2007 British F3 International Series silly season - Page 12

**bella** · 1 Mar 2007, 16:56 (Ref:1854719)

mst has nothing on their website yet, so i'd say probably not.

bear in mind that it's only just gone 5 at silverstone, and an hour away at my desk it's still sunny and bright outside...

strider · 1 Mar 2007, 22:02 (Ref:1854953)

There was no timing at Silverstone today as the teams didn't want it. They are still running on an assortment of tyres, so the times could have been misleading.

Manor Motorsport joined the party with their quartet of F3 Euroseries drivers, Yelmer Buurman, James James, Frank Mailleux and Cindy Alleman, so there were 32 cars on track.

META4 · 1 Mar 2007, 22:08 (Ref:1854960)

yes there are some pics on the sutton's website

MikeHoyer · 5 Mar 2007, 18:10 (Ref:1859065)

For those that are interested in such things, Brazillian Marcello Thomaz tested the second Ultimate Mygale at Snetterton today.

lovebritF3 · 5 Mar 2007, 22:31 (Ref:1859245)

snett times (morning session) : http://www.formula3.cc/content/view/14814/2/

META4 · 5 Mar 2007, 22:40 (Ref:1859253)

Asmer was missing due to Testing in Japan

strider · 6 Mar 2007, 15:05 (Ref:1859854)

You can actually get all the times for yesterday and today from MST Sports Timing and the format has been changed today to show the chassis and engine, which should resolve any questions about those

climb · 6 Mar 2007, 15:21 (Ref:1859864)

Yes, now the reports are more complete

Obizzz · 6 Mar 2007, 15:25 (Ref:1859869)

Looking good for Seb

Suze · 6 Mar 2007, 15:48 (Ref:1859886)

It's only a test...and we don't know who exactly was testing what.

Obizzz · 6 Mar 2007, 15:51 (Ref:1859890)

Of course tests are tests but still being in the top times isn't bad no matter what

Suze · 6 Mar 2007, 15:53 (Ref:1859893)

No...he just better hope it continues into the season

Obizzz · 6 Mar 2007, 16:03 (Ref:1859895)

of course it will.. he's from Sweden

strider · 7 Mar 2007, 00:22 (Ref:1860223)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suze

It's only a test...and we don't know who exactly was testing what.

I believe they were all in Formula 3 cars.

Flavio Galtieri · 7 Mar 2007, 08:45 (Ref:1860394)

Test times just confirm that UK F3 is now a three class formula.

Anyone running a Honda should have negotiated a serious discount from their team.

META4 · 7 Mar 2007, 09:00 (Ref:1860414)

they should do like FFord Zetec and Duratec...

runshaw · 7 Mar 2007, 12:16 (Ref:1860531)

Max Chilton is doing a good job, 15 years old and sixth fastest!

strider · 7 Mar 2007, 12:53 (Ref:1860558)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flavio Galtieri

Test times just confirm that UK F3 is now a three class formula.

Anyone running a Honda should have negotiated a serious discount from their team.

No offence, but it's remarks like that make me understand why some of the teams don't like the test days being timed. You really shouldn't read too much into the times, e.g. Albert Costa 7th fastest overall yesterday in a National Class car? No way, or perhaps I mean no weight!

Of course Mercedes look good because, with one or two exceptions, they have the best teams and the best drivers. It's also a well known fact that NBE run their engines very conservatively in testing. It would be really interesting to see Maro Engel re-appear in a Mugen-Honda powered car...

There's also the tyre factor. Carlin were still running '06 tyres. I'm not sure about Fortec, but the times from now on will be more relevant because the definitive '07 tyre will be in use by everyone.

climb · 7 Mar 2007, 13:31 (Ref:1860584)

good point strider, yet I think Flavio's basically right, cos there is no evidence that, for instance, Honda engined cars were running in the most unfavourable setting. Maybe they've taken some advantage too.

If none of them has been able to mark a good time, it's very likely that the suspected engine gap is an unplesant reality. And Carlin switching to Mercedes sounds like an indirect confirmation of it..

strider · 7 Mar 2007, 15:22 (Ref:1860667)

Carlin switching to Mercedes was as a result of market forces. If the drivers and their people think they have to have a Mercedes engine to win, then that's the route a team like Carlin has to follow. They're probably more determined to win back the British F3 title from Double R than Alonso is to win a third world title in a row!

It's all a matter of perception, not helped by Mercedes throwing in free engines here and there. Personally I don't think there's anything wrong with the NBE Mugen-Honda engine and they're much better people to deal with, too, but I know I'm in the minority.

**bella** · 7 Mar 2007, 16:54 (Ref:1860721)

i suspect that nbe probably can't afford to throw in the free engines here and there as well. and while they don't have the advantage on track (allegedly), that's the sort of activity they should be indulging in. it's either absorb the cost of such an exercise, or risk losing all customers for 2008.

that's my prediction, anyway. doomsday or not, it's the way the market may move unless they're able to present a new evolution or modification or whatever it's called that rivals the current mercedes.

strider · 7 Mar 2007, 17:06 (Ref:1860731)

You're right on all counts. It's not doomsday, it's reality.

Of course what happens if at some point the DaimlerChrysler board think they should be spending their money elsewhere and drop F3, having made the point, is another matter altogether.

**bella** · 7 Mar 2007, 17:15 (Ref:1860739)

then i suspect the entire motorsport world is in trouble

strider · 8 Mar 2007, 01:40 (Ref:1861109)

I wouldn't miss Mercedes in the least.

strider · 8 Mar 2007, 14:55 (Ref:1861510)

Slightly off topic, but last year's champion, Mike Conway, has been taken under Honda's wing. Story: http://www.fota.co.uk/newsitem.php?key=571. It kinda suggests that more people take notice of BF3 than some still imagine.

The media day for this year's Series is at Silverstone next Thursday, when there may be further surprises in store.

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