Jerez Formula 1 testing February and March 2009

For any motorsport fans in Spain, this week some of the F1 teams are testing up at Jerez.  They are also there the first week of March.

This week the following teams are confirmed:

Williams

Maclaren

Toro Rosso

Red Bull

Renault

Not sure yet which teams will be there in March but will let you know when details are published.

We can't make it this week but will be going up in March.  It's a great day out and only 5 Euros to get in.

Justin

How far is Jerez from Estepona?

It's about an hour and a half if I remember right.

I noticed from the website that they're not testing there at the end of July this year!!  We're really disappointed!  We enjoy going there - and last year our son was over the moon to see Ferrari there!!  (I'm a Maclaren fan myself!)

Shame we can't make March!!

Bummer!! We don't arrive unti Sunday lunchtime .

Mark

Hamilton and Alonso will be at Jerez this coming Thursday and Friday.

Hi Justin,

So do you pay as you go in - no need to book?

 Yeah, just pay when you turn up.

I went there today.  It was great to see and hear the cars again.  The 2009 cars don't look as odd as people made them out to be.

Will post the video here tomorrow.

Justin

Justin,

Many thanks - yes, please can you post details of the March testing when known as I have a few "petrol-head" / golfing friends over the 1st week of March and they definitely want to go to watch the testing (much cheaper than playing golf).

Love the Siesta Show by the way.

Bill

Some coverage from the testing on Wednesday whilst I was there...

Bill, you can check out the dates at www.circuitodejerez.com/en/home.htm.   Click on the calendar link and you'll see the testing dates.

I wanna go

Top video, many thanks for that, cant wait.

Thanks Pitby,

 It would also be great if Justin is able to advise us of the teams which are scheduled to be testing in Jerez from 2nd to 4th March (when known).

Bill

I see most of the major teams are now confirmed for the first week of March - just wondering, any particular day likely to be better than another, or are they all the same? Thinking of going on the Monday - don't fancy mixing with Sunday afternoon drivers!

Well, we did go today. Rather wet and miserable, but at least that meant it was very uncrowded! No Ferraris, but McLaren, Renault, Red Bull, Williams, BMW, Toyota (fastest today) and some ugly thing called Force India all made a show. No Lewis, but then he doesn't need the practice

Justin, you're right, the cars don't look odd - although I can't quite work out where the driver's feet go in some of them.

 thats why racing drivers are only 4' tall!!!

 Yes, they all seem to be quite short don't they.  That's why they didn't give me the job as a driver as I'm 6 foot 

Justin

Hi Justin   /  Roberto,

Can you please advise - when i get to jerez what are the directions to the track?  thanks

Roy 

Good news on the F1 front today. Looks like the former Honda team are going to be testing at Silverstone on Friday and in Barcelona next week, with Jenson and Rubens.

 Guys and gals

For a long time now I have trying to get together with some motorsport fans. I am an ex racing driver and instructor at Ascari. How many fans out there would like to bring their cars along and drive at a race circuit on a track day? The more people I can get, the cheaper it gets. Regards Pete

I don't think that my Renault Laguna Estate will be up to it.

Mind you it did very well on the Monday following the valencian Grand Prix. I took a wrong turn and ended up on the track. Managed to complete about 1/2 the lap before the Guardia Civil "black flagged me"!

It was one of Renaults best results last year.

Chelsearoy, there's directions here, although not very clear. It's just off the Arcos road east of Jerez and well signposted "circuito de velocidad". Parking for €1 just outside the entrance. If you're coming from Malaga or nearby, I recommend taking the Campillos road out of Malaga and then the Olvera / Arcos road from Campillos. It's a nice drive and so much better than the coast route via Algeciras. Last testing day is tomorrow.

firsteuro, great news about Honda.  They have always been so strong and with such a great history in F1.  I hope we do see them on the grid this year.

titan, Ascari is a beautiful circuit but it seems to be very exclusive (i.e. very expensive).  There is a company called Track Days Spain that has been arranging track days at Guadix and Almeria.  I've been a few times and it's great fun.

However, it's been very difficult for them to get the numbers to justify it.  Seems many people want to go but then don't turn up.

Maybe have a chat with Mike from Track Days Spain to see if you can arrange something together.

Or maybe give me a free  driving lesson there and I'll do lots of promotion for you   (worth a shot)

By the way, in my previous engineering days I was actually involved in the original engineering of the wheel hub units for the Ascari KZ1...small world hey?!

Justin

Does anyone have any ideas what the (ex) Honda team will be called?

Phoenix might be suitable.....

Virgin Honda?

Slim chance, at least until they run hybrid F1 cars.

Thanks for info Roberto, I decided to wait until week after next as the weather was a bit crap this week!

Roy 

Well the news is out now Ross Brawn has taken over ownership of the Honda team. Subject to aproval by the FIA they will be known as the Brawn Formula One GP Team . They will be using mercedes engines I believe. Jensen Button and Rubins Barrichello are being retained as drivers. So hopefully their continued perseverance will show some results come 29th March and the forthcomming season.

Bob

This message was last edited by Jet48 on 3/6/2009.

Good idea, Roy - we would have waited too if we'd known they were going to announce more dates.