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What is a good test performance?

Formula One
by cristal264 (U13462208) 19 November 2008
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Both Bruno Senna and Lucas di Grassi are testing with Honda at the moment.

Senna still has half a day of testing to go when presumably he will get quicker as he gets ever more used to the car, but he is currently about 0.9 seconds a lap slower than Button (based on their fastest laps). Di Grassi's fastest lap yesterday was some 0.5 seconds slower than Button's.

Both drivers are testing an F1 car for the first time so it is expected that they will be outpaced by Button who is a veteran and no slouch at that! To add to that the cars have not been set up specifically for them and it is a steep learning curve, so I think both have done reasonably well so far even if they haven't set the world alight.

However what would constitute a really good first testing performance from a rookie and indicate a special talent? Would that be matching the lead driver? 0.250 off the pace?

Does anyone have any examples from past seasons?

I know Raikonnen took to F1 like a duck to water. How did Hamilton do in his first F1 test?

Thanks for any comments.

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comment by willy86 (U1292790)

posted Nov 20, 2008

I believe the GP2 Monaco races were dry this year - however, even then, winning around the streets takes some talent.

It's funny though - one year ago all the forums I read were against di Grassi winning the GP2 title or getting any drives because they didn't rate and believed that he was only there because of consistency and not speed. Now, apart from his first two weekends, he's put together a more inconsistent season, but with more wins and everyone think he's the bees knees.

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posted Nov 20, 2008

Its a shame because i think they are both Piquet JNR's level good but nothing special. It would show a lack of ambition to me to sign one of them and to sign Senna would just be on the old Senna-Honda relationship of the past.

I would suggest looking at Sato, Bourdais, Davidson, Klien etc before these 2 as they are not ready yet.

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posted Nov 20, 2008

The picture of Bruno Senna wearing Honda overalls gave me goosebumps

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posted Nov 20, 2008

y's that cause he was frezzing cold
or because his surname is senna.

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posted Nov 20, 2008

It would be fantastic to see the name Senna again in F1 and again linked to Honda but Mr Brown has to choose carefully in the intrest of the team.
At least he has the luxury of choosing between such talented guys.
I am waiting in antisipation.

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posted Nov 21, 2008

I would like Honda to give either of the young guns a shot as it might give Button a kick in the pants

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posted Nov 28, 2008

Honda should be re signing Barricello. He is far better than both. Beat Jenson on points and in qualifying. Shouldnt JB be fighting for his place?

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posted Nov 28, 2008

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/71999

Read that.

It explains why Barrichello was faster than Button - the car was only developed (coincidentally) in areas that benefited Barrichello e.g. brakes.

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posted Nov 28, 2008

damawa42 good link, now i understand why Button wasn't very good in the car. I would seem that because of his smooth driving style the brakes never really suited him. I guess this means Barrichello is more of an aggresive driver.

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comment by GM (U1645165)

posted Nov 28, 2008

Another way of interpreting those comments is Ross saying that Jenson is more demanding of a car to fit in with his particular driving style, rather than being quick in whatever he's given.

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