Alvin's Formula One Blog

Yes yes, testing doesn't prove anything. Fastest times during tests doesn't mean anything. I've heard that a thousand times. Especially from those fans whose teams didn't do too well during testing. Well guess what, they do mean something. Maybe not much but 0.1 is still more than 0. Testing still shows how reliable a car is or is going to be, how fast a car can go during a qualifying run or how fast it really is compared to rivals on different tyres as Rosberg showed. Splitting the two Lotus drivers on the timesheets with medium rubbers, he was only 0.254s off Romain Grosjean's best which was set on the new super-soft rubber and in the same conditions as Grosjean’s, That doesn't tell you anything? Are you sure you're a F1 fan? So why have tests if it means nothing? The teams spent millions on tests for what? To prove nothing? A marketing exercise? So shut yer trap and enjoy the stats below. Draw your own conclusions too and may that strengthen your supp...

2015 is here and we're 2 months away from the first race. It's been a nice short winter to be honest, I didn't really feel the withdrawal symptoms much this time. The new cars have been launched fast and simple, no big launches with fancy settings and the such. All 8 teams have showed their cars and run them at the first test of the year in Jerez, Spain. Ferrari seem to be topping the time sheets but as usual testing times are not representative of anything. Or are they? If you know what to look for you'd know that Mercedes are still strong and probably not concerned about fast times. They are reliable, qualifying times can always be worked out later. McLaren's troubles are expected, we'll see how good Honda really is soon. Engine Manufacturer Test Mileage - Jerez Engine Manufacturer Miles Kms Mercedes 2707.4 4356.98 Ferrari 2011.3 3236.74 Renault 14...

We've read so many predictions and wish lists for 2015. usually those are from armchair pundits who have an outside knowldge of F1, maybe years of viewing experience. But it could never compare to actual F1 people in the industry who work on cars and teams day and night. James Allen has exclusive access to these people and I'm just so thankful that he shares these insider insights with us. So for those who missed it, here is a reproduction of one such insight. Original article can be found HERE . Over the last few days we have previewed the new F1 season, highlighting what could be the big talking points of the year. Today it’s the turn of JA on F1 technical adviser Dominic Harlow (below), formerly chief operations engineer at Force India, to run his eye over the areas for fans to focus on in 2015. We are always trying to bring the fans closer to the sport and here Dom goes behind the scenes to look at the key areas the engineers will be working on and therefore the...

The 2015 power unit homologation saga has taken an unnecessary and complicated twist recently. We all know this is due to the FIA and Bernie's love for making things more complicated than they already are. Honda which has entered back the sport and who has had a 1 year learning curve was denied freedom to evolve their engine for 2015 but now the FIA has agreed to allow Honda to develop its power unit in 2015 in line with rival manufacturers. Previously, the Japanese manufacturer, which returns to F1 with McLaren this season, looked set to lose out as it was treated as a new manufacturer and thereby subject to 2014 homologation regulations. Ferrari and Renault, seizing on a loophole in the regulations, were able to put the FIA into a position whereby homologation was allowed to continue in to the season whereas in 2014 there was clear cut off date (28 February). However, as a new manufacturer entering the sport, Honda was deemed as being subject to the 2014 regulations, a move...