Day 5 (Week 2 Day 2) Testing Highlights




Link to original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1MdTT-b-5M

Day six is half over now and it's still hard to tell who can produce the goods.
One thing looks certain. Williams has mostly closed the gap to the back after that terrible last year.
The rest of the pack seems to have closed up. That's to be expected since the rules are so similar to last year. Hopefully the changes next year won't re-open the gap.

Testing is done. Bottas fastest time for both weeks.

14 Days to FP1 in Melbourne!




Link to original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf3t7y0IUMo

Now lets hope this virus panic doesn't wipe out the first part of the season.
We'll know who's really fastest after Q3 in Australia or where ever it happens.

With the travel restrictions and quarantine rules of Vietnam and Bahrain it looks like F1 is trying to find a way to get teams there from restricted countries/areas and be able to run the races. Chartered jet and entry screening, restricted paddock access, etc. Who knows if we'll have fans in the stands.

Brawn has already come out with statement that without all teams at these races they won't be run, at least not as a F1 points race. Not positive he has the authority to make that decision on his own in his role, but it does make sense.

What a mess.

Less than a week finally!!

Glad to be back to racing. Hoping for a full season [less China].

Have read that Bahrain may be run 'behind closed doors'.

Link to original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiZo2Mvuvp4

“The Australian Grand Prix was thrown into doubt today when McLaren dramatically pulled out of the race after one of their team members tested positive for coronavirus…”

https://mol.im/a/8104323

2 HAAS staff are self-quarantining as well.

Hope this season doesn't turn into a complete mess.

I'd give it a 50/50 chance at best now.
I can see having the public stuff in open air but now that they are already there, what's the point. Now the teams will all have to get on an enclosed airplane and go somewhere.

Haven't seen it officially, but have read that a majority of teams have voted to cancel the Australian GP.

And, it's official.

https://www.formula1.com/en/la...cd77WbO6T0MGoO7.html

RATS!

Apparently 50/50 is exactly what it was until Mercedes leaned on its teams.

Sad. Half the season is gone. At best.

Imagine the impact all down the grid and in factories. Huge team losses in sponsors and contracts, driver contracts, mechanics, foodies, whatever. Then imagine how inconsequential even those numbers are globally.

Crazy times.

Australia cancelled, Bahrain & Vietnam postponed.
Season expected to start with Zandvoort in May, pending any further revision.

https://www.formula1.com/en/la...PBevqVc6Mg2kfgH.html

Brawn says not to expect a summer break. They will try to race through as much as they can with 2 day events to allow for more travel.

Fingers crossed that Zandvoort starts the season & not later (Spain/Monza, or further).

Plenty of time to start working on those 2021 cars now and use some of this years budget.
I wonder how many will run out of funds due to this? I'm guessing Europe will be one of the hardest hit areas before this is over.

My son and I just got our tickets for the Canadian GP in the mail yesterday. Hope it isn't cancelled, but it's probably not a good bet that it won't be.