2021 Russian Grand Prix - Sochi, Sep 24 - 26

[Just_a_fan]

Was there a problem for Max at the start of the session ? Took 15 mins before he left the garage, and has done the least amount of laps of the 20 drivers today.

I think they're either very confident or they intend to change the PU and start from the back and so are preserving tyres to give themselves as many options as possible either way.

[NathanOlder]

Was there a problem for Max at the start of the session ? Took 15 mins before he left the garage, and has done the least amount of laps of the 20 drivers today.

They saw godlameroso's predictions and are now preserving the hard tires for the race!

[NathanOlder]

Was there a problem for Max at the start of the session ? Took 15 mins before he left the garage, and has done the least amount of laps of the 20 drivers today.

I think they're either very confident or they intend to change the PU and start from the back and so are preserving tyres to give themselves as many options as possible either way.

Yeah makes sense, although with 5mis to go , you could see a fair few mechanics working as fast as they could on Max's car in the garage, under the car and on top.

[nzjrs]

Was there a problem for Max at the start of the session ? Took 15 mins before he left the garage, and has done the least amount of laps of the 20 drivers today.

I think they're either very confident or they intend to change the PU and start from the back and so are preserving tyres to give themselves as many options as possible either way.

Hmmm, good point.

[Wouter]

Max is getting a new PU at this moment.

[El Scorchio]

I'd have thought they might have waited until the last possible moment to confirm it, just to keep Mercedes guessing. Now they've shown their hand a little this early in the weekend, it gives Mercedes more options. They now know that if they changed engines too, they'd have at least Leclerc inbetween them, and anyone else who might still take an engine too.

The question I'd be mulling over if I were them, is whether everything goes to plan do they want to take probably 10-15 points more than Verstappen, or possibly only 3-4 but also get their change out of the way? Seems like a no brainer to try and put the points on the board, but you never know. Them having to do it in another race would basically nullify the gain here and might end up in a net loss.

Fascinating. Although I don't think they'll opt to change it this weekend.

[NathanOlder]

Max is getting a new PU at this moment.

Natalie Pinkham just saying they have heard Max had a new floor.

So not sure whats happening. When does it become public knowledge about a PU change? Qualifying?

[ringo]

Could they look on the lap times of the other teams and run that in the computers to determine where Max could finish and say Okay even if he starts at the back he will still be on the podium?
Why is Perez 1 second of the pace too. Whats going on there.

[El Scorchio]

Could they look on the lap times of the other teams and run that in the computers to determine where Max could finish and say Okay even if he starts at the back he will still be on the podium?
Why is Perez 1 second of the pace too. Whats going on there.

I expect Verstappen should finish top five still, with the change penalty if they take the new engine. Probably higher if there are any safety cars or red flags. There is the great luxury for RBR of treating this weekend as a nothing to lose scenario so they can be bold/opportunistic on strategy and they will probably regard anything above 6-7th as a bonus. They might even prefer a wet race, to be honest. More chance of chaos ahead.

[Marty_Y]

Max definitely taking a new engine. Confirmed

[RZS10]

Official doc

It makes sense that they seemingly ran a bit more downforce.

[Just_a_fan]

FP2 times could be important here. If they can't run qualifying, FP2 will set the grid. Not an issue for Max and Charles, of course, but for Perez and the two Mercs, it will be essential that they set top times in FP2.

[El Scorchio]

Norris is having an eventful day

[El Scorchio]

Verstappen on the radio: 'It's impossible to pass.' (a Williams)

I'm sure he's just being a bit dramatic, but that could be a real problem for them if it is applicable in the race.

[Just_a_fan]

Verstappen on the radio: 'It's impossible to pass.' (a Williams)

I'm sure he's just being a bit dramatic, but that could be a real problem for them if it is applicable in the race.

The only option is to drop some rear wing off, really, unless they're running the PU in a very lower mode.