Red Bull Racing Friday Practice Views
By Ian Lockwood
March 27 2009
The 2009 Formula 1 season finally got underwat today, with the two Friday Free practice sessions ahead of the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park. The session was a bit hit and miss for Red Bull racing, with some technical problems marring otherwise encouraging pace.
Car 14 MARK WEBBER, 1st Practice P17 2nd Practice P4
"It's great to be back in Australia. I'm proud of the Australian GP; they put on an excellent show here for everyone and it's good for the local people. They've had a tough few months recently with the fires, so I hope they enjoy the weekend. My day today was a bit hit and miss to be honest, as we had a few technical problems with the car. I didn't get many laps in during the first session, but the second was a lot better. We completed more laps and tried both types of tyres, so we've got some good stuff to go through tonight. It was quite interesting to see how low the sun was through the trees towards the end of the second session, it was good to run with that to get used to it for Sunday."
Car 15 SEBASTIAN VETTEL, 1st Practice P20 2nd Practice P8
"We had a bad session in this morning's practice and didn't get too much running, due to a hydraulics problem. In the afternoon we were able to get some laps in, but unfortunately I made a stupid mistake towards the end of the practice, so we couldn't run through our programme. Nevertheless, it's looking alright with what we've done compared to the time we had on the circuit, so let's see how we go tomorrow. Like always on Fridays, it's a bit difficult to interpret everyone's lap times, but I think we can be happy."
CHRISTIAN HORNER, Team Principal:
"After the off-track activities of the last couple of days, it was good to get the weekend under way. There were a couple of issues in the first session - a hydraulics leak with Sebastian and a driveshaft problem with Mark limited our run-time. In the second session both drivers showed good pace and we worked through our programme. Unfortunately Sebastian had a small off, which ended his day early, but both drivers seem comfortable in the car and their pace was respectable."
STATISTICS
MARK WEBBER
First Practice Session Position: 17, Best Time: 1:29.081, Laps: 7, Chassis No. 2 Second Practice Session Position: 4, Best Time 1:26.370, Laps: 30, Chassis No. 2
SEBASTIAN VETTEL
First Practice Session Position: 20, Best Time: 1:32.784, Laps: 4, Chassis No. 3 Second Practice Session Position: 8, Best Time: 1:26.740, Laps: 19, Chassis No. 3
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*cough*
"How'd you find that Seb? Oh right...nevermind!"
http://www.patronisef1.com - My solution to F1's 'bore' problem.
Marko really pummelling Mark:
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Apperantly the frontwing tested at Barcelona didn't work as it should, but the time that was hoped for was found during the last testsession... some translated Q&A's with Marko:
Q: Vettel would have complained that the development was hardly moving forward...
Marko: ''I only heard that from Webber. Lately we tested new parts and have found half a second. Only the frontwing didn't work, it's been adapted for Melbourne once more.''
Q: In which way has the cooperation with STR developed since Berger stepped out of the team ?
Marko: ''The cooperation has been getting better since some time. Toro Rosso may hardly have had any testsessions, they also do benefit from the total transperancy from our data at RBR. They were doing very well at the final testsessions. The engines (of the two teams) have been brought into line along the way also. The Ferrari engine from STR is only still marginally better than our Renault engine.''
Q: Red Bull won't have KERS in Melbourne, right ?
Marko: ''No, we certainly won't be having it during the first races. Our balance and our overall concept are good. Thing is though, that with KERS the weight limit can only be obtained with difficulty. In Vettel's case it would turn out alright but in Webber's case we would have to add 10 kg of ballast. And 10 kg means 0.3 seconds a lap ? Well, that's much too much.''
Q: During testing Webber struggled to keep up with his teammate in terms of speed. Is it down to his leg that was broken ?
Marko: ''No, physically he's fit, the testsessions have proven that. Still, Vettel was 0.5 seconds faster a lap. That's too much. On the other hand Webber has never been outstanding in testing.''
Q: Is Vettel working with the engineers non-stop ?
Marko: ''Yes, he demands the maximum. That's quite a different approach to that of Patrick Friesacher for example. He used to leave the paddock with his girlfriend at 18:00. Vettel only leaves when he's satisfied. Also if things may take till midnight...''
Q: Are McLaren's problems really that big ?
Marko: ''Yes, once you put flow-vis on the car to understand the aerodynamics then you have a big problem. But the team is capable to react to their situation. On the other hand the ban on testing and the restrictions as far as the windtunnel and CFD research hits big teams like McLaren, BMW Sauber and Toyota particularly hard. They can only still use 40 to 50 % of their resources.''
Q: And is that a chance for Red Bull ?
Marko: ''In any case it is. In the past a victory in Formula 1 for Red Bull without a very big budget was impossible, now it is possible. The fact that these excrescences are being contained is the positive thing of the crisis. Still though, the budgets are still too high.''
He doesn't have a high opinion of Helmut Marko, let's just say that. Mark also said that Vettel just shakes his head at times with some of the things that come out of Marko's mouth.
The way Marko reacted to RBR's decision to not renew DC for 2009 (DC was told in Canada, btw) would make the DC fans in here want to lynch the guy. It wasn't done with any class at all.
________________________
Mark Webber - WINNER 2009 German Grand Prix!
________________________
Mark Webber - WINNER 2009 German Grand Prix!
I'm sorry Mr Interviewer, but talk about giving Helmut a loaded question he just was ITCHING to answer.
Is there points for testing now?
Vettel threw the car off the road today, not Mark. And Mark was quicker too. Over to you, Helmut.
________________________
Mark Webber - WINNER 2009 German Grand Prix!
Quote:Vettel threw the car off the road today, not Mark. And Mark was quicker too. Over to you, Helmut.
Vettel threw the car off the road today, not Mark. And Mark was quicker too. Over to you, jez33
The biggest idiot around who regularly puts his foot in his mouth ends up as the preferred "source" for the lowest form of journalist.
Not that I am suggesting any names here of course.
I saw him underperform in A1GP also.
Chris
http://www.patronisef1.com - My solution to F1's 'bore' problem.
Oh hang on, I forgot Jez is a "MASSIVE" Webber fan.
