Agree with Richard and Izy. Silly to start getting excited at this stage. We have seen it all before, just go back and look at Crash archives for the last 2 years.

I don't understand why anyone would argue that testing means nothing? Of course, it means a huge amount. Massa was impressed with the Mclaren's speed straight out the box, on hard tyres with a lot less running during the day than most teams. Maybe Red Bull were sandbagging but it's a fast lap nonetheless and shows the McLaren is going to be up there among the top two or three teams.

I think the Mercedes will be better than people think. I just can't believe that all that talent and money can't produce a proper car!

This is another rare time I agree with Richard, and 100%. Testing times mean nothing. As he said this is a chance to test equipment and all sorts of aero parts as well as a really probable assumption that they were all running heavy fuel as to not "give anything away"
One thing RB will do is sandbag (it's their thing) so you wont see true pace now and maybe Macca decided to do a quick lower fuel run.

"NOTHING can be taken from these TESTS. the cars are seconds off the pace at present. they are carrying all sorts of test equipment and trying a number of differing solutions. it will be some time before we can see any true pace from any of the cars."

Posted by richard (5 hours ago)

Richard, the test show some very clear information to the traind eye, hence why we have the testing. It is a waste of resourses to not atleast test the limit the cars RELIABILITY in no uncertain terms. So far if we had a race with those at the test, Mark Webber would win the race as Jenson wouldnt have made the finish...

Gaps are too big between teams, some didn't go all out, for example Daniel Ricciardo did a lap time 1.4 seconds faster in 2009 when testing the RB5 In Jerez and that car is significantly slower then what it is now.

Grosjean also did a faster time in last years Lotus in testing here.

So Button is the fastest of all the number 2 drivers
on the first day of testing....Big Deal.

Come the first Quali session of the season he won't be
will he.........

It is only day one...

@Richard
Great put down as usual mate, learn him good!
Well done to JB!

mark. i'll give you that one, or at least a half point! not sure if lulu would agree though!

Perhaps more important than the fastest lap of the day is gtr fact that Jenson's average speed on the day was nearly two seconds faster than Webber.