BMW Sauber F1
So, how was Barcelona testing? My take from there
By The Offsider
March 14 2009
6:45am. Really? Damn, it’s time to wake up already. Not a joke I guess, but its worth, as getting to the circuit early enough is essential. A shower, brief breakfast, taking my luggage and I’m ready to leave the excellent, Passeig de Gracia located, Avenida Palace Hotel.
Straight to the train station, ready to get the train directly to the Montmeló town. Only half an hour later my trip is over, well, not really. Still a 15 minutes walk to the circuit awaits me! On that moment I dare to thing why the hell I haven’t travelled to Barcelona by car, enjoining the sheer pleasure of a BMW drive.
Though, I get that idea off my head, as I had been more than satisfied to take the more relaxed option of AVE (in Spanish “bird”, quite literally), which is the Spanish TGV-copy, and that can bring you from Madrid to Barcelona in just 2 and a half hours without any delay and with an spectacular smoothness. You won’t notice that in fact you are going as fast as what Nick normally drives at. Yes that pretentious "bird" can go as much as 300km/h when cruising!
Heck, why I’m even thinking about that? I’m facing for the last testing week of the 2009, the make it or break it for most teams including BMW Sauber. And today Nick is driving. Its time to focus on what the session will provide.
I’m no new to F1 test sessions, in fact I think it’s my 6th time, but this one is special. Not only it’s probably going to be the most exciting season in a long time, but also I have multiple appointments waiting, including the interview with Heidfeld.
Suddenly I come back to earth, as a voice seemly directs to me. It doesn’t seem very convincing, as I may not be what it was looking for. But I’m and my large and uncomfortable laptop bag is definitely a sign. That voice apparently asks if I speak English. “Yes, hi! what’s up?” is the only I manage to say at first. “Am I going in the right direction to the media pass?” Ah, I see, he has to go on the same way as me. I indicate him to follow me and we have some chatting. I learn he is Stef, Dutch born, F1-planet chief editor (no, not planetF1, as I had initially thought), an insightful site which is recommendable…for those who actually know dutch or can get a good translator. Nevertheless, it produces some really interesting exclusive features and interviews.
All is interrupted by an impatient call. It’s my photographer, Francesc. He can’t wait any longer, despite I warn him that cars won’t run yet as the clouds all over the sky and lower than expected temps prevent useful running, so he decides to pick us by car. Didn’t I mention already how much I was missing a car?
So here we are, in the middle of almost nowhere (why don’t they make things easy and place it somewhere closer to the main entrance?), yes, I mean the accreditation centre. After some waiting in the accreditation queue, finally its time to get into the circuit itself.
All goes fine, and once off the car in the paddock parking, we immediately spot Dickie Stanford, Williams’ Test Team manager, talking by mobile. I know that Francesc is a team devoted fan, and is eager to ask Dickie if Williams is sandbagging (yes, that art that lately BMW Sauber seems to have monopolized). "Later on", we both seem to think. And that’s what he did, I heard later. In fact he got a “Not quite heavy, but high, yes.”, and to the question on how confident they were the answer could be briefed in an OK. Williams weren’t testing the KERS though.
Once inside the media room, with everything set, it’s time to bring some brief updates to the “public”. Then head to the window to check who’s out on track, and there goes Kimi, right into the pits! Back to the paddock, as I cannot stand waiting in the room full of bored journalists, with little info yet available, at least useful one.
Stef proposes to go to catch media officers. Its time to storm the field! Sorry, I got carried away, but certainly this is more interesting than staying seated in front my laptop doing little in the media room.
I’m not sure which was the order, but I can say we “assaulted” at least 2/3rds of the media officers, asking for the interviews schedule, so we could organize ours for the afternoon.
We got into the hospitalities, the bar, the trucks…wherever we thought we could find them…or someone who would indicate where they were…and also take a look at what the engineers were all about (I mean checking if they were actually working, if that was even necessary!). Renault, Toro Rosso, BMW, Mclaren… All gave us the info we were looking for. Though Mclaren’s Adam Cooper (isn’t he the one who worked before in Autosport? Or am I mistaking with Matt Bishop?) was the only one to tell us that there would be no chance at all for interview…at the same time Kovalainen just went past behind us in a pace that was probably faster than his MP4-24’s!
Obviously no way we would try to interview him with such a pace, and with the media-man, who had called off the interview chances, just down there.
We aren’t that desperate, are we?
With the afternoon arranged, and after finding some old colleagues, its now time to head to the pits, taking over from Francesc.
Part2 to follow soon...with a closer look to the F1 testing itself.
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14/03/2009 18:59
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:03:14:19:04:17 by J-Raid.
Racing against the machine!
Good writing, Jaime. Got me interested for Part 2.
We don't expect any 'all truth out now' revelations, as I can imagine if something was told off the record it has to stay off the record...
But the attempt to bring us full ambience of the day at F1 testing is great story as well. I will wait for part two.
As for the Montmelo logistics. I noticed on google maps that there are two hotels: Holiday Inn and Ibis that are located virtually 200 meters from main straight. For test weeks both listed rooms around €95. I guess they will be way more expensive during race weekend
One day when I go to see tests here I think I will consider staying there. It saves a lot of sleep. I guess teams take those hotels for their crews. I don't think Flavios stays there though LOL
Of course this is the option if you arrive for F1 and F1 only. Otherwise you stay in Barcelona, but knowing the city I know I would have massive problems getting up at 06:45 after night out there
Quote:Otherwise you stay in Barcelona, but knowing the city I know I would have massive problems getting up at 06:45 after night out there
Well, bear in mind that it was Sunday to Monday night, so really the worst night to have any real party plan
I wasn't up to that either, as I had already walked around more than half city that day.
But it does hurt waking up at that time, especially for me. I can't stand waking up so early!
Quote:We don't expect any 'all truth out now' revelations, as I can imagine if something was told off the record it has to stay off the record...
But the attempt to bring us full ambience of the day at F1 testing is great story as well. I will wait for part two.
Ok, I'll try to do my best. Though give me some time margin, as I'm currently engaged with other stuff in my to-do-list at the moment.
Racing against the machine!
Quote:Still a 15 minutes walk to the circuit awaits me!
Believe me it wasn't 15 minutes... It was rather something like 45 minute walk
and you go uphill all the time. Why the hell there is no public transport in that way? Next time I'm taking the taxi 
Quote:barteksQuote:Still a 15 minutes walk to the circuit awaits me!
Believe me it wasn't 15 minutes... It was rather something like 45 minute walk
In 2000 I was rushing to make it to Friday FP2. I arrived by train. I did that uphill marines training camp run while cars started going when I was in the middle of the way. With the noise level you may think you are just there so you run, but the cars can be heard from miles away LOL
I was 9 years younger and 20 kg lithter than now, but I still almost died at the gates of the track. Since then for rest of the weekend I was taking taxi to track and then enjoying relaxing walk downhill after session, stopping at every cafe in Montmelo for drink to raise toasts with different team supporters.
I heard the cars from the distance and thought I'm already close to the circuit but then it appeared I'm only half way 
Though I must admit it hasn't been as brilliantly written and elaborated as I would have wished. I lacked a bit of inspiration and time.
Last part should be better.
PS. if there are any mistakes or inaccurancies, please let me know
Racing against the machine!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:03:19:10:59:22 by J-Raid.
Take you time off now Jaime... End of next week is going to be busy
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