2025 Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne, March 14 - 16

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FittingMechanics
FittingMechanics
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Joined: 19 Feb 2019, 12:10

Re: 2025 Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne, March 14 - 16

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Long runs were quite compromised because a bunch of people were behind others.

Norris was behind Antonelli, clearly held back.
Leclerc was at least part of the stint behind Verstappen, who was off sequence and also held Leclerc back.

To me it looks like McLaren and Ferrari are front runners.

Formula 1 fan 1996
Formula 1 fan 1996
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Joined: 28 Aug 2024, 10:56

Re: 2025 Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne, March 14 - 16

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So, is it Leclerc far ahead of Hamilton in terms of qualifying and race pace or is it close?

DJ Downforce
DJ Downforce
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Joined: 10 Jan 2025, 12:48

Re: 2025 Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne, March 14 - 16

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Formula 1 fan 1996 wrote:
14 Mar 2025, 11:27
So, is it Leclerc far ahead of Hamilton in terms of qualifying and race pace or is it close?
So far in the short runs, Leclerc is clearly faster by a few tenths. But this is Ham's first practice day, in a new car, new team with a new power unit; it's expected that he would take some time.

In fp1 he was 6 tenths off
Fp2 - 4 tenths
So hopefully the trend continues and he can settle for a couple of tenths off at worst.

The long runs are a lot closer - but qualifying is going to be crucial given the tight field. One little slide could be the difference between glory on Sunday or just another p4.

Formula 1 fan 1996
Formula 1 fan 1996
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Joined: 28 Aug 2024, 10:56

Re: 2025 Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne, March 14 - 16

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DJ Downforce wrote:
14 Mar 2025, 12:23
Formula 1 fan 1996 wrote:
14 Mar 2025, 11:27
So, is it Leclerc far ahead of Hamilton in terms of qualifying and race pace or is it close?
So far in the short runs, Leclerc is clearly faster by a few tenths. But this is Ham's first practice day, in a new car, new team with a new power unit; it's expected that he would take some time.

In fp1 he was 6 tenths off
Fp2 - 4 tenths
So hopefully the trend continues and he can settle for a couple of tenths off at worst.

The long runs are a lot closer - but qualifying is going to be crucial given the tight field. One little slide could be the difference between glory on Sunday or just another p4.
Okay, thank you for answer and explanation.

venkyhere
venkyhere
19
Joined: 10 Feb 2024, 06:17

Re: 2025 Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne, March 14 - 16

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Spent some time with long run data from F1-tempo, with one race pace lap each from the top four teams.
Made sure I selected laps where LEC was not stuck behind VER and where NOR was not stuck behind ANT.

Image

Observations & inferences (could be totally wrong)

- McLaren and Redbull on lower wing settings than Ferrari and Mercedes, it looks like, they are the ones who have to lift the most through T5 & T9-T10
- McLaren seems to be more heavily laden with fuel than Ferrari
- Ferrari is masterful through T12, they can get to higher gear much earlier than others
- Redbull (Max) doing some weird things in slow corners, they are one gear lower than others :
a) either because the car is simply refusing to rotate in slow corners (3,11,13)
b) or because they want to 'hide-pace' by downshifting extra, thus delaying the speed buildup for the section after the corner.
(I think 'a' is the likely reason)
- Redbull (Max) sandbagging by refusing to upshift for pit straight and delaying upshift between T2 and T3 & delaying downshift for T9-T10 (which would've given better engine braking before and better traction after, the 'chicane')
- Ferrari and McLaren are delaying upshift (sandbagging) too, for the pit straight.
- Mercedes seems to be the 'relatively honest' team in terms of showing their hand.
- Mclaren are the kings of the high speed section (can't see evidence of any derating by others) that is sector2.
- Ferrari/Mercedes/Redbull are almost similar (w.r.t time consumed) through the sector2 high speed section ; though Redbull seems to struggle with T6 (which in turn means more time in pocket for sector2).

Overall, contrary to my belief earlier from FP1, Ferrari are 'upto-speed' with McLaren and have emerged as the 'threat' for McLaren, they have similarly sharp front-end on their cars.
@dialtone & @JPBD1990 , I stand corrected. :D
Last edited by venkyhere on 14 Mar 2025, 13:43, edited 1 time in total.

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Vanja #66
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Joined: 19 Mar 2012, 16:38

Re: 2025 Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne, March 14 - 16

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For anyone interested, the difference in drag and downforce between McLaren and Ferrari comes from beam wings, rear wings are very similar in overall size

Image

Image
"If anyone was to ask for my opinion, which, I note, they're not..." - The Fellowship

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dren
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Joined: 03 Mar 2010, 14:14

Re: 2025 Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne, March 14 - 16

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I was expecting Ferrari to be in the fight but was hoping Max at least would be a bit closer. Bring on the race! Bearman was not who I picked of the rookies to crash first, but I'll take that.
Honda!

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Jackuar
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Joined: 18 Jun 2012, 16:50

Re: 2025 Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne, March 14 - 16

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Below the top 4, it looks like Williams might be the top of the midfield with AMR and Racing Bulls in the fight. Can someone help with the mid fields teams long run analysis? Thanks in advance.

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search
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Joined: 19 Jul 2014, 21:20

Re: 2025 Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne, March 14 - 16

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Will be interesting to see what kind of setup the teams go for tomorrow, with rain almost a certainty on Sunday. Could lead to some surprising qualifying results, I guess, maybe even at the very front.

Farnborough
Farnborough
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Joined: 18 Mar 2023, 14:15

Re: 2025 Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne, March 14 - 16

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Vanja #66 wrote:
14 Mar 2025, 13:37
For anyone interested, the difference in drag and downforce between McLaren and Ferrari comes from beam wings, rear wings are very similar in overall size

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gl_1q3OWgAA ... ame=medium

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gl_1rWnWcAA ... ame=medium
Very little camber static (negative) or "accumulation " on rear tyres of Ferrari when its seen at full load and compressed to that degree, right down at the limits of travel. Likely helps with tyre lifing as not taking a toll on either of the shoulder.