2018 Car Reveal and Pre-season Testing

It's Ford's fault 😬

Anyway, how's my AlphaTauri looking?
Haven't had a chance to suffer through anything today—did the engine blow up or is it actually running? 🤷

ruggedhawk20 said:Fresh pavement has zero grip, though. So yeah, it's actually slower right now—and it stays slow until the tires actually bite into it.

In theory? Yes.
But in practice, just like mellowtiger8 said, the bumps in the pavement are a much bigger headache for drivers than a lack of "rubber" (which the rain washes away every single time anyway).

And again, in practice, it all depends on the specific track.

Interesting first day 😁

Honda clearly has some bite 👍
But the real shocker is Mercedes 🤔

If my math isn't totally off:
Renault - 224
Ferrari - 195
Mercedes - 172
Honda - 93

I honestly can't remember the last time Mercedes sat that low on the lap count, let alone seeing Renault sitting at the top...

At first glance, it looks like Renault absolutely crushed it over the winter 👍
And clearly, Honda wasn't sleeping either 🙏

Horner has already started whining about the engine. 😍

Joseph Flores15 said:Horner has already started whining about the engine. 😍

Talk about backwards...
RB could actually pull off a constructors' title this season, regardless of Horner's constant complaining...
Looks like Renault finally put together a seriously solid PU 👍

Which might be a massive headache for McLaren (and maybe RB too), since they don't really have anyone left to hide behind...

I mean, I was lowkey sweating thinking they’d gone with a Honda engine in that McLaren, but honestly? It's fine, nothing to write home about really.

Bulls at the top. Silver and red are clashing hard...

The 2018 F1 grid : Every Car on Track

Why wasn't Vettel driving? Does anyone know if he's actually hitting the track tomorrow, or what?

stormybadger8 said:
It's Ford's fault 😬

Anyway, how's my AlphaTauri looking?
Haven't had a chance to suffer through anything today—did the engine blow up or is it actually running? 🤷

Running like clockwork—dead on.

With the McLaren-Honda combo, the only real issue was Honda.

McLaren is basically heading straight for a total meltdown.

I mean, we're talking about a crew that hasn't even smelled a Constructors' Championship in twenty years.

Jordan’s got way more chance at the title than McLaren—and they aren't even in F1.

As for AlphaTauri—don't expect small gains, we're talking massive results here. I actually went out on a limb today and called Brandon Hartley a World champion—and honestly? I stand by it!

ruggedhawk20 said:Running like clockwork—dead on.

With the McLaren-Honda combo, the only real issue was Honda.

McLaren is basically heading straight for a total meltdown.

I mean, we're talking about a crew that hasn't even smelled a Constructors' Championship in twenty years.

Jordan’s got way more chance at the title than McLaren—and they aren't even in F1.

As for AlphaTauri—don't expect small gains, we're talking massive results here. I actually went out on a limb today and called Brandon Hartley a World champion—and honestly? I stand by it!

I've known that since day one...

The only thing I'm still wondering about is whether Honda will actually be the best engine on the grid or not...
And just how fast RB is going to ditch Renault to make the switch to Honda...

ruggedhawk20 said:Running like clockwork—dead on.

With the McLaren-Honda combo, the only real issue was Honda.

McLaren is basically heading straight for a total meltdown.

I mean, we're talking about a crew that hasn't even smelled a Constructors' Championship in twenty years.

Jordan’s got way more chance at the title than McLaren—and they aren't even in F1.

As for AlphaTauri—don't expect small gains, we're talking massive results here. I actually went out on a limb today and called Brandon Hartley a World champion—and honestly? I stand by it!

🙄

neonfox65 said:Bulls at the top. Silver and red are clashing hard...

Yeah, I honestly think they were pretty rattled during that first day of testing 🤦 🤣

Linda Peterson43 said:But seriously though: Is this General Motors car actually legit, or are everyone else just sandbagging?

In the world of F1, there's usually a bit of a pattern—once the cars really get dialed in during that first day of testing, teams tend to switch into full race mode and start shattering lap records.

RB champ.

If we get hit with a snowstorm on the track this Wednesday, do you think they'll push the testing schedule back by a day?

RB is clocking more laps than Mercedes, which honestly feels wild considering how things looked in previous seasons. Though, I’ve already caught wind that Horner is starting to throw some shade at Renault...
Hartley is claiming that Honda's engine feels punchier than what Renault was putting out last year. 🍿

Stop babbling about testing times because they are completely irrelevant for several reasons. The temperature was hovering around 40-45 degrees, which alone is enough reason to disregard any comparisons for the time being. Besides, it is only day one! Kimi mentioned that they weren't even attempting to push for pace; they were simply running through various setups to see how the car reacts.

Once they start clocking laps under 1.19—or better yet, dipping below 1.18—then perhaps things will become a bit clearer.

I’ve gotta say, I’m a little baffled by how much Ferrari is playing it safe lately. Usually, they come out swinging and absolutely crush the testing sessions. Now? It feels like they're holding back. I can't tell if they're being strategic with their approach or if the car just isn't where it needs to be yet.

stormytiger4 said:I’ve gotta say, I’m a little baffled by how much Ferrari is playing it safe lately. Usually, they come out swinging and absolutely crush the testing sessions. Now? It feels like they're holding back. I can't tell if they're being strategic with their approach or if the car just isn't where it needs to be yet.

Ferrari has a championship-caliber car, no doubt about it🙂, a true title contender!