FIA Formula 1 Tests Barcelona – 01.03.2016 – 04.03.2016

T2 testing at Montmelò – 4 March 2016

Posted: 04.03.2016
Source: Ferrari

Sebastian Vettel: “I am happy and I think that even with Kimi we have been successful so far. We were able to do quite a lot of laps, going through our program well, so I think it was a good test. We have to see if this car can be a winner, but I think that the first impression was good and everything we have built is positive. So, overall, I am happy with the feeling in the car. And we are happy with the step we have made. In terms of reliability, though, Mercedes seems to be very strong, irrespective of the issue they had today. I think “Halo” is ok, even if I believe that this system can be improved in terms of both aesthetic and visibility and I think we will see an evolution of it very soon. In principle, I think it doesn’t look very nice but if it can help saving lives, and if thanks to it at least the two drivers who died recently could still be here with us, then I think it can be the ugliest system, but nothing could justify not having it fitted. We try to close the gap to the cars in front, which has been quite big last year. I think we did a good job during the last season and now I think that the new car can close the gap even more, but we have to be patient a little bit longer, for a couple of weeks at least. In terms of show and sporting rules, I think that Formula1 is doing fine, I also think that it is important that the sport remains a sport so that the fastest driver comes up on top. This has been the DNA of Formula1 since ever.”

Test Times – 04.03.2016

A marathon in Barcelona – Vettel finishes off with 142 laps and a GP simulation

Posted: 04.03.2016
Source: Ferrari

Montmelò, 4 March –The curtain has fallen on the final day of winter testing, run exclusively at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit. For Sebastian Vettel the afternoon programme featured a race simulation, which got underway at 14h40 and finished around 16h35, although it had to be interrupted when a Force India brought out the red flags. Scuderia Ferrari alternated between the Soft and Medium tyres. Sebastian completed 142 laps, the best in 1.22.852. Now, it’s time to prepare for the next event, which is the GP in Melbourne, first round of a championship that features no fewer than 21 races.

54 laps and 4 types of tyre – Seb uses all the range from Medium to Ultra Soft

Posted: 04.03.2016
Source: Ferrari

Montmelò, 4 March –This morning marked the start of the final day of winter testing at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit. Sebastian Vettel was in action today for Scuderia Ferrari, first of all trying out the Halo safety device, put forward by the FIA as a means of providing additional head protection for drivers. Yesterday, his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen had debuted the device. Initial work this morning centred on the usual set-up work, starting off on the Medium tyres, before moving on to Soft, Super Soft and Ultra Soft. Sebastian completed 54 laps, the best in 1.22.852, set on the Super Soft. A few more hours of track time this afternoon will bring the T2 winter session to a close, the final time the cars will run prior to taking to the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne for the first Grand Prix of the 2016 season.
 
 
 
 

T2 testing at Montmelò – 3 March 2016

Posted: 03.03.2016
Source: Ferrari

Kimi Raikkonen: “It was one of our best days of testing. We could run without a single stop, except for the red flags on track. Maybe we could have been faster on some laps, but in general the feeling was fine and we are more or less happy with the way things are going. Of course there’s always room to improve and work to do. Like I said many times, I don’t like guessing so there’s no point in figuring out where we’ll be in Melbourne. We will try our best as always. This morning I tried the Halo protection device and the difference to the usual driving was surprisingly small. The visibility is just a little bit limited at the front but I don’t think this is the final version of the device, so it can be improved further.”

Test Times – 03.03.2016

Montmelò Test – Kimi completes a GP simulation

Posted: 03.03.2016
Source: Ferrari

A total of 136 laps

Montmelò, 3 March – Kimi Raikkonen’s pre-season testing ended today at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit. The main feature of Scuderia Ferrari’s afternoon programme was a race simulation, which was completed without any problem. By the end of the day, Kimi had racked up 136 laps, the quickest in a time of 1.22.765. Tomorrow, Sebastian Vettel will be back at the wheel of the SF16-H to bring the curtain down on winter testing.
 
 
 
 

Montmelò Test – Kimi tries the Halo

Posted: 03.03.2016
Source: Ferrari

41 laps and a cockpit head protection test

Montmelo, 3 March – Kimi Raikkonen was back on track today for his final test run prior to the opening round in Melbourne. He completed 41 laps of the Barcelona track, which has been the only venue for winter testing. The main item on his programme was a test of the three softest tyre compounds, Soft, Supersoft and Ultrasoft, using the latter to set his best time of 1.22.765. On his installation lap, Raikkonen debuted a prototype of the Halo system, a tubular carbon structure mounted over the cockpit to improve driver safety in Formula 1.
 
 
 
 

T2 testing at Montmelò – 2 March 2016

Posted: 02.03.2016
Source: Ferrari

Sebastian Vettel: “I would have liked to drive a little bit more but we are happy with what we have so far. I am not concerned about what happened to Kimi. Obviously, you don’t want these things to happen but if they do here, during a test, it’s ok. It would be worse if they happened in a couple of weeks, so it is not an issue. This is a test and it takes time to look and check everything. We still have time and two days left here, so let’s try to use them and the we’ll see. We will push and try to do everything. Our President already said a couple of times he is expecting Ferrari to be in the front row in Australia, so at least he is consistent. We will push and will try everything we can.”

Montmelò Test – Vettel tackles long runs

Posted: 02.03.2016
Source: Ferrari

151 laps on the Medium tyre

Montmelò, 2 March –The second day of the second test saw Sebastian Vettel post a best time of 1.24.611, running on Medium tyres. This afternoon’s programme focused on the usual set-up work, running various different fuel loads. Tomorrow, Kimi Raikkonen will take to the track for his final day at the wheel of the SF16-H prior to the first race of the season.
Test Times – 02.03.2016

Montmelò Test – Vettel back behind the wheel

Posted: 02.03.2016
Source: Ferrari

63 laps in the morning

Montmelò, 2 March – This morning, Sebastian Vettel was back in action for the second day of the final winter test session. Sebastian’s morning programme centred on set-up work, running Medium specification tyres for the entire time. The Scuderia Ferrari driver completed 63 laps, the best in 1.24.611.
 
 
 
 
 

T2 testing at Montmelò – 1 March 2016

Posted: 01.03.2016
Source: Ferrari

Kimi Raikkonen: “It is normal to have some little issues during testing like we had with the gearbox today, but I am not concerned as we have time to fix it. That’s the purpose of testing, learning new things and trying something different. We still have something to be done of course but it is a normal process this time of the year. It is a different story when we go racing. We will know pretty soon what will happen in Australia but so far the car feels good. I have no idea what the others are doing, lap times may vary with different tyres and fuel levels, but we know what we are doing and we are pretty happy with the way the car is handling. I think we have a very good package, time will tell if it is good enough.”

Montmelò Test – A fully Medium Day

Posted: 01.03.2016
Source: Ferrari

Raikkonen on same tyre spec for his first test

Montmelò, 1 March – This was the first of four days of running that will bring winter testing to a close. Kimi Raikkonen was at the wheel of the SF16-H and by the end of the day he had completed 72 laps, the quickest in 1.24.836. The day began with aero flow measurements and continued with various set-up tests until the lunch break. In the afternoon, around 3pm, the car stopped on the main straight. A stuck transmission was identified and fixed and Raikkonen was then able to continue driving. The Medium compound tyre was used throughout the day, including runs on the prototype version supplied by Pirelli, which were identifiable with a white band. The final hour saw more work on set-up and electrical settings as well as practice starts and pit stops. Tomorrow it’s Sebastian Vettel’s turn, as the drivers are alternating over the four days.

Test Times – 01.03.2016

Montmelò Test – T2 underway with Raikkonen

Posted: 01.03.2016
Source: Ferrari

Kimi completes 42 laps up to the break

Montmelò, 1 March – Barcelona’s Catalunya circuit is hosting the second and final test of the winter, following on from the one held here last week. On track today is Kimi Raikkonen. This morning’s programme featured aerodynamic work and a series of set-up changes, running the Medium tyre. By the lunch break, Raikkonen had done 42 laps, the fastest in 1.24.836.