In the round-up: The first test session of the 2017 F1 season begins today. F1 Fanatic is at the Circuit de Catalunya to bring you pictures, news and insight as the radical new generation of grand prix cars run together for the first time.
As always you can follow the test as it happens on F1 Fanatic Live – look out for the link on the home page from one hour before the test starts, which is a 8am UK time.
Stay across F1 Fanatic’s social media presences for more from the test:
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Your daily digest of F1 news, views, features and more from hundreds of sites across the web:
Mercedes gets boost from new Petronas fuel (Motorsport)
"The value in performance is significant. I can't say more because the data is sensitive, but we are satisfied with the work that has been done."
Toro Rosso reveals 2017 car and new livery (Autosport)
"Most people would say we've got Mercedes' front suspension. The nose is similar, the front of the sidepods is similar, even the bodywork on the sidepods is similar."
McLaren: Honda engine architecture now where it needs to be (ESPN)
"We've change a lot of the layout of the engine and that's not been easy, because a lot of the key architecture has changed but that's something we've done working with them very closely and we've done these things together both to suit the chassis and suit the engine."
Bottas: 'I'm ready to take pole position at Mercedes!' (F1i)
"Of course, starting earlier would have helped. We could have had double the time before the testing. But it’s what it is and we need to deal with it, basically."
Toro Rosso's 2017 prospects (Motorsport magazine)
"There were occasions in 2015 (the last time it had an uncompromised preparation) where it had a car second only to Mercedes through the high speed corners."
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Social media
Notable posts from Twitter, Instagram and more:
Happy pic.twitter.com/JUlMKFd1ju
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) February 26, 2017
Reaction to the car seems good. We're enjoying the change too! #F1 #ToroRosso
— Ben Michell (@ben_michell) February 26, 2017
The FIA has done a great job persuading circuits not to charge us for internet access at races. From memory, I reckon we only pay at about 3 https://t.co/noiG3k5yYH
— f1bastard (@f1bastard) February 26, 2017
Wondering if 'less is more' this season for F1 aero…
— K Longsausage (@K_Longsausage) February 26, 2017
Hope everyone enjoys the new Toro Rosso today. I think it's their best looking car for some time. Really enjoyed filming it. #F1
— Josh Bloom (@Bloomers87) February 26, 2017
Arrived in Spain, can hear @alo_oficial's Honda engine rising and falling as he laps @Circuitcat_eng. Can't wait to see them in action! #F1
— Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) February 26, 2017
Home from home for the next five days. #F1 @Circuitcat_eng pic.twitter.com/vYPJzbV9WN
— Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) February 26, 2017
- Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory
Comment of the day
The consensus seems to be we’ve seen very little of the real RB13 yet:
This is just a launch mock-up akin to the ‘RB9’ or ‘RB8’ mannequins that were used a test-bed in the first days of testing in 2012 and 2013. The fully fledged Newey masterpieces didn’t turn up until the final test.
Looking here, this ‘RB13’ has the RB12’s rear bodywork, the RB12’s tower bargeboards and front-wing elements suspiciously similar to those Red Bull were running in Abu Dhabi.
If anything it is pretty encouraging that Red Bull are going to such efforts to be secret squirrel out of the box.
WilliamB (@William-brierty)
From the forum
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Hedgey, Kolon, Verstappen and Andae23!
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Lauri (@f1lauri)
27th February 2017, 1:34
Great to hear that “F1 Fanatic is at the Circuit de Catalunya”. No need to look any furthere where to find all the information. Keep up the good work, Keith!
Fudge Kobayashi (@)
27th February 2017, 1:56
+1 this is my number 1 site for F1 news (and my homepage)
Thank you Keith
Jabosha (@jabosha)
27th February 2017, 3:12
Same. I also can’t wait for Codemasters F1 2017 with the new cars
Stephen Crowsen (@drycrust)
27th February 2017, 7:38
I am a little bit envious, but I’m sure I couldn’t do as half as well as Keith would, so I’m pleased he is the one attending. I think this is going to be the most interesting pre-season testing I’ve had the opportunity to see.
ExcitedAbou17
27th February 2017, 7:51
Would it be an idea to do a meet & greet @keithcollantine?
Maybe quick catch up around lunch break every day.
Fletch (@fletchuk)
27th February 2017, 1:46
@keithcollantine – hey Keith, really interested in your impressions on the engine sound this year vs last if you get a chance to post or tweet something
Homerlovesbeer (@homerlovesbeer)
27th February 2017, 4:51
Is there any way we can actually WATCH this on TV or a PC?
SpaFrancorchamps (@spafrancorchamps)
27th February 2017, 5:51
Nope. Never. You’ll have to do with live timing videos and pit reports.
Micheal (@shakengandulf)
27th February 2017, 6:28
Wondering this myself.. thanks.
Jimmi Cynic (@jimmi-cynic)
27th February 2017, 7:35
High speed artist’s renderings then?
Maciek (@maciek)
27th February 2017, 5:09
Way stoked that you’re covering the tests in person @keithcollantine, seems like a good time to drop a little by the way congrats on how far your website has come over the years. Keep up the great work!
Andy (@andybantam)
27th February 2017, 6:37
We’re nearly there, guys.
We’re nearly there…
Jimmi Cynic (@jimmi-cynic)
27th February 2017, 7:50
It’s Happening!
HUHHII (@huhhii)
27th February 2017, 6:52
Why all testing happens at Catalunya? I think some years ago one test week was held at Bahrain. I thought it made lot of sense, since weather is perfect for testing (no chance of rain, more useful temperatures compared to Feb-Mar Spain), the track isn’t unforgiven, meaning if a car goes off the whole session doesn’t have to be red-flagged and it’s located closer to Melbourne than Catalunya, so even logistically it should make sense.
John H (@john-h)
27th February 2017, 7:19
Dust storms.
nase
27th February 2017, 7:40
@huhhii
Money. Testing in the Middle East is several times more expensive than in Europe, as the teams constantly forge new parts and ship them to the circuit. They can send trucks to Barcelona for a fraction of the cost, whereas they have to take the plane to Abu Dhabi or Bahrain.
Also, the fact that the Middle East is closer to Melbourne accounts for nothing. There’s a two weeks long break between the last test and the Melbourne GP, so virtually all the teams’ equipment will return to the factory before being shipped to Australia.
Yes, the temperatures would be a lot more representative, but that’s pretty much the only advantage. A bit of rain would actually be quite helpful, as Pirelli desperately needs some useful data to work with.
MaddMe (@)
27th February 2017, 7:38
Whilst Catalunya is still quite cool, the weather is generally reasonable. The issue with testing at the Abu Dhabi is that many of the teams are based in the UK and should parts be required, it’s quicker to get them to Spain than it is Abu Dhabi…
HUHHII (@huhhii)
27th February 2017, 7:51
@nase @maddme Ah, didn’t think of shipping new parts to a track – I can see why that’s much more easier to Catalunya compared to Sakhir. But still I think teams could easily have 3rd test week in Bahrain maybe a week before the race in Melbourne. 2 weeks of testing really isn’t all that much, especially if rain ruins some testing days.
nase
27th February 2017, 8:19
@huhhii
They’ll have two days of testing in Sakhir after the race, which I think is a really good compromise, as the additional cost is minimal. This means that they only have to drive 16 out of 19 races without much experience in hot conditions. Also, there’s the three Free Practice sessions before the race, so I think there shouldn’t be any major issues going into the race.
Last year, Mercedes relied almost exclusively on the medium tyres for testing (60 sets), only sampling the soft tyres marginally (4 sets), and staying away from all other compounds. Nevertheless, they came to Melbourne fully prepared. This shows how little specific input the teams need nowadays, with their powerful simulation tools.
So, long story short: They’ll be fine.
Btw: Yesterday’s final stage of the Tour of Abu Dhabi (held at Yas Marina) was a bit of a nautical endeavour due to torrential rain, which was already quite difficult to cope with for the riders, and it would’ve definitely been impossible for an F1 car to keep going under these conditions. The desert can be a really wet place at times, while Barcelona has a pretty dry climate.
Thecollaroyboys (@thecollaroyboys)
27th February 2017, 7:51
Fernando is “happy”?
He looks crotchety to me.
(Yes, I know they’re quavers but you know …)