"Ferrari's strong form in the first pre-season Formula 1 test has left rivals wary that it might have made a much bigger leap than expected over the winter."
"Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen were fastest on three of the four days of the first pre-season test at Jerez last week."
"Their consistent speed throughout the test has prompted speculation over whether Ferrari's speed is a sign of a genuine breakthrough or can be put down to simple low-fuel glory runs."
"Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo and Williams's Felipe Massa are both adamant that Ferrari cannot now be discounted."
"Reflecting on the Jerez times in the official Australian Grand Prix podcast, Ricciardo said: "We are aware of the laps Mercedes did and the laptime Ferrari put down, which looked good."
"We expect nothing less from Mercedes to be honest, but Ferrari looked like they came out pretty strong.
"For now they look good, but it is one of those things. It is still early and Jerez is a place we don't race at, plus we never drive in conditions that are five-to-eight degrees [temperature]. And the track is really, really abrasive.
"They look good but are they going to be the same once we start racing in race conditions?
"I think Barcelona will get us a step closer to that. But not taking anything away from that, they have come out in good form."
Massa echoed Ricciardo's thoughts that Ferrari's potential would be real if Barcelona results were similar.
"We have just seen the first days of testing and we have seen that there is still a long way to go," said the Brazilian.
"I think maybe if these guys that were doing a quick lap time, like Ferrari for example, if they stay the same for Barcelona and impress with laptime, then maybe we start to think they are going to be there. But it's too early."
I think what rivals need to be wary of is Kimi, if he is happy with the car, that means Ferrari may have hit pay dirt as we cannot actually consider the views of the lapper aka the finger.
What do you guys think? Have they turned a corner? Are they back in business? Or is this another false dawn?
Your thoughts please
Link: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117643
Rivals wary of the Prancing Horse
posted on 13/2/15
The Jerez test is a shakedown to test the car for mechanical reliability and ensure that new parts work together. It is not really the place to evaluate aero or tyre performance. Somebody has to be the fastest.
The outstanding performance was Mercedes who concentrated on race simulations and managed to complete about 8 full race distances. Rival teams must find that frightening.
Maybe a better picture will emerge at Barcelona.
posted on 13/2/15
I personally did not read much into it seeing as the Sauber was one of the fastest cars around then.
I would like the field a lot closer so that it is not just Hamilton and Nico but doubt it would happen.
If Lewis starts beating Rosberg with the regularity he did last year, the title could be settled very quickly because he would have destroyed Nico psychologically
posted on 14/2/15
I wouldn't read too much into it.
As an Alesi fan I remember after a first test the Prost's team chances were being talked up, but it was definitely a false dawn. Having said that I'd like to see Ferrari back up there
posted on 14/2/15
I would like to see Ferrari, Williams and Mclaren up there. Need someone to split the mercs consistently
posted on 28/2/15
Perhaps they have a new 7 litre engine?