Didn't Merc try that sort of concept without much success?
Merc’s were quite different, much smaller, and I would think they would have exacerbated their porpoising woes by giving less support to the floor. The Audi sidepods are still pretty big, just a very different shape to everyone else up front.
Similar with the narrow upright opening but this still has full width sidepods whereas Mercedes tried to virtually do away with them - which worked great in the wind tunnel. Not so well on the track, they still scored more points with that 'dud' ground effect car than in any of the following ground effect seasons though!
Audi are also pushing aero with their rear wing as well - perhaps they're taking the we've got nothing to lose this year so lets try out all our ideas...
It's a very interesting car, the deep waterslides on the sidepods remind me of the 2022 Ferrari mixed with the 'cannons' from the 2024 Redbull.
Nothing to say it will be quick at this stage of course, but it's a statement of intent for sure!
Not sure if Threads links work on here, but I'll give it a try...
Polar opposite of the Audi sidepods!...
I was thinking of this, but it's good to see some different approaches to the new regs again. I expect that within 2 years they'll all coalesce around whatever turns out to work best.
I expect that within 2 years they'll all coalesce around whatever turns out to work best.
whatever Adrian Newey designs. FTFY!
whatever Adrian Newey designs.
I'm half hoping that Newey and Honda build a world-beater and Alonso wins the next three titles and half hoping that the Alonso curse strikes again and this turns out like the McLaren-Honda-Alonso debacle all over again, just because I don't like Stroll Snr.
At this point - that seems unlikely. The Aston was 5 seconds off the pace…
According to reports the Aston was overheating despite having maximum ventilation gills. Also running with restricted top speed again.
Newey has form for packaging cars too tight.
Not a great start considering the team Honda left in the doo doo have built a whole new engine department from scratch and are running reliably and very fast.
According to reports the Aston was overheating despite having maximum ventilation gills. Also running with restricted top speed again.
Who is reporting that? Aston just said it was a data anomaly or something AFAIK, don't think they specified?
Anyway as much as it would be funny as **** to have Alonso stuck in a car with an underperforming Honda engine again, I do feel a bit bad for them.
A GP2 engine would be fine for a rookie, don't want to throw him straight in at the deep end
According to reports the Aston was overheating despite having maximum ventilation gills. Also running with restricted top speed again.
Who is reporting that? Aston just said it was a data anomaly or something AFAIK, don't think they specified?
Anyway as much as it would be funny as **** to have Alonso stuck in a car with an underperforming Honda engine again, I do feel a bit bad for them.
Answering my own question, AMuS were saying it was overheating, so likely to be legit... 😬
It's almost like they want Hamilton to fail......
Lewis Hamilton Ferrari engineer switch detrimental
Due to the way this was timed, it sounds to me like Adami chose to leave rather than the other way round.
Surely the only reason Lewis would choose to change engineers would be if they had managed to convince Bono to move to Italy....
Watch from 20:00 - Ted is reporting they are after Cédric Michel-Grosjean from McLaren. A deal hasn't been done yet...
https://www.skysports.com/f1/video/33726/13506509/teds-bahrain-testing-notebook
Have Alpine been clever with the rear wing or is everybody else right?
You know that awkward white area on the Williams rear wing.....
Anyway as much as it would be funny as **** to have Alonso stuck in a car with an underperforming Honda engine again, I do feel a bit bad for them.
Chatter that Alonso has been getting very salty today!
Unless they're carrying a ton bag of sand that car and engine is way off the pace.
So if the Aston turns out to be not the best car and the redbull is good how does it reflect on Newey if his old team makes a better car without him
Seems Verstappen has joined Hamilton in saying the cars aren’t really in the spirit of F1. All the lift-and-coast, the crazy first-gear cornering, and the ludicrous start procedure that just about everyone on the grid seems to be unimpressed with.
It’s fun watching the engineering race pre-season, but once we get to Melbourne the general vibe from the actual racing could be a car crash. Literally so, if the starts don’t get easier. I’m struggling to get enthused about cars that demand lifting off to recharge a battery. That’s how I drive my wife’s hybrid Jazz, (a car that I hate, after 20 years of happily owning an 04 model), it’s not racing.
Chatter that Alonso has been getting very salty today!
Unless they're carrying a ton bag of sand that car and engine is way off the pace.
Doesn't sound great, not just engine either...
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/what-makes-aston-martin-so-bad-to-watch-on-track/
Is it bad that I’ve been hoping for years that Stroll Sr’’s “make it rain cash, set concrete goals” strategy would loudly fall flat on its arse?
That last practice start looked a bit of a shambles.
So if the Aston turns out to be not the best car and the redbull is good how does it reflect on Newey if his old team makes a better car without him
It makes him a gifted engineer who needs set boundaries/management otherwise things can get taken too far. Pretty normal stuff
Looked like collapinto hasn't lost his touch 🤦
I just find it funny drivers moaning. Whoever can do it best will still be fastest and will have the best chance of winning.
And I think we could at least see the first race before everyone is up in arms about it.
how does it reflect on Newey
TBF they started four months or so behind every-one else. Gifted as Newey maybe, I don't think he can stretch time
TBF they started four months or so behind every-one else.
Surely they must have already done a bunch of preliminary studies, they didn't just sit around waiting for Newey to turn up before starting on the new regs.
I think Newey's legacy will rest on how quickly they can develop the new cars. Aston Martin being off the pace now won't mean much. Showing good development across this year and being competitive next year is what will really matter.
So if the Aston turns out to be not the best car and the redbull is good how does it reflect on Newey if his old team makes a better car without him
I feel like every successful person should have at least one moment where they believe the ridiculous hype about the level of their genius and produce an absolute dogs dinner
So if the Aston turns out to be not the best car and the redbull is good how does it reflect on Newey if his old team makes a better car without him
I feel like every successful person should have at least one moment where they believe the ridiculous hype about the level of their genius and produce an absolute dogs dinner
He's already had that at least once (Mclaren MP4/18). It was a total dud, shrinkwrapped bodywork causing overheating, bad aero, drivers didn't like it, failed crash tests etc.
They ended up using a revised version of the prev years car (the MP4/17) instead, which aside from engine reliability was now quite a decent car, and won the first two races. Newey wanted to have another crack at the 18 instead of continuing with the 17. Whitmarsh said no, Newey told him to **** off. He felt they'd undermined his role as TD and when Red Bull (Jaguar) subsequently came knocking on Newey's door a couple of years later, he was offski.
He felt they'd undermined his role as TD
Newey's autobiography unintentionally tells the reader what sort of a man he is - Just as self-regarding as everyone else in the pit lane. I think he gets away with it because he's good at what he does, and he's surrounded by equally monstrous egos, most of whom he's in no position to challenge - as he's an employee most of the time. Now he's finally made it to Team Boss, I think we'll see if he'll sin or swim. By all accounts the Aston team are impressed so far.
I think we'll see if he'll sin or swim
Quite an apt typo in the context of F1...🙃
Ferrari seem to have introduced an exhaust blown diffuser of sorts... 😍
I can see the being banned by dinner time
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/ferrari-debuts-unique-exhaust-wing-at-final-bahrain-test/
Twitter is in meltdown!! 🤣🤣
https://twitter.com/scarbstech/status/2024041304305324042?s=12
Putting a Threads link for those who don't want to go to X!
Meanwhile there's a meeting going on to discuss changing the rules before these new cars have even raced - start procedures, lift and coast on straights etc all being raised as concerns. I hear that even the Aston chef is being consulted.
It's all going tits-up for Honda!... 😬
https://www.planetf1.com/news/aston-martin-bahrain-test-bernie-collins-honda-pu-issue-halt-running
I hear that even the Aston chef is being consulted.
Isn't he the same guy who was in charge of catering at Red Bull?
oh dear, after sitting out all morning with PU issues, the aston has span and got beached in the gravel - but not driver error. Looked like the PU or gearbox died or similar. Looks like the front wing stayed open as well.
edit- removed dupe link from post above
edit 2- front wing actually did close
Ferrari seem to be putting a lot of effort in to extreme intepreatations of the rules around the rear end. Video this morning of their rear beam wing doing a full 180 flip so it's effectively upside down and creating lift during straightline mode.
Can't work out if it's genius or just some crazy distraction technique. Surely at some point during the flip it's upright and therefore a giant airbrake momentarily.
EDIT: Beaten to it! Must type faster next time.
Im going to hazard a guess this is all to do with how lifting the back of the car and forcing all the air to go under the wing rather than over it has something to do with how it interacts with the diffuser airflow.
Can't work out if it's genius or just some crazy distraction technique. Surely at some point during the flip it's upright and therefore a giant airbrake momentarily.
One of those moments is helpful: it’s while braking at the end of the straight. So this gives them a bonus for overtaking.
The other moment is less helpful: coming into a straight. But that’s lower speed, so the braking effect isn’t as strong.
Then you’ve got to consider the fact that it’s sending the air down instead of up while along the straight. This means the air is being pulled back into the region that it started in, so it should create less pressure drop behind the car. Which means less drag.
I think on paper it makes good sense.
I also think from what little I’ve seen/read, there are a few things about Ferrari that look good, notably the PU. The supposedly smaller turbo that should help with starts; the fact that it doesn’t have to drop into first for slow corners which should help with general driveability and overtaking (I can’t imagine what it’ll be like going wheel to wheel whilst also having to manage first gear); the general reliability; the fact that they’re running fewer louvres than other teams. I think it adds up to a solid package.
As to who actually emerges on top, it’s hard to tell which of the top four have the upper hand, but I think Ferrari have a real shot. Either way, it’s fun watching the variations.
The supposedly smaller turbo that should help with starts; the fact that it doesn’t have to drop into first for slow corners which should help with general driveability and overtaking (I can’t imagine what it’ll be like going wheel to wheel whilst also having to manage first gear);
It’s a complete dont understand what all the fuss about having to use first gear is all about. One more flick of the finger on the paddle down and back up again cant be that difficult for the driver to get their head round
First has immense torque and a narrow speed range, which means that downshifts have to be very precise to avoid jerking the rear axle and you have to be very gentle with the gas until you can shift up. The higher the revs, the greater those challenges, and the drivers are having to use first precisely to achieve high revs so as to drive the MGU and the turbo. Normally you’d never design a racing car to use first gear for anything other than a standing start (though IIRC it also gets used at Loews, which is a huge anomaly of a corner on the F1 calendar). Having a car that can get through the same corners in second is going to mean it’s less sensitive to anything out of the ordinary, so it should be less of a handful for wheel-to-wheel racing and having to use creative lines.
Judging by the amount of smoke I saw in yesterday's roundup, I was just wondering if there is now a massive rear braking bias because there is so much emphasis on harvesting electrons? Thought one had an engine/battery failure coming in to the pits cos there was so much smoke, and nearly spacked it, Gonna be a lot of drivers racing on 50p shaped tyres if they keep that up.
Also wondering if they'll start trading votes for rule changes? eg Ferrari votes with Merc on the expanding engine stuff, so that they can keep their funky new aero and tiddly turbo that spools up quicker?
I’m if you hark back all the way to the start of KERS days you’ll remember similar braking issues. I expect they’ll get it sorted
Robbed off insta…
Further fluff for Ferrari fans:
”Hamilton moved from the ninth row to the lead at the first corner, and although he ‘only’ overtook four cars in that time due to some grid spaces being empty, two of those had started on the front row: Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes and Max Verstappen’s Red Bull.”
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/ferraris-rocket-starts-in-f1-testing-explained/
As to who actually emerges on top, it’s hard to tell which of the top four have the upper hand, but I think Ferrari have a real shot. Either way, it’s fun watching the variations.
I hope so - I seem to remember last year everyone was excited and thought it was going to be a massive 4 way battle - Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, and McLaren, and it never really happened. New regs may actually provide it this year.
It’s a complete dont understand what all the fuss about having to use first gear is all about.
Have you ever tried putting a moving car into first gear? I can imagine that sensation will be multiplied many times with an F1 engine.
It’s a complete dont understand what all the fuss about having to use first gear is all about.
Have you ever tried putting a moving car into first gear? I can imagine that sensation will be multiplied many times with an F1 engine.
Yes and that’s using a clutch and gear lever. No idea what it’s like when you have a paddle and a computer doing the work for you
My post testing F1 2026 bingo card:
George Russell to win driver’s champ
Merc to win constructor’s
Russell and Kimi Antonelli falling out and tripping each other up in the second half of the season
Ferrari making a complete balls up of an early season advantage
Max finishing three places higher than the Red Bull team
Aston Martin replace Alpine as F1’s most dysfunctional team
Alonso criticising his own team in public over their poor results
Lance Stroll throws a punch at an Aston Martin staff in private over their poor results
Audi score a shock podium place in the wet
Cadillac and Aston Martin annoy the crap out of each other at the back of the race
Ted Kravitz wears shorts
IF the engine compression ratio ruling forces a change, I think Redbull has it - their deployment advantage on the straights (before they noticed that everyone else had noticed and turned it down) was enormous! They were gaining hundreds of m over the other teams by being able to keep max speed almost to the original pre 2026 braking zone - no one else was even close. If the compression ratio measurement remains unchanged for 2026, I think it might be a close thing between Merc, RB and McLaren. Ferrari are interesting - they seem competitive with Mercedes/McLaren, but seem to be able to start MUCH better - this could potentially give them a Braunesq advantage in the early races and may allow them to establish an early lead...which they can then squander, APFU 🙂
My post testing F1 2026 bingo card:
Mine:
Alpine to be the best of the mid-field
Cadillac scoring points
Hadjar becoming the next in line for the curse of the RB second seat.
Russel for DC I don't think Merc. will win Constructors...
I think it'll be Ferrari, and I reckon Hamilton will win a race and be offered Italian citizenship and role as Pope
Verstappen announcing half way through the seasons that he's off to drive bass boats, or some such nonsense.
Ted to make sense.
IF the engine compression ratio ruling forces a change, I think Redbull has it - their deployment advantage on the straights (before they noticed that everyone else had noticed and turned it down) was enormous!
The new compression measuring rules won’t be enforced until after the summer break, so we’ll get a good idea if they make any difference. I agree about everyone turning there engine modes down, I’ve never known so much sandbagging, especially up to the point that the new compression rules were decided
It also sounds like the compression issue is just one of a number of variables that will affect power and how it's delivered - with many different ways each engine supplier has gone about tackling the new rules. And it probably isn't that big a deal in the end.
As for Honda - this is from a BBC article... 🤦♂️
"Several sources told BBC Sport this week that Newey said at Wednesday's meeting of the F1 Commission - a rule-making body comprising all the teams as well as F1 and the FIA - that the Honda power-unit could not even recover energy at the lower limit of 250kw, let alone the higher one of 350kw, which comes into force under certain circumstances in the highly complex rules."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/articles/c77e1djpg3mo
My predictions before testing (including the extra "not a test") were Merc and Russell to get the double.
My predictions now after testing are...
Max for WC
Merc (maybe) for constructors (Hadjar will be the best RB #2 for ages, but Kimi+George more consistent and both pretty fast)
Ferrari will be the team that throw away all of their potential the fastest.
Haas or Alpine for #5? Can't decide. Probably Haas.
And the extra test for compression will be a non-event, with Merc trolling RB
RB the biggest sandbaggers by far. They accidentally showed their hand early.
Who cares if Hamilton can make up 9 places off the grid, and get in to corner 1 first. DRS-style passes on every straight always win.
Might be interesting if there's a big name starting at the back, when the front row have been revving the tits off to charge the battery for 20 seconds, but the ones at the back only get a few seconds.
At least when I watch on catchup, I won't have to suffer all 20 seconds of engine revving at the start.
My punt for 2026
RedBull won't be as quick as everyone thinks.
Hadjar will be closer to Max than anyone else since Perez and might even be ahead at times.
Leclerc to beat Lewis again, but Ferrari to win at least one race. Maybe Monza? And they'll never race the upside down wing.
Aston to be behind Cadillac until at least the summer break, then start showing progress.
Williams to be back of the midfield for all the early long haul races but start getting competitive for the European season.
Mercedes to face a difficult team orders decision with Antonelli the one who comes off worst. Russell to win WDC with races to spare.
Piastri to step it up again and trigger Lando's self doubt spiral mid season.
Bottas to be EPIC entertainment out of the car.
DC to wear tighty whities.
Max is keeping quiet so he must be happy about something!
Hajar will be the best number 2 rb driver for years but won’t last the season. George will bottle it and blame everyone else. Kimi will give him a run for his money giving merc a chance at the constructors championship Ferrari will be closer largely due to both drivers scoring well rather than either of them fighting for the driver’s championship
Even after testing, this might be the least predictable season for a long time.
- Ferrari for the constructors’ title, with Mercedes a close second.
- Drivers’ title will be one of four: Verstappen, Russell, Leclerc or Hamilton. I don’t think the McLaren pair will manage to break into the top two at any point. I would love the fairy story of an 8th title for Hamilton but I suspect Leclerc will have the edge. The question is whether Russell or Verstappen will be able to break through by virtue of being robbed of fewer points by their teammate. I reckon a close battle between Leclerc and Russell and it’s too close to call.
As for random predictions?
- Multiple podiums for Haas.
- Both Cadillac drivers to score points.
- Perez to get a headline-worthy shock result of some sort.
- Stroll to announce a new PU supplier for 2027.
- Hadjar to beat Verstappen in at least one race.
- Turn 1 at Melbourne: red flag, minimum four retirements.
What the hell, let’s do a full championship prediction. If I make enough bets, one of them has to stick, right?
Constructors:
- Ferrari
- Mercedes
- McLaren
- Red Bull
- Haas
- Alpine
- Williams
- Audi
- Racing Bulls
- Cadillac
- Aston Martin
Drivers:
- Leclerc
- Russell
- Hamilton
- Verstappen
- Antonelli
- Piastri
- Hadjar
- Norris
- Ocon
- Gasly
- Bearman
- Sainz
- Hulkenberg
- Albon
- Lawson
- Colapinto
- Bortoleto
- Perez
- Alonso
- Lindblad
- Bottas
- Stroll
Even after testing, this might be the least predictable season for a long time.
Yes, after testing we still don't really know who is fast and who has just been sandbagging. My prediction is that it won't be a close constructor's championship, one of Merc, Ferrari, McLaren, or Red Bull will win comfortably but it will take until mid-season to really see who has the best car, with most teams turning up with major upgrades quite early on.
Leclerc to outqualify Hamilton quite consistently and beat him over the season.
Russell to beat Antonelli over the season, but Antonelli to be much more competitive.
Piastri and Norris to be evenly matched.
Verstappen to destroy Hadjar (plus any poor fool drafted in to replace him mid-season.)
Probably the safest prediction you can make. Every time there is a big regulation shift everyone thinks they know who nailed it and then testing starts and the order looks completely different. I am just hoping for a proper mix up instead of one team disappearing into the distance again.Just getting in there to make sure the thread title is proper and correct! 🤣
I'm not going to predict anything for next season - far too many variables!
Constructors:
- Ferrari
- Mercedes
- McLaren
- Red Bull
- Haas
- Alpine
- Williams
- Audi
- Racing Bulls
- Cadillac
- Aston Martin
I think that's almost the same as my list but it pains me to say as a fan, but I think you've been quite generous to Williams there. I think they'll be behind Audi and Racing Bulls.
My top ten
1. Russell
2. Leclerc
3. Hamilton
4. Norris
5 Piastri
6. Verstappen
7. Antonelli
8. Gasley
9. Hadjar
10 Bearman
I think 4-7 could be in any order though Frankly
I think that's almost the same as my list but it pains me to say as a fan, but I think you've been quite generous to Williams there. I think they'll be behind Audi and Racing Bulls.
I’ve definitely been harsh on Racing Bulls. I’m sort of gambling on Lawson and Lindblad not bringing home the bacon.
Williams, yes, at the moment they look poor. But I think they’ll improve. A handful of decent upgrades and they could be on a par with Alpine. Obviously it’s all wild speculation 🙂