21-02-2014, 17:00
On Thursday, both Mercedes and Ferrari did race-distance simulation runs with Nico Rosberg and Fernando Alonso. In theory, these should give a better comparison of relative performance than one-off lap times. There are still endless variables - the spec of the engine and chassis, different tyre compounds, whether they met fuel-usage requirements, etc, and the distances were not exactly the same - Alonso did 11 more laps. And there is of course room for user (me) error. But the average lap times are fascinating. Alonso's was 1:42.84; Rosberg's 1:42.65. Less than 0.2secs difference. Alonso said on Thursday that he expected the first race to be "a great competition". On that basis, he's not far wrong. There's a proviso, though. Rosberg's fastest time of the day - a 1:36.965 - came during this period. Alonso didn't get anywhere near that until later."
Andrew benson BBC
Andrew benson BBC
Fernando es de otro planeta