Right...looking here: http://www.grandprix.com/race/r825q1report.html reveals that the Pirelli stated pole of 1:20.981 for Barcelona 2011 is incorrect and the correct Qualy time was 1:19.995 by Weber followed by all the usual suspects of McLaren, Ferrari Renault and Merc but also mid-field Sauber, Kobay (10th) rounding out the top 10...all running soft Pirelli. For the last of these, the lap time was 1:21.984 or a 1.989 sec differential relative to pole. So it is clear my argument falls apart since Kamui/Sauber, midfield team, was slower in Barcelona 2012 testing at 1:22.312 relative to race for pole in 2011...differential between best 2012 testing to pole 2012 is 2.317 sec.
Bottom Line: Still too early to tell if rest of field is getting closer to top three w/o the benefits of DD and blown exhausts.

Later, Ken

For the two back markers, this has to B the worse last two weeks: Now both HRT and Marussia have failed the crash test with the last of these just announced here: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97710 ...these two R in no sence of the word a functioning team when this basic criterion is not met at this late date...how can they, no, should they B allowed to survive is my question?...if their tub is bad, what about all the rest of the car's working components? What potential sponser, in their right mind, would throw advert. money at any of these two is beyond me. The FIA needs to take out the "big hook" from backstage and pull these two out...they just R not prepared, much less qualified, to B on the F1 grid.

Later, Ken

It is interesting the extent to which the above R trying to hold on to exhaust mapping despite FIA's objective to eliminate same:http://formula-one.speedtv.com/artic...mpdown-report/.

IMHO, I would think efforts and resources should have been focused more on developing new methods/approaches rather than trying to utilize a loophole and hope to go undetected...but this why I am a spectator rather than a participant in F1.

Later, Ken

Come on now Ken. With championships, and millions, at stake, anybody that has a performance advantage is going to do everything in their power to keep that advantage if they think they have a chance to do that. I bet even you in your sainthood would do that.

I have been called many things in my life but a saint is not one of them...or should I say, a person possesing saintly thoughts and actions...I have been trying to attain such using Ferrari as the demon...not quite there yet in the forgive and forget category

That said, we will all have to have increased patience, as opposed to sainthood, when it comes to the upcoming races for 2012: speed limit in pit lane lowered from 62 to 37mph...so entry into and out of pits will feel like "a hell of a long time".

Later, Ken

^ no more 3 pit stops strategy

^ Still all gonna come down to tire wear.

Maybe this give an edge to someone like Button who is easy on his tires...? Time will tell.

Well, I guess it is not surprising...FIA now rejects reduced pit speed limit (http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227...limit-proposal )...back to 62mph...can't these peeps make up their mind?

Later, Ken

Its not the pit speed that pose the danger, its the driving side by side in the pit lane.

We saw more of that last year than in any other season I can remember.

Well, it seems Ferrari's attempts at "radical design" have come up short in the area of the car that has the most promise: http://www.yallaf1.com/2012/03/03/fe...tional-system/ ...this can only B a setback for them with the only hope for the other parts of their new design paying off.
What is interesting for my camp is Sauber apparently has a similar exhaust layout as RB's revealed today...Uhoooh!...I think GG just had a nervous twitch

Later, Ken

RBR doing something the same as Sauber likely explains why they're not showing the same dominance early on this year like they did the last couple of years.

What is interesting is the best of the pack, Sauber BTW, is still >2sec slower than qualy last year's race. Now they all have been running on soft and super soft and low fuel so it is unclear whether they are sandbagging or they cannot make up for lost downforce from new regs relative to last year. Clearly they should go better than 1:22 but perhaps not below 1:20...won't NO for sure till Bacelona '12'.

Later, Ken

Latest RB8 looks impressive, so does the McLaren and I really, really hope Caterham can give the mid-pack a run for its money. Ferrari is not looking so good. Wouldn't be surprised if both Mercedes and Lotus end up ahead of them.

l8r)

Yes, and I may be in the minority but I am looking forward to total domination by Vettel again. Although I guess it would be more exciting if the other drivers figured a way out to keep up. I wouldn't mind seeing Button beat up on his team mate again. These 2 weeks leading up to the start if 2012 better move by fast. I am getting anxious.

And this Vergne may turn out to be Webber's nightmare. But of course too soon to tell. I take winter testing with a grain of salt.