Felipe Massa heads the charts as Barcelona test ends

87 comments on “Felipe Massa heads the charts as Barcelona test ends”

1. 

   BBT
   21st February 2011, 16:06

   Wow that was quick, Keith not Massa
   1. 

      Dev
      22nd February 2011, 3:52

      that lap time from Massa was pretty quick, it’s faster than 2010 Spain GP, which prolly means it was a low fuel run on softer tires.
2. 

   sw6569 (@sw6569)
   21st February 2011, 16:07

   Pretty sure Massa’s time was a qualifying sim (although I believe the session was red flagged so its hard to know).

   Brundle tweeted some great comments about today:

   Drivers will bitch like crazy bt I’m really liking what I’m seeing out on track. They are really having to drive the cars, loads of mistakes

   Mercedes has poor traction, McLaren looks shocking as if on cold tyres, Red Bull+Ferrari+Renault Lotus Lada+Williams all pounding round

   Torro Rosso looks solid, Buemi is chasing the throttle as hard as anybody. Watching cars it’s definitely going to be a wild +variable season

   All food for thought!
   1. 

      Fixy (@)
      21st February 2011, 16:09

      Toro Rosso incredibly high on the charts of all the tests! I hope they have improved.
      1. 

         Dev
         22nd February 2011, 3:55

         Toro Rosso has show some promise, but still it’s a bit early to say where they are in relation to competition as i believe Merc has not show all it’s cards for now. but given all the data we have, it seems that all the 3 Merc powered cars are struggling.
   2. 

      BBT
      21st February 2011, 16:17

      In reality we could have drivers running around at 70 – 80% like Bahrain last year preserving tyres. I hope the tyres present the opinion for guys to run flat out and take on extra sets and not some middle ground where they try to complete on 2 or 3 sets.
   3. 

      Eggry (@eggry)
      21st February 2011, 17:10

      I think Toro Rosso is faster than Merc at present.
      1. 

         JohnTheMan96
         21st February 2011, 23:08

         Rosberg’s time yesterday is roughly 4 seconds faster than Schumacher’s time today, strange isn’t it?

         And I doubt STR are faster then MERC
3. 

   ed24f1 (@ed24f1)
   21st February 2011, 16:07

   Well it will be interesting to see what Massa says about the tyres.

   He’s probably got the most to gain from the switch to Pirelli tyres, and yet he has been very quiet about it this year, which is strange.

   Anyway, I think Ferrari and Red Bull look very close, but clearly ahead of the rest. Then, it is very close after that, and I think Renault, Williams and Toro Rosso will spring some surprises.
4. 

   Icemangrins
   21st February 2011, 16:10

   good lord…. now can anyone go and ask if that was a glory run? I guess not…. as he is not schumi !!
5. 

   Fixy (@)
   21st February 2011, 16:11

   I am increasingly awaiting Massa to deliver great races seeing his results in tests and I really hope he will manage to be on the Hall of Fame by the end of 2011.
   1. 

      Steph (@)
      21st February 2011, 16:26

      Now that would make me very happy :P
   2. 

      Wateva
      21st February 2011, 16:39

      That indeed is a very happy thought.
      1. 

         Ru_Bd
         21st February 2011, 16:55

         Same here mates. :-) wish massa all the best and also best of luck 2 Ferrari
         1. 

            mash26
            21st February 2011, 17:40

            No! Alonso needs a third title!
            1. 

               Kimi's Ice-Cream
               21st February 2011, 18:42

               If Ferrari gets a 1-2 I don’t really care who’s on top. And they well might, at least if Felipe baby gets his mojo back. I have a hunch about Ferrari getting the most of the Pirellis.
            2. 

               Fixy (@)
               21st February 2011, 20:26

               He can have it, later on in his career.
            3. 

               Ru_BD
               22nd February 2011, 9:32

               Ferrari Rocks :-)
   3. 

      kowalsky
      21st February 2011, 18:22

      so you want massa to retire? remember that hall of fame induction only for non active drivers.
      1. 

         RIISE (@riise)
         21st February 2011, 18:43

         Wrong, every champion is in the Hall of Fame.
         1. 

            OEL
            21st February 2011, 21:47

            Go Feilpe!
6. 

   DANK
   21st February 2011, 16:16

   I’m getting concerned with Renault’s KERS

   With one test to go (now two since there won’t be Bahrain), I hope they iron out the problems by then.
   1. 

      BasCB (@bascb)
      21st February 2011, 17:08

      Seems everyone safe McLaren and possibly Ferrari have had their problems with the KERS unit.
      That might be a small advantage for McLaren
7. 

   alexander
   21st February 2011, 16:22

   i think massa is back to his best
   i think the pirelli tyres suit him real good but we will have too wait and see what he says.

   @Fixy i completely agree with you
   1. 

      RIISE (@riise)
      21st February 2011, 18:44

      Alonso is still going to have 3 tenths over him due to sheer pace.
   2. 

      Fixy (@)
      21st February 2011, 20:28

      I hope the tyres suit him and that he can improve and mantain a good form throughout the whole season being consistent, because that was the real problem in 2010 for Massa but also for Alonso.
8. 

   BasCB (@bascb)
   21st February 2011, 16:43

   It will be interesting to see, just how much quicker they will be with the last test being in Barcelona as well.
9. 

   VXR
   21st February 2011, 16:43

   It looks like STR’s radical ‘twin floor’ is doing the bizz!

   McLaren is handling like a Tesco shopping trolley.

   Mercedes is fish-tailing everywhere!

   Should be some big surprises down-under with just one test to go.
   1. 

      DCman (@)
      21st February 2011, 17:55

      Rather have Mercedes fish-tailing than the front end washing out. They say that the aero package will be at the next test and that they have had over-heating problems.
      A lot of people say McLaren have bitten more than they can chew.
      STR looking sporty aren’t they.
      Wish the season would start already!
10. 

    superted666
    21st February 2011, 16:49

    Looks like Mclaren can’t get the setup correct, it feels like there missing some talent in the design department in recent years.

    I’ve held off doing this as i believe it gives them an unfair advantage, however I have decided that i’m going to offer them my services as a driver to partner Lewis.

    ;o)
    1. 

       Tobitron
       21st February 2011, 16:56

       How is that going to help the “lack of talent” in the design department?
    2. 

       Ru_Bd
       21st February 2011, 16:58

       Hey hey hey Great mates ;-)
    3. 

       Lemon (@lemon)
       21st February 2011, 18:42

       It didn’t require much talent for them to get it right, all they needed to do was copy the blinking Red Bull and crush the rear end in! that what everyone else did. But what I find inconceivable how they couldn’t figure out their design was useless at an early stage, I mean surely the wind tunnel would have told them this when they first tested the idea.
    4. 

       Kimi's Ice-Cream
       21st February 2011, 18:49

       I’m ready to partner YOU and leave the other individual out.
    5. 

       Fixy (@)
       21st February 2011, 20:29

       Love your modesty ;)
11. 

    ManjuBoy (@manjuboy)
    21st February 2011, 16:56

    It’s quite interesting that many of the driver’s quickest times came during the last 25 minutes of today’s session. Were they saving their short stint/super soft tire runs for last?

    http://f1tests.mine.nu/2011_1.php?rev=on
    1. 

       Tango
       21st February 2011, 16:59

       They only had 10 mins after the last red flag, so time was indeed limited
    2. 

       DCman (@)
       21st February 2011, 17:59

       Thank you for the link. Have been looking for a site like that for a while. Know of anymore?
12. 

    Tango
    21st February 2011, 17:05

    The long runs from Hamilton look worringly slow. Schumacher’s long run on the other end seemed to be quite better.
    1. 

       Kimi's Ice-Cream
       21st February 2011, 18:47

       Doesn’t worry me a bit. 107%, you know.
    2. 

       Fixy (@)
       21st February 2011, 20:30

       Well, Hamilton has an aggressive style, that combined with quickly-degradating tyres may cause him problems.
13. 

    Geo Pav
    21st February 2011, 17:08

    Don’t worry abt McLaren’s new car it’s too early and today was the first real testing 107 laps we put some good miles on the car, definately need a lot more for reliability, balancing, set up and tyres of course.
    1. 

       Nigelstash (@)
       21st February 2011, 23:53

       Have a look at the best times of each driver. Alonso did 1.23.978 on Saturday. Hamilton did 1.23 858 on Sunday. Look at the variables – Drivers are evenly matched (both dead quick). Track should be a bit quicker for Hamilton’s Sunday run. McLaren are a few days behind on their testing schedule. I’d say that is encouraging for McLaren. Red Bull look well ahead though.
14. 

    Eggry (@eggry)
    21st February 2011, 17:18

    My speculation about performance Top 5

    Ferrari>=Redbull>Mclaren>=Renault>=Toro Rosso

    I think Redbull is still faster in term of a flying lap, but Ferrari is more consistent and faster in race sim. Mclaren is not so good in time sheet but they have not tried seriously until now. Today they had first over 100 lap, so I believe they will show real pace in the next test.

    I have a little doubt about Renault because of their inconsistent and reliability but if everything goes fine, they would comfortably stay within top5(as team). the most suprising of recent tests is Toro Rosso. They’re fast and very consistent. maybe they are faster than Renault and Mercedes. I believe Mercedes is definetly in serious situation.
    1. 

       Steph (@)
       21st February 2011, 18:18

       I still expect RBR to be fastest. I wouldn’t be surprised if they turned up at Aus and in q3 suddenly went 3-5 tenths quicker than Ferrari.
       1. 

          Lemon (@lemon)
          21st February 2011, 18:50

          Hope not that would be dull. But I expect you’re right!
          1. 

             Steph (@)
             21st February 2011, 19:02

             If I am (unfortunately) right then hopefully they’ll be close on race pace so a Sunday is exciting. Although RBR were a little slower on race pace last year, had Seb crashing and collecting failures every other race and they still won! :P
             1. 

                Fixy (@)
                21st February 2011, 20:32

                You’re expecting a 2010 repeat but a little closer and also more limited (McLaren a little lower)? As much as high competition is very nice, I like championships where there are mainly two rivals and the others, whilst battling, are still below those two.
          2. 

             US_Peter (@us_peter)
             21st February 2011, 19:26

             I get that feeling as well. I think we’ll see even more poles for Vettel this year, and maybe less race wins as I agree with Eggry, that Ferrari (and maybe McLaren) will at least be on par with Red Bull on race pace, making it difficult for the Bulls to defend with the DRS in place and Alonso/Massa/Hamilton/Button breathing down their necks…
15. 

    Eggry (@eggry)
    21st February 2011, 17:22

    Anyway, it seems like Renault’s KERS make so much trouble. Isn’t it Redbull using same one? at least I know they use the unit from Renault&Magneti Marelli. or they’re just dealing with it much better?
16. 

    BBT
    21st February 2011, 17:32

    Ferrari=Redbull>=Renault>=Toro Rosso>=Williams=Mclaren>=Merc
    1. 

       Lucio Ghigna
       21st February 2011, 17:35

       Redbull>Ferrari>=Mclaren>Mercedes>=Renault & tororosso
       1. 

          Master firelee (@master-firelee)
          21st February 2011, 17:45

          Ferrari=Redbull>Renault=Toro Rosso>Williams=McLaren=Force India=Sauber>Mercedes>Virgin>/=Lotus
    2. 

       Eggry (@eggry)
       21st February 2011, 18:06

       Ferrari>=Redbull>Mclaren>=Renault>=Toro Rosso

       I don’t think Merc is so good. it seems like worse shape for them than last year.
       1. 

          Fixy (@)
          21st February 2011, 20:35

          Lots of optimism regarding STR but I doubt, sadly, they’ll be there fighting for podiums, although I would be happy to eat a slice of humble pie if I prove wrong!
          1. 

             Master firelee (@master-firelee)
             21st February 2011, 20:52

             maybe not but i do think that they will score more regulary than 2010
          2. 

             BBT
             21st February 2011, 21:06

             I don’t think anyone has them any higher than 6th – 7th
17. 

    VXR
    21st February 2011, 18:06

    I wouldn’t put McLaren or Mercedes ahead of even Lotus, on current form.
18. 

    VXR
    21st February 2011, 18:12

    Martin Brundle today, twittered:

    “Drivers will complain like crazy but I’m really liking what I’m seeing out on track. They are really having to drive the cars, loads of mistakes. Mercedes has poor traction, McLaren looks shocking as if on cold tyres, Red Bull+Ferrari+Renault+Williams all pounding round.”
19. 

    andrewf1
    21st February 2011, 18:13

    lol, i love that everyone’s <=>=<< now. I say we wait until after the final test. I really hope Mclaren's up there with Red Bull and Ferrari :(. Or, if that's not the case, i hope there's at least no difference between Red Bull and Ferrari, so we can really have a fight up there.
    1. 

       Todfod (@todfod)
       21st February 2011, 18:44

       I agree. I love watching qualifying, but I was just sick of the Red Bull front row lock outs last year. Lets hope Ferrari and Red Bull have a closer fight right from the 1st race.
       1. 

          BasCB (@bascb)
          21st February 2011, 19:44

          Yeah, they made Qualli boring really. Have Q1, nice gamble who was the 7th guy out. Q2 nice with a lot of competative cars racing it out. Q3 oh, well will Vettel pull it out or leave Webber to do the honours.

          I really hope we will see some Ferrari poles from both drivers as well as McLaren at times and maybe the odd Mercedes one as well?
20. 

    MGP
    21st February 2011, 18:14

    Guys, This is only the reliablity test for MGP-W02, As Ross said the performance is going to be tested in the next test. So far its a plain car to check reliablity and come up real good. Wath out guys! Deadly evil is coming up.. Sure, Red bull and ferrari is doing great.
    1. 

       Eggry (@eggry)
       22nd February 2011, 3:59

       http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/41454.html

       I think you have to read this.
       1. 

          Todfod (@todfod)
          22nd February 2011, 6:57

          Schumacher states that his goal is the same as a few weeks ago. A few weeks ago, his goal was to fight for the championship and to have a car capable of winning races throughout the season. Now, his goal is to fight for podiums, and hopefully win a race.

          This tells us a lot about the situation at Mercedes.
          1. 

             BasCB (@bascb)
             22nd February 2011, 8:03

             I saw that as well. Quit a bit lower expectations.

             Seems their KERS might be ok (see McLaren) but getting to grips with it in a car is a big problem so far for everyone new to it, plus Renault.

             Who said Mercedes would be in front of McLaren this year?
21. 

    Srini (@)
    21st February 2011, 18:24

    McLaren is disappointingly slow. It’s probably good for them that the Bahrain GP is cancelled.
22. 

    Victor.
    21st February 2011, 18:39

    HRT > all.
    1. 

       Todfod (@todfod)
       21st February 2011, 18:52

       Gotta agree.. and in the drivers its Karthikeyan > All as well. Looks like we are in for a boring season.
       1. 

          BasCB (@bascb)
          21st February 2011, 19:45

          Seeing it will probably be the Stig in the other car, they might win it all, safe the odd win by Rubens that is.
    2. 

       Fixy (@)
       21st February 2011, 20:37

       HRT > all.

       I am convinced you are erraneously reading the 2010 standings up-side-down!
    3. 

       Eggry (@eggry)
       22nd February 2011, 4:00

       I love Hispanian Curry.
23. 

    Lemon (@lemon)
    21st February 2011, 18:47

    I actually hope the McLaren is right at the back of the grid so that the designers and engineers can be sacked and or lewis will realise he needs to find a better team.
    1. 

       VXR
       21st February 2011, 18:55

       Are you Lewis’s new manager?
       1. 

          Lemon (@lemon)
          21st February 2011, 19:01

          Did I forget to mention?
          1. 

             VXR
             21st February 2011, 19:23

             Yes. :)
24. 

    davey (@djdaveyp87)
    21st February 2011, 20:05

    I hope McLaren can sort their tyre warming issues out. Looks like they just need to be more aggressive with their suspension settings.
25. 

    renzo
    21st February 2011, 20:31

    I think that McLaren has got small issues that will solve in the next test or after the first couple of GPs. The car seems incredibly developed under an aero aspect; they just need to understand better the tyres and then they’ll be in front as always.
    1. 

       BBT
       21st February 2011, 21:10

       Maybe, I’m sure it has more development potential, but by that time the season could be over. Looking like a case of 2 out of the last 3 very poor cars, but they can still turn it around as can Merc
26. 

    JohnTheMan96
    21st February 2011, 23:22

    I’l give it a shot:

    1) RBR
    2) Ferrari
    3) Mercedes
    4) Williams
    5) Renault
    6) Mclaren
    7) Torro Rosso
    8) Force India
    9) Sauber
    10) Lotus
    11) Virgin
    12) HRT

    probably wrong though
    1. 

       Eggry (@eggry)
       22nd February 2011, 7:32

       8)
27. 

    jake
    21st February 2011, 23:28

    in regards to STR… can i remind you all of Sauber last year. I don’t think its quite as extreme…but don’t get too excited
    1. 

       Todfod (@todfod)
       22nd February 2011, 6:48

       Completely agree. During last year’s tests Sauber were on non stop glory runs, and were the only midfield team mixing it up with the Ferrari’s, Mclarens and RBs. I definitely thought they were the 5 quickest team on the grid. But then again.. with the new tyres this year, we could have some real surprises. I do not think that STR will be chasing podiums, but I think they will perform better than last year, and could be the strongest of the midfield teams.
28. 

    wasiF1 (@wasif1)
    22nd February 2011, 1:59

    I am really concerned about Mercedes performance & reliability.
29. 

    SonJaM (@nosajm9bys)
    22nd February 2011, 8:57

    I see all the F1 teams are pushing the limit and making mistakes, including drivers way of driving. Massa catchinhg fire isn’t then a matter of concern, but then what is with the fin-like periscope on the air inlet above the driver?

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9387516.stm
30. 

    BBQ2
    22nd February 2011, 9:24

    For those of you sceptical about McLaren, better read this:http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2011/2/11766.html

    I am convinced the MP4-26 is on the right track of development as I have watched the times during the tests and have seen they are always within the limits of the RB7 until each does a quali lap before they go apart. 8)

    And dont forget the MP4-26 has a pullrod too. So, where could that difference come from the RB7? …. Answer: None!!
31. 

    Lucas
    23rd February 2011, 17:43

    D’Ambrosio quicker than Schuey in less laps? Wow, are we going to see Michael struggle again this year?

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