I was going to begin this article with the disclaimer "testing times are meaningless", but on reflection they are not "meaningless", but rather they should be taken with a pinch of salt. Even with numerous caveats added though, this week's proceedings in Jerez have supplied us with some useful pointers for the rapidly approaching 2012 Formula 1 season.
Despite the headlines generated by the flashes of speed by Lotus, Mercedes and others, it is fair to say that the top table of F1 eminence is still largely the domain of Red Bull and McLaren. When due allowances are made for "sponsorship" lap times, 2011 cars, set-ups and tyre choices, we have seen little to dispel the notion that these remain the most consistent and reliable performers.
Another of the themes to come out of the Jerez tests is the continuing rebirth of Lewis Hamilton, and his apparent determination to move forward and establish a firm foundation for his 2012 endeavours. Positive comments about the potential of the new car, a quietly assiduous approach to his work, and bolstering his management team all point to a desire to grasp the nettle, and blow away any cobwebs.
Sebastian Vettel seemed a touch more guarded in his thoughts on the new Red Bull, and a few gremlins were encountered, but its performance out on the track would indicate that there are few major concerns. They have the resources and the personnel to ensure that everything will be "alright on the night."
The news emanating from the Ferrari camp has been less euphoric. Whilst the team has stressed that much of their work has been methodical, it seems clear that they have much still to do, even if Fernando Alonso delivered some rapid lappery on the final day.
The lap times achieved by the Lotus duo of Raikkonen and Grosjean have been met with hyperbole and derision in equal measure. It is fair to assume that some of those times were notched up with less than a full tank of petrol, and sly references have been made to the possible imperatives of publicity and promotion, but even taking these factors into consideration, signs are not discouraging. Above all, the team is exuding a spirit of optimism and combativeness.
Respect is due to the teams who were content to shun the limelight and,horror of horrors, concentrate on getting lots of laps under their belts, and making sure that their cars are reliable. Caterham and Williams were happy to adopt this approach for much of the four days, presumably reasoning that it is better to expose any frailties or weaknesses now, rather than in Melbourne.
This is the first time that I have followed a pre-season test with this level of attentiveness for many years, and it is striking how things have changed. These modern tests are clearly tailored for the requirements of the media and sponsors, and also to help contain costs. I do, though, miss the more haphazard and informal testing arrangements of fifteen or twenty years ago, which took place in greater anonymity, and with less rigid protocol.
It seems that these tests are regarded by F1 followers in the same way that football fans see pre-season friendlies, and the same unbalanced conclusions are often extracted from both! Every infinitesimal detail is analysed to the nth degree, and either euphoria or misery proclaimed by supporters of Team X or Driver Y. It is remarkable how even some discerning F1 fans can get things out of proportion. Or perhaps these days I don't pay sufficient attention to every nuance myself....
Sifting through the plethora of lap times, statistics and press releases coming from Jerez, and the myriad interpretations of that information, there is no overwhelming reason to believe that the pecking order will have changed that much, apart from some reshuffling in the midfield, and Ferrari lagging slightly further behind "the big two". No startling breakthroughs have been signalled or hinted at, although some minor but interesting trends may be seen with greater clarity at the forthcoming Barcelona tests.
This testing is all jolly good fun, but to see how things really stand, the best advice may be - wait until Australia!
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