Adam Cooper's F1 Blog

HRT has finally confirmed that it will move to a new home in Madrid from May.

For its first two years the team has been based at the German facility of former team boss Colin Kolles, and more recently it had a temporary base in Valencia.

It has been looking for a permanent home in Spain, with financial considerations obviously a primary factor in the process. The team will now be based at the Complejo Deportivo Madrid Caja Mágica, a new business and exhibition complex.

Team boss Luis Perez Sala said: “We’ve been working hard for months and establishing our permanent headquarters was very important. Finding a space in which we could all work together was vital, in order to optimize work and generate a good team feeling, a sense of belonging.

“When the adaptation of the facilities is completed and every department starts working under the same roof in a few months, we will only have one step left to take, which is to have the design department in Madrid too. All this implies not only becoming a place to feel identified with and carry out activities for the team, its sponsors, suppliers and fans, but also an important reference in technology and R&D in the centre of Madrid.”

Felipe Massa says that Ferrari has put an extra focus on data gathering over the first two days of the Jerez test, given that the concept of the F2012 is such a big departure.

At times the car didn’t look comfortable on the track – leading some in the paddock to speculate that the Italian team is already up against it – but the Brazilian insists that the busy test programme has compromised any meaningful running.

“Actually it’s a lot of work, it’s a brand new car,” said Massa. “It’s not the car we had in the last years, even to start with, so it’s a car that needs a lot more, you need a lot more things to try as well. Today I did so many laps just trying such different things in the car, constant speed for aerodynamics.

“It was a programme to really understand every single point from the car in aerodynamics, in suspension, even in the set-up, on the chassis point of view, even on the tyres as well. I think it was so many things to do which was not the case in the past, even on the first day. So it was a day that we were so much concentrating on the little stuff, all the pieces that we need to understand.

“We have so many ideas, by trying out these different directions, different pieces, which was not the case in the past. At least it is important to understand every single thing from the car, and to try to build a complete package.

“In a new car you always have something you don’t see the result you expect, and some other parts you have even a different direction, so a new car is always like that. It’s just the beginning of a big job to have a consistent and competitive car.”

When it was suggested that the car looked difficult to drive, Massa said: “It’s a lot of work. As I said, we tried so many different things with the car, so many runs we go out with not everything in the car to do the lap time, just to collect data. It’s different than in the past, the programme is different, and it’s also more complicated for us because we tried so many things just looking for the performance of a piece in the car that we’re trying.”

Jenson Button was happy with the MP4-27's first day on a circuit

An upbeat Jenson Button says that McLaren had a good first day with its new MP4-27 at Jerez.

The car had already been shaken down by test driver Oliver Turvey with some aero testing on Saturday, but nevertheless the team still had a lot of work to do today.

This time last year the team already knew that it was in trouble with a car that was both slow and unreliable, and which was only improved when its complex exhaust system was scrapped before the first race.

2009 World Champion Button was not worried about being only eighth fastest on a day when overall times meant very little.

“It’s been a good day,” said Button. “This morning we did our installation, and all the systems checks, which probably took a little bit longer than I would have wished for. But apart from that, the running’s been good.

“Basically it’s just been running to get all the data in terms of aerodynamics, the downforce levels, temperatures, the feeling inside the cockpit. We did a 15-lap timed run, which was nice to get done today, a good starting point.

“There are no niggly areas with the car, which is nice, quite different to last year! I’m happy. As I said it’s still the starting point, and we didn’t do any set-up work today to improve the balance, and you’re never going to start off with a perfect car. Just putting some miles on it, really. I’m very happy in the car, I’m in a good position, I’m really low, which I always like.”

Button said he was especially pleased with the cockpit position: “I try to get as low as possible, with the way the car is. I can just about see out, which I love, I love that position. I’m well inside the car, I feel I’m part of it, and there are some promising times.

“But we don’t know where we stand, and we won’t know until the first race. The important thing for us is to get a good, clean day tomorrow, put some more miles on the car, find a direction with the car. We have so many different things to test that we’ve tried in the simulator already.”

Button said the car felt faster than he had anticipate, given the loss of diffuser blowing in 2012.

“One thing I must say is that I thought we would have a lot less grip than we do have on the first day. It seems that that’s the case for everyone. The times are obviously very quick round here this year, considering the regulation change. But even compared to the simulator I feel that the car is more together and it feels like a very good base.”

Raikkonen was the star attraction on the first day in Jerez

Kimi Raikkonen refused to read any significance into his performance today after he topped the time sheets in Jerez.

Raikkonen got up to speed by driving a two-year old Renault in Valencia recently, and also did some slow filming laps in the Lotus E20 yesterday.

He was fastest from the very start of the day as most teams focussed on systems checks with their brand new machines. Even allowing for that, it was a serious statement of intent from the 2007 World Champion.

“It was OK, we had a few small issues,” said Raikkonen. “It’s pretty normal with a new car, but nothing major, so that was a good thing. I have no idea what the others are doing, I don’t really care if they are first or we are fifth, it doesn’t really make any difference.

“As long as we can do what we want, that’s the main thing, and for sure there are still things to improve and to work on. I think it could have been much worse the first day, so I’m pretty happy with it.

“I don’t think it makes any difference, testing doesn’t give you anything. You try to do all the things that are necessary to get ready for the season, the times only count when there are racing. We did more or less what we were planning to do before we started the day.

“Like I said I have no idea what the others are doing. I’m not too interested in it right now. It feels OK to drive, it felt already OK after yesterday.”

Raikkonen said that overall, his first full day with the E20 was a positive experience: “You learn always, it’s a new car, first day, so if you didn’t learn anything about the car it would be funny. But like I said, it was a good start.

“It was the first time two weeks ago, it felt pretty normal straight away, no really big issues, and here it’s been the same story. I’ve been on this circuit many times and I know how it should feel.

“Right now we have no idea where we going to be, and I don’t think anyone knows where they’re going to be in the first race. There’s still a long way to go, so let’s wait and see.”

The Red Bull RB8 ran its first laps in the hands of Mark Webber at Jerez this morning, and after its debut technical director Adrian Newey had some interesting comments to make about the car.

He insists that it still has much in common with the RB5 of 2009, although over time the design has adapted to various rule changes. He also said that RBR lost more than most with the ban on exhaut blown diffusers.

“The principal challenge has been the restriction in the exhaust outlet position,” said Newey. “Coupled with the restriction on engine mapping, which really means we’ve lost the exhaust blown technology that we developed initially in 2010 and then took a further step last year.

“Certainly last year’s car was designed around that, we adopted that exhaust position in the wind tunnel in August and designed the car around it.

“Perhaps other people copied ours and therefore hadn’t designed their car around it. If you lose that, it stands to reason that you perhaps lose more than other people. Obviously the work over the winter has been to try and mitigate against that, but it’s a lost technology, it can’t simply be re-invented.”

Newey admits that the nose of the car is not as pleasing as he would have liked.

“That’s really a product of the regulation that has restricted the height of the nose, but not the height of the chassis. We’ve taken a high nose route, along with most of the field, and to satisfy that regulation we’ve ended up with an awkward looking step at the front. Those who pursued a lower nose in the first place have managed to maintain a smooth shape.”

Intriguingly he said that the car is not as steeply raked as its predecessor. Last year there was controversy over the way the front wing appeared to be closer to the ground than that of other cars. The lack of exhaust blowing has changed that.

“Yes, it certainly means that the very good rear downforce that we were able to enjoy at high rear ride height is massively compromised. So part of the work on this year’s car had to be reducing the rake from what we had last year.”

Asked by this writer about the RB8’s exhaust position, Newey played down the significance.

“I think in truth there’s not a lot to come out of exhausts. What often happens in those situations is you get a reasonable variety of different positions, because there’s not a lot to be gained from it. We’ve obviously launched in the position we’re in – other people are taking different routes. As I say I doubt if there’s a lot to be had from the various different positions that people are sporting.”

Newey also said that the hole at the top of the nose was “primarily for driver cooling.”

Mark Webber heads onto the track for the first time

Mark Webber gave the new RB8 its first installation lap shortly before noon at Jerez, some three hours after the session started.

Christian Horner told this blog that the team has been waiting for some parts to arrive. Another source said it had been an ‘exciting morning’ for the team…

The Williams FW34 looks like a neat and tidy package

The Williams FW34 was shown in Jerez this morning, before Pastor Maldonado gave the car its first laps shortly afterwards.

The car is the first from the new technical team led by Mike Coughlan and Mark Gillan, and of course has been designed around a Renault rather than Cosworth engine.

Inevitably the car has a stepped nose, but the overall impression is one of a neat and tidy package, the car again featuring a small gearbox.

Chief operations engineer Gillan said: “We are really looking forward to this season and from a personal perspective I can’t wait to get the FW34 on to the race track. The factory has worked extremely hard over the winter to ensure that the car met its design, build and rig test targets and we start testing with the car prepared to a high standard.

“We’ve worked in close co-operation with all of our partners to achieve that, including Renault Sport F1. In the run-up to Australia, we will be working hard with our exciting new driver line-up to ensure that we maximise and unlock the full potential of the FW34. It is imperative that we demonstrate a continuous improvement in our performance and deliver results throughout the season.”

Sir Frank Williams said: “One could say that looking at the Williams F1 Team today we are off to a truly fresh start. We have a new car, new driver line up, new engine and new senior personnel. We also have a number of new partners who have joined the team in the past few months. I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome them formally and sincerely wish that they have an enjoyable and, most importantly, a valuable experience with us. The team has had a good winter at the factory and we feel ready and strong for the fight.”

Meanwhile the drivers expressed their satisfaction with the package.

“I have faith in the FW34 and the Renault engine and so have high hopes for the races ahead,” said Maldonado. “It will be very important that we develop the car from the start of the season to the end. Now that I have a year’s experience, I can help in that area much more now.”

“This is my ever first pre-season testing programme since I started in Formula One two years ago,” said Bruno Senna. “I’m really motivated and looking forward to working hard and with everyone in the team. I hope we have a successful month testing and developing the car so we arrive in Melbourne as well prepared as possible.”

The Williams FW34 broke cover at Jerez this morning

Williams has shown its new Renault-powered FW34 at Jerez this morning.

The car is the first product of the new structure led by technical director Mike Coughlan and chief operations engineer Mark Gillan.

It also sees the Renault name on the side of the car for the first time since 1997.

Guess what, the car has a stepped nose!

The car has very sleek lines from the rear

Scuderia Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost says the target in 2012 is to move up from last year’s eighth place to sixth or seventh in the World Championship.

Tost is bullish about the prospects of the new STR7, which will be driven by Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne.

“First we must know what Toro Rosso is here for,” said Tost. “Toro Rosso is to educate the young drivers for Red Bull Racing. This is our philosophy, and within this philosophy, we do our best. The car itself, I think we made another step forward.

“We built up the infrastructure, we bought in new people, we brought in machines, and we invested a lot of money. I hope that the new car will be a step forward on last year’s car, which was already a good car, and we can reach our goals.”

Tost played down questions about the inexperienced line-up after Buemi and Alguersuari were dropped in December.

“Regarding the drivers, I always say after three years we have to evaluate a driver, and therefore we decided – or Red Bull decided – to come up with a new driver line-up. I’m quite convinced that Daniel Ricciardo, as well as Jean-Eric Vergne, will do a good job. They were quite successful in the young driver classes, both of them won championships.

“I convinced we have a good basis. The rest we will see. To come into F1 is one thing. To be in F1 and to make the next step forward and develop is another question.

“That’s the role of Toro Rosso. I’m looking forward to being involved in this project and I’m looking forward to working with these drivers. Especially as I think that both of them are skilled drivers and talented drivers.”

The Toro Rosso follows the now familiar stepped nose route

Toro Rosso has unveiled the STR7, the third car to designed and built in Faenza since the enforced split from Milton Keynes.

To no one’s surprise, it has a stepped nose.

More later…