Breaking news
Formula 1
Faltering start to first test of 2014
Slow start to the 2014 season...
GMM
Edited: Jan 28, 2014, 1:15 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Jan.28 (GMM) F1 teams got off to a faltering start on Tuesday as the sport's brave new V6 era began.
Some were not even at the starting gate for the start of the first of just three four-day winter tests, as Lotus and Marussia do not have their 2014 cars in southern Spain.
Marussia, however, is en route.
"Very pleased to report that the MR03 is now on its way to Jerez," the team, having earlier flagged minor technical trouble, said on Twitter. "Our garage awaits you!"
Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari F14-T leaves the pits
Photo by: XPB Images
Other teams, notably McLaren and reigning world champions Red Bull, had not done a single lap at the time of writing, deep into the afternoon.
Williams' new car also has not been seen on track, while the Sauber has only done three laps so far.
According to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, Red Bull designer Adrian Newey blamed the RB10's track absence on a "silly" problem.
He also raised an alarm about the new, low front wings, arguing not only that they are ugly, but they might also be dangerous.
The reduced height is supposed to minimise the risk of cars being launched into the air, but "I am concerned the opposite may now happen, that cars now submarine effectively," said Newey.
Force India's newly-launched car, with Sergio Perez at the wheel, failed on its installation lap.
And even the most prolific car of the opening day so far, Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes, only lasted 18 laps until the front wing failed under braking for turn one.
Ferrari's start was also faltering, with Kimi Raikkonen stopping on his installation lap before the silent F14-T was returned to the pits on a truck.
The Finn returned to the track in the afternoon, but long before Caterham had even turned a lap.
"We're nearing 'fire up and go' time," the green-coloured team, having earlier delayed its official launch rollout, said at 2pm.
Italy's Autosprint, meanwhile, reports that Charlie Whiting has defused the first two technical feuds of the season.
The first was about Ferrari's reluctance to install a beefier security cover over its turbo unit, while Lotus' unusual 'double nose' had also raised eyebrows up and down pitlane.
"We have passed all the necessary crash tests," Lotus technical director Nick Chester said on Tuesday, "and we are very confident that our design complies with all the FIA legal requirements.
"Where there are so many variations in design, there is always bound to be a little talk, but we remain relaxed and focussed on our design and progression."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Caterham launch delayed, three more new cars revealed
Next article New Red Bull passed crash tests mere days ago
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
GMM
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Formula 1
Formula 1
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Formula 1
Formula 1
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Formula 1
Formula 1
Chinese GP
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
More from
Lewis Hamilton
Oscar Piastri on his Singapore puncture: “Ironically, it probably helped”
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Oscar Piastri on his Singapore puncture: “Ironically, it probably helped”
Why Ferrari caved in to Lewis Hamilton’s failed Singapore F1 gamble
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Why Ferrari caved in to Lewis Hamilton’s failed Singapore F1 gamble
More from
Ferrari
Ferrari promotes F2 racer to F1 reserve driver role
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Ferrari promotes F2 racer to F1 reserve driver role
The six drivers doing double duty in Portimao GTWCE and Barcelona WEC this weekend
WEC
WEC
Barcelona
The six drivers doing double duty in Portimao GTWCE and Barcelona WEC this weekend
Latest news
WRC star Thierry Neuville makes successful historic circuit racing debut
WRC
WRC WRC 19 min
WRC star Thierry Neuville makes successful historic circuit racing debut
Christian Horner: Kimi Antonelli has 'earned' the right to be Mercedes' number one
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
1 h
Christian Horner: Kimi Antonelli has 'earned' the right to be Mercedes' number one
FIA ratifies key 2027 WRC sporting regulations
WRC
WRC WRC 3 h
FIA ratifies key 2027 WRC sporting regulations
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe