Baharain surface - advantage Ferrari

[f1atic]

While watching the Friday practice on SpeedTV, the commentators gave a tid-bit to the Conspiracy Theorists. The Baharain track surface composition was made following the make-up of Ferrari's test track.

[Peter Mallett]

Yeah but that doesn't have all that sand does it?

[Adam43]

Knowing Ferrari I bet they had some shipped in a blew it all over Fiorano! (because of their comprehensive preparation).

Wasn't the track developed by Shell? I didn't know they were into this technology. Anyway it was done recently and was probably the best surface they could get. Which is why Bahrain have used it, after all no expense has been spared!

[Dutton]

Shell probably try to create the surface that causes the greatest fuel consumption............

[Peter Mallett]

That would mean high resistance and therefore high grip. Makes sense.

But they only provide the base components. Its down to the mixer to make it work. Therefore I would suspect an exact replication of a formula wouldn't be possible. Also the temperature differences would mean that the mix would need more inhibitor in the desert than in Fiorano.

[Adam43]

Someone trying to develop a story out of nothing then? This migh be why we haven't seen the other team bosses mention it????

[Dutton]

Well, I think we know why Williams wouldn't say anything......

[climb]

IMO the results of these first two test sessions doesn0t show any particulr advantage of this kind; after all numbers present a situation that's very similar to the previous races: ferrari dominating the first hour, competitors catching up in the second.

[zetta]

This is a no-story if there ever was one. I'm no Ferrari fan, and I am sure Ferrari would cheat (or bully the FIA into cheating for them) at any available opportunity. But in this case, I really don't see how someone could create identical results by simply using in Fiorano the same surface compound that was used in Bahrain. Heat, humidity, altitude, (not to mention the Sand), all these factors would produce very different results for the same compound when applied in different tracks.

[Gt_R]

I thought the surface of Fiorano was resurfaced before Bahrain was built??

[Adam43]

Yes it was. They just used the same surface in Bahrain.

[F1Pete]

A high percentage of granite is mixed in the asphalt at Bahrain. The granite was imported from Wales (not Italy). It is supposed to be the grippiest track on the circuit and probably VERY hard on tires.

[Adam43]

I heard that the granite was from Wales too. I suppose they are short of granite in Bahrain and Wales has tonnes of it. Although I don't think this makes it different from the granite used in Fiorano. Maybe that came from Wales too. Is Welsh granite reknowned for being different?

Bahrain is just using the best available. And it isn't surprising that Ferrari's test track was similar to the best available!

[Dutton]

Where was it discovered the granite used for Bahrain was sourced from Wales?

[Adam43]

I think I read it in some newspaper article about the new grand prix.

[Adam43]

Found it: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...044071,00.html

[F1Pete]

I read it in Formula One Magazine (I think it was the January edition). Anyway it was an article about Button checking out the track and the construction wasn't finished.

Unfair...Button has the advantage over the other drivers!

[Inigo Montoya]

But Ferrari didn't get to test drive on it, like Williams did

[Gt_R]

I agree that though the surface is "similar", even if identical, in composition to those used in Bahrain, the weather (heat, dust, sand) would make any quality comparison invalid..

And right now, i won't say Ferrari is definitely better than Williams. Williams was right on Ferrari's pace by the end of the day...it could go either way tomorrow. I must say i'm pretty impressed with Ferrari for once again doing a great job (but this time ever so slightly) on a new circuit. I was thinking back to the first time Malaysia GP and USGP was held... Ferrari were awesome then too.

We'd see. Tyres are the largest influence in performance this weekend, while reliability the largest influence of turning the performance to results... and tyres right now is still pretty on par.

[garcon]

Ah! So, Ferrari and Williams are ahead of the rest! Williams having had that "testing" time, and Ferrari with familiar black stuff. They must both have an unfair advantage over the rest then!! Oh no, wait - it's just that they're better than everyone else...

I can't see that either Gene's laps or Ferrari's familiarity with the surface will give either an advantage. What I can say is that, on the basis of practice so far, Gt_R's dead right - there's not alot between 'em!