BrawnGP
The recently concluded testing at Barcelona sent shockwaves throughout the F1 paddock regading the high competitiveness of the BrawnGP challenger. With the least amount of testing done, they have already managed to top the speed charts. And not only that, they have managed to put in those quick times quite consistently. This begs a question – Are the BrawnGP really this quick ?
Not a lot should be read into the testing times. A lot of factors come into play, not uncommon among which is the sandbagging that the teams use to not reveal their actual performance pace. This allows them to have an element of surprise going into the first race. Also the fuel loads are not the same for everyone during the testing. Some run longer testing durability and reliability for a race condition, few others test short burst to see if the pace is upto the mark or not and also few, like McLaren says, do not use the complete package that will be used in the race.
However, what BrawnGP has managed to do has amazed even Massa himself, who admitted that Ferrari cannot match the pace of the BrawnGP. Ferrari have been quick, and prior to the Barcelona test they were the ones featuring on the top of the charts. But recent events has thrown things into disarray. McLaren seems to be suffering performance issues. Renault are once again finding themselves lower than what they would have liked to be. Ferrari though quick are not as quick as the BrawnGP.
F60
Also quite a lot can change in a few days once again. Ferrari, BMW and four others have concluded their testing season, but McLaren has another 3 days of testing at Jerez this weekend. Things could turn out in their favour still, with Ron Dennis telling everybody that the aerodynamic package to be used for the Melbourne GP was not used upto now, and will be tested this weekend. If this is indeed true, then they have taken a gamble allowing themselves just 3 days to test their final aerodynamic package.
An interesting rumours that I read regarding the BrawnGP was that they could be running illegal car to top the time sheets and get some sponsorship. With Honda having pulled the plug on its team and Ross Brawn buying out the team, they will be looking for sponsors now. A good performance during the testing season can ensure them just that. I am not trying to accuse Brawn, but its just that he’s a shrewd businessman. If this is not the case, then they have simply managed to produce something magnificient and remarkable into this years championship, and will definitely be one of the main contenders.It could happen that Rubens and Jenson end up chasing each other for the first place in Melbourne, provided the car lasts the distance.
The time is almost up. Within a fortnight it will all be clear who is what. We shall discover the real reason behind BrawnGP pretty soon.
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