[ksa]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

Very wishful thinking. There’s only so much you can do with the current regulations and cost cap - you almost have to get it right at the start or you’re almost always playing catch up.

This is going to be the same when the new engine regulations kick in. One manufacturer is going to nail the engine while the rest will be playing catch up.

Absolutely. But as I said, one can hope. Would suck to be stuck in the era of RBR domination but I guess that's how RBR (and other teams) fans felt during Merc era. It always rotates and all I really care for is one more title for LH but it may be increasingly difficult.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by ksa

Absolutely. But as I said, one can hope. Would suck to be stuck in the era of RBR domination but I guess that's how RBR (and other teams) fans felt during Merc era. It always rotates and all I really care for is one more title for LH but it may be increasingly difficult.

It’s very likely Red Bull will be winning championships until the new engine regulations kicks in and then everything gets “reset” again. Same thing after that until 2030 when F1 should be carbon free.

This is what all these regulations and cost cap is supposed to do, don’t allow one team to completely dominate for long periods of time.

[Autobacs]

One day only, so many and much more still to be seen but I have never seen ALO up in second in any testing for the last 8 years. Is this real or is this a mirage? We shall find out!

[MontyB1]

SO so hard to judge where they all are, it will get a little bit clear on fastest sector times when they look at things at the end.

Nobody is looking terrible to me, some seem very stiff like the Alfa and AT. I wonder if anyone will add anything funky on the last day. Doesn't seem to be any bouncing but the circuit is quite bumpy in places.

[HeelToeShift]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

It’s very likely Red Bull will be winning championships until the new engine regulations kicks in and then everything gets “reset” again. Same thing after that until 2030 when F1 should be carbon free.

This is what all these regulations and cost cap is supposed to do, don’t allow one team to completely dominate for long periods of time.

I think it's going to be tough to touch RB. They really didnt put much effort into dev the 2nd half of last year and were so far ahead it's a large gap to cover for just about everyone. I also don't think anyone on the grid is close to Max in capability or skill either...LeC is the closest but I dont think he has the team or confidence Max has. Plus Sai will be vying for that #1 driver spot too since there is clearly no favorite there.
I also think RB will have a jump on the 2026 engine/regs the way they are structuring things (new engine manuf. which should get them more dev time).

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by HeelToeShift

I think it's going to be tough to touch RB. They really didnt put much effort into dev the 2nd half of last year and were so far ahead it's a large gap to cover for just about everyone. I also don't think anyone on the grid is close to Max in capability or skill either...LeC is the closest but I dont think he has the team or confidence Max has. Plus Sai will be vying for that #1 driver spot too since there is clearly no favorite there.
I also think RB will have a jump on the 2026 engine/regs the way they are structuring things (new engine manuf. which should get them more dev time).

I agree. Regardless of all the noise in this thread, Red Bull developed the perfect car for this set of regulations. Period. From chassis to engine. And to get it right from the start is a tremendous advantage leading up to 2026.

[HeelToeShift]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

I agree. Regardless of all the noise in this thread, Red Bull developed the perfect car for this set of regulations. Period. From chassis to engine. And to get it right from the start is a tremendous advantage leading up to 2026.

I think you said it perfectly initially - the one who lands a proverbial knock-out first, especially if that punch lands like 2022 did, and, assuming the resources (which RB clearly has), it puts them almost in a sprint while others are still trying to jog briskly.

[3798j]

Day 2...
Leaderboard
Zhou, Alfa Romeo, 1m31.610s, C5 - 133 laps
Verstappen, Red Bull, 1m31.650s, C3 - 44 laps
Alonso, Aston Martin, 1m32.205s, C3 - 130 laps
De Vries, AlphaTauri, 1m32.222s, C5 - 70 laps
Hulkenberg, Haas, 1m32.466s, C4 - 64 laps
Sainz, Ferrari, 1m32.486s, C3 - 70 laps
Sargeant, Williams, 1m32.549s, C5 - 154 laps
Leclerc, Ferrari, 1m32.725s, C3 - 64 laps
Piastri, McLaren, 1m33.175s, C3 - 70 laps
Gasly, Alpine, 1m33.463s, C3 - 55 laps
Magnussen, Haas, 1m33.442s, C3 - 67 laps
Ocon, Alpine, 1m33.490s, C3 - 49 laps
Russell, Mercedes, 1m33.654s, C3 - 26 laps
Perez, Red Bull, 1m33.751s, Proto - 76 laps
Hamilton, Mercedes, 1m33.954s, C3 - 72 laps
Norris, McLaren, 1m35.522s, C2 - 65 laps
Tsunoda, AlphaTauri, 1m35.708s, C2 - 85 laps

[Killed by Death]

MB already setting up Rus Boy to be Botta$$d

[M3WC]

That hydraulic failure for Merc has to hurt, missed a lot of run time. Toto said the team was struggling with finding a balance/setup for hot weather.

The AM and Alonso looking promising.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by M3WC

That hydraulic failure for Merc has to hurt, missed a lot of run time. Toto said the team was struggling with finding a balance/setup for hot weather.

The AM and Alonso looking promising.

I would be surprised if they didn’t encounter any issues or obstacles having to significantly rework the car from the W13.

But on that token, it’s going to be a grind and struggle for Mercedes to make up any deficit from last year and then try to catch up this year. I think if the W14 isn’t more competitive this year, Mercedes should start from scratch and prepare for 2026.

I’m still under the idea that this non-side pod design has some performance benefits that requires more money than allowed in a single season which is why no team is running it (I know the design isn’t the main contributing factor of shit performance) but if there are no real gains this year, it’s almost useless to further develop it.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

I would be surprised if they didn’t encounter any issues or obstacles having to significantly rework the car from the W13.

But on that token, it’s going to be a grind and struggle for Mercedes to make up any deficit from last year and then try to catch up this year. I think if the W14 isn’t more competitive this year, Mercedes should start from scratch and prepare for 2026.

I’m still under the idea that this non-side pod design has some performance benefits that requires more money than allowed in a single season which is why no team is running it (I know the design isn’t the main contributing factor of shit performance) but if there are no real gains this year, it’s almost useless to further develop it.

Mercedes won't see the podium at Bahrain .

[minn19]

Anybody else think it is crazy that they get so little testing time, so late in the offseason with the regular season starting next week? I know they do a lot of other work during the off season, but I can’t think of any other Motorsport or even regular sports where it is like that. Can you imagine football or baseball training/practice only being a week before the start of the season? Not apples to apple I know, but you get the point.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by minn19

Anybody else think it is crazy that they get so little testing time, so late in the offseason with the regular season starting next week? I know they do a lot of other work during the off season, but I can’t think of any other Motorsport or even regular sports where it is like that. Can you imagine football or baseball training/practice only being a week before the start of the season? Not apples to apple I know, but you get the point.

I don't mind it because a large part of F1 is the development of the vehicle across the entire season when you have to swap out parts. With that, there's only so much practicing you can do without wearing out parts.

[Killed by Death]

KBD is taking the wife to our first ever fútbol match tonight

Charlotte FC vs. New England

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

KBD is taking the wife to our first ever fútbol match tonight

Charlotte FC vs. New England

I have cousins in New England KbD so gotta go with them

[3798j]

DAY THREE MORNING TEST TIMES
1. Leclerc (Ferrari) 1m31.024s, C4, 67 laps
2. Russell (Mercedes) 1m31.442s, C5, 83 laps
3. Drugovich (Aston Martin) 1m32.075s, C5, 77 laps
4. Perez (Red Bull) 1m32.459s, C3, 69 laps
5. Gasly (Alpine) 1m32.762s, C3, 56 laps
6. Albon (Williams) 1m32.793s, C4, 53 laps
7. Hulkenberg (Haas) 1m33.329s, C3, 77 laps
8. Piastri (McLaren) 1m33.655s, C3, 44 laps
9. Bottas (Alfa Romeo) 1m36.854s, C3, 72 laps
10. De Vries (AlphaTauri) 1m38.244s, C3, 87 laps

https://the-race.com/formula-1/lecle...of-f1-testing/

[3798j]

Last year's pole was a 1m 30.558s, Perez just did a 1m 30.305s.
The commentary after that lap:
"Given what Verstappen was producing yesterday with the RB19 and what Perez is doing today, this display from the Red Bull team sends out an ominous warning to the rest."

[3798j]

Day 3
Leaderboard
Perez, Red Bull, 1m30.305s, C4 - 130 laps
Hamilton, Mercedes, 1m30.664s, C5 - 62 laps
Bottas, Alfa Romeo, 1m30.827s, C5 - 128 laps
Leclerc, Ferrari, 1m31.024s, C4 - 67 laps
Sainz, Ferrari, 1m31.036s, C4 - 76 laps
Tsunoda, AlphaTauri, 1m31.261s, C4 - 76 laps
Magnussen, Haas, 1m31.381s, C4 - 95 laps
Russell, Mercedes, 1m31.442s, C5 - 83 laps
Alonso, Aston Martin, 1m31.450s, C4 - 77 laps
Drugovich, Aston Martin, 1m32.075s, C5 - 77 laps
Norris, McLaren, 1m32.160s, C3 - 34 laps
Gasly, Alpine, 1m32.762s, C3 - 56 laps
Albon, Williams, 1m32.793s, C5 - 136 laps
Ocon, Alpine, 1m33.257s, C3 - 73 laps
Hulkenberg, Haas, 1m33.329s, C3 - 77 laps
Piastri, McLaren, 1m33.655s, C3 - 44 laps
De Vries, AlphaTauri, 1m38.244s, C3 - 87 laps

[HeelToeShift]

Originally Posted by 3798j

Last year's pole was a 1m 30.558s, Perez just did a 1m 30.305s.
The commentary after that lap:
"Given what Verstappen was producing yesterday with the RB19 and what Perez is doing today, this display from the Red Bull team sends out an ominous warning to the rest."

Agreed. And Rus was on a softer tire yet Per time more impressive in that regard but I think all signs are pointing to some very quick RBs

[MontyB1]

Red Bull on top again at the begging of the season.
Ferrari right up there but a little behind.
Merc and Aston look pretty good, expect Merc to out develop Aston but could see the Aston concept doing better earlier potential at some circuits.
Alpine next with a pretty solid performance.
Alfa and Alpha T will be close.
A shock McLaren looks a bit behind and struggling more than they hope, seems to be a drag issue at might be good at some circuits.
Williams likely to still be at the back with Haas a little in front of them.

Only a week to wait and it’s Quali, regardless of who you follow that has to be a good thing if you’re an F1 fan. Lights out soon.

[Killed by Death]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

I have cousins in New England KbD so gotta go with them

Damn Yankees