There were 6 cooldown laps in this stint. They don't cause a whole lot of degradation... I don't think it means anything especially as they were nowhere near qualy-pace. To me it looked like Merc was still working with setup issues but that has happened to both Merc and RB before. I'm sure one of the more experienced Merc-development drivers has been doing simwork overnight and it will be close anyway.dans79 wrote: ↑06 Nov 2021, 15:25no, these were qualifying run stints. The point is, Valtteri did his fastest lap, on lap 11 of the stint, compared to Max who did his on the second lap.
Given the fact that Valtteri did 3 fast laps, and a lot of laps in general before his fastest lap, means one of two things. Either merc has a non trivial amount of pace in hand, or they have amazingly good degradation!
I have to give it to Max, he is good at riding the curbs on the borders of legality. He just about keep the outside rear tyre on the white line. This is a bit unfair for other cars that cannot do this, but what can you do? F1 drivers will exploit every inch.Bill_Kar wrote: ↑06 Nov 2021, 09:30What's baffling is that Mercedes is a lot slower both on the high speed section and the stadium section as well.
Presumably, they have some issues riding the kerbs. I wonder whether they can do something about it or not.
But definitely, MV is, by far, the favourite here.
Yeah, I agree with you mate. I mean, if it's legal, I don't care if it's borderline.PlatinumZealot wrote: ↑06 Nov 2021, 16:09I have to give it to Max, he is good at riding the curbs on the borders of legality. He just about keep the outside rear tyre on the white line. This is a bit unfair for other cars that cannot do this, but what can you do? F1 drivers will exploit every inch.Bill_Kar wrote: ↑06 Nov 2021, 09:30What's baffling is that Mercedes is a lot slower both on the high speed section and the stadium section as well.
Presumably, they have some issues riding the kerbs. I wonder whether they can do something about it or not.
But definitely, MV is, by far, the favourite here.
I have memories of most drivers cutting curbs rather illegally from be the 2008 regs going back. Yup. I mean before the white line rules were enforced, they literally cut the track by "jumping" across tight turns. Today's cars can't quite do it wit the same effectiveness, but the RedBull and Mclaren seems nimble over the curbs compares to the lazy Mercedes.
Why is this “unfair”? It is a legal engineered advantage.PlatinumZealot wrote: ↑06 Nov 2021, 16:09I have to give it to Max, he is good at riding the curbs on the borders of legality. He just about keep the outside rear tyre on the white line. This is a bit unfair for other cars that cannot do this, but what can you do? F1 drivers will exploit every inch.Bill_Kar wrote: ↑06 Nov 2021, 09:30What's baffling is that Mercedes is a lot slower both on the high speed section and the stadium section as well.
Presumably, they have some issues riding the kerbs. I wonder whether they can do something about it or not.
But definitely, MV is, by far, the favourite here.
I have memories of most drivers cutting curbs rather illegally from be the 2008 regs going back. Yup. I mean before the white line rules were enforced, they literally cut the track by "jumping" across tight turns. Today's cars can't quite do it wit the same effectiveness, but the RedBull and Mclaren seems nimble over the curbs compares to the lazy Mercedes.
I think its unfair that the Merc can squat at speed, and have their front wing fold back because others cannot do it either...PlatinumZealot wrote: ↑06 Nov 2021, 16:09I have to give it to Max, he is good at riding the curbs on the borders of legality. He just about keep the outside rear tyre on the white line. This is a bit unfair for other cars that cannot do this, but what can you do? F1 drivers will exploit every inch.Bill_Kar wrote: ↑06 Nov 2021, 09:30What's baffling is that Mercedes is a lot slower both on the high speed section and the stadium section as well.
Presumably, they have some issues riding the kerbs. I wonder whether they can do something about it or not.
But definitely, MV is, by far, the favourite here.
I have memories of most drivers cutting curbs rather illegally from be the 2008 regs going back. Yup. I mean before the white line rules were enforced, they literally cut the track by "jumping" across tight turns. Today's cars can't quite do it wit the same effectiveness, but the RedBull and Mclaren seems nimble over the curbs compares to the lazy Mercedes.
Lewis was ahead in Austin on Lap 1, yet didn't win. Besides, he is due for a DNF and I feel it would be this GP, unless they opt to change his PU components. With lack of downforce W12 is experiencing relative to RB16B, they would be in for a troubled GP with tyre deg.ringo wrote: ↑06 Nov 2021, 19:21At this rate. Hamilton needs to aim tor P2 even if its 0.5s a lap slower in Q3.
If he can pick the start and stay ahead of Max on the straights he has a chance to win.
Redbull may just repeat what the did in Texas but Mercedes need to be ready to pit earlier.
Was tyre deg a factor last year?
You have that completely reversed, Max was the one doing 2 cool down laps. That's a strong suggestion that he is working the tires hard!