Tag Archives: long runs

Feb201025

Rob

0

Testing moves to Barcelona and the Circuit de Catalunya

The final 2010 pre season test is to begin in Barcelona today with all the teams that were at last weeks Jerez test present. The test promises to be more relevant than the previous ones, if only because of the weather. The teams have also had a chance to learn the cars and work on the setup so we should see some more comparable times.
Along with better weather the teams will be hoping that they have ironed out any technical gremlins that could restrict their running, Virgin most of all will be hoping that the hydraulic issues that dogged them at the last test have been sorted and they can get some proper long runs on the board.
Ferrari will be looking to reassert themselves too after not really making an impression into the last two tests, it’s important that they show they are capable of the times – especially to [...]

Feb201014

Rob

0

What’s with all these long runs in the F1 tests? It’s all down to the tyres.

The first two Formula 1 pre-season tests seem have included more long runs than in previous years, but why? I’d say that it’s down to the refueling rule changes for the 2010 season as well as some of the technical regulations around the size of the tyres.
Last year with the re-introduction of slick tyres the teams kept the same size tyres that they had in the grooved days this meant that proportionally the front tyres gained more grip. This was because both front and rear had four grooves that were now part of the contact patch, with the rear tyre being wider it meant that the four grooves worth of grip supplied was less in percentage terms than returning the four grooves to the front. This change upset the balance of the car with the front now being more grippy than the rear. The 2010 regulations revert this balance by [...]