2015 Chinese GP Qualifying Thread

[Ilsan]

From Scuderia Ferrari Facebook page

@Paul Matthew Averion Magpantay: Q. What do you think are the advantages of Mercedes over Ferrari and what are the advantages of Ferrari over Mercedes?
James Allison: It is not possible to answer this question definitively because the Teams are not in the habit of sharing their data with one another. However, it is possible to analyse some aspects of each other’s performance and to make some estimates: Mercedes currently have more downforce and more horsepower than a Ferrari – the latter especially so in qualifying mode. In the race, the Mercedes engine needs to reduce its power to a lower level, making things a bit closer. The other thing that helps us in the race is that our car is quite kind to its tyres. It uses the front and rear tyres quite evenly, and it runs slightly cooler tyres than the opposition – this can be particularly helpful at a very hot track where all the Teams are suffering from overheating rubber.

[Written in Italian, used google translate]@Mario Giulio del Vecchio: Q. The grid like what can affect the temperature on the tires tomorrow?
JA: Tomorrow will be the hottest day of the weekend. When it gets warmer the machine changes from being able to suffer from understeer to be able to suffer from oversteer. This can be good for us, but honestly should not be hot enough to make a huge difference.

@Matthew Monahan: Q. Is a one stop possible?
JA: One stop would be easily possible in terms of the life of the tyre, but it would be very slow compared to a 2 stop. This is true for all the teams at this track. All the teams will do a 2-stop race tomorrow unless they have some sort of disaster that forces them to stop three times.

[Nero Horse]

Cool picture from quali...



Our car really looks simply stunning.

...and is fast too.

[NickEice]

Spain is not exactly the type of circuit where you would want to use a new PU.
Bahrain, Canada, Austria, Italy, Mexico or Belgium are much more suitable for this matter.

Also to your point the rumor was for a big upgrade in Canada.

[Winter]

The thing I don't like with Kimi is when he doesn't qualify as good as he should (he is very fast after all), and thats alot of times, he just gets so moody and starts blaming everything else but himself. I think it kinda puts pressure on the team tbh...

So not true.

[Nand0Nand0]

Also to your point the rumor was for a big upgrade in Canada.

As is normally there case there is more than one rumor. The Canada upgrade story came from Marko. The Spain upgrade rumor was a little earlier. Maybe we have two upgrades coming [emoji4]

[From Treviso]

I believe Ferrari will act on its tyre selection according to race pace and tyre wear. Constantly evolving track and changing weather conditions provide too many variables to say what will certainly be done. My guess is after starting off on the soft/options, is to then put on the medium/primes and, providing they remain consistent and relatively quick, go as long as possible on them to bring them into the pitstop window for the soft/option tyre. At this stage, the Mercs may already be on their primes for the last stint; hopefully they'll be cooked after ten laps allowing the the Ferraris real them in.

Like I said, I'm sure Ferrari will not have the plan set in concrete and will act in the best interest for results, as all teams would most likely do.

[fmatiasii]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CCTISpbVEAIXzaF.jpg:large

[fmatiasii]

I get the impression some people will be disappointed if it finishes HAM-ROS-VET tomorrow. For some perspective remember that we had only two podiums all of last year, while this "disappointing" result would be our third podium in three races this year.

If we finish higher than third, great, but the goal is to remain within shouting distance of Mercedes for now and to match them (and surpass them) as the season goes on.

I think it's but natural for most folks here to be disappointed given the result in Malaysia but I do believe most are realistic to the fact that mercs are still ahead of us in terms of downforce and speed. But the results so far are encouraging, therefore there is now much expectation.

[fmatiasii]

As is normally there case there is more than one rumor. The Canada upgrade story came from Marko. The Spain upgrade rumor was a little earlier. Maybe we have two upgrades coming [emoji4]

If this is true then it would be awesome! can't wait for it.

[F1NAC]

In Canada will be low DF upgrade probably so it should look different