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17 Jan 2005, 11:18 (Ref:1202879) | #1 | ||
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Slip, sliding away at Barcelona
The BAR-Honda team did the initial shakedown runs of its new car at Barcelona on Sunday and then packed up the car and headed off unexpectedly to Valencia, reporting that the new surface at the Circuit de Catalunya offered no grip at all and was therefore useless for testing.
Takuma Sato explained that the surface has no grip at all. "They've resurfaced it all and oil is coming up," he said. "Maybe they need to make the surface a bit rougher. Off line it is unbelievably slippery, which is very dangerous." http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns14101.html It will be interesting to see other teams verdicts on the surface, as de-camping to Valencia may not be that representative as the track is not particularly suited to new car evaluation, throwing up some curious results. You may remember that the ill fated 2004 McLaren did a lot of testing at Valencia where it proved to be fast, a performance they were unable to repeat anywhere else. |
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17 Jan 2005, 11:59 (Ref:1202906) | #2 | ||
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That's interesting, I was under the impression that a lot of teams use Valencia for testing. In any case, I'm sure the track will be fine by the time of the race.
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17 Jan 2005, 13:10 (Ref:1202956) | #3 | ||
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Valencia is commonly used for testing. However, it is a far tighter circuit if i'm not mistaken and hence, while it's a useful track for testing, it isn't as good as Barcelona..
Didn't some engineers claim that if you have a car fast for Barcelona, you have a fast car for most tracks on F1 calendar. But i don't think the cancellation of Barcelona testing in the next week will hugely affect the programs of the teams. They'd be back once the problem settles. |
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17 Jan 2005, 13:46 (Ref:1202972) | #4 | |
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Valencia is more akin to circuits like Monaco and Hungary(not my favourite circuits)and as such is OK for their data but not much else,i hope Barcelona gets the problem sorted otherwise some teams will be wondering why they are so far behind.Hopefully it wasn't resurfaced by the local gypsies.
Last edited by Marbot; 17 Jan 2005 at 13:49. |
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17 Jan 2005, 14:03 (Ref:1202984) | #5 | |
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Hey - it was probably resurfaced with Ferrari backing! They will go and be happy at Fiorino and Mugello, whilst the other teams get knoocked off their programs at Valencia.
Makes about as much sense as some of the conspiracy theories! |
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17 Jan 2005, 14:25 (Ref:1203004) | #6 | ||
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They may have discovered the secret in getting better racing at Barcelona - turn it into a skid pan.
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17 Jan 2005, 14:27 (Ref:1203008) | #7 | ||
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It's a bit embarassing to be honest...
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17 Jan 2005, 14:30 (Ref:1203012) | #8 | ||
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hmm
isnt it great? the new regulation is meant to make the car less grippy..and with the new surface..teams would be confused and try doubly hard to regain grip..and hence..presto..come melbourne on normal surface...they'd have very grippy cars... |
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17 Jan 2005, 15:23 (Ref:1203036) | #9 | |
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How long is the track going to be like a pizza-faced teenager for then? Is this a normal post-resurfacing sweatage period? Hmm...
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17 Jan 2005, 15:47 (Ref:1203044) | #10 | ||
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Renault have also moved their test to Valencia.
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17 Jan 2005, 15:59 (Ref:1203053) | #11 | ||
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Apparently the cars that have run at Barcelona were some 20 secs off the expected pace, hence move to Valencia.
According to Autosport, Ferrari, Toyota and Williams may still run, but with that discrepancy in lap times there seems little point unless the track rubbers up quickly, which it won't do without more running on it and I can hardly imagine the teams buring cash to help the circuit out! With the new regs every test mile is very important as the teams wait to see if the wind tunnel numbers produce the same effect on the track. However, McLaren has booked Valencia for it's exclusive use later this week.... Info from www.autosport.com |
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17 Jan 2005, 15:59 (Ref:1203054) | #12 | ||
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My god!!! Ferrari the scoundrals have done it again, scuppering pre season testing. Now all we have to do is pin the Kennedy assasination on them and we have close racing next year. Who's with me?
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17 Jan 2005, 18:21 (Ref:1203142) | #13 | ||
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I have to admit I am concerned about this. I am due to be at Valencia from the 25th for the test session but it worries me that as teams have moved to Valencia this week then they won't want to be there the week after (e.g. the week I arrive).
Alex |
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17 Jan 2005, 18:34 (Ref:1203154) | #14 | |
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I guess that Valencia is the only other viable option then?
Another (small) setback for Sauber and JV; with their limited practice budget all laps are crucial to them at this point. Barcelona would be much preferred for productivity sake. |
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17 Jan 2005, 19:59 (Ref:1203189) | #15 | ||
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It means that there will be a rubbish race at Barcelona this year when no one will try to overtake because its slippy offline.
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17 Jan 2005, 20:11 (Ref:1203197) | #16 | ||
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Quote:
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17 Jan 2005, 21:21 (Ref:1203267) | #17 | ||
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The thing is, how the hell could it be slippery offline if no cars have raced there since it was resurfaced? Logically, it should be slippery all over the place...
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18 Jan 2005, 01:04 (Ref:1203400) | #18 | ||
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The new cars are supposed to slide about. Maybe it's not the track and they haven't realized?
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18 Jan 2005, 01:11 (Ref:1203404) | #19 | ||
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Quote:
Last edited by Marbot; 18 Jan 2005 at 01:12. |
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18 Jan 2005, 02:41 (Ref:1203439) | #20 | ||
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its gotta just be an issue with the surface not fully curing yet...ashphalt does have a lot of oils in it beign that is made of crude oil....probably just some of the surface remnants fully curing and coming to the surface to evaporate/be washed away
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18 Jan 2005, 12:18 (Ref:1203703) | #21 | ||
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Webber, who so far has done 31 laps this morning, has been about 6 seconds slower than the unofficial record set by Sato last year. They're lapping in 1:19 at best, while pole for last years' race was 1:14.
Red Bull have stated that they would run and are now making a decision. No word from Williams, Toyota or Ferrari. Williams couple have been atop. MS did a 1:23, and Ralf and Jarno were on the 1:25s. Not 20 seconds, but about 7 seconds slower. |
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18 Jan 2005, 13:09 (Ref:1203735) | #22 | ||
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Cool, does this mean that the track surface is no longer as abrasive?
Before the race was always a 3 stopper as the track was always so grippy/harsh. |
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18 Jan 2005, 13:13 (Ref:1203737) | #23 | ||
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Well it won't be a 3 stopper for tyres next year whatever!
Jordi, it was reported to be 20s yesterday, I guess it is getting better or that was a little OTT... |
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Brum brum |
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