Schumacher returns to the track
Yesterday was the first day of pre-season testing for the F1 teams and Michael Schumacher returned to the track after a three year absence, another return was that of Massa.
Both drivers impressed with Massa topping the times and Schumacher posting a faster time than Nico Rosberg, round one to Michael it seems. The Renault of Kubica seemed to be way off the pace but then Kubica can have trouble getting up to speed sometimes and this is the first day of testing - though with the limited testing that they have I’d be surprised if anyone was really just taking it slow.
With all the main teams at the test bar Red Bull it really shows that the new teams are up against it, I think it’s Virgin who’ll start testing first but it seems strange to miss days of valuable testing, perhaps they think they’ll need it later in the year.
There have also been a good few car launches over the last few days and none more low key than the Sauber launch but then they go and post the second fastest time of day 1, is this going to be a repeat of the Brawn success? I wouldn’t go that far but they may be a dark horse for the season.
Good Hunting
F1: bruno senna campos meta lotus mercedes sauber us f1 virgin racing
by Rob
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Which one of the new boys…
This year F1 sees the addition of four new teams, that’s if you don’t count the arrival Mercedes and the reappearance of Sauber. These teams are Lotus - backed by a Malaysian airline, Virgin Racing - Richard Branson, US F1 - Peter Windsor of F1 racing fame and Campos Meta and ex drivers team.
From the sound of it Campos Meta may already be struggling for finances, the only real thing they have going for them is Bruno Senna, and I’m sure one of the other teams will pick him up if they fail to make the grade - it seems to me that they are a lot of vacancies around…
US F1 have a lot of investment behind them so I’d expect them to make the GPs this year though I’m not sure how well they will perform, I don’t really see any F1 experience in the team which seems to count for an awful lot in this sport.
Virgin Racing have gone for a risky design strategy with a CFD only car, is it their preferred method or a way of saving cash? Anyway they look like they are up for it and do have some F1 talent on board.
Lotus - well apart from not really being lotus they are a new team, Lotus were a bit before my F1 time and so they don’t hold the same nostalgia value for me. With Mike Gascoyne at the helm I think they do have the best chance next year.
It’s a hard decision, which one of these teams to back, I think that Lotus have the best chance but I’m afraid they just don’t excite me which is why I’m going to plump for Virgin Racing, they give off a good vibe - lets hope that translates into performance on track.
Good Hunting