At full tilt in a straight line, this year’s formula one cars emit a much tamer sound than the class of 2013.<\/p>\n
However, the top speeds of the new turbo V6s are significantly higher, thanks to reduced downforce and an impressive engine-plus-ERS maximum of almost 900 horse power.<\/p>\n
In Nico Rosberg’s hands, the currently dominant new W05 Mercedes is almost as quick over a full lap as the German’s pole of 2013.<\/p>\n
Cornering speeds are lower, but at full speed, the cars are much faster — Fernando Alonso’s 2014 Ferrari clocked 336kph in Bahrain, compared to a top speed of 314 during the island Kingdom’s grand prix last year.<\/p>\n
“We are incredibly fast on the straights,” German Rosberg told Auto Motor und Sport.<\/p>\n
“I would guess that at Monza we will be doing 360.”<\/p>\n
That may not be the case for the entire field, however.\u00a0 The fastest of the struggling Renault-powered cars in Bahrain clocked a top of just 308kph — slower than 2013.<\/p>\n
And world champion Sebastian Vettel’s Red Bull was 7kph slower even than that.<\/p>\n
So it’s a particularly challenging time for a team like Caterham, struggling not only with the troubled Renault V6 but also a small budget amid the enormous and expensive technical revolution.<\/p>\n
“Currently we are not on formula one level,” Kamui Kobayashi, 10 seconds off the pace on Saturday, is quoted by Speed Week.\u00a0 “It’s more GP2 level.<\/p>\n
“We have so many problems with the car and the times are incredibly slow,” said the Japanese.<\/p>\n
“When you look at what Mercedes is doing, it’s overwhelming, but it also shows us what is possible and in what direction we need to develop.”<\/p>\n
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