And the engines have
started revving in 2013! And with that, mixed results from the first of three
tests for the teams on the tricky Jerez circuit. With the notoriously abrasive
surface at the Spanish track in comparison to the majority of the championship tracks
tearing up the new Pirelli tyres, teams have been trying to understand what
they can of them and their 2013 offices.
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| Sergio Perez aka Checo, making his McLaren bow |
Testing got off to an awful start for McLaren as Jenson
Button ground his new MP4-28 to a halt after just three laps on day one with a
fuel pressure problem, the same problem that cost Lewis Hamilton a race win in
Abu Dhabi last year. Meanwhile Perez got settled into his new office on day two
and four, quietly making about his business. Nevertheless, Jenson ended up
clocking the fastest time of day one with a 1.18.861 lap, almost 1 second
faster than Mark Webber’s Red Bull despite only doing half the laps because of
the earlier problem.
Webber and Vettel have both been doing long runs mainly, not
showing their one-lap pace to any extent, which indicates they are likely using
this unusual circuit to understand the tyres more so than the car, and waiting
until the two tests in Barcelona to vary their programme. Overall the Bull
still looks like the stomping force in downforce terms, but has been spotted by
many as being a ‘one-line’ car, from which if the driver goes off the racing line
it struggles to recovery quickly.
With Red Bull
focussing on tyres though, have other top teams missed a trick here?
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| The Mercedes Started Badly On Day One |
Similarly to Button on day one, Nico Rosberg in the Mercedes
didn’t do too many more laps before smoke, then fire. This was followed on day
two with Lewis Hamilton careering into the barriers at the end of the straight
following a brake issue.
Hamilton’s decision to join Mercedes was already
looking down until day three and four, where the Mercedes W04 did 148 and 145
laps each impressively for Nico and Lewis respectively, effectively four race
distances without a fault. The car looks fair in pace, but Lewis has admitted
it has much less downforce than his 2012 McLaren as the design doesn’t have as
many detailed aerodynamic parts to other top teams.
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| Hamilton Walking Away From His Wrecked Car After 15 Laps In A New Team |
Fernando Alonso was a noticeable absence from testing, as
the only race driver not at in Jerez, instead stating he is focusing on further
fitness. Unofficially, many believe he’s waiting for the more significant tests
in Barcelona which will show more than this week.
Massa looking to find his 2008 form, finished day three with
a 1.17.879, one second faster than Button’s time on day one. He had earlier
said how impressive Button’s time was, and to be fair it was, as the track
evolves hour after hour of rubber being put down. On day four though, Pedro de
la Rosa made his test debut for Ferrari, but lost the morning session after a
fire from a gearbox failure. Regardless, Ferrari seemed not to be in the
massive hole they dug themselves at the beginning of 2012, but likely behind
Red Bull, McLaren and Lotus.
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| Pedro de la Rosa Had A Fiery Debut Also |
Lotus have taken a noticeable step forward is Lotus who
started well and finished well in 2012 as it was, but in 2013 are hitting the
apexes from the outgo and some solid times, including topping day four with a
1.18.148 just ahead of Jules Bianchi in the Force India. Don’t be surprised to
see Lotus fighting for top grid spots and podiums from the outgo again.
Essentially auditioning for the final Force India race seat,
Bianchi was only 0.027 seconds behind Raikkonen, making his point noticeable to
management. Fellow rookie Esteban Gutierrez has also impressed in the Sauber,
putting in quick and consistent performance runs.
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| The New Mexican In A Sauber Seat |
Let’s hope he and fellow
midfield rookie Valtteri Bottas for Williams thrill us this season. Williams
are the only team not to run their 2013 car, and won’t until the second test in
Barcelona now, as they similarly to Red Bull have concentrated on tyre
knowledge.
The Toro Rosso looks as though they may struggle to improve
on ninth position from last year, with the car quite slidey, but Riccardo and
Vergne are clearly keen to push past this in the bid for a potential 2014 Red
Bull drive.
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| Force India & Many Cars Attached Sensors To Gain Aerodynamic Data |
The Caterham looks like it has little grip in the corners, which
may make it a fourth year of trying to catch the midfield and failing. Despite
the higher budget, I won’t be surprised if Marussia finally break Caterham’s
hold on tenth, as their basic car looks neat and tidy with more room for
development, with Max Chilton and recently confirmed GP2 2012 runner-up Luis
Razia at the wheel.
You can never take too much from winter tests to a certain
extent but so far, it seems the running order may be extremely similar to last
year. F1 Hub will be bringing a round up of the two Barcelona tests so check
back soon!
Nick, F1 Hub
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