2024 Japanese Grand Prix - Suzuka, April 05 - 07

[PierreW]

Ferrari one stopping this with Charles is such BDE. Yes he made an error, but has come out AHEAD of Norris who’s done 2 stops. The only hope McLaren had was to carry a tyre offset advantage into their third stint against Ferrari and they couldn’t do it.

Yes, bad decision for McLaren.

Ferrari is faster than McLaren, Norris is done vs Leclerc. Now let's see if Leclerc can keep the advantage to Sainz. He will have to pass Piastri probably.

Didn’t even have to pass Piastri. Charles is a pit stop ahead of Piastri on tyres that are 6-7 (?) laps older. Not exactly the damning tyre advantage McLaren would have hoped doing a 2-stopper over a 1 stopper.

I meant passing Piastri to not lose time versus Sainz, but McLaren pitted Piastri so Leclerc did not lose too much time.

[GrizzleBoy]

I wonder if Mercs issues with the hards is linked to their high speed aero problems.

You need good downforce to warm up the hard tyres and put them in their proper window and work them properly without damaging them, and Merc apparently don't have that.

[denyall]

I wonder if Mercs issues with the hards is linked to their high speed aero problems.

You need good downforce to warm up the hard tyres and put them in their proper window and work them properly without damaging them, and Merc apparently don't have that.

Merc has multiple issues. I don't even think they know all their problems..

[maseboogie]

Hamilton having quite the hissy right now.

[JPBD1990]

Just Sargeant things

[maseboogie]

Just Sargeant things

Logan-tifi

[PierreW]

Williams mechanics will know their cars very well.

[PierreW]

We are heading for a Ferrari on Ferrari battle to spice the things up.

[GrizzleBoy]

Hamilton having quite the hissy right now.

He gained 3s on George in the second stint and so far gained another 4s on George on this stint too.

He was about 2.5s behind George at the end of the first stint and about 3.5s behind at the end of the second.

Their strategy has been quite strange. I have no idea what they're doing.

[InsaneX_Badger]

Mercedes

[maseboogie]

Jeez Leclerc is getting firmly outclassed by Sainz. Great decision to drop him, Ferrari. /s

[F1NAC]

We are heading for a Ferrari on Ferrari battle to spice the things up.

That was never going to be a battle. 10 laps tyre difference is too much

[PierreW]

Leclerc could not fight and did not try.

RB crusing to a well deserved win.

Piastri can't pass Alonso which bring back Russell into a possible fight. Hamilton in a no man's land.

[maseboogie]

Was Stroll sucking helium during his radio message?

[JPBD1990]

Jeez Leclerc is getting firmly outclassed by Sainz. Great decision to drop him, Ferrari. /s

They’re on completely different strategies. Leclerc maximised what was available today. A Ferrari 3-4 is the maximum, and they both did what they needed to. Not exactly ‘firmly outclassed’. Charles could have qualified 2nd (in people’s fantasies) ahead of Perez, and they’d be finishing 3-4 regardless.