2018 USA GP: Practices and Qualifying

[jgonzalesm6]

If only the floor was the update then I guess Merc didn't run at full speed, for obvious reason.

But I thought the last update package was more than just a new floor.

Bargeboards and floor were the updates. Only the new bargeboards were used for quali and not the new floor.

[512 TR]

Bargeboards and floor were the updates. Only the new bargeboards were used for quali and not the new floor.

So the bargeboards was either a massive step forward or Merc just took it easy.

[Christopher]

I think the gain is more down to the track we where very slow in the slow corners in Singapore and Russia and we never got to show our full potential in Japan with the awful Q3 and both drivers having damage during the race. COTA is a fast flowing track like Spa and Sliverstone and that seems to suit our car.

[jgonzalesm6]

So the bargeboards was either a massive step forward or Merc just took it easy.

Naaah, Mercs were'nt taken it easy. Q1 results of the top 4 were super tight between the times. We played around with the updates during FP's and we were'nt satisfied with the data...so we reverted to plan b which worked out. Then you throw in the track which is smooth and free flowing and everything, at this point, worked out.

Honestly, with all the inclement weather yesterday and possible inclement weather today I thought we were'nt gonna get dialed in for the race.

[FerrariF60]

@nani23 my theory holding strong
@ferrarif60 we were much closer than i originally thought, imagine if the new floor gave few tenths car could'v been a match for merc maybe even quicker btw did the link work?

or maybe we're doing this good cause we DID NOT use the new floor......maybe that was a FLOP, and ferrari decided to roll back to what they knew....or maybe i'm jsut talking non sense here from my couch.....LOL

[FerrariF60]

Looks like the new updates worked pretty well. The gap is almost nothing although I don't think Merc are running at full speed anymore. They won't risk any mechanical breakdowns at this stage. Too bad Seb had his red flag incident yesterday.

waht updates mate???? WE REVERTED BACK TO THE OLD FLOOR.....so no one knows how good that new floor would have been.....it was wet in free practice so they couldn't evaluate it properly....

[512 TR]

Naaah, Mercs were'nt taken it easy. Q1 results of the top 4 were super tight between the times. We played around with the updates during FP's and we were'nt satisfied with the data...so we reverted to plan b which worked out. Then you throw in the track which is smooth and free flowing and everything, at this point, worked out.

Honestly, with all the inclement weather yesterday and possible inclement weather today I thought we were'nt gonna get dialed in for the race.

Obviously Merc took it easy and will do so until the end of the season not blow any engines or have other technical issues. They will win the WCC even by finishing 3-4 in every race if Ferrari score four 1-2 in a row (which obviously will not happen).

There's no other explanation because why have Ferrari then been so far behind starting in Singapore and now there's almost nothing between both teams? A bargeboard update can't be worth 0,6-0,8 second. Merc didn't bring anything new that could be a step backwards.

[jgonzalesm6]

Qualifying Max. speeds :

-Kimi fastest on the speed trap: 327.8kph
-Kimi reached top speed also at the end of S2 & S3
-Mercedes 4kph slower than Ferrari on the straights
-Renault engine weaker than Honda in qualifying

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dp_Iot0XgAAzFZs.jpg


Qualifying Best sectors vs. Fastest laptimes set :

- Seb fastest in S1, Lewis in S2 & S3
- LeClerc had potential to end up P6
- just 0.6s covers P6 - P14, very tight midfield battles
- only Williams slower than Mclaren

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dp_HGk8XgAASKod.jpg


Grid after Seb's penalty

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dp-9jn0XQAUTV5u.jpg

[stefa]

Qualifying Max. speeds :

-Kimi fastest on the speed trap: 327.8kph
-Kimi reached top speed also at the end of S2 & S3
-Mercedes 4kph slower than Ferrari on the straights
-Renault engine weaker than Honda in qualifying

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dp_Iot0XgAAzFZs.jpg


Qualifying Best sectors vs. Fastest laptimes set :

- Seb fastest in S1, Lewis in S2 & S3
- LeClerc had potential to end up P6
- just 0.6s covers P6 - P14, very tight midfield battles
- only Williams slower than Mclaren

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dp_HGk8XgAASKod.jpg


Grid after Seb's penalty

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dp-9jn0XQAUTV5u.jpg

Best case scenario, SV clears DR and KR take lead from LH in first lap!

[KimiBot]

...and LH has technical problems and must stop the race.

[stefa]

...and LH has technical problems and must stop the race.

...and that, but I was kinda not asking much

[nani_s23]

...and LH has technical problems and must stop the race.

Which will never happen again

[nani_s23]

Saw quali just now.... damn we are close. Car looks back to the form out of those corners. Such a shame vettel got penalty else we would have seen vet vs ham battle.
Hopefully next race it’s dry where we can evaluate new floor etc...!!

Ham did run extra lap on those SS tyres, would he be on disadvantage ??? P5 vettel should be on clean side with more grip.

[wisepie]

Best case scenario, SV clears DR and KR take lead from LH in first lap!

That would be perfect of course, and what a surprise to see we appear to have got the speed back in the dry, too little too late sadly but it has woken us all up again! Well done drivers and team, and also Charles.

[tifosi1993]

Vettel yet to win from grid slot lower than P3... but maybe today is the day. He must win today's race.

[jgonzalesm6]

(yesterday) No further action against both [cough] Mercedes drivers after an FIA investigation into driving too slowly on an in lap, so no change to the grid.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dp_fJAOWoAAV8qW.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dp_fJAPWkAAXz0k.jpg

[evo_spook]

https://streamable.com/lzmw7

[Schumiklub]

Don't know if it was posted. They should have done this a while ago... now it's too late.

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/13...ecent-upgrades

Sent from my Galaxy Note9 using Tapatalk

[tifosi1993]

https://streamable.com/lzmw7

Yup, the acceleration boost is back, it is more evident if you compare Bot's lap with Seb. As soon as Vettel press the padel the car just shoots away.

[KimiBot]

https://streamable.com/lzmw7

[nani_s23]

(yesterday) No further action against both [cough] Mercedes drivers after an FIA investigation into driving too slowly on an in lap, so no change to the grid.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dp_fJAOWoAAV8qW.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dp_fJAPWkAAXz0k.jpg

U r expecting too much from FIA against mercs. It’s like in F1, mercs have different non fia rules & other teams have FIA rules

[512 TR]

So now there are rumors the "system" was turned back on at both some laps in FP3 and during qualifying (an even more aggressive mapping). That possibility or that merc turned down their PUs in order to be sure of no mechanical failures are the only logical explanation of the close gap yesterday. Ferrari was uncompetitive pre Suzuka and that's basicly what they are running on the cars, in terms of aero (except for new bargeboards). The gap between Lewis and Bottas in basicly the same as when Lewis is the quicker one (no mistakes then by any driver). New lap record was set numerous times in Q3 so that could indicate Merc was running at full speed.

More quesyion arise then. If the above is a correct analysis. Have Ferrari ben told by the FIA they can turn on the system again now that both championships are basicly over? Or are Ferrari just giving the FIA the finger? If the latter is true maybe they are doing that to force a written clarification? That should obviously be pretty important prior to next year. I watched a re-run of FP3 and the car looked great exiting T1, T11, the T12-16 complex and the last corner. Like pre summer break.

[mwk360]

So now there are rumors the "system" was turned back on at both some laps in FP3 and during qualifying (an even more aggressive mapping). That possibility or that merc turned down their PUs in order to be sure of no mechanical failures are the only logical explanation of the close gap yesterday. Ferrari was uncompetitive pre Suzuka and that's basicly what they are running on the cars, in terms of aero (except for new bargeboards). The gap between Lewis and Bottas in basicly the same as when Lewis is the quicker one (no mistakes then by any driver). New lap record was set numerous times in Q3 so that could indicate Merc was running at full speed.

More quesyion arise then. If the above is a correct analysis. Have Ferrari ben told by the FIA they can turn on the system again now that both championships are basicly over? Or are Ferrari just giving the FIA the finger? If the latter is true maybe they are doing that to force a written clarification? That should obviously be pretty important prior to next year. I watched a re-run of FP3 and the car looked great exiting T1, T11, the T12-16 complex and the last corner. Like pre summer break.

Ferrari can only use secret boost at 3 weekends per engine.

[FerrariF60]

Best case scenario, SV clears DR and KR take lead from LH in first lap!

wishful thinking mate.....but somehow i get the feeling Seb will faak something up in the first corner....

[512 TR]

Ferrari can only use secret boost at 3 weekends per engine.

Well, that doesn't make sense because if it was true they could just change the engine, take the penalty and be as competitive again at the following race. Also, coming through the traffic during the race, when they drop to the back, would also be easier. I don't think it would be a financial issue.

[FerrariF60]

Which will never happen again

^this....

[nani_s23]

wishful thinking mate.....but somehow i get the feeling Seb will faak something up in the first corner....

DR & bottas wing man does give a hard time for him.

[Ferrari312T4]

(yesterday) No further action against both [cough] Mercedes drivers after an FIA investigation into driving too slowly on an in lap, so no change to the grid.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dp_fJAOWoAAV8qW.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dp_fJAPWkAAXz0k.jpg

If its Mercedes it's no further action. If it's Lewis it's a reprimand. All other teams will be severely punished...

[Ferrarichamp]

come on Kimi, win this race

[stefa]

wishful thinking mate.....but somehow i get the feeling Seb will faak something up in the first corner....

I like you're spelling