Heidfeld puts Renault back on top in Jerez

120 comments on “Heidfeld puts Renault back on top in Jerez”

1. 

   Spidi
   12th February 2011, 16:06

   It seems like rb7 is above anything else.
   1. 

      VXR
      12th February 2011, 16:20

      How can you tell?
      1. 

         Spidi
         12th February 2011, 16:54

         It’s a bit tricky, but look at rb7 times on the longer runs… not only from todays test but from the previous ones as well.
         1. 

            BS
            12th February 2011, 17:03

            Maybe I’m blind, but where can one find those full stint times?

            Considering their dominance over the past year and a half I also keep thinking Red Bull is simply taking it easy on the laptimes, but few evidence to back it up. :)
            1. 

               BBT (@bbt)
               12th February 2011, 17:12

               Yeap… lifting on the straights and just testing through the corners… the easy way to test but hide your pace.

               Sorry, but RBR still seem way ahead.
            2. 

               BBT (@bbt)
               12th February 2011, 17:13

               Having said that pretty much everyone has some major developments before the start of the season so you really can’t tell anything.
            3. 

               Spidi
               12th February 2011, 17:20

               just click on the name
               http://www.msfree.gr/ms.php?id=18694
            4. 

               BasCB (@bascb)
               12th February 2011, 19:53

               the applet at this site has each drivers lap times if you click on their names.
               http://www.msfree.gr/ms.php?id=19028

               I think Ferrari are pretty solid as well. All their long runs were consistent and pretty fast.
         2. 

            Gaston
            12th February 2011, 17:24

            Yeah, apparently the remarkable thing about the RB7’s times so far is the fact that they remain consistent (and relatively quick) during long stints.
   2. 

      LuvinF1
      12th February 2011, 16:44

      Actually, even if you invert the list, there are still five above them.
   3. 

      Butterfly
      12th February 2011, 17:05

      According to some guy in some top team, the Ferrari has a slight edge over the Red Bull.

      I read that on the BBC Sports site.
      1. 

         Mike (@mike)
         12th February 2011, 21:57

         It’s not Luca is it?
2. 

   Catalina (@catalina)
   12th February 2011, 16:07

   Anyone who knows the reason Mclaren did so few laps?
   1. 

      fox
      12th February 2011, 16:09

      Due to a shortage of spare parts.
      1. 

         schooner
         12th February 2011, 23:47

         I was more than a bit surprised to read that McLaren couldn’t run their proper test program today due to a lack of spare parts. That is VERY un-McLaren like!
   2. 

      Rob G (@rob-g)
      12th February 2011, 16:09

      A lack of parts apparently.
      1. 

         David BR
         12th February 2011, 16:39

         If so, isn’t that kind of bad organization with such little testing available and after using the first set of tests just to try out the tyres?
3. 

   Selidor
   12th February 2011, 16:08

   Hmm, with the re-introduction of KERS could we see dramatically lower reliability compared with 2010? Im sure the teams will work hard to try get all the kinks sorted out by Bahrain, though part of me wishes they wont so the races will be slightly more unpredictable…
   1. 

      Steph (@)
      12th February 2011, 16:35

      I’m not sure. Mclaren were reliable with it in 09 and Ferrari only had the odd issue such as Kimi’s fire at Malaysia (or maybe Spain) but some surprises would be nice!
      1. 

         Icthyes (@icthyes)
         12th February 2011, 18:28

         With the re-introduction of KERS could we see Massa’s visor problems return? ;-)
4. 

   Franz
   12th February 2011, 16:09

   Well done Nick! It’ll be good to have a competitive driver stand in for Robert. The usual suspects are definitely all quick. I’m disappointed that McLaren did so little running today though, but 4th despite that is definitely reassuring. So far Ferrari & Red Bull are definitely the teams to beat when you analyse pace over long runs, but Merc, McLaren & definitely Renault are showing serious promise. I’m also pleased to see Lotus doing so well!
   1. 

      Himmat S.
      13th February 2011, 3:57

      Well, I echo your sentiments. Makes me feel a bit confident that they will indeed be in contention of points scoring positions.
5. 

   Stratos
   12th February 2011, 16:09

   It seems Nick wants to be as fast as possible to get the R31 seat, I hope Senna show us some good driving tomorrow ;)
   1. 

      Palle
      12th February 2011, 16:54

      There is a risk he crashes to try to be faster or almost as fast. When Nick is up to his best like that Senna doesn’t stand a chance…
      1. 

         AG
         12th February 2011, 17:47

         Senna has a chance if he can prove that he is notably better then Petrov. At least, I would think he should have a chance, I think it is really too early to see how he is in a proper F1 car. I hope he impresses tomorrow. I really don’t like Petrov as a driver.
   2. 

      macahan
      12th February 2011, 18:11

      I would love to see lap graphs to get a feel of their consistency over multiple laps.

      Is that something you could do Keith?

      Fast over one lap is fairly “easy” but to keep consistency over longer runs is the tricky part. Qualification of course is very important but when it comes down to it the race is what gets you on the podium and the race is more then a few laps and if you have to change shoes every 7-10 laps your in trouble.
      1. 

         jhpaloukis
         12th February 2011, 18:34

         my friend try this! http://www.msfree.gr/ms.php?id=19028
6. 

   Indranil Dudhane
   12th February 2011, 16:09

   I wonder what was the point in doing another lap right at the end
   1. 

      nickthegeek
      12th February 2011, 16:19

      Headline grabbing I suspect
   2. 

      James
      12th February 2011, 16:32

      With the testing restrictions so tighht at the moment, all teams will try and get every metre of running they can.
   3. 

      BasCB (@bascb)
      12th February 2011, 19:57

      But that lap was not set right at the end. More like 2/3rds in (lap 58). It was at the start of a 10 lap run, so not even a simple glory run, pretty much comparable with Schumi’s yesterday and what Alonso did today.

      I see it as a confirmatoin the Renault is pretty solid.
7. 

   Cyberaxiom (@dave-m)
   12th February 2011, 16:10

   I bet Petrov is glad he’s got a watertight contract!
   1. 

      Lee
      12th February 2011, 17:27

      have you read it then?
      1. 

         Skett
         12th February 2011, 23:16

         No, but I suspect that they won’t get that Lada money if he’s not driving!
8. 

   nickthegeek
   12th February 2011, 16:18

   My wonder is, if NH is in a really good position mid season (say top 3) and RK is ready to return what will renault do? lol. maybe Petrov would have to stand down for RK to return.

   Thoughts?
   1. 

      Mark Hitchcock (@mark-hitchcock)
      12th February 2011, 16:26

      Depends what sort of contract he signs really doesn’t it? If Petrov has a contract for the year and Heidfeld gets one saying he has to give up his seat then they won’t have much choice.
      1. 

         Skett
         12th February 2011, 23:19

         They’d have a simple way around it though. Claim that Kubica isn’t physically ready for a formula 1 car. That way they could keep Heidfeld driving.
   2. 

      David-A (@david-a)
      12th February 2011, 16:29

      If he’s doing that well, then, yeah, that would make the most sense. Of course, I doubt he’ll be a title contender anyway.

      If Renault really love Petrov enough, he can regain his seat for 2012 (which he is somehow contracted for).
   3. 

      BBT (@bbt)
      12th February 2011, 16:33

      RK isn’t going to be back mid season so a mute point, but late season its a no brainer it would be Petrov on the side lines to give NH a chance to finish as high as possible.
      1. 

         SeattleChris (@seattlechris)
         12th February 2011, 22:52

         mute point? Do you mean ‘moot’ point?
   4. 

      Fixy (@)
      12th February 2011, 17:13

      Who knows? Maybe Petrov will be in contention too.
      1. 

         nickthegeek
         12th February 2011, 17:17

         I dont like to write people off without giving them a chance to prove themselves, but meh…
      2. 

         BasCB (@bascb)
         12th February 2011, 20:00

         Now that would be bit of a suprise, but why not!
         Off course it all depends on when Kubica would be returning and how the team are doing and how confident they are Kubica will be immediately on the pace.
         Certainly if Nick is in a good position for the championship with 2-3 rounds to go, they might just let him take it to the end. Or not.
   5. 

      Dafffid (@dafffid)
      12th February 2011, 21:15

      If Nick was top 3 mid season, Kubica wouldn’t be allowed to return till next year. No way you would jeopardise a situation like that by changing horses and shifting emphasis in the garage. And assuming he’d take a few races to get up to speed he wouldn’t be brought in to secure team points either.

      Anyway, it’s all hypothetical as he won’t be back this season, I wouldn’t put a quid on it at a million to one.
      1. 

         d-d
         12th February 2011, 21:45

         true. even in top 5. and as for 2012 – who knows what it could bring on.
         really pity for Robert.
         1. 

            SeattleChris (@seattlechris)
            12th February 2011, 22:59

            lol… Robert is going to wind up with a good team next year. The pity’s the loss of a seemingly decent Renault this year for Robert. He’ll get another good car next year in all likelihood whether its at Renault or somewhere else.
            As a thought, I don’t expect that Webber will be at RBR next year if Vettel is. There is still tension there and they are just sucking it up for another year, but they will probably break it off at the end of the year.
9. 

   VXR
   12th February 2011, 16:19

   Nick stayed on the track, and no doubt gave some very good feedback to the team. The drive is his, regardless of what Senna does tomorrow.
   1. 

      Jimbo
      12th February 2011, 17:36

      Agreed. As much as I’d love to see Senna get the drive, Renault need someone with experience to hold the team up on track (Petrov can’t do that).

      If i were Senna I’d use the test as a chance to experience a good car, give some feedback and enjoy it.

      We’ve seen quite a few spins and crashes from the new and newish boys so far. So hopefully he can keep that to a minimum.
   2. 

      schooner
      12th February 2011, 17:45

      My thoughts exactly, VXR. It was never going to be a shootout between Senna and Heidfeld for the seat. I’d imagine that Nick showed the brass all they needed to see in order to give him the drive.
10. 

    fatbloke76
    12th February 2011, 16:22

    oh well looks like it not macca’s year again. anybody know what spares were missing? just a bluff i reckon, we’ll get to bahrain and they’ll be 1/1.2 secs behind redbull
    1. 

       Franton
       12th February 2011, 16:27

       How can you say that? Their times over three days with all their drivers are suspiciously consistent. I don’t think they’re showing their pace, just debugging.
       1. 

          Himmat S.
          13th February 2011, 4:06

          Looks like they’re might confident. No real technical problems with the car but they’ve only done 36 laps. How’d you read that?
11. 

    Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
    12th February 2011, 16:22

    that’s it! well done in securing the seat, Nick!
12. 

    runtaro
    12th February 2011, 16:24

    well done Nick
    1. 

       jose
       12th February 2011, 16:42

       Hope he gets the seat. I’d rather see a fast driver then a pay driver
13. 

    SteveMovieVoice (@welshf1)
    12th February 2011, 16:26

    Why is the Virgin so slow? Is it just D’ambrosio being slow or is the car that bad?
    1. 

       VXR
       12th February 2011, 16:29

       Glock was only a couple of seconds off the top time yesterday. Probably doing very high fuel load runs.
    2. 

       anTONIo
       12th February 2011, 16:54

       It’s both…
       1. 

          Solo (@solo)
          12th February 2011, 19:40

          Yea Virgin doesn’t look good. i really think they gained only a second.
14. 

    ForzaLaScuderia (@)
    12th February 2011, 16:28

    Great drive by Heidfeld, Alonso 131 laps…wow. Nice to see the Ferrari reliable and consistently near the top of the table throughout the testing season.
15. 

    Neusalz (@dpod)
    12th February 2011, 16:31

    I have a feeling that 2012 will see Nick and Robert together again.
    1. 

       Cyclops_PL (@cyclops_pl)
       12th February 2011, 17:09

       Unless € and $ will decide. Skill-wise, Robert and Nick outclass Petrov and I wanted them to be reunited at Renault last year.
    2. 

       Shimks
       12th February 2011, 17:59

       You know what, I was just wondering the same thing.
    3. 

       Mike (@mike)
       12th February 2011, 22:00

       That would be good :D

       We already know they make for great team mates.
16. 

    f1alex (@f1alex)
    12th February 2011, 16:33

    Redbull: Sandbagging much?
    1. 

       VXR
       12th February 2011, 16:44

       I don’t know really. Does anyone know what fuel loads and tyres they were running for each of their runs?…….thought not. ;)
       1. 

          f1alex (@f1alex)
          12th February 2011, 16:47

          Meh, I guess so :D
          I think it’ll be mighty close between the top 5/6 teams whatever happens!
17. 

    David
    12th February 2011, 16:40

    What happenned to Mclaren??!! Lack of parts?!! Seriously? :-)
    1. 

       VXR
       12th February 2011, 16:42

       Probably one or two bits got left behind in Germany.
       1. 

          d-d
          12th February 2011, 21:47

          COTD :)
18. 

    SchumiVrooooom
    12th February 2011, 16:52

    The RB7 is far ahead of everyone else i think. Vettel at one point did something like 15 laps in the 1:22´s. Of course i dont know what tires or fuel loads he had but it was constantly quick.
    1. 

       VXR
       12th February 2011, 17:21

       And therein lies the problem. No one has a clue what fuel load or tyres they were running to achieve that.
19. 

    BS
    12th February 2011, 16:53

    Lotus 1.4 seconds short of the current best time at Jerez. They’re ‘faster’ than the Williams and Force India have been able to show so far. Very promising, I hope they’ll be up there in the real pack from the start, especially since their car is one of the best looking around.

    I wouldn’t be surprised if Nick’s time has as much to do with Renault wanting to be up there as it has to do with Nick’s driving, although I have no idea what sort of stint he was on when he set that time. After losing one of the current top drivers for the season there are a lot of anxious people in need of reassuring. Still, good productive day for Renault either way.

    Can’t wait for them to go at in Bahrain and settle this excruciating speculation though. :)
20. 

    SchumiVrooooom
    12th February 2011, 16:57

    If i remember right Nick´s 1:20,3 was on the second lap of an 8 lap run, if i remember it right. We probably can guess it was on the super soft ones.
    1. 

       mateuss
       12th February 2011, 17:06

       If it was second lap then it could not have been super softs, surely? Drivers have said that there is barely one lap in those tyres.
       1. 

          Roberto
          12th February 2011, 17:24

          One lap for warming up, and a second fast one. Same thing with Schumacher yesterday
       2. 

          BBT (@bbt)
          12th February 2011, 17:25

          Not 100% sure but I think it was of super softs.

          The tyres will still do 10 laps but at seriously increasing times.

          Saying they have one lap in them means the fastest lap, not that they can be ran for anymore laps.
21. 

    Arpi_
    12th February 2011, 16:58

    That’s why they call him Quick Nick. So beat that Mr. Senna! I bet Bruno will crash the car tomorrow.