Jacques quick

[f1atic]

I may have missed it, but I have seen no threads regarding the performance of Sauber and JV at Jerez.

I know it is only testing and nobody knows what anyone else is really doing. That having been said, JV and his Sauber flat kicked butt for a few days. I rather like the potential, for what it is worth.

[StickShift]

Not only was it testing, it was testing in the wet. Which makes it *so* much more relevant.

[Kicking-back]

It was a tricky test though - some teams running 04 spec, some running 05 spec mock-ups, some running 05 spec hybrids, some running 05 spec simulations.

Add in the mixed weather and it's impossible to draw any conclusions from times.

That said - any words I've seen or heard from Jacques Villeneuve about the test have been positive ones.

[RWC]

It's absolutally impossible to tell from testing how he is going.
I'll only be happy when he's showing ALL of his former speed.Anything less than that will be abit embarrasing to him

[Kirk]

The truth is, with testing so limited at Sauber, to have 3 rain days in a row, it sets them back. For JV personally, any track time is good and he did some lengthy stints for a change. But with Sauber not due to test again until mid January he has only had 1 day of dry running to date in the Sauber. JV stated himself that he is still not in the physical shape he'd like and will be working hard over the holiday season. That Sauber wind tunnel will be getting a good workout in the next month as well.

[go-jordan]

Sauber are running the 2004 spec cars arnt they. Also I feel sauber are running little fuel in their tests to attract sponsers to replace red bull. People may not realise this but Sauber are in deep **** if they do not replace red bull with a decent sponser. All the petronas money goes to pay for the engine which costs 30 odd million(i bet peters goin mad over the fact that jordan are getting their engines off toyota for 10 million. Credit suisse are the only big sponser they have and thatwill not pay for much.

[Kicking-back]

I'm not sure it's fair to say Sauber are in "deep ****" - Peter Sauber has publicly said they've been prepared for this for a long time (losing Red Bull).

[mark_l]

Put the Sauber on the scales and see how quick it goes. Winning the winter championship doesn't mean anything

Posting quick times is one way to attract potential sponsors.

[raul_iulian]

But He Is Quick! :d

[BootsOntheSide]

Testing means nothing until teams are usuing genuine 2005 configurations. It'd be no surprise if Sauber are running light to look for sponsors - although I'm sure Sauber have enough to comfortably survive the next couple of years, I doubt they have enough to really maximise their potential at present. I'll be wary of really assessing Jacques before the season's underway, especially as Massa started last season so strongly.

[ASCII Man]

But at least he's adjusting well to the car.

°silently waits in the bushes for yet another 'Testing means nothing' post...°

[ralf fan]

ASCii testing doesnt mean a thing...

[f1manoz]

JV topping the time sheets will give both driver and team a bit of confidence heading into the 'real' testing next year.

[go-jordan]

But they are not running 2005 spec cars. The car jordan are running would be legal to run next year.Yet they were only 5 seconds off JV yesterday(saturday). And considering all that there is not much to gloat about considering the amount of downforce lost with the new regs. Were the cars not supposed to be 5 to 10 seconds slower with the new regs?

[ASCII Man]

Originally Posted by ralf fan

ASCii testing doesnt mean a thing...

Ah Ralf, i see you have ditched my quote in your sig.
Thanks!

[f1atic]

Better weather today and Sauber still leave Jerez with the top time.
Light fuel or not, a quickest time on the track for a week, weather or not (pardon my pun) playing into it does indicate something.

[Mr V]

The other guys might as well not turn up next year then, Sauber WCC's and JV WDC, sorted!

[ASCII Man]

That would suit me just fine!

[Knowlesy]

Well, I suppose you've got to hold onto the dream....

[Dov]

JV has exactly the same chance at winning the WDC as Ruebins, Kimi, Button and Montoya...... 0%!

I wish schumi would retire, F1 would be more exciting to watch then. JMO.

[Wrex]

Testing means nothing, true, but its still a positive to see JV on form. After a less than average period with Renault, Sauber need to give him every mile they can.

For all that is wrong with JV, I'm sure nobody doubts how quick he can be when all the planets are lined up. Lets at least give him until the new season before we doubt his pace.

[Redlake27]

The switch of tyres seems to have unlocked some of the potential too. This reminds me of BAR last winter when they switched to Michelin.

It is interesting that Ferrari did not block the move to Michelin.......As it is not like Ross Brawn to cover all bases, maybe he wants as much info as possible should F1 go to a control tyre in 2006?

[Glen]

I don't know why you'd expect Ferrari to block Sauber going to Michelin. I do believe that the switch will give them more speed, but they aren't going to suddenly start winning races.

[ASCII Man]

A couple of podiums would be nice, and that's probably the best that we can expect from Jacques, Massa and Sauber.

[Glen]

There's an awful lot of quality opposition to get through before a podium or two is possible... I'd be surprised if they managed it.