F1 Testing 2018

[MBKF1]

We've done this the last couple of years where we've had a specific testing thread.

So McLaren ditch Honda and spin off within 10 laps, and Toro Rosso with the Honda power are the first team to complete 50 laps.

You can't make this sh*t up!

[GoldenColt]

It's called the Alonso-effect.

But the 6 tenths he brings with him will make up for it, I promise! ;)

[Zhadwok]

It would be cool the SFX of the engines could update, you know, at least with the 2017's engines haha

[VetteIfan]

MBKF1 said:

We've done this the last couple of years where we've had a specific testing thread.

So McLaren ditch Honda and spin off within 10 laps, and Toro Rosso with the Honda power are the first team to complete 50 laps.

You can't make this **** up!

Funny as Alonso's misfortune may be, are we really buying it as a complete coincidence that now the Honda has been put in a car that isn't a Mclaren it runs perfectly with so far solid performance? 

We know "compromise" is not a word very associated with Mclaren. Especially given how much they hammered on about their world beating chassis and "size zero" when that was a thing. Think we are seeing at least some evidence of that now. 

[Jiggy]

McLaren being overly demanding and so desperate to sing their own praises, they'll throw anyone under the bus just to keep their image and brand intact and to distract from the fact that it might be a bit on them too?

Not even doing the sarcastic "I'm so shocked" follow-up, they're *****. Wow, that did not get censored automatically.

[MBKF1]

McLaren are going to look ridiculous if they aren't on a par with Red Bull, or even Renault for that matter. Equal power now, and they've banged on about how good their chassis apparently is. This season is going to tell us if they were right or not.

So interesting to see how Toro Rosso and Honda get on. I really hope they do well and surprise everyone, speed and reliability wise. If they do, then Red Bull will no doubt take their engines for 2019 onwards.

[Jiggy]

They're going to look even more laughable if Toro Rosso can actually compete properly with a reliant Honda-engine.

[DiRTKiNG808]

I can't wait to see how McLaren compare to Red Bull. If McLaren has any hope at all in coming to the front they need to be on par with cars using the same engine. I am impressed with Toro Rosso and what they are doing with engine and drivers. Renault looks like they will do better this year.

[Hughesy]

So McLean blew up again. Is it safe to say the problem was them and not Honda, they package the car too tight and boom.

[DiRTKiNG808]

I know its just testing and its difficult to see which team is really on top but I have seen Ferrari clock times fractionally faster or fractionally slower using a harder compound then both Mercedes and Red Bull. Ferrari has been really good at getting the most out of their tires for the past few seasons so I am wondering if they have closed the power gap by a little bit.

[DiRTKiNG808]

Its seems to me that the Sauber car is proving a little hard to control. I hope Leclerc can get a handle on it before Australia. He seems to be struggling a little bit.

[VetteIfan]

Personal takeaways from testing:

- Congratulations Lewi5. In fact L6wis, and Lew7s. Starting to become convinced the Mercedes engine just won't be touched till the rule change in 2021. 

- RB and Ferrari pretty close but both even further behind Mercedes.

- Renault look best of the rest, Haas look surprisingly competitive. 

- Mclaren "blame it on Honda" Renault looks really disappointing and nowhere near the RB. 

- Williams look average at best and their driver line up leaves me worried. 

- Toro Rosso will stink a lot less than everyone thought. 

[DiRTKiNG808]

VetteIfan said:

Personal takeaways from testing:

- Congratulations Lewi5. In fact L6wis, and Lew7s. Starting to become convinced the Mercedes engine just won't be touched till the rule change in 2021. 

- RB and Ferrari pretty close but both even further behind Mercedes.

These words hurt me. I hope we don't have to wait that long to see their kingdom fall. :'(

[GoldenColt]

Never thought I would ever say these words but: I sincerely hope the Merc won't be a beast. Another 2015-like season wouldn't do the sport any good, it wouldn't really enhance Lewis's reputation as a driver and an all time great and it wouldn't be interesting to watch even for me as a fan of the guy most likely to succeed in such circumstances. I'd love another 2008 car-wise, with two teams really close to each other and a third team occasionally putting them under pressure (BMW) plus a team improving enormously over the course of the season to get a couple of unexpected wins (Renault).

[DiRTKiNG808]

That would defiantly be a step in the right direction. I think Lewis is missing the fight to become a world champion. He wants a fight and he should get one. I hope Ferrari can deliver and win both titles this year. Other teams need to start getting involved or we might as well rename the sport to Hamilton Formula Mercedes Championship.

[ImDyingYouIdiot]

GoldenColt said:

Never thought I would ever say these words but: I sincerely hope the Merc won't be a beast. Another 2015-like season wouldn't do the sport any good, it wouldn't really enhance Lewis's reputation as a driver and an all time great and it wouldn't be interesting to watch even for me as a fan of the guy most likely to succeed in such circumstances. I'd love another 2008 car-wise, with two teams really close to each other and a third team occasionally putting them under pressure (BMW) plus a team improving enormously over the course of the season to get a couple of unexpected wins (Renault).

That's pretty much exactly what I expect.

The wheelbase change seems to have hurt Ferrari massively, Red Bull is still hindered by the Renault - sorry - TAG Heuer PU, McLaren is lucky to finish a race it seems, Renault are still busy building their base, and everyone else isn't a realistic title contender for year's to come.

And while Bottas isn't exactly a Palmer or Stroll, I don't see him realistically challenging Lewis. Sure, they might draft in Ricciardo or Verstappen, but as long as they comfortably win both Championship trophies there's no real reason to do that.
And at best we can expect the next major rule change to shake things up in 2021.

In other words, let's hope testing times really mean jack all this year. Otherwise, I don't see myself still bothering with F1.

[DiRTKiNG808]

Why would you say the long wheel base hurt Ferrari? It should improve aero and stability.

[VetteIfan]

DiRTKiNG808 said:

Why would you say the long wheel base hurt Ferrari? It should improve aero and stability.

Yes but as with anything in a car's design it's a compromise. It will also be heavier (pre ballast) and be less "nimble" through slow speed corners. 

Imo Ferrari seem to have got themselves caught up in the middle of two different design philosophies. They've stuck with their high rake and convoluted aero concept but now with a greatly increased wheelbase which is closer to the Mercedes' of last season, and I think they're struggling to unlock the car potential. 

Meanwhile Mercedes' seem to have built on the strengths of their existing philosophy, just tidying up the car in areas where they found improvement. Their car was extremely fast around 80% of tracks last season so their is no point compromising a concept that works just to be more competitive on the occasional twisty circuits that occur like Monaco and Hungary. 

[rbfan09]

Mclaren taken sand bagging to whole another level. turning up with basic spec car failing practice pitstops being sloppy with maintenance cutting holes in rear of car consistently using softest compound to hide the pace 5 breakdowns alonso setting 2nd fastest lap time overall in testing in last hour of testing even after engine change. 

Alonso 1.16 lap on worn hypersofts when he cut the chicken was supposedly 1.17.6 lap according to eric

I've just boarded the train!

[Jiggy]

They're likely trying to make themselves look better than they are.

[senna94f1]

Cut along story short ,do we have any beta testing this year like last 2 years,

on on a different note I can't log into my normal codemasters account because all what happens is a brand new account comes up and then on my old acorn it says I can't log in or change password , 

someone else on here says my old or normal account has been banned ,without ant warning or notice ,

and none one of the mods will tell me anything , I reported serval times on my old account that the dirt rally find a league was broken and it was broken for over a month ,the ladie who I reported it too was Christina mc , do you get banned for reporting problems , my beta testing is linked to that account,so please can anyone explain , many thanks

[VetteIfan]

I know some fans are kinda bored with the Martini livery Williams by now and I may be alone on this, but with the subtle changes they've made this year (more black + more expanded Martini stripe as it gets towards the rear) I think it is the sleekest looking car on the grid. Especially from the side view. 



*insert "we'll have plenty of time to admire it" joke here*

[Jiggy]

Black sucks. I hate black. I wish the entire world could gather to eliminate the black.

[DiRTKiNG808]

I like the Martini design, it looks good to me. Much more aggressive then last years.

P.S. @Jiggy what if I told you, your father is black. Dun, dun, dun!  :o

[Jiggy]

Then I'd tell you the REAL reason why I hate bla-

No, I'm quite fond of my father. And he actually is black tbh.