They aren't using KERS, so they probably won't even bother dealing with the fatigue of developing it this season since it's just an option—it’s going to be a massive headache for Brawn to keep up with the development curve (assuming those testing numbers actually hold up). It's much more likely they'll just buy it or get it bundled with their engines next year when it becomes mandatory.
The engineers over at Williams mentioned they’ll have to dial back their Hybrid Technology performance—mostly because they’re already hitting levels higher than what’s actually allowed. Honestly? Let them. It’ll be a good head start for next year when they can harvest energy from the front wheels too, plus the total power output will be even higher...
Raymond Ortiz89 said:I don't know—maybe it's just the media making a mountain out of nothing.
Oh, there's definitely more to it than that—it's just finally hitting the headlines. People have been fighting tooth and nail over those diffusers since early January...
Everyone knew those diffuser issues were going to come to a head right before the race—it feels like the media is just dragging it out now to drum up extra drama ahead of the green flag. It’s honestly pretty ridiculous that even after all the consultations, the technical delegates visiting teams during testing in Barcelona, and submitting designs for official clearance, there's still a chance the diffusers could get rejected at the eleventh hour...
Actually, testing wraps up by the end of the year. The only exceptions are those 8 days at the airfields for straight-line runs—plus an additional 3 days set aside for the junior drivers...
Honestly, after last year when it looked like Ford was in deep trouble only for them to show up in better shape than before, I’ve learned not to trust testing results one bit. But here’s my take on how things are shaping up—General Motors seems solid, Ferrari is pulling some pretty decent times during long runs, and Red Bull has a fast car, though their constant breakdowns suggest Mark Webber's gremlins might still be lurking around. AlphaTauri and Aston Martin remain total wildcards since they joined the testing late and didn't exactly dazzle anyone. Williams spent most of the time on long stints, yet they actually looked quite snappy during those few qualifying simulations. Ford is keeping their cards close to the chest, so they could easily be fast again, while General Motors is a complete mystery—they have flashes of brilliance, but even they admit they're trailing the frontrunners.
At the end of the day, it's all just guesswork until next weekend (and beyond) when we see where everyone actually stands...
It’s always a pleasure to have a fresh issue in my hands. 🙂The paper quality feels a bit thinner this time—not a huge deal, really, except when they use white text on a black background; those sections are a nightmare to read. I did love the supplements, though, especially the deep dives into how the regulations have evolved over the years and that interview with Frank Williams. One thing about the team intros, though—that sidebar with the "fun facts" felt a bit unnecessary. Honestly, knowing which driver happens to be the only one born in February doesn't really add much to my life. I get why they cut the race previews to save space, but I’ll definitely miss those classic Windsor-style race breakdowns—they were always such a highlight. Will the cover themes be adjusted for the American market? For instance, last year’s Monaco special came out after the race had already happened. While the articles were great, it loses its impact when the British edition is timed to build hype *before* the race, whereas our translated versions feel like old news once the action is over.
Also, any word on the survey results? I saw an ad saying they’re available for purchase, but is there any plan to share at least a summary with the general public? Unless I somehow missed a formal announcement somewhere...
mistybear87 says: Fernando Alonso really turned up the heat for the Brawn crew—setting the fastest lap! I’d just love to know who was running what setup—and what we should actually expect out of this over the next couple of days. ☕
Code:
1.Fernando Alonso Renault Lewis Hamilton Mercedes W07 1:18.343 99 pit 2.Rubens BarrichelloBrawn BGP 001 1:18.398 +0.055 62 pit 3.Jenson Button Brawn GP BGP 001 1:18.892 +0.549 12 pit 4.Lewis Hamilton McLaren MP4-24 McLaren MP4-24 1:19.513 +1.170 83 pit 5.Nico Rosberg Williams FW31 Williams FW31 1:19.783 +1.440 123 pit
Some things never change...
Certain patterns are pretty predictable...
Here is the link for those of you who enjoy deep-diving into the data. You can find all the stint times at the bottom of the page...
What have you actually gained compared to last year? The colors are basically identical—all that's missing is that single silver stripe. I honestly can't believe you think the General Motors is better... But hey, to each their own, I guess...
Roger Wright94 said:Aren't those the colors of the Indian flag? Personally, I don't think it's a bad look at all.
At least they'll be easier to spot on the track—if nothing else... It doesn't bother me much, especially considering how often people mistook them for McLaren from a distance last year.
I definitely wouldn't be so optimistic about Torro Rosso if they end up looking like they did before—you know, like someone just dumped a bucket of paint over the car while it was flying down the track...
Looks sharp. Even though I personally preferred the prototype, this one is going to pop way more on TV. I’m really curious if they’ll ban those fins behind the driver—didn't BMW run something similar a few seasons back?
Word on the street is the RB5 was still limping a bit during yesterday's reveal. Tomorrow should be his first time getting back behind the wheel after that crash...
Edward Howard2 said:every single sportsbook is totally sleeping on Webber compared to Sebastian Vettel 🤷
I'm with you—they've definitely miscalculated here, things are going to get wild
Man, let's be real—the guy is still recovering from a broken leg, and I'm not sure if hitting those -130°C cryogenic therapies is actually "healthy" enough to fix that...