, 73 laps, Supersoft tyres - 1:19.629;

11) Perez, Force India, 159 laps, Hypersoft tyres - 1:19.634.

12) Verstappen, Red Bull, 187 laps, Soft tyres - 1:19.842;

13) Stroll, Williams, 67 laps, Ultrasoft tyres - 1:20.262.

 

[Ubik]

Bottas race sim final stint on mediums in the 1.19s, Vettel and Verstappen in the 21s.

 

[Santi_Mesut_Alexis_87]

Final results:

 

[pauldyson1uk]

Not a good start to the day for McLaren.

McLaren suffer fifth breakdown of week; Hamilton leads Raikkonen in early running; Leclerc spins into gravel; Kubica not involved after change of driver line-up.

Timesheet (9:15am):
1) Hamilton, Mercedes, 18 laps, Supersot tyres - 1:19.601;
2) Raikkonen, Ferrari, 22 laps; Soft tyres - 1:19.792;
3) Ocon, Force India, 18 laps, Supersoft tyres - 1:20.296;
4) Grosjean, Haas, 22 laps, Soft tyres - 1:20.351;
5) Leclerc, Sauber, 17 laps, Soft tyres - 1:20.878;
6) Sirotkin, Williams, 21 laps, Ultrasoft tyres - 1:20.963;
7) Hartley, Toro Rosso, 26 laps, Soft tyres - 1:21.074;
8) Ricciardo, Red Bull,12 laps, Medium tyres - 1:21.370;
9) Alonso, McLaren, 7 laps, no time set;
10) Sainz, Renault, 4 laps, no time set.

 

[Adisa]

Heads should roll at McLaren.

 

[Santi_Mesut_Alexis_87]

Not a good start to the day for McLaren.

McLaren suffer fifth breakdown of week; Hamilton leads Raikkonen in early running; Leclerc spins into gravel; Kubica not involved after change of driver line-up.

Timesheet (9:15am):
1) Hamilton, Mercedes, 18 laps, Supersot tyres - 1:19.601;
2) Raikkonen, Ferrari, 22 laps; Soft tyres - 1:19.792;
3) Ocon, Force India, 18 laps, Supersoft tyres - 1:20.296;
4) Grosjean, Haas, 22 laps, Soft tyres - 1:20.351;
5) Leclerc, Sauber, 17 laps, Soft tyres - 1:20.878;
6) Sirotkin, Williams, 21 laps, Ultrasoft tyres - 1:20.963;
7) Hartley, Toro Rosso, 26 laps, Soft tyres - 1:21.074;
8) Ricciardo, Red Bull,12 laps, Medium tyres - 1:21.370;
9) Alonso, McLaren, 7 laps, no time set;
10) Sainz, Renault, 4 laps, no time set.

Kimi looks good with a harder mix.

 

[pauldyson1uk]

Kimi looks good with a harder mix.

most of the times are looking impressive, looking good for a a good season.
Could be some decent battles lower down the order too.

 

[pauldyson1uk]

The Hypersoft tyres are looking fast , cant wait to see them in a race.

Timesheet (11.35am):
1) Raikkonen, Ferrari, 63 laps; Hypersoft tyres - 1:17.221;
2) Romain Grosjean, Haas, 67 laps, Supersoft tyres - 1:18.590;
3) Hartley, Toro Rosso, 84 laps, Hypersoft tyres - 1:18.949;
4) Hamilton, Mercedes, 84 laps, Supersoft tyres - 1:19.464;
5) Ocon, Force India, 56 laps, Soft tyres - 1:19.667;
6) Sirotkin, Williams, 65 laps, Soft tyres - 1:20.250;
7) Ricciardo, Red Bull, 47 laps, Medium tyres - 1:20.275;
8) Leclerc, Sauber, 18 laps, Soft tyres - 1:20.878;
9) Alonso, McLaren, 7 laps, no time set;
10) Sainz, Renault, 4 laps, no time set.

 

[gaucho_10]

Now it will be Renault's fault because the engine is overheating. Nothing to do with lack of cooling due to chasis design.

It won't be because the engine works fine in other 2 Renault powered cars.

Damn, it was so convenient last year when the same thing happened. Mclaren were the only team with Honda engine so it was too easy to just blame Honda for everything.

 

[Santi_Mesut_Alexis_87]

most of the times are looking impressive, looking good for a a good season.
Could be some decent battles lower down the order too.

Kimi looks really good so far. Hope he can keep it up.

 

[pauldyson1uk]

Barcelona Test Two, Day Four 12.15pm Timesheet

Driver Team Laps Fastest Time Tyre
1. Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 66 1:17.221 Hypersofts
2. Romain Grosjean Haas 81 1:18.590 Supersofts
3. Brendon Hartley Toro Rosso 91 1:18.949 Hypersofts
4. Esteban Ocon Force India 69 1:18.967 Hypersofts
5. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 97 1:19.464 Supersofts
6. Sergey Sirotkin Williams 76 1:20.250 Softs
7. Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull 47 1:20.275 Mediums
8. Charles Leclerc Sauber 18 1:20.878 Softs
9. Fernando Alonso McLaren 7 No time set
10. Carlos Sainz Renault 4 No time set

 

[Rado_N]

Has there been any change to aero regs or is passing still going to be next to impossible?

 

[pauldyson1uk]

Has there been any change to aero regs or is passing still going to be next to impossible?

Don't think there has been any changes, so yes on some track passing will be next to impossible.

 

[Rado_N]

Don't think there has been any changes, so yes on some track passing will be next to impossible.

Figured as much. There's a shake up coming soon isn't there? Hopefully that'll do the trick.

 

[pauldyson1uk]

Figured as much. There's a shake up coming soon isn't there? Hopefully that'll do the trick.

Yeah for next season , but FIA never do things simple, it will be a mess I am sure.

 

[Rado_N]

Yeah for next season , but FIA never do things simple, it will be a mess I am sure.

That's for damn sure. I'll probably keep an eye out on Sky for GP2 races, they're always fun.

 

[pauldyson1uk]

Alonso returns to track after McLaren change engine following fifth breakdown; Raikkonen sets second fastest time of winter; Leclerc spins into gravel; Gearbox trouble for Renault;

Timesheet (1.30pm):
1) Raikkonen, Ferrari, 66 laps; Hypersoft tyres - 1:17.221;
2) Grosjean, Haas, 89 laps, Supersoft tyres - 1:18.412;
3) Hartley, Toro Rosso, 91 laps, Hypersoft tyres - 1:18.949;
4) Ocon, Force India, 72 laps, Hypersoft tyres - 1:18.967;
5) Bottas, Mercedes, 14 laps, Medium tyres - 1:19.001;
6) Sirotkin, Williams, 105 laps, Soft tyres - 1:19.189;
7) Alonso, McLaren, 15 laps, Ultrasoft tyres - 1:19.192;
8) Hamilton, Mercedes, 97 laps, Supersoft tyres - 1:19.464;
9) Ricciardo, Red Bull, 47 laps, Medium tyres - 1:20.275;
10) Leclerc, Sauber, 18 laps, Soft tyres - 1:20.878;
11) Sainz, Renault, 4 laps, no time set.

 

[Giggsy92]

So the consensus seems to be Merc>RBR>Ferrari with the caveat that Red Bull aren't yet running their Melbourne spec. AMuS are saying that fuel saving is an issue for Ferrari, seems to me that could be a convenient way of sandbagging though.

 

[pauldyson1uk]

Fuel row brewing !

http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/11277099/horner-rejects-wolff-fuel-claim

 

[pauldyson1uk]

The potential pecking order at the business end of the grid is the major talking point as we near an end to testing, with Mercedes thought to have a lot more in their one-lap locker.

Here's the best times per tyre from the world champions, Ferrari and Red Bull this winter...

MERCEDES

Hypersofts N/A

Ultrasofts 1:18.400 Hamilton, Day Six

Supersofts 1:18.752 Hamilton, Day Six

Softs 1:20.596 Bottas, Day Five

Mediums 1:18.945 Hamilton, Day Six

FERRARI

Hypersofts 1:17.182 Vettel, Day Seven

Ultrasofts 1:18.079 Vettel, Day Seven

Supersofts 1:18.298, Raikkonen, Day Eight

Softs 1:19.541 Vettel. Day Six

Mediums 1:20.000 Vettel, Day Six

Red Bull

Hypersofts 1:18.047 Ricciardo, Day Six

Ultrasofts 1:18.961 Ricciardo, Day Six

Supersofts N/A

Softs 1:19.842 Verstappen, Day Seven

Mediums 1:19.955 Ricciardo, Day Six

 

[pauldyson1uk]

HAAS look like they have some pace.

Timesheet (3.30pm):
1) Raikkonen, Ferrari, 134 laps; Hypersoft tyres - 1:17.221;
2) Grosjean, Haas, 136 laps, Supersoft tyres - 1:18.412;
3) Bottas, Mercedes, 67 laps, Medium tyres - 1:18.923;
4) Hartley, Toro Rosso, 156 laps, Hypersoft tyres - 1:18.949;
5) Ocon, Force India, 128 laps, Hypersoft tyres - 1:18.967;
6) Sirotkin, Williams, 105 laps, Soft tyres - 1:19.189;
7) Alonso, McLaren, 54 laps, Ultrasoft tyres - 1:19.192;
8) Hamilton, Mercedes, 97 laps, Supersoft tyres - 1:19.464;
9) Ricciardo, Red Bull, 71 laps, Medium tyres - 1:20.275;
10) Leclerc, Sauber, 43 laps, Ultrasoft tyres - 1:20.379;
11) Stroll, Williams, 10 laps, Soft tyres - 1:20.938;
12) Sainz, Renault, 8 laps, Ultrasoft tyres - 1:23.240.

 

[Santi_Mesut_Alexis_87]

Really don't know what to make of this tests. No a clear sign compared with last season.

 

[pauldyson1uk]

Renault suddenly leap to second in the charts on the Final day of testing

Less than half an hour on the clock and Carlos Sainz finds a 1:18.164 on a fresh set of hypersofts.

Coming up shortly on Sky F1 Digital, our assessment of the pecking order ahead of the season-opening Australian GP.

Renault is one of the easiest teams to feel comfortable about in terms of their position: we're fairly sure they are now the 'best of the rest' behind the 'big three'

 

[pauldyson1uk]

Really don't know what to make of this tests. No a clear sign compared with last season.

same here , there is no massive time difference between the teams.
It could be that Mercedes , Ferrari and Red Bull are sandbagging a bit, not wanting the other sto see their full speed.

 

[pauldyson1uk]

A 1:16.720 from Alonso and McLaren!

That's the fastest time of winter testing by a country mile

but then...

ALONSO HAS CUT THE CHICANE AND HIS 1:16.7 LAP HAS BEEN DISALLOWED

But there's a definite show of pace from the McLaren in these dramatic few minutes. Alonso followed his chicane cut with another lap in the high 1:17s!

 

[Ubik]

Merc look way ahead to my eyes.

McLaren get into the 1.17s at the end and the long runs on mediums looked half decent yesterday. If they can stop it breaking down for a race distance, 4th isn't out of the question...

 

[pauldyson1uk]

That it the Final Day of testing is over, next time we see the cars on track will be for the Australian Race cant wait.
Ferrari finish the eight days of running with the fastest two times - but the longer runs, as ever, appear to have told the truer picture with Mercedes happy to go their own way and stay under the radar as far as the headline times are concerned.

But what does seem clear is that the top three teams are going to remain in a fierce battle for supremacy, with the midfield looking set to be more hotly-contested than ever.

 

[pauldyson1uk]

Raikkonen sets second-fastest time of winter testing; Alonso third driver into 1:17s; McLaren recover after fifth breakdown; Sainz third for Renault after gearbox trouble; Red Bull and Mercedes focus on long runs; Williams bottom of timesheet again.

Timesheet (End of day):
1) Raikkonen, Ferrari, 157 laps; Hypersoft tyres - 1:17.221;
2) Alonso, McLaren, 93 laps, Hypersoft tyres - 1:17.784;
3) Sainz, Renault, 45laps, Hypersoft tyres - 1:18.092;
4) Ricciardo, Red Bull, 92 laps, Supersoft tyres - 1:18.327;
5) Grosjean, Haas, 181 laps, Supersoft tyres - 1:18.412;
6) Bottas, Mercedes, 104 laps, Medium tyres - 1:18.825;
7) Hartley, Toro Rosso, 156 laps, Hypersoft tyres - 1:18.949;
7) Ocon, Force India, 163 laps, Hypersoft tyres - 1:18.967;
9) Leclerc, Sauber, 75 laps, Hypersoft tyres - 1:19.118;
10) Sirotkin, Williams, 105 laps, Soft tyres - 1:19.189;
11) Hamilton, Mercedes, 97 laps, Supersoft tyres - 1:19.464;
12) Stroll, Williams, 27 laps, Soft tyres - 1:19.954.

That it for testing , some very good times posted by the lower teams.
All the signs point to a very good season , with I think 3 teams Mercedes , Ferrari and Red Bull going for the title, with Renault and if they can get reliability sorted McLaren pushing them hard.
Mid table looks like a good few team will be battling it out for construction points.
The Hypersofts looks like they will be deciding some races.

 

[ArmchairCritic]

Merc look way ahead to my eyes.

McLaren get into the 1.17s at the end and the long runs on mediums looked half decent yesterday. If they can stop it breaking down for a race distance, 4th isn't out of the question...

Yeah the race stints were a different level, Bottas and Hamilton both could lap in the 19s on the mediums in their last stint, Verstappen and Vettel were in the 20s.

Pirelli published their tyre deltas on this track:

Medium -> Soft 0.85s
Soft -> SS 0.45s
SS -> US 0.6s
US -> HS 0.7-0.8s

If Hamilton is doing high 18s on mediums, then theoretically they should be in low 16s with ease, it should be noted however with those deltas that Haas with an 1:18:3 on the SS should be able to break into the high 1:16s on HS .

In a 3 engine formula, Red Bull and Ferrari might be able to mix it up in qualifying but I don't think they can touch Mercedes in the race. Only saving grace might be if the Mercedes chews its tyres up.

I make it:

Merc
Red Bull
Ferrari
McLaren
Renault
Haas
Force India (could be in trouble if their Australia upgrade doesn't hit the mark)
Williams (only because their drivers with handicap them)
Toro Rosso
Sauber

Midfield fight will be interesting, the rest not much so.

 

[F-Red]

Really don't know what to make of this tests. No a clear sign compared with last season.

Merc are miles ahead, their one lap pace was fine last year so they've focused hard on their long run pace. Status quo i think for this year.

 

[pauldyson1uk]

 

[pauldyson1uk]

Merc are miles ahead, their one lap pace was fine last year so they've focused hard on their long run pace. Status quo i think for this year.

I would not say miles ahead.

 

[Santi_Mesut_Alexis_87]

same here , there is no massive time difference between the teams.
It could be that Mercedes , Ferrari and Red Bull are sandbagging a bit, not wanting the other sto see their full speed.

Yeah, we will only know in 2 weeks. Could be a great season.

 

[pauldyson1uk]

 

[Santi_Mesut_Alexis_87]

It doesn't bode well for them 30 years later though

 

[pauldyson1uk]

It doesn't bode well for them 30 years later though

I think they will be better than in testing,its clear the car is fast when running correct, they just have to get it to run well and reliable.

 

[Santi_Mesut_Alexis_87]

I think they will be better than in testing,its clear the car is fast when running correct, they just have to get it to run well and reliable.

Hope so. It's sad to see them so behind.