BMW speed boost at Monaco

[E46Fanatic]

Yesterday's testing times revealed some improved performances from JV. JV is much easier on the tyres than NH and has a special soft compound which suits his driving style. Wednesday, May 17th 20061. Alonso Renault (M) 1:05.363 1222. Kovalainen Renault (M) 1:05.546 1113. Villeneuve BMW-Sauber (M) 1:05.563 1484. Klien Red Bull-Ferrari (M) 1:05.577 505. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:05.624 1436. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:05.686 1207. Montoya McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:06.008 1218. Coulthard Red Bull-Ferrari (M) 1:06.083 479. Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:06.266 7510. R.Schumacher Toyota (B) 1:06.333 11211. Liuzzi Toro Rosso-Cosworth (M) 1:06.369 16912. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (M) 1:06.619 93Some comments from a team insider:---------------Jacques tested a new rearwing design, most importantly though was testing "his" soft tyre constructions aka he ran his own special programme.The team found out that the tyre choice made by Jacques was the right one resulting in a good performance boost of the car, quite bigger than initially expected hence the "very interesting information" comment.Its unusual to find such a chunk of speed at once, so this really helped the team.Michelin brought several soft compounds based on different constructions to this test session, now the team evaluated what works best and adjusts the setup according to it.It also provided good data on where to go development wise for suspension and general mechanical setup.Knowing the car can easily go for more than half a race on soft compounds, this leaves some very good options open for Monaco.

 

[ALBundy]

Yeah, in recent interviews JV even offered to pay for the soft tires, if Michelin makes them. Apparently their F1 machine is suffering due to lack of grip. The way JV is driving this year, with a competitive car, he could spring a few suprises!

 

[feisaldzul]

go JV...its gonna be one hell of a traffic jam during qualifyin at monaco

 

[E46Fanatic]

Its looking very good for BMW F1 Team

Paul Ricard - 18/05/2006
1 . J. Villeneuve - BMW Sauber F1.06 - 1:25.379 (+ 0.000 ) - 125 laps
2 . H. Kovalainen - Renault R26 - 1:25.736 (+ 0.357 ) - 121 laps
3 . P. de la Rosa - McLaren Mercedes MP4-21 - 1:25.834 (+ 0.455 ) - 120 laps
4 . R. Kubica - BMW Sauber F1.06 - 1:25.931 (+ 0.552 ) - 97 laps
5 . F. Alonso - Renault R26 - 1:26.033 (+ 0.654 ) - 63 laps
6 . D. Coulthard - Red Bull Ferrari RB2 - 1:26.172 (+ 0.793 ) - 91 laps
7 . R. Zonta - Toyota TF106 - 1:26.261 (+ 0.882 ) - 101 laps
8 . G. Paffett - McLaren Mercedes MP4-21 - 1:26.443 (+ 1.064 ) - 99 laps
9 . R. Doornbos - Red Bull Ferrari RB2 - 1:26.498 (+ 1.119 ) - 44 laps
10 . N. Jani - Toro Rosso Cosworth STR1 - 1:26.668 (+ 1.289 ) - 103 laps
11 . O. Panis - Toyota TF106 - 1:27.037 (+ 1.658 ) - 82 laps
12 . F. Massa - Ferrari 248 F1 - No Time (+ - ) - 3 laps.



The insider speaks about the test.. GO JV!!!
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The plus in terms of speed has its origin in several roots.
For one, the aero has been refined and is understood a lot better than it was during the last races, then Jacques uses his soft compounds that happen to work extremely well with the car, and in addition him and Giampaolo have worked out a very good setup by now allowing him to drive the way he likes it most.

While this will benefit the team as a whole of course, Jacques clearly gets along better with the car than Nick or Robert do.

As for Mike coming to BMW, its possible of course but I wouldnt make too much of a fuss about it, with Toet and Zander the team is now uprated on 2 extremely critical positions and there are plenty of new engineers still yet to come and pick up work.
Rampf does an awesome job and knows his engineers better than anyone else aside Peter Sauber himself, never change a winning team.

I find it extremely amusing that engineers around Hinwil are supposed to vote for Robert as replacement for Jacques.
I dont know anyone who would do this here, the direction is to let him test a year more etc. and then see how things are going.

Kicking out Jacques would be the most stupid thing BMW Management could do, the money he gets compared to the value he brings to the team is unmatched in the entire formula 1, its his work and his tyre choice that makes the car run as fast as it does now.
And now replace him with who...Ralf? Jesus...that guy lives by his name, not driver skill.

By now even the high horses should have noticed that Jacques isnt the one anymore who knocks on Teams doors, its the other way around.