Adam Cooper F1

Ferrari technical director Pat Fry admits that the Italian team still has a lot of work to do, but the Brit is bullish about the overall prospects of the F2012.

Felipe Massa drove at Barcelona yesterday and Fernando Alonso today, both men logging a lot of miles as the car performed reliably and allowed the team to complete some race simulation work.

“I think we can say we are in reasonable shape,” said Fry. “Sure, you always try and be half a second quicker than everyone, knowing you are lapping constantly with 60 kilos of fuel on board. Clearly, we have a lot of work ahead of us, but all we can do is keep pushing on this front.

“We ran a mix of used softs and mediums for the simulation and now we must analyse the data in detail to understand where we are compared to the others. Initial impressions suggest the difference between one stint and another can be put down to the normal difference between tyres that have done different mileages. Some show significant degradation, others less.

“There will be other new components coming on the car for the final two days and then we will try and put together the best from every configuration for the first race.”

Ferrari has been running with a different exhaust spec, and Fry admitted that the original version needed some work.

“We started off with an exhaust system configuration that was particularly aggressive, but after last week’s test, it was clear this solution still required a lot of development before it could be used in a race. We opted for a more conventional configuration.

“Obviously, having developed the car to suit this innovative exhaust concept, now we must re-optimise everything in just the few days left before Australia. There aren’t major differences between the two systems in terms of performance, but we really need to analyse everything in detail.”

In his 70th year Frank Williams will make a first small move towards eventual retirement by giving up his place on the board of Williams Grand Prix Holdings.

However his family will still be represented as his daughter Claire has been promoted to the board as Director of Marketing and Communications. She will take up the role on April 1, replacing Dominic Reilly, who is leaving the team.

“It is no secret that Claire is my daughter,” said Sir Frank. “But I am proud to say that she has fought hard to earn this appointment and of all the battles she has had to fight, the prejudices of her father were not the least challenging. Dominic Reilly has proven a unique talent in the field of sports marketing and filling the gap he leaves was daunting. But I have come to the view that Claire, with her profound love and knowledge of the sport and the team, can do so and I am proud and delighted that the Board has given her this opportunity.

“This is an opportune moment, also, for me to consider my own role in the team. I turn 70 in April and I have decided to signal the next stage in the gradual but inevitable process of handing over the reins to the next generation by stepping down from the Board at the end of this month. This is not as dramatic a move as it may appear: I shall continue to work full-time as Team Principal and I shall continue to attend all Board meetings as observer.

“I also remain the majority shareholder of Williams Grand Prix Holdings PLC. Nonetheless, I shall be looking to Claire to represent the Williams family on the Board and I know that she will work tirelessly alongside Adam to make the Group and the team just as successful as we can be.”

Williams chairman Adam Parr added:  “Claire has worked at Williams for 10 years, taking on increasingly demanding positions and demonstrating throughout all of the qualities needed in this critical role.

“Claire will be accountable for acquiring new partners for the Williams F1 Team as well as continuing to be responsible for ensuring effective communication about the team and the Group as a whole. The Board concluded that Claire’s appointment would further strengthen its quality, diversity and effectiveness.”

The big story of the last Barcelona test was the disappearance of the Lotus team after a chassis issue put a stop to running. The team has now confirmed suspicions that the problem was related to the front suspension mounting, which has now be modified, allowing the team to run in Spain tomorrow. Technical director James Allison explains the situation in a Q&A issued by the team.

Q: What happened to the E20 in Barcelona last week?

We arrived in Barcelona with a brand new chassis, the E20-02. We completed installation laps on Tuesday morning then Romain left the pits for his first run of the day. As soon as he touched the brakes before turn 1 on his first flying lap, he felt that something was wrong. He told us on the radio that he was aborting that run and returning straight to the pits.

Q: What did you discover when the car got back to the garage?

We saw immediately that we had a problem with the mounting of the upper front wishbone rear arm.

Q: What were your thoughts at that time?

We were using chassis 02 for the first time, so our initial reaction was to consider the possibility of a manufacturing issue affecting that particular chassis. We made the decision to take chassis 01 – which had run successfully in Jerez – from the UK to Barcelona. Before we sent it, we launched an investigation programme at Enstone to ensure there was no risk of a similar issue. Unfortunately, our investigations concluded that there was a possibility of the same problem reoccurring. We then decided, quite reluctantly, to cancel the test and make the necessary changes to both our chassis before running again.

Q: How did the factory react?

It’s been an intense few days, but I have to say that everybody has completed their tasks in tremendous fashion. On the first day back at the factory, I spoke to the entire Enstone personnel and clearly explained what happened. Everybody understood that the situation was unfortunate, but under control. We designed the new parts, manufactured them, and fitted them to the chassis. We then completed the necessary tests satisfactorily and the chassis left for Spain.

Q: Are you confident about the repair?

Yes

Q: Does it mean that the chassis is now heavier than before?

Yes, but we’re only talking about 1kg, which is manageable. It won’t have any significant impact on handling or performance.

Q: Did the chassis have to pass a new crash test?

No. It wasn’t necessary.

Q: Which chassis will the team use this week?

We’ll use chassis 01 this week, while chassis 02 will be used as a spare from now on. We’re currently finishing chassis 03, with the new design implemented.

Q: The team missed four days of testing. Is it a big setback?

Of course, missing four days of testing is not ideal. We need mileage at this stage of the year, as does any other team. That said, there are reasons to remain optimistic. First of all, we completed many troublefree laps in Jerez and gained a good understanding of the car. Also, some of the small issues we identified in Jerez needed to be fixed, and the parts were not available last week. On Thursday, the car will run with all the required redesigned parts. We’re looking forward to being back on track.

Marussia has been forced to skip the forthcoming Barcelona test after the new car failed an FIA crash test.

It means that the team may end up going to Australia without running the car unless it can fit in a shakedown somewhere – and that is assuming that it eventually does pass the test in time to be able to compete in Melbourne.

The news comes as a big blow to Charles Pic, who needs all the mileage he can get.

A statement said: “The Marussia F1 Team is disappointed to confirm that the planned first test of its 2012 race car – the MR01 – has been delayed as a consequence of not passing the final FIA crash test.

“All cars are required to pass 18 FIA-observed tests for homologation to be granted. Despite the fact that the MR01 has passed all 17 of the preceding tests, the regulations require the car to have completed all of the tests before running commences.

“The team will now not take part in the final pre-season test in Barcelona later this week (1-4 March) and will instead focus its efforts on repeating the crash test at the end of the week.”

As testing progresses in Barcelona this week no one can be quite sure how the teams stack up, but it’s all too clear that Ferrari is still struggling to come to terms with its new F2012.

Fernando Alonso made some interesting comments tonight, admitting that the team has a lot of catching up to do before Australia as it learns about the radical machine.

Alonso completed two days of running in Barcelona today, before handing the car to Felipe Massa for tomorrow.

“We are trying different components on the exhausts and other areas,” said Fernando. “Then on the track and back in Maranello, everyone is working hard on analysing the data in order to improve the performance, a job that takes time.

“In Jerez, we said that we would start from a more solid base in Barcelona and that has been the case and we hope it will be the same next week at the final session. Then, we are trying to put everything together to be as well prepared as possible for Melbourne, when we will really understand where we are.

“Our targets are ambitious, which they have to be given we are Ferrari and they remain unaltered. We want to be in good enough shape to win right from the very first race. I think we are probably not the quickest today, but neither are we the slowest. In Australia, when the temperatures should be very different, we will know where we are compared to the others.”

Alonso conceded that the team has a long way to go to be on the frontrunning pace, and that the huge changes relative to last year have complicated the process of understanding it.

“At the moment, we are not where we want to be, nor where we want to be in Australia, but I remain optimistic. We still have six days of testing and we will see how it goes. It’s also hard to say how the others are doing: Red Bull is definitely very strong, as is normal in fact, given how they have gone over the past three years, but you can’t say that McLaren or Mercedes for example, who seem to be behind, are not strong themselves, maybe even more so than Red Bull.

“This has been a more laborious winter for us than in the past because we have a more complex car, which features very innovative ideas but that requires greater effort from everyone, from the drivers who drive it, the engineers who run and develop it and the mechanics who have to put in over twenty hour days. It’s always nice to have a car that is immediately ready, quick and reliable, but that is not always synonymous with winning. Last year, we did a race simulation at the end of the first test and then in Melbourne we were a second and a half off pole position.”

Alonso pointed out that the tyre warm-up problem that has long plagued Ferrari has evidently been resolved.

“It’s true that from what we have seen so far, we have always done a good job of warming up the tyres and getting the most out of them immediately. This year, the performance between the different types of tyre is much closer and there is not the big difference between one compound and another that we saw in 2011.”

Alonso added that the car had some obvious aero weaknesses: “We definitely need to make progress on the aerodynamic front, especially at the exit of corners. Every driver always wants more grip and more downforce, but one cannot judge the performance of the others from the outside.

“Maybe we would have wanted to have a complete picture of the car from the very start, but I prefer to have a quick car and then make it reliable, rather than have one that is strong but slow.”

Lotus has pulled out of the rest of the  Barcelona test after a chassis issue materialised this morning.

Romain Grosjean had problems during the first laps with the new 02 chassis, and initially the team decided to stop for today while chassis 01 was flown over.

Further investigations revealed a more serious problem, and the team has decided to resolve it before running again.

It means that both Grosjean and Kimi Raikkonen have lost priceless track time this week, although it remains to be seen whether the team can trade the lost days for some extra track time, as Mercedes did with Sunday’s private test.

James Allison said: “Before we were due to fly chassis E20-01 out to Barcelona in replacement of chassis E20-02 – damaged this morning – we ran a series of simulations at the factory based on the data provided by our brief running on track today.

“As a result, we were able to identify an area which requires some additional work. It will be more productive for us to carry out these modifications to both chassis at Enstone rather than send E20-01 out to this week’s test. We’ll put the right measures in place and we will be able to fix the problem before next week.”

“Not running this week has been a tough decision to take, but we feel that our choice is the right one,” said team boss Eric Boullier. “On the positive side, we have quickly identified the issue with the chassis and our design office has already devised a solution.

“We will be present at next week’s test in Barcelona. We draw faith from the fact that the E20 was quick out of the box in Jerez and showed its reliability there. We have a lot of work ahead of us over the next week but everyone at Enstone is ready for this challenge.”

Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg are both in upbeat mood regarding the prospects of the new Mercedes W03

The drivers are in the unusual position of already having run a shakedown day and a  full day at Barcelona that saw 354kms of proper testing before commenting.

“I have done quite a few roll-outs and launches of new cars, but even after all these years, I must say it still feels special,” said Schumacher. “Days like this are precious moments, as they are always filled with hope and anticipation. Already last week, when we were driving the F1 W03 for the very first time, it instantly gave us good feedback and sensations.

“Starting today, we will work intensively to make it a competitive runner. Obviously, we will only see over the next couple of weeks how big the step is that we have made, but I can say already that the guys and girls back in the factories at Brackley and Brixworth were brilliant in putting in so much effort, and we can only say a big thank you them.

“I know which reward they would like, and we will definitely try to deliver it. For my part, I am eager to fight again, looking forward to the new season, and I can’t wait for it to begin.”

Rosberg commented: “We have had a good start to our 2012 testing programme, and it was a great feeling to drive the first laps in the new F1 W03.

“The car looks good, and is very nicely packaged under the bodywork – all the parts are in harmony, which reflects how well the different departments of our team are working together. From the beginning of our running, we have been able to focus on understanding the car and making good progress with our test programme. It will be very interesting to learn more about where we stand in the next few weeks.”

The Mercedes W03 was seen in public for the first time this morning

Mercedes has officially unveiled its new W03, some five days after it was shaken down at a filming day at Silverstone.

The car is the first to be produced by the stellar new technical team of Bob Bell, Aldo Costa and Geoff Willis.

“The F1 W03 is a car that I believe, and hope, our team can be proud of, and which will deliver the on-track results that everybody has worked so hard to achieve,” said Ross Brawn.

“Notwithstanding the distinctive nose design, which is certainly an acquired taste, the F1 W03 is an elegant interpretation of the current regulations, and a clear step forward over its predecessor in terms of detail design and sophistication.

“Last year, we produced a very bold car and, although its more radical elements didn’t always deliver the results we had hoped for, the experience we gained has been invaluable to the design of the 2012 car.

“The F1 W03 is also a more integrated package, which reflects the ever-strengthening ties between our technical teams in Brackley and Brixworth, and demonstrates that our Silver Arrows works team is taking the next step forward in terms of on-track performance.”

Williams has countered suggestions that its 2012 line-up lacks experience by engaging Alex Wurz in the role of driver mentor.

The Austrian – who raced for the team in 2007 and worked with Mike Coughlan at McLaren – will start working with Bruno Senna and Pastor Maldonado at this week’s Barcelona test.

“This is a great initiative by Williams and highlights just how hard the team is pushing to optimise its performance,” said Wurz. “Throughout my career as a sportsman, which started at the age of 12 in BMX racing, includes over a decade in Formula One and is still ongoing (racing in the World Endurance Championship), I am lucky to have gained so much experience.

“I grew up in a family business of driver training and naturally I enjoy helping fellow athletes to operate at their best. I’m really looking forward to using my expertise to help Williams at this important stage in its history.”

Chief Operations Engineer  Mark Gillan commented, “I am delighted to be working once more with Alex and look forward to his valuable input with the drivers as the whole team strives to continuously improve in all aspects of its operation.”

Mercedes has conducted a full day of ‘proper’ testing in private at Barcelona with the new W03 today.

Between them Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher logged over 300kms of running.

It follows a filming or shakedown day at Silverstone last Thursday. But while that was conducted on Pirelli’s demo tyres, today’s test was a pukka test day on race rubber, and there were no mileage restrictions.

In effect the team has gone some way to catching up with rival teams who finished their cars on a normal schedule, and ran at Jerez earlier this month.

Mercedes planned some time ago to use the old car in Jerez, giving itself almost two weeks of extra R&D time before key elements of the W03 were finalised. It also allowed the team to make extra use of ex-Ferrari designer Aldo Costa, who only joined on December 1.

It’s also been suggested that the team wanted to keep a few secrets under wraps for as long as possible.

Although the reduced running with the new car is obviously a handicap – with only the two four day tests at Barcelona still to come – Mercedes won back an extra day with the W03 by using only three of the four available days at Jerez with the old car.

Under the testing agreement, missing that day earned the team a private test, which it utilised today – with no prying eyes and no red flags caused by others to disrupt running.

The team now has all of Monday to work on the car and crunch the data collected today before running again on Tuesday with the rest of the teams – which means it should be in pretty good shape when it joins its rivals…