Official pre-season testing begins today with all bar one of the teams in action at the Valencia circuit in Spain.
See below for details on today’s test session.
Circuit
Today’s test is at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain:
Direction: Anti-clockwise
Length: 4.005km
Fastest lap (all-time): 1’08.540 (Anthony Davidson, Honda, 2006)
The permanent track just outside Valencia, a short distance from the street track which hosts the European Grand Prix.
It has a short and compact configuration which does not have the kind of long straights seen on most modern F1 tracks. With lots of corners packed closely together it is most similar to the Hungaroring of the tracks on the 2011 F1 calendar.
Drivers
The following drivers will be participating in today’s test:
| Team | Car | Driver |
| Red Bull | RB7 | Sebastian Vettel |
| McLaren | MP4-25 | Gary Paffett |
| Ferrari | F150 | Fernando Alonso |
| Mercedes | W02 | Nico Rosberg (am), Michael Schumacher (pm) |
| Renault | R31 | Vitaly Petrov |
| Williams | FW33 | Rubens Barrichello |
| Force India | VJM03 | Nico H?â??lkenberg (am), Paul di Resta (pm) |
| Sauber | C30 | Kamui Kobayashi |
| Toro Rosso | STR6 | Jaime Alguersuari |
| HRT | F110 | Narain Karthikeyan |
| Virgin | VR-01 | Jerome d’Ambrosio |
Not participating: Lotus
Best laps at this circuit in 2010
| Team | Car | Time | Driver |
| Ferrari | F10 | 1’11.470 | Fernando Alonso |
| Sauber | C29 | 1’12.056 | Kamui Kobayashi |
| McLaren | MP4-25 | 1’12.256 | Lewis Hamilton |
| Renault | R30 | 1’12.426 | Robert Kubica |
| Mercedes | W01 | 1’12.438 | Michael Schumacher |
| Toro Rosso | STR5 | 1’12.576 | Jaime Alguersuari |
| Williams | FW32 | 1’13.377 | Rubens Barrichello |
Not present at this test in 2010: Red Bull, Lotus, HRT, Virgin
Live coverage
You can find live timing on the Williams website here:
I am at the circuit for the test and will post updates via Twitter and reply to comments when I can below.
Follow me and everyone else at the test via Twitter using the Live F1 Twitter app (no Twitter account needed).
Image ?é?® Julien Leroy / firstlap.be
Joe Szpara
1st February 2011, 7:40
What time does testing begin.. UK time?
Hare
1st February 2011, 7:46
And NZ time :)
Shall we just say CET?
wasiF1
1st February 2011, 7:51
Autosport claims that the test will begin at 9 not sure at what standard time it is?
Loetkoe (@loetkoe)
1st February 2011, 7:53
I suppose it’s local time? That should be right about now
Richie
1st February 2011, 7:58
Testing starts 9am GMT. 10am in valencia.
wasiF1
1st February 2011, 8:01
If that is the Spanish time then it should start now if that is GMT then it will start an hour later which I think is right as we still have Torro Rosso & Mercedes to reveal their cars.
Henry
1st February 2011, 9:46
Why is the BBC not covering the testing? and by that I mean video feeds rather than bloody live text which really is useless. Last year they had video coverage…
Mark Hitchcock (@mark-hitchcock)
1st February 2011, 17:04
Because they have just made some pretty big cuts to their online budget.
wasiF1
1st February 2011, 7:48
Is any website showing the live timing of the test?
Richie
1st February 2011, 7:50
http://live.autosport.com/
Gave commentary and times during the tests last year :)
wasiF1
1st February 2011, 7:54
But this year they aren’t? Or have a miss something?
Richie
1st February 2011, 7:57
I’m assuming they will. But i don’t know for sure. Those dates on the page usually become clickable links once the testing has started.
wasiF1
1st February 2011, 8:02
I think it will in about 1 hour time when the testing officially starts.Shame the official Formula1.com is not bringing it live.
McLarenFanJamm (@mclarenfanjamm)
1st February 2011, 9:04
Autosport are providing coverage, but you have to pay for the priviledge. £1.99 for the 3 days
Greg Smith
1st February 2011, 13:52
The Autosport iPhone app seems to be giving the Autosport text commentary for free…
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
1st February 2011, 7:54
Will be catching up on all this around 1pm.
AH
1st February 2011, 8:24
Thanks for best laps in 2010, very interesting to compare!
John
1st February 2011, 8:49
hopefully this will have live timings
http://www.attwilliams.com/test-timings
Joe Szpara
1st February 2011, 9:00
Wow you have to pay for autosport coverage :/
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
1st February 2011, 9:06
Such a shame last year they did for free after months when we thought that we will enjoy some action on track things just goes wrong for us.
Seems like Keith is the only hope for those who can’t effort to buy that.
Konrad
1st February 2011, 9:02
Autosport gone greedy..
klusek_ndg
1st February 2011, 9:09
link for spanish site:
klusek_ndg
1st February 2011, 9:10
http://www.motor21.com/formula-1/sigue-directo-tests-valencia-95461/
Ben N
1st February 2011, 9:11
Can’t believe Autosport are making us pay! Crazy!
I think di Resta will be fastest at the end of the day. Very competent in last years Force India…
Joe Szpara
1st February 2011, 9:11
http://confidential-renault.fr/Essais-prives-F1-Valence-2010-J1-Suivez-i454?confi_session=3a5cb6c4d7f2a1088c5383db1adc3232#comment_12585
Live timing. In french but you get the picture lol.
klusek_ndg
1st February 2011, 9:12
link with translation to english:
http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motor21.com%2Fformula-1%2Fsigue-directo-tests-valencia-95461%2F
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
1st February 2011, 9:19
thanks for the link.
Joe Szpara
1st February 2011, 9:14
God the BBC annoy me.. They say we deserve more coverage and they dont even cover testing.. They could at least have a camera up there and a live feed on the website..
BasCB (@bascb)
1st February 2011, 9:29
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9383263.stm
at least they have texted live coverage.
Dave
1st February 2011, 10:47
I think FOM would have something to say about that…
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
1st February 2011, 9:17
I just hope people who can enter the autosport site will update the timing every now & then.
BasCB (@bascb)
1st February 2011, 9:34
not much happening safe installation laps
1. Alonso Ferrari F150 1:18.436 4 laps
2. Paffett McLaren MP4-25 1:30.471 +12.035 4 laps
are the only times set.
Nathan
1st February 2011, 9:21
Hi guys, I got the Autosport iPhone app, will post the times when they happen :P
Eddie Irvine (@eddie-irvine)
1st February 2011, 9:22
It used to be a dutch site with live timing and commentary and pics.. does anybody remember?? I used to watch pre-season testing there for the past 2 years
Giovanni
1st February 2011, 9:26
http://www.f1today.nl/live-update/2011/02/01/circuit-de-la-comunitat-valenciana.html
Eddie Irvine (@eddie-irvine)
1st February 2011, 9:44
thansk a lot!
Adrian
1st February 2011, 9:23
How hard would it be, really for FOM to publish the live timings on their site..??
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
1st February 2011, 9:26
Not too much but just part of Bernie as they won’t get any money what so ever to keep the live timing active.
Adrian
1st February 2011, 9:32
All they need to do is stick some advert banners on there and they get income from it…web-marketing 101 really…
Adrian
1st February 2011, 9:23
Gotta love Google Translate..!!!
Nathan
1st February 2011, 9:27
japanese grill, love it :D
James Bolton
1st February 2011, 9:25
Excellent Google translation!
10.19h Just write it, just leave someone. The C30 driven by the unique Japanese grill, Kamui Kobayashi.
astralx
1st February 2011, 9:25
http://www.f1today.nl/live-update/2011/02/01/circuit-de-la-comunitat-valenciana.html
Nathan
1st February 2011, 9:28
ye f1 today , i was just about to post that
Joe Szpara
1st February 2011, 9:29
R31 takes its first bow. The best sounding car in the pit lane thanks to our innovative exhaust system
James Bolton
1st February 2011, 9:30
Gary Paffet 12 seonds off the pace of Alonso…
IonuÈ› Alexandru Maican (@ionutf1fanatic)
1st February 2011, 9:32
Thanks for Links
James Bolton
1st February 2011, 9:33
These Google translations are going to be fun:
Hulkenberg that has no wheel holder this year, which is found Force India test driver also comes on the track.
Cheers for the Autosport Mobile App tip Nathan. The testing is there for free (once you pay for the App)
Nathan
1st February 2011, 9:33
9:32
1st – Alonso/Ferrari 1:18.436
2nd – Paffett/McLaren 1:30.471
BasCB (@bascb)
1st February 2011, 9:38
well Paffet did improve it a bit in the next laps to 1.26.212. Still none seem to be about setting times.
Sasquatsch (@sasquatsch)
1st February 2011, 9:33
BBC
jonners99 (@jonners99)
1st February 2011, 9:33
First day of testing last year was won by Massa with a 1:12.5… Alonso at 1:18 is obviously not trying particularly hard.
BBT
1st February 2011, 11:17
They will be slower than last year (or should be) by possibly seconds
James Bolton
1st February 2011, 9:35
BBC now live:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9383263.stm
Nathan
1st February 2011, 9:38
http://www.comunitatvalenciana.com/webcam/valencia-terra-i-mar-cheste-cheste-0
this is interesting (ish)
BasCB (@bascb)
1st February 2011, 9:42
Now we only have to get there in time to look at a car going through. But better than no video at all, I suppose!
Nathan
1st February 2011, 9:39
9:39
1st – Alonso/Ferrari 1:18.438
2nd – Paffett/McLaren 1:26.212
James Bolton
1st February 2011, 9:43
Vettel on track now
Nathan
1st February 2011, 9:45
9:44
1st – Alonso/Ferrari 1:18.438
2nd – D’Ambrosio/Virgin 1:19.482
3rd – Paffett/McLaren 1:26.212
BasCB (@bascb)
1st February 2011, 9:51
times are getting into a comparable range now:
D’Ambrosio got below Alonso’s time after 8 laps of running (with last years car): 1:17.991
Malik
1st February 2011, 9:47
http://www.f1today.nl/live-update/2011/02/01/circuit-de-la-comunitat-valenciana.html
Nathan
1st February 2011, 9:50
9:50
1st – D’Ambrosio/Virgin 1:17.991
2nd – Hulkenberg/Force India 1:18.331
3rd – Alonso/Ferrari 1:18.438
4th – Paffett/McLaren 1:26.212
BasCB (@bascb)
1st February 2011, 9:53
where are you getting the times from Nathan? I have the dutch site as well as that french one, but none has all the times right!
BasCB (@bascb)
1st February 2011, 9:56
Hulk got a time under 1:17 (1:16.988)in. Temperatures rising and tyres coming up to grip slowly?
Gary
1st February 2011, 9:50
Looks like they have started running, very few laps done
Link below gives pictures and live timing.
Alonso has done 4 laps – best time is 1:18
http://www.f1today.nl/live-update/2011/02/01/circuit-de-la-comunitat-valenciana.html
Chas
1st February 2011, 9:53
How many Tabs can Firefox cope with at once? This lot is taking up five (though the Williams one is suspiciously quiet and could perhaps be let go.) Six if you count work.
Joe Szpara
1st February 2011, 9:53
Is is just me or is the Williams Live Timing not working?
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
1st February 2011, 9:53
See, this is what I don’t like about testing: everyone reads so much into it, but we have no idea what the teams are doing. Teams that are slow might be running heavy fuel loads; fast teams could just as easily be running on fumes. And yet people take what happens as gospel truth. As Sauber proved last year, speed in testing does not mean speed in racing. So at the end of the day, the times tell us nothing, but people get worked up over them.
Testing should be closed to everyone but the teams. Let the media in to take a few photos of the car launches, but that’s it.
the Edge
1st February 2011, 10:22
er…if you dont like it…why are you here?
just a bit of fun for those who are F1 starved
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
1st February 2011, 12:12
I’m all for having fun, I just think everyone should remember that they can’t read too much into it.
Nathan
1st February 2011, 9:56
9:55
1st – Hulkenberg/Force India 1:15.948
2nd – D’Ambrosio/Virgin 1:17.991
3rd – Alonso/Ferrari 1:18.438
4th – Paffett/McLaren 1:26.212
Nathan
1st February 2011, 10:01
10:00
1st – Hulkenberg/Force India 1:15.948
2nd – Alonso/Ferrari 1:16.207
3rd – D’Ambrosio/Virgin 1:17.991
4th – Barrichello/Williams 1:24.424
5th – Paffett/McLaren 1:26.212
Nathan
1st February 2011, 10:02
plus we dont yet know what the pirelli tyres are worth (in relation to lap time) whether they are faster or slower/ degrade quicker or less.
plus it is apparantly VERY cold in valencia right now
BasCB (@bascb)
1st February 2011, 10:05
Yes, I just had a look at the pictures posted by Keith and Schumi looks like he is really hiding in his coat there.
Nathan
1st February 2011, 10:07
10:05
1st – Alonso/Ferrari 1:15.371
2nd – Hulkenberg/Force India 1:15.948
3rd – Kobayashi/Sauber 1:16.354
4th – D’Ambrosio/Virgin 1:17.991
5th – Paffett/McLaren 1:18.223
6th – Alguersuari/Toro Rosso 1:21.365
7th – Barrichello/Williams 1:24.424
Nathan
1st February 2011, 10:10
10:10
1st – Alonso/Ferrari 1:15.371
2nd – Hulkenberg/Force India 1:15.948
3rd – Kobayashi/Sauber 1:16.354
4th – Paffett/McLaren 1:16.753
5th – D’Ambrosio/Virgin 1:17.991
6th – Alguersuari/Toro Rosso 1:18.260
7th – Barrichello/Williams 1:24.424
8th – Karthikeyan/Hispania
9th – Schumacher/Mercedes
10th – Di Resta/Force India
11th – Vettel/Red Bull
12th – Rosberg/Mercedes
13th – Petrov/Renault
Nathan
1st February 2011, 10:15
10:15
1st – Alonso/Ferrari 1:15.371
2nd – Hulkenberg/Force India 1:15.948
3rd – Paffett/McLaren 1:16.256
4th – Kobayashi/Sauber 1:16.354
5th – D’Ambrosio/Virgin 1:17.991
6th – Alguersuari/Toro Rosso 1:18.260
7th – Vettel/Red Bull 1:18.507
8th – Barrichello/Williams 1:24.424
9th – Karthikeyan/Hispania
10th – Schumacher/Mercedes
11th – Di Resta/Force India
12th – Rosberg/Mercedes
13th – Petrov/Renault
Nathan
1st February 2011, 10:23
from now on i’ll just be posting faster times, not the entire table
Nathan
1st February 2011, 10:26
Barrichello improves to 1:21.822
Nathan
1st February 2011, 10:27
Barrichello – 1:20.193
Nathan
1st February 2011, 10:28
Hulkenberg – 1:15.615
BasCB (@bascb)
1st February 2011, 10:30
thanks for keeping us updated, Nathan.
Nathan
1st February 2011, 10:35
no problem Bas
Nathan
1st February 2011, 10:29
Barrichello – 1:18.714
BasCB (@bascb)
1st February 2011, 10:35
1 F.Alonso Ferrari 1.15.371
2 N.Hulkenberg Force India 1.15.615
3 G.Paffett McLaren 1.16.299
4 K.Kobayashi Sauber 1.16.354
5 J.D’Ambrosio Virgin 1.17.991
6 J.Alguersuari Toro Rosso 1.18.260
7 S.Vettel Red Bull 1.18.507
8 R.Barrichello Williams 1.18.888
9 N.Rosberg Mercedes 1.36.506
Nathan
1st February 2011, 10:37
Rosberg – 1:36.506
BasCB (@bascb)
1st February 2011, 10:37
Looks like Ferrari got the reliability right again. They have done as much laps as Hulk and Paffet in their teams old cars.
the Edge
1st February 2011, 10:39
yer well they’ve already done plenty of on-track testing before they even got to valencia
Nathan
1st February 2011, 10:39
yes I like to see that Bas (being a Ferrari fan :)
only the engine that let us down last year (and a couple of times in 08 too)
Nathan
1st February 2011, 10:39
Karthikeyan – 1:24.147
BasCB (@bascb)
1st February 2011, 10:41
Looks like HRT got closer to the front running cars with their recent developments, LOL.
Nathan
1st February 2011, 10:40
moves him up to 9th ;p
Nathan
1st February 2011, 10:43
Karthikeyan – 1:19.723
BasCB (@bascb)
1st February 2011, 10:44
So now he is right beind the Williams, he must be really enjoying himself out there.
I gather the Hulk feels good to be in the FI as well.
Nathan
1st February 2011, 10:53
Petrov – 1:20.633
Nathan
1st February 2011, 10:54
Rosberg – 1:19.930
BasCB (@bascb)
1st February 2011, 11:00
And that did his car in!
Nathan
1st February 2011, 10:58
Rosberg causing a Red Flag
Daniel
1st February 2011, 11:09
Does anyone have any info regarding Nico`s stop in the pitlane a few minutes ago?
maclauren
1st February 2011, 11:11
He stopped on the main straight – http://twitpic.com/3vfaqn/full
Joe Szpara
1st February 2011, 11:13
Hey guys. Live timing working now
http://www.attwilliams.com/test-timings
Daniel
1st February 2011, 11:14
Thx for the link maclauren
Icthyes (@icthyes)
1st February 2011, 11:14
Right. I really hope this isn’t some kind of breach of copyright regarding the f1fanatic name or anything, but I set up an unofficial live blog for people to live chat during the test. It’s not nearly as good as the ones on here because I haven’t hooked it up to Twitter or anything, I just thought it would be convenient for people. The link is here, hope it works and again apologies if I’m stepping on anyone’s toes and/or if this is already being done and I’ve missed it elsewhere.
BasCB (@bascb)
1st February 2011, 12:02
I would have joined in, but it doesn’t seem to allow me, saying you are no longer logged in.
There seems to be a bit of time now, before they get going in the afternoon. Ferrari going for the testing endurance record again with 44 laps in with the new car. McLaren beat that amount of laps, but that’s in their old car.
Sauber seems to have improved reliability a lot comparing last year!
andy.price
1st February 2011, 11:22
Live timing here: http://www.attwilliams.com/test-timings
koritnikGP
1st February 2011, 11:26
i think this is as good as it gets regarding live coverage:
http://www.f1today.nl/live-update/2011/02/01/circuit-de-la-comunitat-valenciana.html
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
1st February 2011, 11:57
Can anyone tell for how long will the morning session will continue & when will the afternoon session will start?
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
1st February 2011, 12:03
Vettel is the only car out on track.
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
1st February 2011, 12:11
Alonso & Vettel is fighting it out on track while testing just as they did in Abu Dhabi in 2010
BasCB (@bascb)
1st February 2011, 12:12
I think it is about 20 minutes, but possibly and then a brake af about 30 minutes, but i do not remember exactly.
TJ
1st February 2011, 12:25
I think this is probably the best live timing coverage of testing where you can see full stints http://www.msfree.gr/ms.php?id=18694
BasCB (@bascb)
1st February 2011, 12:34
Thanks for that link, remember we had that last year as well.
Daniel
1st February 2011, 13:16
Very good link. Thx TJ
Bäremans
1st February 2011, 13:28
According to this site, the Hulk took 52+ MINUTES to complete lap 30… Did he stop half way for lunch or so?
BasCB (@bascb)
1st February 2011, 13:49
He caused a red flag at 11:55. Not sure he actually got going after that.
JustAnF1Fanatic (@justanf1fanatic)
1st February 2011, 13:14
not sure if this has been posted before but its a pretty good video of the adjustable rear wing in action
http://www.gpupdate.net/en/videos/723/sauber-s-moveable-rear-wing/
BasCB (@bascb)
1st February 2011, 13:17
I saw that posted by Adam Cooper. Looks prety interesting, doesn’t it?
Almost makes you want for these 360° cameras they have in Indy racing!
JustAnF1Fanatic (@justanf1fanatic)
1st February 2011, 13:47
yea, i was surprised at how much it changes! must make a big difference
BasCB (@bascb)
1st February 2011, 13:14
Judging by the fact HRT have only done a few laps they might be running something of an intermediate car.
Or might it just be they have no experience of testing so they have to learn how. Might also be finding out Narain is having trouble keeping the neck straight after not being in a F1 car for ages.
JUGNU
1st February 2011, 13:23
Thanks TJ for the link. And yes we also had it last year.
Wow Hulkenberg is very impressive. He deserves to be racing this year.
Fixy (@)
1st February 2011, 14:21
So excited!
Mr JoeBlack
1st February 2011, 14:40
Guys, can anyone explain to me what happened with Rosberg??
vjanik
1st February 2011, 14:42
The force indias are second and third. just shows you what an effect the double diffuser has.
Daniel
1st February 2011, 14:59
JoeBlack… i`m searching the web for the same thing. It`s very alarming the fact that Mercedes didn`t exit the pits since the 12 am incident.
BasCB (@bascb)
1st February 2011, 15:24
Was something in the hydraulics, BBC has a line about it from Rosberg. But now Schumi is driving, so they got it repaired.
Perso
1st February 2011, 15:03
Apparently Rosberg had some sort of hydraulics problem, but he did say that the car handles much better then last year. Looks like Schumi won’t be able to have a go today…:(
HeeyHo
1st February 2011, 15:07
They are not driving with the same car :)
Perso
1st February 2011, 15:11
yeah i know, but he may have the same problems. Why else would they stay in the garage?
Daniel
1st February 2011, 15:10
yes he will… :)
HeeyHo
1st February 2011, 15:15
Nico on the track?
Perso
1st February 2011, 15:19
Looks like Michael is finally coming on the track
Derek
1st February 2011, 15:17
The 2010 Cars ie. McLaren and Force India are they not modified to 2011 regs. Like the deffusers would be single and not blown??
BasCB (@bascb)
1st February 2011, 15:26
No, they are the genuine 2010 stuff. No need to change just for testing, if they don’t want to.
In testing they do not have to run according to reglement. They might even run low weight, or 4wd for testing, not that that would make much sense, but it is allowed to test all sorts of things.
BBT
1st February 2011, 15:54
YES they have modified (or set it up) it to 2011 simulated down force levels.
Derek
1st February 2011, 15:18
Oh and forgot to mention the Virgin car seems to be a step forward from last year. I know it’s early yet….
BasCB (@bascb)
1st February 2011, 15:28
Very early, as Virgin are running their 2010 car for now. Main difference to testing last year is, it is reliable now and they know the setup inways as well as some aero development during the season.
HeeyHo
1st February 2011, 15:27
8 N. Rosberg
Mercedes 1:16.450 1:16.450 +2.681 14
9 M. Schumacher
Mercedes 1:16.450 +2.681 6
Like a twins :)
BasCB (@bascb)
1st February 2011, 15:31
I think that is just a glitch in the timing app., where Schumi’s first laps were recorded as Rosbergs before he got his own listing.
Rosberg stopped before lunch with 12 laps in and a time of 1.19:930 and did not get back in the car in the afternoon.
Atticus (@atticus-2)
1st February 2011, 16:06
Funny. I know it doesn’t matter – not even the slightest this early on – but Rosberg again beat Schumacher by the smallest possible margin: posting his lap time earlier than Schu.
That’s all that separates them because they have the exact same lap time…
vjanik
1st February 2011, 16:11
Atticus,
its a mistake by the timing computer. They are using the same car so they posted the 1:16.450 time under both drivers by mistake.
note that rosberg has not been in the car since noon, only did 9 laps and his fastest was in the range of 1:19 before the hydraulics gave up.
Adell Lamberto
30th August 2012, 12:08
Have herpes or HPV Cure it now Naturally