Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Yas Marina, 2021

Yas Marina post-season test day one in pictures

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Formula 1 teams are testing new drivers and new, 18-inch tyres for next season at the Yas Marina circuit today. Here are pictures of all 10 teams in action.

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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24 comments on “Yas Marina post-season test day one in pictures”

  1. Wheels look good!

    1. I disagree I think they don’t look good at all but after the first race I won’t even notice them so whatever.

      1. I thought they looked really hideous on the F2 cars, just far too big for them.
        On the F1 cars, however, I quite like them. As you say, people won’t even notice them within a couple of races.
        If we could get used to seeing the halo on the cars, then these new wheels won’t be an issue at all.

        1. I still notice the ridiculously small rear wing against the large front wing, not to say anything about the engine sound, so no idea what you’re talking about.

    2. petebaldwin (@)
      14th December 2021, 14:44

      I like them but unfortunately we’re back to wheel covers next year like we had in 2009.

      1. I almost forgot about those. Didn’t Ferrari already run them in 2008?

    3. I think the overall bigger wheels/tyres improve the visual proportions of the car, they seem less boat-like with these.

    1. sorry.. wrong year ;)

  2. Bit surprised Red Bull didn’t take the opportunity to run the #1 on Max’s car. Or are they not allowed to until next season ??

    1. indeed, not sure if this is allowed. The running is with the rules from this season. So probably changes in the numbering are not allowed. But is really do not know for sure.

    2. If I remember correctly, Hamilton ran the number 1 a couple of times in practice sessions in Abu Dhabi before switching to 44 for the races when he’d already wrapped up the title.

      I think he had permission from the FIA to do so, but I can’t see why Max wouldn’t be offered the same if he requested it.

      1. I’m actually not surprised at all that they haven’t put #1 on the car, given that Mercedes are definitely gonna appeal the original result.
        Imagine Mercedes being succesful with their appeal at the ICA, meaning Hamilton becoming world champion. RB would look really stupid putting #1 on Max’s car, before the matter is finally settled.

        1. petebaldwin (@)
          14th December 2021, 14:46

          I don’t think they’d care. In their view, he is the Champion. If this is to go through the various courts that it could, it’s very possible it won’t be resolved before the start of next season.

    3. Hamilton is the current world champion, so he’s the only one who should be running #1 on his car.

      Verstappen is the incoming champion, and will be able to run #1 on his car in 2022 (actually, I think it happens as of the gala later this week).

  3. BLS (@brightlampshade)
    14th December 2021, 14:43

    I’m just waiting for Masi to announce that the young drivers test is actually worth 396 points, so in fact De Vries is the 2021 champion.

    1. Ah but then young rookie Alonso may participate this year again and steal the title from young De Vries under shady safety car circumstances. DRIVE TO SURVIVE

  4. I am getting used to the 18 inch wheels, looks very cool on the Alfa

    1. @dutchtreat Same. They stopped looking weird to me quite quickly.

  5. Coventry Climax
    14th December 2021, 19:14

    Can anyone shed a light on this (with proof) please, whether I’m right or wrong:
    As far as I’m aware, it’s the rims that go to 18 inch, with the actual diameter of the tyre staying more or less the same. The resulting lower sidewall of the tyre, which is the actual objective of all this, creates the optical illusion that the entire wheel looks bigger.
    If what I’m saying is true, the comments above, about the tyre size, is by people who are fooled by the optical illusion.

    1. The rims are 18inch diameter. It’s always the rim measurement that is referenced, never the tire. Tire geometry will change from tire brand to brand so the wheel size is always the key measure when talking size.

    2. the reference of “18 inch tires” is incorrect and should not be used by the journalists as it makes it confusing. I’m unsure if the Pirelli has changed the circumference of the tire much compared to that of the previous spec.

    3. The rear tyres are going from 67 to 72cm overall diameter which, as someone pointed out previously, is the height of a standard dining table.

      I have no idea why the diameter was increased rather than decreasing the depth of the sidewall; I don’t like the look.

      1. @dang
        A lot has to do with the combination of suspension geometry, gearing, and tire construction. making the tire smaller would look kind of silly based on how big F1 cars are these days.

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