[erepsysoulperj]

I admit that after seeing the launch pics of the Lotus, I was pretty sure that Virgin might easily win their rivalry this year, but it appears after the first day they are on track together, Lotus by far impressed more:

- no wings fell off their car
- they ran 76 laps right off the bat on their first day, without stopping on track
- their maligned "test driver" Fairuz was actually quicker than Virgin's team leader Glock, who managed just 10 laps

I would say Lotus is on the score sboard with the (very) early lead!

[gariharlj]

I admit that after seeing the launch pics of the Lotus, I was pretty sure that Virgin might easily win their rivalry this year, but it appears after the first day they are on track together, Lotus by far impressed more:

- no wings fell off their car
- they ran 76 laps right off the bat on their first day, without stopping on track
- their maligned "test driver" Fairuz was actually quicker than Virgin's team leader Glock, who managed just 10 laps

I would say Lotus is on the score sboard with the (very) early lead!

To be fair to Virgin - if I recall correctly their first day at Jerez was their first day on track, whereas Lotus have had a shakedown at Silverstone.
I think they've both made a creditable start and it's a bit early to be tallying scores... though I'm sure Lotus won't object because the point you just gave them might be the only one they get this year

[MediconStop]

Virgin had a shakedown at silverstone too

[gariharlj]

Virgin had a shakedown at silverstone too

I stand corrected

[InvertPrete]

Any problems with the Virgin car?

They are half a second behind Lotus in today's test, but Lotus managed 66 more laps. Maybe something happened behind closed doors that didn't allow Virgin to run their full program.

I'm a little disappointed, but I'll hold back my judgment until the next few tests.

[tipoketpu]

I hate to say it, but out of the four new teams these two are doing better than Campos and USF1!

[nikolapegayyyaasss]

Any problems with the Virgin car?

They are half a second behind Lotus in today's test, but Lotus managed 66 more laps. Maybe something happened behind closed doors that didn't allow Virgin to run their full program.

I'm a little disappointed, but I'll hold back my judgment until the next few tests.

and the driver for lotus was Fauzy, they will have better times with Kovalainen and Trully.

[boffincash]

and the driver for lotus was Fauzy, they will have better times with Kovalainen and Trully.

Indeed. Kovy should really turn up the wick tomorrow and based on todays speed perhaps they really can get amoungst the regulars.

As for Virgin - the weather was very variable so I think its too early to write them off as beaten.

Also; how cool is it to be talking about new teams again??

[InvertPrete]

Also; how cool is it to be talking about new teams again??

I know! Feels weird.

[soSldI4i]

I hate to say it, but out of the four new teams these two are doing better than Campos and USF1!

Talk about stating the obvious.

[tipoketpu]

Talk about stating the obvious.

Yes, I am.

It's a shame that the other two do not have their teams together.

[boffincash]

Yes, I am.

It's a shame that the other two do not have their teams together.

Has anyone heard anything about Campos? They had a deadline this week did they not? I really feel for Bruno Senna - he risks becoming the forgotten man if he has to spend another year in the wilderness if this Campos situation is as bad as feared.

[tipoketpu]

Rumors only.

Rumors that they have financial backing.

Nothing about USF1 either except "we're working really hard".

Now I am starting to wonder if either of them will even take part this season.

[boffincash]

Rumors only.

Rumors that they have financial backing.

Nothing about USF1 either except "we're working really hard".

Now I am starting to wonder if either of them will even take part this season.

It does seem stupid that we have one team with no money but a car and the other with very rich backers but no car! Gods, the FIA have really stuffed this up!

[tipoketpu]

Yeah. I guess that is why in another thread the rumor was posted (I don't know from what website) that Campos and USF1 may merge after Dallara buys Campos.

These are strange times and I guess this gives us something to talk about before March 14!

[Cucoulkrory]

I actually think it would be a good thing if Campos and USF1 merged. Makes perfect sense to me. They both have 1 confirmed driver each and both have what the other is lacking. DallaraUSF1 should be the new name.

And best of all, that would mean that Stefan GP would have a slot...
wait...this is the fIA right?
They will find some way to screw this up with some kinda grey rules or something.

Back on topic.
Just on the mere fact that Lotus ran 76 laps with a C-driver coping valiantly with no power steering, whilst Virgin were scared to death to run the car in a light drizzle, is enough for me to give Lotus one extra point. So I scored it 2:0 Lotus

[Peter Hill]

I don't really rate Fauzy, but for him to post those times with no power steering is impressive in what is essentially a shakedown. They weren't pushing for times today it's almost certain.

To be fair to Virgin though, they did manage a full day's laps last week and set competitive times too, so I think 1-0 is a bit much

However I'm disappointed with Virgin having these structural and mechanical issues.

Good start for both of them, but it's a shame that the other two haven't got their acts together and joined them.

Stefan GP would probably be ahead of them both, that's the funny thing.

[boffincash]

Virgin had hydraulic problems today but claim that they fixed them at the end of the day.

Looking forward to hopefully a dry day tomorrow with good runs for both Lotus and Virgin with decent drivers behind the wheel to see what they can really do.

[Cucoulkrory]

Virgin had hydraulic problems today but claim that they fixed them at the end of the day.

Looking forward to hopefully a dry day tomorrow with good runs for both Lotus and Virgin with decent drivers behind the wheel to see what they can really do.

hmm hydraulic problems you say

just out of curiosity, I suspect they built more than one car, and I would hope they would have brought more than one car to the test. Thus if one car has hydraulic problems, they can send the other one out while fixing the first one. After all, They will have to have 2 sets of engineers etc for both cars come the season start and I would have thought that all would show up at the testing.

Am I wrong to assume that teams would bring more than one car to testing?

[cristmiff]

Im not counting any scores until the season start, but good signs for Lotus so far.