The problem will be whether he gets into the melee with cars around him. Starting on hards is a sure fire way of ending up in a fracas. But I agree, risky choice that could very much pay off. It’s going to be very cold for the race start so keeping heat in the hards to get off the line with will be a huge challengemstar wrote: ↑02 Mar 2024, 12:51TBH he is so far down i be surprised he doesn't start on Softs as all the others will be ahead/behind. HOWEVER, with the DRS coming in 1 lap earlier it maybe worth gambling starting on a harder tyre IF he can maintain the pace. That would mean he maybe lose a few positions but he have to fight his way back ahead after lap 6-8, when tyre deg kicks in the softs.
I think lewis should start on hards if he trusts his set-up. Nobody has run hards except Redbull so merc have no data on them. They could be over 1 sec slower than a degrading softs? who knows.
Either way this race will NOT be won on the first stint on softs. The race will be won on who can maintain race pace on hards as that tyre will have most laps run.
Hard tire is a good thought with the potential to recover a lot of the pace deficit if he can keep within the DRS of those ahead.mstar wrote: ↑02 Mar 2024, 12:51TBH he is so far down i be surprised he doesn't start on Softs as all the others will be ahead/behind. HOWEVER, with the DRS coming in 1 lap earlier it maybe worth gambling starting on a harder tyre IF he can maintain the pace. That would mean he maybe lose a few positions but he have to fight his way back ahead after lap 6-8, when tyre deg kicks in the softs.
I think lewis should start on hards if he trusts his set-up. Nobody has run hards except Redbull so merc have no data on them. They could be over 1 sec slower than a degrading softs? who knows.
Either way this race will NOT be won on the first stint on softs. The race will be won on who can maintain race pace on hards as that tyre will have most laps run.
It’s a terrible race tyre by all accounts.Formula 1 fan wrote: ↑02 Mar 2024, 13:16Lewis has set of new medium tyres right, would be that good choice to start on medium tyres?
Is it even worse starting on mediums than on softs, and can Lewis saves medium tyres for final stint?101FlyingDutchman wrote: ↑02 Mar 2024, 13:19It’s a terrible race tyre by all accounts.Formula 1 fan wrote: ↑02 Mar 2024, 13:16Lewis has set of new medium tyres right, would be that good choice to start on medium tyres?
The real point is extracting so much from the car that Dallara can identify where the development focus needs to be placed.renault rs26 wrote: ↑02 Mar 2024, 09:18Qualifying was never an issue for then, if Hulk doesn't go backwards tomorrow then we can say they did something good.