What did we learn from the first pre-season test at Jerez?

With the second pre-season test at Barcelona starting this weekend, I have decided to present my findings and evaluations from the first pre-season test at Jerez earlier this month.

Even though my findings and evaluations from the first pre-season test are not accurate in terms of which teams are competitive and which teams aren't, this provides us with at least something to look at and also see if this will also translate in the last two pre-season tests at Barcelona.

Here are my top ten findings and evaluations from the first pre-season test at Jerez earlier this month:-

1. Mercedes are yet again getting more reliable- Nico Rosberg set the tone for the four-day test with his opening day tally of 157 laps in the W06. In all, Mercedes notched up the most laps of anyone with 516 laps which 308 of those laps being Rosberg completed in his two days in the car. Sebastian Vettel admitted some 'lap envy' to the media about the performance of the Mercedes W06 and this has to be a good sign of progress as we head into the second pre-season test.

2. McLaren made a stuttering start in Jerez – In contrast to Mercedes, the new McLaren-Honda partnership got off to a poor start with Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso completing just 12 laps across the opening two days. In total, they managed 79 laps during the first pre-season test which is the equivalent of most teams' single day running. Eric Boullier stated to the media after the test had ended that he was hoping that after their first day problems that they would be able to put in 60 laps in one day, but a whole raft of engine problems including oil leaks and failing fuel pumps made them pack up early and leaving them with a lot of work to do in the final two pre-season tests in Barcelona to be a competitive shape for Melbourne next month.

3. There was a mixed reaction to Red Bull's new camouflage livery- The camouflage livery that the Red Bull team rolled out in Spain sparked mixed reviews with pundits and fans of the sport with many on social media such as Twitter stating that they loved it or in fact that they hated the livery and in one case made them sick! Christian Horner told reporters in Jerez that it had been inspired by a Sebastian Vettel helmet design from last season and made it difficult for other teams to spot innovative tweaks to the bodywork. A new official livery will be unveiled before Melbourne and I really hope personally that it will be the livery that we all know and expect from the Red Bull team.

4. Ferrari had a very encouraging first test- There is no denying that Ferrari had a better first pre-season test than last season and ended the week in Jerez with the fastest time of all set by Kimi Raikkonen on Wednesday afternoon. The SF-15T was fastest on three of the four days. But it was another Ferrari-engined car, the Sauber of Felipe Nasr in Banco do Brasil colours that took the glory on Tuesday. But nevertheless, the steps that Ferrari have made so far are encouraging and many eyes will be upon to see if they can keep this level of performance up in the last two pre-season tests in Barcelona.

5. Sauber were accused of putting in low-fuel runs on soft tyres- It has been suggested in the paddock and by many pundits that Sauber used low-fuel in their running to get some cheap publicity at the top of the timesheets. On Day Four, they tries running with so little in the tank that they ran out of fuel and brought out a red flag, later tweeting that it was caused by 'taking fuel out for a fuel check'. But even if this is true or not, any publicity is good publicity and Sauber will use what they achieved from the first test as a platform to build on in Barcelona this weekend.

6. Five drivers on the grid are happier than last season- Kimi Raikkonen, Romain Grosjean, Felipe Massa, Marcus Ericsson (who had tested last year's Sauber in Abu Dhabi) and Pastor Maldonado all said their cars felt better than last year's model. For all of the five drivers mentioned, this can only be positive and will spur them on to build on what they achieved in the first pre-season test.

7. Renault suffered from limited running of their new engine unit- Renault have stated after the test had finished in Jerez that they suffered from limited running thanks to worries about what they call “a stupid part” of the engine. The part in question is a small metallic shaft that is an integral part of the Renault ERS water pump. Renault’s managing director Cyril Abiteboul revealed that it had failed in dyno testing at the Paris factory the week before the Jerez test and so teams had to limit their stints in case it failed out on the track. But hopefully the data that Renault gained from the first test and also working closely with their customers can make improvements that will benefit them this weekend and also in the season ahead.

8. Daniil Kvyat got the unofficial 'duh' moment of the test- On the Monday morning of the Jerez test, Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat ran off the track during an early installation lap damaging the only front wing that the team had built for its new RB11. And so all serious running came to an end. The Red Bull team had decided to build the car very late and it had only just passed the crash tests in time. Christian Horner decided to save a bit of face by sending Kvyat out without a front wing for a few laps, presumably to simulate what an opening lap might be like when he hits Sergio Perez or Marcus Ericsson. But Red Bull were able to get a new front wing sent out to the track and Kvyat was able to get sufficient running in before the Jerez test ended on the Wednesday afternoon.

9. Lotus arrived at the circuit late- Due to issues with the car and also transportation issues, Lotus only managed to get the E23 out on track at Jerez on Day Two of the test. Considering the fact that Lotus believed that they wouldn't run until Day 3 of the test, it was a fantastic achievement to get the car ready overnight. However their first forays with a Mercedes engine yielded 41 laps and a very happy Pastor Maldonado who was happy with the car performed and behaved. But the fact that Lotus arrived late, they were able to gain some mileage which will help them improve the car further and aim for more at the Barcelona test this weekend.

10. Force India missed the test- Force India missed the first test at Jerez because they hadn't got their car ready and preferring to go straight to Barcelona on February 19th. But on Day Three of the test, they revealed that it might not even be ready until the final test of the season in Barcelona, however this week it has been announced by Team Principal Bob Fernley that due to issues with Toyota's contract with Caterham and also with suppliers, this has contributed to being behind the VJM08. But let's hope that Force India are able to sort out issues with the suppliers most importantly and push with everything they have to get the car in the best position possible for the tests in Barcelona and also for the start of the season next month as they have a lot of catching up to do.

What are your thoughts about the first pre-season test in Jerez? I'd love to know if you agree with what I have said or not. But with the first pre-season test at Barcelona approaching this weekend, many pundits and fans will be wondering if Ferrari and Sauber have the performance that they first showed in Jerez, if Mercedes can still be the most reliable team in regards to mileage and also if McLaren-Honda can get sufficient running that they need to be in the best possible position for Melbourne on the 16th March.
Driving for Pleasure will be covering the first pre-season test at Barcelona this weekend and will be providing daily reports on the test session.

Sarah Jones