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1. Monday 14 April 2008 at 09:40:13 by Diki

   Thanks for this,you never disappointed us,nice photos

2. Monday 14 April 2008 at 09:49:50 by BLUE

   Sorry, anybody knows the reason because Fernando will not test today?, I am afraid he will not test today, it seems that only will do Piquet. Really I am too much worried.......Fernando should be there, improvement the car the 3 days!!!.
   
   My patient is finishing, I know Piquet is a good driver.....but he can test in other place, these testting are the most important before start the European season!!!!, really I can not believe, I can not understand Renault team sometimes.
   
   However, we only can wait and wait MORE TIME.
   
   Goooooooooooooo, Goooooooooooo RENAULT!!!!

3. Monday 14 April 2008 at 09:51:18 by JR2008

   Good morning.
   Thanks for the photos.
   I can see the front of the new R28 is completely different. New front wing too and I suposse a lot of cahnges more inside the car we cannot see in a simple view.
   I wish thiw will be the first day of a new and excellent winner season for Renault F1.
   For all the no patients friends bloggers this is the link to see the test in live.
   http://www.motor21.com/noticia.asp?dt=31 ...
   Good luck for the test¡¡¡
   Saludos

4. Monday 14 April 2008 at 09:53:41 by Diki

   @BLUE-In-season testing limits the teams to running only one car

5. Monday 14 April 2008 at 10:05:02 by Diki

   @BLUE-Fernando will drive on Tuesday and Wednesday you can read that in text above,Nelson need to drive car because he need more kilometers and experience,he is GREAT driver.TEAM SPIRIT men,don't forget that!!!

6. Monday 14 April 2008 at 10:20:20 by BLUE

   @Diki
   
   Ok, please do not get angry.......I know perfectly that Renault team is an excellent team......they are completely integrated with the drivers, they are working too much to try to improvement the car......I understand this perfectly. But you should undestand the reasons of my opinions (and I am sure other people), you know the European season will start next week, right?, a good work during this season depend too much of these test and if is develop or not the car, can you imagine if tomorrow or the day after rain???, because if you check the rain can apear next Thursday. In my honestly opinion, Fernando should be all days testting, at least during this time, the evidence is too much clear.....the car need to be development quickly and Fernando is the only one person to do this.
   
   Sorry, but is my opinion, you can be sure that I want.......I desire that Reanault piss on Mclaren, they are happy with Renault´s problems, but I am sure that can be surprises in the future.
   
   Have a good day, friends.

7. Monday 14 April 2008 at 10:36:33 by Diki

   Thanks for this JR2008 but I don't know Spanish, Google always make mistakes when translate texts.
   
   RF1PP-can you tell me first impressions of this "new" car and is there any problems,sorry i don't know were i can watch test live and sorry if i made mistakes.
   
   @BLUE-i am not angry,OK?

8. Monday 14 April 2008 at 10:46:23 by RF1 Paddock Pass

   The programme has only just got underway, Diki, so difficult to have any first impressions yet. I'll will have a chat with Nelson towards the end of the day and report back. At the moment all seems good and Nelson has already completed 25 laps without any problems.

9. Monday 14 April 2008 at 10:49:02 by DOF-power

   Piquet vows to get stronger
   
   f1-live.com
   
   14/04/08 10:30
   
   
   
   Photo F1-Live.com
   Zoom
   Struggling with the mediocre R28 package
   After a difficult start to his Formula One career, Nelson Piquet says he must emulate Heikki Kovalainen and now begin his rise up the grid.
   
   Kovalainen, the Finnish rookie who switched to McLaren for 2008, was slammed by Renault boss Flavio Briatore following a dire debut in Australia last year.
   
   Piquet had a similarly grim Melbourne opener for the team, and has been consistently out-qualified by team-mate Fernando Alonso.
   
   Alonso, meanwhile, has scored six points so far with the identical R28 car, compared with Piquet's tally of zero.
   
   "I am frustrated," he admitted to Autohebdo, the French magazine, "but I am not disappointed.
   
   "I would be disappointed if it was a really different story for Alonso, but when you see how difficult it was for him to get to Q3 in Bahrain, and how he couldn't secure points in the race, then my position is also understandable," Piquet added.
   
   "That doesn't satisfy me, but it takes some pressure from my shoulders," he said.
   
   
   Piquet explains that the R28 is not competitive in any area. "The problem is engine, chassis, aerodynamics," he said.
   
   Piquet also insists that, unlike Briatore's severe early appraisal of predecessor Kovalainen, his team boss is backing him.
   
   "We have talked quietly," he revealed, "and he says that I should remain calm and that things will get better.
   
   "Kovalainen also had problems at the beginning, and then he was able to get stronger. I have to do the same."
   
   -----------------------------
   
   
   OMG, neither engine nor chassis nor aero is any good.
   
   How in the world did Renault F1 ended up here ?!

10. Monday 14 April 2008 at 10:56:41 by manuStudio

    when I read:
    "I am frustrated," he admitted to Autohebdo, the French magazine, "but I am not disappointed.
    
    I would want to see the opposite; to be disappionted, of course you can only be disappionted by the results, if not it would mean you would not care. Frustration on the other hand does not help the situation, sometimes makes it worst.

11. Monday 14 April 2008 at 10:58:10 by manuStudio

    BTW, good testing day to all, and lets have a great test today.
    véale luego

12. Monday 14 April 2008 at 11:01:40 by manuStudio

    So who's wright about the engine?
    
    "Piquet explains that the R28 is not competitive in any area. "The problem is engine, chassis, aerodynamics," he said.
    
    "Fabrice Lom:
    All the indications show that the V8 Renault is at a level of those of our competitors and that it is even among the top engines. We have absolutely no worries concerning this issue, or for that matter concerning the level of reliability."
    

13. Monday 14 April 2008 at 11:13:31 by Alfonso

    1.- D. Coulthard-1:22.622-15 vueltas
    2.- N. Heidfeld-1:22.885 +0.263-26 vueltas
    3.- N. Piquet-1:22.887 +0.265-25 vueltas
    4.- P. De la Rosa-1:22.962 +0.340-26 vueltas
    5.- K. Nakajima-1:23.245 +0.623-28 vueltas
    6.- V. Liuzzi-1:23.254 +0.632-22 vueltas
    7.- A. Wurz-1:23.308 +0.686-13 vueltas
    8.- T. Glock-1:23.575 +0.953-21 vueltas
    9.- F. Massa-Sin Tiempo-1 vuelta
    

14. Monday 14 April 2008 at 11:15:23 by Alfonso

    We need to monitor how the R28 performs against the Williams, Red Bull & Toyota. Also i think FA will be a couple of tenths faster than Nelsinho. No time for Ferrari yet

15. Monday 14 April 2008 at 11:17:33 by Alfonso

    We need to monitor how the R28 performs against the Williams, Red Bull & Toyota. Also i think FA will be a couple of tenths faster than Nelsinho. No time for Ferrari yet

16. Monday 14 April 2008 at 11:31:41 by RF1 Paddock Pass

    The sun is out now and Barcelona is warming up nicely. Piquet did quite a long run early this morning, which went well and as I write he has just gone left the pit.
    
    There's quite a different feel to in-season testing compared to winter testing. As we are only running one car there are obviously fewer mechanics and engineers on site. The garage also looks pretty spacious with just one car. It takes some getting used to! Check back for the latest times at midday.

17. Monday 14 April 2008 at 11:44:36 by Witch

    I hope our team have a good test session...

18. Monday 14 April 2008 at 11:48:50 by manuStudio

    RF1PP, for this week testing, is the test team working or the race team as the test in Barcelona and the GP are so close to each other, so people will just stay there?

19. Monday 14 April 2008 at 11:56:25 by RF1 Paddock Pass

    Hi Manustudio. It is the test team this week. Next week will be the race team.

20. Monday 14 April 2008 at 12:00:20 by siberianlady

    Thanks for keeping us updated RF1PP- we are hungry for news as to whether the new bits are working as expected- pinkies crossed!

21. Monday 14 April 2008 at 12:00:30 by amasmi221

    @19 RF1 Paddock Pass
    
    I know i'm going to sound thick, but what the differnence between the test team this week and the race team next week, or can i assume it means that it will be the test drivers this week and Alonso and Nelson next.

22. Monday 14 April 2008 at 12:00:57 by adam20692

    WOW the new front wing looks cool lol maybe it will be a big step forward to provide the car with that much needed grip. I wonder what other new goodies they have on the newish(?)car lol

23. Monday 14 April 2008 at 12:03:24 by RF1 Paddock Pass

    The times at midday:
    
    DLR 1:21.908 47
    WUR 1:22.048 28
    HEI 1:22.109 44
    COU 1:22.622 23
    PIQ 1:22.846 44
    LIU 1:22.846 41
    MAS 1:22.978 12
    GLO 1:23.181 43
    NAK 1:23.245 41

24. Monday 14 April 2008 at 12:13:55 by siberianlady

    @ Amasmi- the teams have a test team of engineers etc dedicated solely to the tests. A different team of people do the races. The drivers this week are Nelson and Fernando.

25. Monday 14 April 2008 at 12:27:34 by hah

    RF1PP
    
    Other than visibly upgrade on the front wing & front tyre cover...are there any other uprade not notice?

26. Monday 14 April 2008 at 12:29:19 by hah

    I belive RF1 did tested this front wing during winter...but no good respond from FA..is this fron wing an improved version?

27. Monday 14 April 2008 at 12:35:13 by adam20692

    hmm very tight there lets hope that we are running a heavy fuel load again lol
    

28. Monday 14 April 2008 at 12:47:02 by RF1 Paddock Pass

    Hi hah. For sure there are upgrades that are not visible, but we don't want to give too much away. A lot of the bodywork has been refined and, as I said in the blog, there are improbements to the front suspension.

29. Monday 14 April 2008 at 12:52:49 by adam20692

    Question for RF1PP how many tests are there throughout the season and how productive are they??

30. Monday 14 April 2008 at 12:57:27 by amasmi221

    @siberianlady
    
    thank you setting me straight on that one, i got a bit confussed, I did read somewere that are the new areodynamics package that they expect to be at least half second a lap faster, don't know how true that is, but I would love to see Fernando & Nelson easily get through to Q3, I know it may be a bit much to expect to be up there with mclaren, BMW & Ferrari, but I truely hope that these impovments will make a differnence, but i suppose non of will know for sure until the spanish gp, CAN'T WAIT.

31. Monday 14 April 2008 at 13:05:16 by otoelpiloto

    nelsinho and liuzzi lapping in the same time, we are equal to force india so far, c'mon boys it can't be that bad, we need to improve

32. Monday 14 April 2008 at 13:12:08 by Blackmadonna

    What happened with Nelson in the curve before midday break? There must have been a spin, he caused a red flag?

33. Monday 14 April 2008 at 13:18:04 by Alfonso

    Piquet spun off, seems like a minor incident. Session over til 2pm local time. I guess lunch break

34. Monday 14 April 2008 at 13:24:36 by otoelpiloto

    @RF1 is it true you are going to use the inertial damper in Barcelona or it's just another invention from press

35. Monday 14 April 2008 at 13:33:21 by Alfonso

    at 1pm
    Tiempos a las 13:00
    1.-Wurz -1:21.059 - 38 vueltas
    2.-De la Rosa -1:21.556 +0.507- 68 vueltas
    3.-Heidfeld - 1:22.109 +1.050 - 63 vueltas
    4.-Nakajima - 1:22.431 +1.372 - 60 vueltas
    5.-Coulthard - 1:22.622 +1.563 - 37 vueltas
    6.-Piquet - 1:22.629 +1.570 -58 vueltas
    7.-Liuzzi - 1:22.846 +1.787 - 43 vueltas
    8.-Massa - 1:22.978 +1.919 - 18 vueltas
    9.-Glock - 1:23.151 +2.092 - 48 vueltas
    
    
    

36. Monday 14 April 2008 at 13:48:20 by RF1 Paddock Pass

    Hi adam20692. The team will probably take part in around 8 tests throughout the year. That's quite a busy schedule. Then, of course, you have all the winter testing on top of that at the beginning of the season.
    
    Yes, Nelson brought out the red flags just before the dinner break with a spin. The car is back in the garage now being dusted off. No damage done and no time lost as it happened literally 2 minutes before lunch.

37. Monday 14 April 2008 at 13:51:20 by adam20692

    thank you RF1pp

38. Monday 14 April 2008 at 13:53:10 by theBlueOrangeLion

    DOF-power (u're cool, man, I like your posts, always nice to have a discussion with ya) - you know f1-live & this "hebdo-libido" thing or whatever it's called are one of the worst sources of information out there. They mess up with translation and there you go: we have Fisichella hating Renault and Piquet saying the engine sucks, just what so many so-called "fans" want to read. 'Now I know,' they say punching the air looking like one of the pundits walking on the grid before the race and praising whoever is on pole, 'It's the whole car that sucks, what did I tell ya in the pre-season?' Quite simple.
    Hebdo-libido reported in 2006 that my twin brother Flavio was going to Toyota - where's he now? Obviously, the guys in the team know where the deficit lies and they'll improve those areas and all the hebdo-libidos of this world can write what they want. I also think that Nelson won't criticize the team in that manner - the wisdom is you just don't do that. I mean if hebdo-libido plays me the recording where Piquet says those exact words I'll believe it, until then - they dreamed it all up. But for sure the car must improve and it will.

39. Monday 14 April 2008 at 13:54:49 by fraggle

    @ amasmi @ 21, I know Siberianlady answered your question. But an additional add on about the drivers.
    
    With them having cut testing down to 1 car and not 2. It limits the amount of time the drivers get as well. More often the not you will find it will be either Fernando or Nelson testing. Unless there's a good reason why they're not required, or whether they're involved in media duties or as proved in one case the other year when Heikki was meant to test and ended up being unwell. At which point you'll find one of the test drivers doing the work.
    
    Test drivers I'm guessing at least one will be present just incase they're needed. But its as and when they're needed. This was one of the complaints when the new rules were introduced, is that testing as it now stands effectively limits the potential experience any new driver to F1 can get in a testing role. Because most of the testing time is now taken up by the race drivers.
    
    Not forgetting that, the Friday session at each GP is now also a test session as well. And led to the end of the opportunity for test drivers to get in practice on that day too.
    
    Its all down to reducing costs in F1. Not that I'd reckon we'd need to at Renault F1. The team for the last few years has collectively had only the 6th biggest budget out of the 10/11 teams and in two of those years still managed to win both titles.
    
    I can understand Blue's concern about them wanting Fernando to get more testing days in this week. The problem with that is that it wouldn't be of benefit to Nelson.
    
    Therefore to have them both testing two days each, its a fair 50/50 split and they both get an equal opportunity to work on the car for their own set ups.
    
    @ Rf1pp.. Out of interest. Which teams haven't arrived?
    
    Thanks for the photos and hope everything's going well.

40. Monday 14 April 2008 at 13:56:41 by theBlueOrangeLion

    RF1, looks like the front wing was heavily revised, the nosecone seems to have a slightly different shape, interesting... I'm curious.

41. Monday 14 April 2008 at 13:58:17 by adam20692

    also were do people get all there live timing from

42. Monday 14 April 2008 at 14:03:49 by Diki

    @adam20692-look above(comment 3)

43. Monday 14 April 2008 at 14:07:31 by fraggle

    @ adam. In addition to the link that JR2008 provided, RF1PP usually posts the times from the morning session at lunch and the afternoon session when the test session has concluded for the day.
    
    The test session day average usually runs from around 9am in the morning, breaking for lunch for an hour between 1-2ish and then finishing around 5pm.

44. Monday 14 April 2008 at 14:09:03 by RF1 Paddock Pass

    Hi Fraggle. Thanks for your superb critiqiue of the current state of testing. I could not have put it better myself.
    
    So far I've seen all the teams here except Super Aguri. 9 cars have been out on track, but I have not spotted a Toro Rosso yet even though their trucks are here.

45. Monday 14 April 2008 at 14:11:53 by adam20692

    kk thank you

46. Monday 14 April 2008 at 14:17:44 by amasmi221

    i'm a bit confussed about why there is only one car aloud for testing, it must be hard for the team to decide who should do the testing, I think that perhaps Nelson needs more testing time than fernando cause this is his first season, but then on the other hand if Fernando doesn't get do much time it will not be good either, do i have a question for RF1 PP
    
    how do you decide which driver to use at each test day when you are limited to just one car?

47. Monday 14 April 2008 at 14:21:35 by Blackmadonna

    I just saw on life-timing that some teams are preparing to use slicks, i thought that this has been planned for thursday? Is it because some rain is predicted for thursday (since slicks and rain doesn't fit together) and will Nelson go out on slicks too?

48. Monday 14 April 2008 at 14:21:58 by adam20692

    ive just noticed that the should i say revised R28 has the covers on the wheels of the car

49. Monday 14 April 2008 at 14:24:12 by adam20692

    i meen like what the other teams have over the rims or whatever there called lol

50. Monday 14 April 2008 at 14:24:30 by alma

    Hello , For Paddock Pass : Welcome to Spain .
    The new Front Wing work well ( good )?
    Nelsinho today is doig good work ?
    New changes wor , OK ??
    Yes good Work !!!!!!!!!

51. Monday 14 April 2008 at 14:24:54 by adam20692

    sorry to be breaking up my posts but there some images on http://www.formula1.com/gallery/testing/ ... so look there for what i meen lol

52. Monday 14 April 2008 at 14:25:29 by amasmi221

    @blackmadonna
    
    I was just wondering were are watching the live timing, or if can see or watch it myself, i know that catalunya has got web cams, is it there i can watch it.

53. Monday 14 April 2008 at 14:28:11 by scenic

    Thank you for the updates RF1PP

54. Monday 14 April 2008 at 14:32:58 by alma

    As you know : Bridge front wing has been wing has been modified in orden to have more grip in the front area .
    See look here , there are 7 photos ( good ) Wing Front r28 piloted by Nelsinho :
    http://motor21.com/noticia.asp?dt=315&am ...
    And: Lok test in dirrect written in :
    http://motor21.com/noticia.asp?dt=315&am ...
    Or go directtly to : http://motor21.com. More Photos

55. Monday 14 April 2008 at 14:33:03 by f1angel

    @44, RF1PP, I read that Super Aguri will not be at testing at Barcelona at all just so u know! Good morning/afternoon all! Hope everyone had a good weekend!I won't say anything about today's testing until later (it's a bit early for me!)

56. Monday 14 April 2008 at 14:36:32 by Blackmadonna

    I just saw that Wurz and DLR have made their times in the morning with slicks, Wurz with the configuration of the 2008 car, the Mclaren already testing the one of next season. I wonder if the times differences are that big just because of driving on slicks?

57. Monday 14 April 2008 at 14:38:50 by hah

    @RF1PP
    
    Thanks for your reply...how was the track this morning..was it slippery for 1st day?
    
    What was the testing focus this morning if RF1 dont mind giving this info? and what will be the afternoon target?
    
    NP run 58aps in the morning..would it be possible if RF1PP could provide breakdown of laps NP run each outing...

58. Monday 14 April 2008 at 14:42:14 by scenic

    Well, if it is verified that some teams are running with the slicks and even with the 2009 aero configuration, it will even be harder for us to draw any conclusion as to testing times...

59. Monday 14 April 2008 at 14:44:55 by alma

    For Paddock pass : Carry little weinht in the Wing r28 ?

60. Monday 14 April 2008 at 14:45:55 by Blackmadonna

    @scenic they said that on motor21.com. True, the times are not really comparable that way.

61. Monday 14 April 2008 at 14:48:43 by hah

    Last winter test...fastest lap time during test was by FM 1:20.508..
    
    Last year Q2 also done by FM was 1:20.597..
    
    NP best time during winter test was 1:21.443..
    FA best time 1:21.454..
    
    Today NP time 1:22.629...could be NP on race trim...
    
    last year fastest lap by FM...1:22.680
    
    I hope this would be the case....your comment RF1PP?

62. Monday 14 April 2008 at 15:04:00 by scenic

    Thank you Blackmadonna!
    
    Even if I cannot learn from the time sheet, I will stay here to support the team

63. Monday 14 April 2008 at 15:11:36 by Blackmadonna

    For me the times of today are not that important anyway, what i would like to know is how Nelson felt with the car and the 'modifications', i hope RF1 will tell us a bit later on.

64. Monday 14 April 2008 at 15:21:59 by RF1 Paddock Pass

    Yes, Blackmadonna. I will give you all an update later this evening once we have a full day's data in the bank. Nelson has not been out this afternoon yet. I will let you know when he is back out.
    

65. Monday 14 April 2008 at 15:26:54 by Blackmadonna

    Thanks a lot RF1 ) i'm really curious to know. Since Fernando said that the car- so far- is very difficult to drive, it must be even harder for Nelson, and i would love to seem him improve.

66. Monday 14 April 2008 at 15:38:49 by alma

    Nelsinho is doing its very job well my !!!

67. Monday 14 April 2008 at 15:49:29 by alma

    I written : Ferrari has made changes to the Ferrari of Massa . This ia a cooling system that channel hot air that passes under the enosed

68. Monday 14 April 2008 at 15:51:42 by alma

    Sorry : I Read my comment 67 -

69. Monday 14 April 2008 at 15:52:26 by Blackmadonna

    New Ferrari nose:
    
    http://mm.motor21.com/%2FEspa%F1ol%2FDep ...
    
    http://mm.motor21.com/%2FEspa%F1ol%2FDep ...

70. Monday 14 April 2008 at 15:54:38 by scenic

    WOW BM, it's the design suggested by manchild !!!!

71. Monday 14 April 2008 at 15:56:54 by alma

    For Blackmadonna : yes new front wing Ferrari

72. Monday 14 April 2008 at 16:00:03 by Blackmadonna

    Nelson is not back on track until now- i hope they are not having bigger problems?
    @scenic yes i remember that too.

73. Monday 14 April 2008 at 16:12:59 by alma

    Massa is running in 1:19:36

74. Monday 14 April 2008 at 16:18:01 by Blackmadonna

    On motor21.com they say Massa is driving with slicks too, and the configuration of this year. Someone here who can explain if the slicks make such a difference for the times??

75. Monday 14 April 2008 at 16:22:10 by hah

    The team must be loosing a lot of their time with NP not doing testing in afternoon....is there any problem RF1PP?

76. Monday 14 April 2008 at 16:25:52 by hah

    @alma...
    
    Wow..that was very fast lap time he just manage...definitely the FERRARI are in different level...

77. Monday 14 April 2008 at 16:29:30 by hah

    @74Blackmadonna
    
    Oo..no wonder FM went very fast..Slick tyre provide more tyre surface contact compare to grove tyre..therefore cars can carry more speed thru corner & better traction when exit corner...that make a big different...
    
    That why FIA change from slick to groove tyre...to reduce car speeds..

78. Monday 14 April 2008 at 16:29:31 by hah

    @74Blackmadonna
    
    Oo..no wonder FM went very fast..Slick tyre provide more tyre surface contact compare to grove tyre..therefore cars can carry more speed thru corner & better traction when exit corner...that make a big different...
    
    That why FIA change from slick to groove tyre...to reduce car speeds..

79. Monday 14 April 2008 at 16:31:21 by Blackmadonna

    Thank you @hah i was wondering.
    
    

80. Monday 14 April 2008 at 16:39:32 by scenic

    wrt the hole in the nose, here is a relevant link :
    
    http://www.f1technical.net/forum/viewtop ...

81. Monday 14 April 2008 at 16:44:33 by alma

    Nelsinho enters pit boxes at 16:32

82. Monday 14 April 2008 at 16:49:51 by alma

    For hah : I know

83. Monday 14 April 2008 at 16:50:25 by manuStudio

    @ Scenic, yeah Ferrari has that nose with hole today.

84. Monday 14 April 2008 at 16:51:25 by alma

    16:48 Nelsinho Comes Track !!!!!!!!

85. Monday 14 April 2008 at 17:04:31 by theBlueOrangeLion

    Yeah, I hear Ferrari drivers will have aerodynamic holes in their helmets as well, possibly even some wings or horns will also be attached. I read it on "hebdo-libido". But it depends on the shape of driver's skull, you know, Schu had seriously aerodynamic skull so it was easier to manufacture helmets for him, now present Ferrari drivers' heads are not so aerodynamically shaped. I hear it's causing quiet discontent within the team, now they want Coulthard for 2010, his helmet is helping RBR move forward, remember Webber switched back to Arai helmets (from Schuberth) at the special request of Adrian Newey because Coulthard was using this helmet. FA is Arai man but Piquet is wearing Bell so maybe Nelson should consider using the same helmet as FA? What do you think?

86. Monday 14 April 2008 at 17:09:14 by Blackmadonna

    The McLaren with '2009-look':
    
    http://images.gpupdate.net/large/97038.j ...

87. Monday 14 April 2008 at 17:25:53 by manuStudio

    @ 85
    Yes from your favorit Hebdo Libido here is that aero-helmet but its from Toyoto.
    enjoy.
    http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/9223/ ...

88. Monday 14 April 2008 at 17:28:37 by RF1 Paddock Pass

    It's just started to spit with rain here in Barcelona. And the Williams of Nakajima has brought out the red flags - stuck in the gravel. Could have been the rain that caught him out. I don't think the rain will last long and Nelson is still in the car, waiting for a final run.

89. Monday 14 April 2008 at 17:28:51 by alma

    Nakajima red lights by Williams - Red lights Track -

90. Monday 14 April 2008 at 17:30:42 by alma

    Sorry RF1 pADDOCK pASS YOU WRITEN , EXCUSED ME

91. Monday 14 April 2008 at 17:31:31 by Blackmadonna

    Thank you RF1 i just read that on live-timing too. Though Massa just made a time of 1:18.63- i guess he is still on slicks.
    Its getting dark here already, i wonder how long the cars will be on track...

92. Monday 14 April 2008 at 17:37:12 by alma

    rain some Circuíto Montmeló

93. Monday 14 April 2008 at 17:38:00 by Blackmadonna

    Ferrari with slicks:
    
    http://www.f1today.nl/fotos/8j2wb9iy5.jp ...

94. Monday 14 April 2008 at 17:44:00 by alma

    For Blacmadonna : Run Equipes Team 6 PM here Hour in Spain .

95. Monday 14 April 2008 at 17:46:49 by alma

    Is Are 14 minuts Test

96. Monday 14 April 2008 at 17:50:55 by alma

    17:46 Nelsinho Comes Track

97. Monday 14 April 2008 at 18:08:30 by alma

    For RF1 Paddock Pass : ¿ Nelsinho to Why he had changed the Front Wing this afternoon and has rolled with the old ??
    ¿ por qué a Nelsinho le han cambiado esta tarde el alerón delantero y esta tarde ha rodado con el viejo ??.

98. Monday 14 April 2008 at 18:16:08 by LotusRenault

    Good luck for the test. I really hope the aero revisions work.

99. Monday 14 April 2008 at 18:38:17 by fraggle

    @ Rf1PP @ 49. Thanks for the update. I'm guessing that Super Aguri's non-appearance revolves around their budget issues and the late signing of a major sponsor. Surprised at Toro's not being out on track yet.
    
    amasmi @ 46. I know explained abit @ my post in 39. Don't know if this will also help?
    
    The history behind the changes to testing regs.
    
    Max Moseley for a while has been watching the escalating budgets in F1 and wanted to reduce the costs. There are areas such as competitiveness, as in new teams being put off entering due to the amount it takes to be able to run a team successfully, and then there’s also the engineering element, with the engine freeze.
    
    In 2006 new testing regs were agreed and adopted voluntarily by the teams in 2007. The official introduction of those regulations is this season. This meant a limitation in the annual limit the teams could do. 30,000km is the set amount any team can do (in 06, before the regs came in Renault for example completed 50,000km of testing). Another provision of the new rules was that only one car be run.
    
    As we’re now on an engine freeze, it was felt that there was less development work to be done. As the engines can’t be developed the only area left really is that of aerodynamics. Therefore, this also reduced the need for two cars to be run.
    
    The bonus with only running one car is that it requires less personnel, apparently. And therefore less transportation, a reduction in hotel accommodation etc… When you think about it like this you can say where the cost savings come in. But the flip side to this debate is that with the reduction in on track testing, how much extra work is now required to be done back at the factory. Certainly an interview with Ross Brawn just recently indicated that extra work is now being done in the wind tunnels. So you have to ask what the cost saving is that’s been incurred? And I’m guessing we will never know this as the team’s budgets are never really known.
    
    In addition to which, most teams apart from the top 3 teams were running their test drivers on a Friday at each GP. It was felt by Bernie and Max that fans were getting a raw deal, in that they were restricted to a Sat and Sun if they wanted to watch their favourite race driver. So, as part of the trade off in the reduction in annual testing limits, was the change to the Friday format at GPs which saw the 60 min free practice sessions go up to 90 mins and the restriction that race drivers only should be out in those free practices. It meant that the fans would now get to see more action and hopefully their favourite drivers.
    
    With regards to testing. Young driver training and promotional events do not count towards the 30,000km amount. Although there are rules regarding young driver training. In that any young driver can not have competed in F1 in the previous 24 months or tested an F1 car on more than four days in the same 24 month period.
    
    Also, you may hear now and again of shakedowns being done. More often than RF1 are Silverstone on the south circuit doing a shakedown in advance. These will most probably be done by one of the test drivers, or as I’ve heard previously one of the prizes in WSR is that the winning driver gets a session in one of the cars. And I think from recollection Alx Danielsson one year helped the team do a shakedown.
    
    The testing regs are in the sporting regulations. http://www.fia.com/sport/Regulations/f1r ... <-- if you go to that page, you can download and have a read of the sporting regulations. Paragraph 22 is the one you want which concerns testing.
    
    There doesn’t seem to be an ideal answer. And like you rightly said, how does our team know which driver to use? And who needs more time on track. I think all we can ask of our team is that they get the work done that they need to, regardless of which driver is occupying the seat for the day. If they can get a session where both get equal amount of time in the car then fair enough. The other thing is that having the two drivers alternate and considering their different driving styles, both of them are bringing different information about the car and its handling, etc. Which can only be a good thing as we get a more complete picture on the way forward, what works best and how we can improve.

100. Monday 14 April 2008 at 18:40:29 by Rebecca

     Wow! 98 posts!
     Shame I missed this.
     All I can say is: I hope that RF1 were able to gain valuable information today!
     And good luck for the following tests!! :0)

101. Monday 14 April 2008 at 19:32:36 by theBlueOrangeLion

     @ 87 - exactly, that's what I was talking about, but Ferrari drivers will have holes in their helmets and those wings too. I hear Schuberth is working on special square helmet design for Kimi and Massa's will look like triangle. They're really ahead of everybody else in this area (Jarno's predictions came true in the end), in a league of their own, "dominant Ferrari", aye?
     
     ***
     
     Now, back to Renault, so the new front wing works better? I certainly hope so.

102. Monday 14 April 2008 at 19:35:50 by RF1 Paddock Pass

     The final test times from today:
     
     1 Massa 1:18.339
     2 Wurz 1:21.059
     3 De La Rosa 1:21.599
     4 Heidfeld 1:21.679
     5 Piquet 1:21.913
     6 Coulthard 1:22.193
     7 Nakajima 1:22.431
     8 Glock 1:22.590
     9 Liuzzi 1:22.846
     

103. Monday 14 April 2008 at 19:40:09 by theBlueOrangeLion

     Yeah, I just checked out the team's press release and Mr Silk says he's happy, NP says he's happy too and there's more to come. So I guess it's all right then?

104. Monday 14 April 2008 at 19:58:38 by f1angel

     Wow! Massa @ 1:18! Well, if they say so far it's going well, then I guess we're on the right track here! Lets see what'll happen on Tuesday when Fernando gets into the car!

105. Monday 14 April 2008 at 20:03:28 by Alina

     Glad to see that the testing went ok today. Hope the upgrades will bring some improvements to laptimes for the R-28. Really looking forward to see how the new upgrades will work for Alonso tomorrow. On another note, wonder if BMW is sandbagging again - their pace seems to be off.

106. Monday 14 April 2008 at 20:12:22 by ThePowerOfOne

     Are these times set on slicks? Or is it only Massa on slicks and 2009 parts, 'cause the gap is huge! Or are some of the teams working on the 2009 lower-downforce packages and hence the big gap? And RF1, were you guys using some 2009 parts, or is it too early for that, R28 dev. work primarily for the moment?
     
     Now that everybody seems to be working on different things, can you tell us which teams were running similar development programs to RF1 so we compare times only between these teams and RF1.

107. Monday 14 April 2008 at 20:17:58 by ThePowerOfOne

     MaClaren were running close to the 2009 regs packages, reports claim, BMW were only focusing on their 2008 car.

108. Monday 14 April 2008 at 20:22:09 by ThePowerOfOne

     And RF1PP, please enlighten us on the RS27 engine BHP and torque, is the R28 suffering from that too? Fans are worried because we all know engine development is frozen.
     Pleeeaaase, feed our mind starvation, we want RF1 news!

109. Monday 14 April 2008 at 20:35:17 by ThePowerOfOne

     Hey, what do you think of Ferrari's new nose? This opening on it, what do you think it does? Is it like an extension of the back section of the front wing so that air lifted by the front wing contiunues its way up through that opening? Or I'm completely worng...
     I hope I'm not requesting too much info

110. Monday 14 April 2008 at 20:42:57 by myx4ever

     i don't believe that RS27 has issues nore that it's not in top3. Remember that RS26 was a hit and RS27 is an evolution. I can't imagine Ferrari or McLaren making a better engine than us.
     The problem is with the package. The aero is "0"compared to the top3 teams. I don't know what to think anymore... it's hard to understand what made us go down the way we did. I know it's tough to stay up once you're WCC but to go from 1 to 5th is frustrating.
     Good luck guys. I still cheer for you!

111. Monday 14 April 2008 at 20:49:31 by ThePowerOfOne

     myx4ever, I hope you are right. When Pat Symonds gave away some telemetry data on the Alonso-Hamilton crash, he also said Renault lack in tourqe and engine speed. We all now know it was the MacLaren's reduced drag that caused the hit, but it seemed to me as if Renault already knew about such a problem.
     
     And of course we support our team. Always will

112. Monday 14 April 2008 at 20:50:45 by Diki

     2 Video clips from today testing
     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIq33LVwi ...
     
     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eyFN7pTm ...

113. Monday 14 April 2008 at 20:56:36 by manchild

     @ scenic, I'm in the smug mode
     

114. Monday 14 April 2008 at 21:07:39 by scenic

     I can imagine

115. Monday 14 April 2008 at 21:47:35 by otoelpiloto

     did finally nelsinho try with slicks?
     
     alma ese ingles mi alma...

116. Monday 14 April 2008 at 21:48:10 by myx4ever

     @111 the lack of torque and speed comes from the ECU. You have to keep in mind that the Renault F1 team worked prettly close with (i think Magnetti Marelli) to develop the ECU used till last year. You can set the engine through the ECU how to work in every single corner, how to deliver power, at what @rpm and many many other parameters. Maybe Pat meant that they not got used to the new ECU in time and don't know the insides yet. If you ask me i think that the team shoud prepare for 2009 already. Now that they have a new supercomputer and new a CFD center they can get startin. I don't say they should stop evolving this year car but I'm not sure what good it'll do other then not making in WCC top5. Like i said, i'm 110% behind you guys, I will cheer for you but let's face it, we're not where we want to be. Maybe the design team should start searching for some new blood also.You can never have enough engineers

117. Monday 14 April 2008 at 21:59:36 by adam20692

     lol i find this funny lets give up on the car now and go onto the next actualy why dont we just not develop our current car for two years and just put all that development work into a new car for 2012!!! come we have only had 3 races lets just see how it pans out

118. Monday 14 April 2008 at 22:06:22 by Blackmadonna

     @115 on live-timing they said Nelson was driving with hard tyres, i don't know for sure though, maybe RF1 will give us some more insights, that means, if he will have time- i guess they have a lot of work to do.

119. Monday 14 April 2008 at 22:08:05 by myx4ever

     I didn't say they should stop. I said that they should already start preparing the 2009 car ( as you can see every team started more or less to test the tyres, wings etc etc, adapting the car to new regulations). The team knows better what's to be done. And pls, next time give reading a 2nd chance. I don't appreciate sarcasm when it's not called for. 10q.

120. Monday 14 April 2008 at 22:24:06 by Korrie

     Very quickly - can't stay for long - much to do!
     
     http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,32 ...
     
     ooh, I wonder who was setting -up the championsip-winning car last year then?;D
     
     Anyway, Good Luck to everyone tomorrow - wish I could have read everyones' blogs from today in detail - but don't have time at the mo'!:0(
     Catch up tomorrow:0)

121. Monday 14 April 2008 at 22:26:10 by adam20692

     heh i think i misinterpereted (or however u spell it) what u wrote sorry but im just sick of people constantly crying about these things lol

122. Monday 14 April 2008 at 22:28:44 by adam20692

     i thought u ment that we should just give up on the new car not to just make preperations for the new car and regulations

123. Monday 14 April 2008 at 22:30:04 by RF1 Paddock Pass

     So that was the opening day of testing. Nelson had a solid day, but the spin at lunchtime did more damage that I had first thought. As a result the team lost a couple of hours after lunch patching it up. It is remarkable how much damage a bed of gravel can do to the bodywork. That was frustrating and Nelson was disappointed not to complete more laps. Track time is so valuable.
     
     It’s difficult for me to go into much detail in terms of what the team were testing today, but I can tell you that the introduction of the upgrades will be gradual. It’s not simply a case of putting all the new stuff on the car at once. If you did that, you would not know which part was brining the extra speed. So the team are being methodical and working through the programme step-by-step, otherwise you simply get lost.
     
     Nelson also made the point that the upgrades need to be understood before they can be maximised. They may need further development or to be used in a particular way in order to see the results. All that takes time and that is why the team is here for four days. It will be four days of data collection and experimentation, utilising the track time to give the engineers as much data as possible. We should not expect instant results.
     
     Overall though Nelson felt positive and he thinks the new developments have a lot of potential. But he reckons that the improvements to the aero will be the most significant changes because better aero helps the car in the corners, under braking and in a straight-line.
     Fernando takes over tomorrow and will continue trying the new parts. Look out for a new blog first thing tomorrow.
     

124. Monday 14 April 2008 at 22:34:17 by Blackmadonna

     Weather forecast:
     
     http://weather.msn.com/local.aspx?wealoc ... PXX0234
     
     Should be dry tomorrow but it seems Nelson might have some rain again on Thursday.

125. Monday 14 April 2008 at 22:36:29 by f1angel

     Thanks RF1PP for the update! I look forward to tomorrow's testing!

126. Monday 14 April 2008 at 22:38:32 by Diki

     @Korrie-Thats show us true,and Alonso said that(mclaren not wining team)

127. Monday 14 April 2008 at 22:38:39 by amc

     wow, thanks very much there for such a detailed account rf1pp. It's more than we could have asked for...
     
     Looking forward to what tomorrow brings.

128. Monday 14 April 2008 at 22:38:41 by adam20692

     very imformative RF1PP

129. Monday 14 April 2008 at 22:39:13 by Blackmadonna

     Thank you very much RF1 for taking the time!
     I suspected the delay after lunch had to do with the spin Nelson had- too bad, i hope it was not too much of a setback.
     I understand the kind of work the team is doing now as being a very difficile kind of work- and a lot of detail work too.

130. Monday 14 April 2008 at 23:06:01 by theBlueOrangeLion

     Hmm, interesting info, RF1. And great pics, lemme tell ya.

131. Monday 14 April 2008 at 23:09:25 by ProstForever

     Thanks RF1PP for so much details.
     You'd better go to bed now. Tomorrow will be another hard day !
     Good luck to all the team.

132. Monday 14 April 2008 at 23:10:29 by fraggle

     @ rf1 pp @ 123. Thanks for the update of today's first day. Looking forward to tomorrow's reporting and more pics?
     
     Good luck to Fernando and the team with testing tomorrow.
     

133. Monday 14 April 2008 at 23:37:50 by scenic

     Thanks RF1PP!
     Hopefully Nelson is not too much disappointed. You cannot learn experience, only gain it!
     Let me wish to all the team a very productive and fruitful day.

134. Tuesday 15 April 2008 at 00:49:22 by Diki

     Thanks for all answers today RF1PP and I wish RF1 and Fernando all best tomorrow.
     Good night everyone.

135. Tuesday 15 April 2008 at 02:45:07 by jasi28

     Seeing the results of the 1st in montmeló already we are mas nearby ..... of that the ferrari have a difference abyss in the next career

136. Tuesday 15 April 2008 at 03:21:59 by hah

     @135Jasi
     
     Dont worry about FERRARI, they testing slick tyre...FM best time on groove tyre still 1:22.007s

137. Tuesday 15 April 2008 at 06:11:03 by swifteddie

     Does anyone know if RF1 plan on testing the slicks this week ?

138. Tuesday 15 April 2008 at 06:32:21 by markotorres2

     Does anybodu has any idea when are the 2008 replica t-shirt are coming out??

139. Tuesday 15 April 2008 at 06:47:47 by hah

     FA will be the 1st driver to test R28 mass damper today...cant wait to see FA smiling again with positive comment later after the test today...
     
     Go RF1 & FA...

140. Tuesday 15 April 2008 at 07:07:56 by Rebecca

     Good luck (with the tests) today for Fernando & RF1!
     I hope it's a productive day for you guys & that you are able to get a lot more track time! :0) Good luck, Good luck, Good luck!!!!

141. Tuesday 15 April 2008 at 07:32:47 by jasi28

     I hope that today the team devotes himself to realizing tests for which yesterday they have spent it extracting gloss to the car, in the position that this RENAULT cannot give him the luxury of wasting an alone minute

142. Tuesday 15 April 2008 at 08:22:59 by fraggle

     @ markotorres2 - The new 08 gear is out in the store. http://store.ing-renaultf1.com/
     
     @ jasi - I'm sure the team's working as hard as they can and they weren't just 'glossing the car' yesterday.
     
     to RF1PP and the team. Good luck for the test session today. I hope it all goes well. Its blue skies and a bright sunny day over in the UK )

143. Tuesday 15 April 2008 at 09:00:32 by hah

     Hi all,
     
     anybody have any idea where can watch live timing online like official F1 livetiming?
     
     Other than motor21.com/directo.thef1.es

144. Tuesday 15 April 2008 at 09:16:17 by Blackmadonna

     live- timing:
     
     http://www.f1today.nl/live-update/2008/0 ...
     
     http://www.motor21.com/noticia.asp?dt=31 ...

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