2022 French Grand Prix - Buildup, Practice & Qualifying Thread

[stefa]

Early Friday, but I would say positive

[Tifoso Svedese]

It's like 2/3 of this track is being fast through the final sector and both cars are so it's a net positive for sure. Then there are a lot more obstacles including the engine to overcome this weekend for Charles to win but it's a positive beginning.

Even with Carlos starting from the back he might have a chance at an unlikely podium if he really nails race trim and tyre degradation. He'll probably need some luck though because I don't think Pérez and Mercedes will be that far behind as they were in this session.

[gump1480]

It's like 2/3 of this track is being fast through the final sector and both cars are so it's a net positive for sure. Then there are a lot more obstacles including the engine to overcome this weekend for Charles to win but it's a positive beginning.

Even with Carlos starting from the back he might have a chance at an unlikely podium if he really nails race trim and tyre degradation. He'll probably need some luck though because I don't think Pérez and Mercedes will be that far behind as they were in this session.

I do think Mercs are 0.6-0.8s per lap behind the fastest RB/Ferrari. Perez will definitely be on podium (barring any dnf) with CS out of picture.

Hoping for good clean race for Lec without any pitstop/ICE/Turbo/throttle/gearbox issue.

[FerrariF60]

Any free links for FP2??

thank you

[Riccardog]

Any free links for FP2??

thank you

http://f1livegp.me/f1/live.php

[458 Italia]

Sky sounding excited about the merc upgrades. They expect hamilton to be challenging for the win here.

[FerrariF60]

http://f1livegp.me/f1/live.php

thank you

[FerrariF60]

Sky sounding excited about the merc upgrades. They expect hamilton to be challenging for the win here.

lmao....they're a bunch of **** with their bias towards merc and Hamster

MOD: Please don't bypass the swear filter...

[stefa]

Sky sounding excited about the merc upgrades. They expect hamilton to be challenging for the win here.

[WS6TransAm01]

Sky sounding excited about the merc upgrades. They expect hamilton to be challenging for the win here.

I have a feeling that IF Merc wins this year, it will be George...

[FerrariF60]

I have a feeling that IF Merc wins this year, it will be George...

most likely......

[Tifoso Svedese]

Sky sounding excited about the merc upgrades. They expect hamilton to be challenging for the win here.

Paul Ricard is low drag and horsepower central. Mercedes have neither. If the full track was like S3 they might be very competitive but the Mistral Straight and the slow turns ahead of Signes are just too much for their car to handle.

[paolo lalli]

The brits from sky are cheering merc upgrades while the germans are crying all over there pork buckle.Only failures from the top 2 teams will bring merc into play.Failing that a brilliant third by George or 5th and 7th at best.

[FerrariF60]

so far so good....Ferrari seem to be having this in the bag....IF no reliability issues arise or team goof up's with teh strategy

[458 Italia]

Oh good Eduardo Freitas the GOAT is race director again this weekend

[Tifoso Svedese]

Pérez looks to have some genuine issues with pace here.

[Kyss4k]

This looks good.

[stefa]

Pérez looks to have some genuine issues with pace here.

Good for us

[FerrariF60]

Good for us

totally....

[elnano14]

If Perez is struggling for top 10 we should use Sainz to knock him out of Q2 tomorrow

[PURE PASSION]

Verstappen wants to try another attempt with the tank empty. From the pits they remind him that they have to concentrate on the race simulation since there are 20 minutes left. Max replied: 'Yeah, but I don't want to start P3 or P4'. Now he is back in the pits for a modification to the wing

So what we see might be accurate , and if (as a lot saying and i asked Giuliano Duchessa and he confirmed it ) we are actualy running more detunned engines then RBR , then we might be even faster .
But thats about qualy pace. What about race ???

[Tifoso Svedese]

If Perez is struggling for top 10 we should use Sainz to knock him out of Q2 tomorrow

I think he'll be P5 on the grid no matter what but it could take him out of being a thorn in the side for Charles on Sunday when it comes to pit stop windows.

[elnano14]

Max's the only one with race pace in 1m37s is quite concerning

[tifosi1993]

Max's the only one with race pace in 1m37s is quite concerning

We were also doing 1m37's. But both caught traffic, especially Charles.

I'm not concerned about the pace. it's the reliability which is the major concern. Hopefully both cars will survive and we'll score good points here. Fingers crossed.

[tifosi1993]

[Tifoso Svedese]

It's also important to mention that during FP1 Carlos was doing 295 kph and Verstappen 313 kph on the race runs on the Mistral Straight. Clearly, the engines are massively detuned for everything except qualifying runs. The important thing during race simulations is to gague the tyre wear and have realistic corner speeds, if you lay off one second per lap in a straight line it doesn't matter. Now during FP2 I suspect there could've been similar differences. Then in addition Verstappen had fresher tyres and a shorter run on the mediums in question.

[nani_s23]

Max's the only one with race pace in 1m37s is quite concerning

Ferrari detuned FP engines.

[PURE PASSION]

Dont know. Im a bit concerned about tire management. Both drivers reported high degradation.
Attachment 8062

[elnano14]

Long run simulation
wkp4sihwb5d91.png

[wisepie]

A positive FP1/2 but our biggest worry is reliability, as well as a probable grid penalty for Carlos. I have a feeling the Mercs will be closer in race trim which is not what we want unless they take points away from RB! All to play for, if the car holds up.