Italian 2021 : Practices/Sprint/Sprint Qualifying

[stefa]

AG is driving nicely

[tifosi1993]

That was way better than expected. Leclerc only 4.5 seconds behind a Mercedes powered car, very good race pace.

[stefa]

Nice! Ferrari 5th and 6th and LH only 4th

[tifosi1993]

So P5 and P6 for us. Well done Charles and Carlos.

[patrese86]

Take that

[tifosi1993]

Last lap:

Bottas 1:23.753

Verstappen 1:24.087

Ricciardo 1:24.379

Norris 1:25.104

Hamilton 1:25.634

Leclerc 1:24.677 (PB)

Sainz 1:25.617

Both Mclarens were on softs.

[Tifoso Svedese]

Good results both for us and for the championship.

Now that we're rid of Gasly ahead on the grid, I hope we can hold these positions tomorrow.

[tifosi1993]

Lost time in sector 1 (about 2-3 tenths per lap) and sector 3 (about 2-4 tenths), but Charles was pretty fast in the sector 2. Only Bottas and Vestappen were faster than him in that sector.

[Cavallino]

If this race is one giant DRS train, we should be alright.

Does this mean McLaren has to start on softs in the race?

[Tifoso Svedese]

Big up to Charles for doing such a good job even when not feeling great. Carlos also did bounce back well.

If this race is one giant DRS train, we should be alright.

Does this mean McLaren has to start on softs in the race?

No, free choice. I'd expect most to start on scrubbed softs though except probably the two red cars who'll go medium-hard. Hammy might try that as well to do something different.

[Cavallino]

yeah it looks like we'll go medium->hard since we started on mediums for the sprint.

Which doesn't make much sense, the upside of running more wing is improved tyre wear.

[Tifoso Svedese]

The soft-medium difference is apparently just 0.4 s/lap on brand new tyres here so it makes sense to start on them assuming you can make it close to halfway. In the second half everyone will be tidally locked in the DRS train anyway. Pérez might pose a threat and Bottas is a wildcard but I'm confident that if staying out of trouble they can bring 18 points home.

[tifosi1993]

yeah it looks like we'll go medium->hard since we started on mediums for the sprint.

Which doesn't make much sense, the upside of running more wing is improved tyre wear.

It's sprint qualifying, all the drivers are again allowed to have a free choice of tyres to start the race. So it doesn't mean that we have to start on mediums.

I think softs-->mediums is the way to go. The hards are just too "hard" for this track. But we're running with a relatively high downforce setup here, so it may help us to switch the hard tyres earlier than our rivals.

[alfaromeo]

Good results for Ferrari if we stay after the race same it be good…

[DJTaurus]

All these experts who were claiming that red bull has the best car this year where are they now ? Bottas easily outpacing 98% of the field…. Perez struggling to even pass a lot slower cars…. Ver is so lucky to have between him and Hamilton 2 Mercedes powered cars. That engines straight line speed is unmatched….. the only difference this year is that red bull have reduced the gap and have an amazing talent to drive for them who is over delivering. If it wasn’t Ver it would be another snooze fest this year.

[wisepie]

Not a bad afternoon considering what the morning brought in terms of Charles feeling unwell and Carlos crashing, so to end up starting P5/6 tomorrow is a bonus. Shame that the Mclarens are ahead of us and looking very quick. GIO also in the mix which pleases some of us, the race should be OK if we can avoid any contact at the start although hard to make up places or defend with our lack of outright power. The boys will do their best anyway. And much as I supported Michele Alboreto back in the day, the Parabolica will always be the Parabolica for me.

[Cavallino]

It's sprint qualifying, all the drivers are again allowed to have a free choice of tyres to start the race. So it doesn't mean that we have to start on mediums.

I think softs-->mediums is the way to go. The hards are just too "hard" for this track. But we're running with a relatively high downforce setup here, so it may help us to switch the hard tyres earlier than our rivals.

i agree with you, it just seemed that if Ferrari was concerned enough with wear to start the 18 lap sprint on mediums, it seems like they'd want to go with that for the race. But maybe the data from today is enough to push them to start on softs tomorrow and use the improved tyre wear as you say to our advantage.

[SS454]

When Mercedes gets in clean air tomorrow, they will be 1 second a lap faster than everyone. Lewis could still win the race

[Tifoso Svedese]

Could it be that they changed Leclerc's PU mainly to keep it in shape for Sochi since it already 'did its job' to get to Q3 and they will need it as Friday engine when the next unit comes along? I see no reason why we can't aim for a P4 finish in Russia considering how many 90-degree turns there are.

Then, isn't it possible to take two new PU's at once and just serve a penalty at one event? That could be a plan.

[Greig]

When Mercedes gets in clean air tomorrow, they will be 1 second a lap faster than everyone. Lewis could still win the race

Like Bottas done today?

[Noquarter]

Ferrari chassis still generate a lot of drag. Alfa is so close to Ferrari in Monza. Antonio is no match to Ferrari drivers and he is only 0.2s per lap slower

[SS454]

Like Bottas done today?

Pretty much. In 2 laps he put 1.5 seconds on Verstappen, and within 8 laps he was 10 seconds ahead of 3rd. Verstappen stayed kind of close as he still had some tow and was pushing quite a bit. I'm sure Bottas was controlled in that race.

Mercedes look by far the fastest so far.

[TTRSMAD]

Pretty much. In 2 laps he put 1.5 seconds on Verstappen, and within 8 laps he was 10 seconds ahead of 3rd. Verstappen stayed kind of close as he still had some tow and was pushing quite a bit. I'm sure Bottas was controlled in that race.

Mercedes look by far the fastest so far.

They are fast but the problem their engine derates at the end of the straight and by having so small of a rear wing, the drs is less powerfull when activated. Hamilton could not use that speed advantage on Lando. If Verstappen get a clean start, he is gone.

[20000rpm]

Heard Martin comment that RB has car setup for race day than qualifying. But yeah, Merc have a clear advantage at Monza.

[SS454]

They are fast but the problem their engine derates at the end of the straight and by having so small of a rear wing, the drs is less powerfull when activated. Hamilton could not use that speed advantage on Lando. If Verstappen get a clean start, he is gone.

In saturday practice, Hamilton did 331 kph without DRS and no tow. The top end power is there if they want it.

[stefa]

In saturday practice, Hamilton did 331 kph without DRS and no tow. The top end power is there if they want it.

So why didn't he overtake yesterday both McLarens?

[Tifoso Svedese]

So why didn't he overtake yesterday both McLarens?

McLaren are just as fast in a straight line.

[stefa]

McLaren are just as fast in a straight line.

Hence, he will not dessapear in front with one second per lap advantage!

[330 p4]

When Mercedes gets in clean air tomorrow, they will be 1 second a lap faster than everyone. Lewis could still win the race

He should win this race. If he doesnt its poor from him. Very impressed with Ferrari considering where they were last year and being limited on what could be changed for this year. They've really done a great job.

[DJTaurus]

He has to overtake both 2 mclarens. So Ver has plenty of time to build distance.