2010 Formula 1 - Valencia, Spain Test Feb 1-3

[derby]

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/2/10386.html

Unofficial Monday test times from Valencia:
1. Felipe Massa, Ferrari, 1:12.574, 102 Laps
2. Pedro de la Rosa, BMW Sauber, 1:12.784, 74 Laps
3. Michael Schumacher, Mercedes GP, 1:12.947, 40 Laps
4. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes GP, 1:13.543, 39 Laps
5. Gary Paffett, McLaren, 1:13.846, 86 Laps
6. Rubens Barrichello, Williams, 1:14.449, 75 Laps
7. Sebastien Buemi, Toro Rosso, 1:14.762, 18 Laps
8. Robert Kubica, Renault, 1:15.000, 69 Laps

[gm2]

"come on valentino, you're not too old... "

[DesmoDiva]

Good for Schumacher.  

I take it, Hamilton is not testing??

*edit

Nevermind.  It helps if I actually read the article, instead of skimming it.   

[superjohn]

Today's testing went pretty well also. That Sauber looks like it's got some speed in it. The fight for the middle could be very interesting.

[EvilSteve]

Schumacher has a long history in F1, it's going to be way harder for Rossi to get up to speed. I'd still like to see him do it though.

[swampduc]

Any predictions for the coming year from the more informed people? Looks like Ferrari may be sorted and ready to compete at the top again, but what about McLaren, esp. since they're not a "factory" team anymore?

[superjohn]

Schumacher has a long history in F1, it's going to be way harder for Rossi to get up to speed. I'd still like to see him do it though.

Rossi was only a 1/10th slower when he tested, so I think he'd be fine.

Any predictions for the coming year from the more informed people? Looks like Ferrari may be sorted and ready to compete at the top again, but what about McLaren, esp. since they're not a "factory" team anymore?

I doubt McLaren has the issues they have last year and they were working on some aero at the rear of the car in Valencia. I would expect to see a slightly modified rear in Bahrain and a VERY quick race car.

[EvilSteve]

Rossi was only a 1/10th slower when he tested, so I think he'd be fine.

How's Rossi's neck?

[superjohn]

How's Rossi's neck?

Beats me, but the guy's definitely fit. He may not have Alonso's neck of doom, but I would imagine he'd be able to get into form.

[EvilSteve]

I don't think it's as easy as you're making out to get fit enough and strong enough to do 2 hours in an F1 car in race conditions.

[superjohn]

I don't think it's as easy as you're making out to get fit enough and strong enough to do 2 hours in an F1 car in race conditions.

I don't think it's easy at all. I think it requires a serious amount of work and dedication, but I think those are things Rossi has in spades.

Though, we'll likely never know since he'll probably stick to MotoGP and retire to run a couple rally's but not campaign a full season in other series.

Back to the normal F1 talk, anyone want to lay odds on whether or not Campos F1 will make it now that Dallara seems to be doing a deal with another team?

[gm2]

I don't think it's as easy as you're making out to get fit enough and strong enough to do 2 hours in an F1 car in race conditions.

would you say that's a different ask than being able to ride a GP bike in race conditions for 45 minutes?

[EvilSteve]

Yes, actually, I would. You're using different muscles and doing different things. I absolutely agree that it's possible and that if anyone could do it it's Rossi but that doesn't mean that if he gets pretty close in a test that he's a shoe in for points in races throughout the year. I'd love to see Rossi switch (I'd prefer he went to Ducati but Ferrari would be fun too even though it won't happen with Alonso & Massa both there) but I just don't think you can extrapolate some good times in testing to a real, competitive challenge in the championship.

[Dannyboy]

It's only the first test but the Ferrari is looking good.  Massa and Alonso have been the only ones to break into the 1.11's.  Alonso was over half a second faster than the Sauber and almost a full second faster than Schumacher.

[derby]

would you say that's a different ask than being able to ride a GP bike in race conditions for 45 minutes?

Yes, actually, I would. You're using different muscles and doing different things. I absolutely agree that it's possible and that if anyone could do it it's Rossi but that doesn't mean that if he gets pretty close in a test that he's a shoe in for points in races throughout the year. I'd love to see Rossi switch (I'd prefer he went to Ducati but Ferrari would be fun too even though it won't happen with Alonso & Massa both there) but I just don't think you can extrapolate some good times in testing to a real, competitive challenge in the championship.

i'd say the big thing is neck strength (more being required in f1 due to cornering Gs)... general endurance should be the same for both*.

*especially considering some of the training the guys in both sports do; spies/bostrom and their ridiculous cycling, for example.