Analysis of Jerez test

Well, the Formula One circus has left Jerez and is set to decamp one last time in Spain on Friday at Barcelona. Many teams will be testing new components and trying to get in as much mileage as possible with the start of  the season but weeks away.

As ever, we can never judge testing times with a large degree of accuracy but a close look at the number of laps each driver completes in any single run, and the consistency of their laps times, then comparing those with others of similar programmes, does begin to show a blurred picture.

As they did in Valencia last week, Ferrari looked strong again in Jerez with both Alonso and Massa setting competitive fuel-laden times as the team continue to explore the capabilities of the F150th Italia. Alonso declared himself content with the progress being made and is confident the team can hit the ground running in Bahrain for the first race of the year.

Red Bull? Well, they haven't set the timing screens alight in either of the first two tests yet neither defending champion Vettel or Webber, appear to be concerned. The drivers have been very consistent with their lap times over medium and heavy fuel loads and general consensus is that they are there or thereabouts with Ferrari.

The concern at down at Maranello - and the F1 paddock for that matter, is that Christian Horner and Adrian Newey - team boss and chief designer respectively, have told their drivers to withhold the true performance of the car so far.

With that in mind, is it not unreasonable to imagine that come the Barcelona test on Friday - a circuit which historically highlights any aerodynamic deficiencies with a car, Red Bull are going to unleash the sleeping beast that is the RB7?

Unlikely to produce a similar performance from their latest offering, McLaren appear to be struggling with the MP4-26 with both Button and Hamilton complaining of a lack of balance with the car. reliability issues have stemmed the teams planned programmes and resulted in less track time and  thus a subsequent loss of valuable data. Updates are due for the car in Barcelona and the 2008 and 2009 champions will both be hoping the new additions will enable them to start setting competitive lap times - otherwise they could be playing catch up for most of the year...

Mercedes remain another under question as both Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher experienced reliability issues at the first two tests. Although Michael was quickest on the first day of running at Jerez, team boss Ross Brawn appears unconcerned by the car's apparent lack of pace - confirming that the car being tested now will not be the one raced in Bahrain next month.

 

"We made a deliberate decision towards the end of last year to have a very 'plain' car for the first tests and a significant upgrade for the first race in Bahrain," he said on the team’s official website.

Renault were apparently pleased with Nick Heidfeld's audition on Saturday and it is expected he will  be announced officially as Robert Kubica's replacement imminently.

Williams have had KERS and other reliability issues but it was pleasing to see Barrichello topping the times on the final day in Jerez.

Team Lotus managed to get some serious running in with the T128 and the  car has been described by both Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalinen as being 'a massive improvement' over last years car so the team look likely to start nipping at the heels of the other midfield runners aside from Williams.

Which beings us onto Force India, Sauber and Toro Rosso - all of whom experienced similar lap times and final positions over the four days in Jerez and especially with drivers having minor excursions into the gravel traps.

Virgin were confident they had closed the  gap to the more established teams but the jury is still out on that assumption and as for HRT, well what can one say? Nothing in fact, as they haven't done anything other than release pictures of their 2011 challenger. While the car is likely to be as fast as a bus, at least they have improved the car's livery somewhat but that won't count for anything when the racing starts.

So now we head to Barcelona and the penultimate test of the winter. Will it result in more questions than answers? Probably...

Whatever happens though, the picture will become a little clearer as to who has the basis of a race winning car - just pray that Red Bull doesn't let the RB7 out of its cage and allow it to rampage all over the opposition...