that's the case for everyone but LEC (and the Haas) indeed now
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On the back of Max Verstappen's hectic end to the Spanish Grand Prix, Red Bull motorsport advisor Dr Helmut Marko conceded that he does not "know what kind of misjudgment or thought process was going on inside him."
I think it's a bit of track temp as well as engine modes. Piastri was 3-4 tenths up in sector 1 and sector 2 respectively. Sector 1 is very power sensitive, and sector 2 rewards higher engine modes too with the mid-circuit straight and heavy acceleration event out of turn 5.
They all do. They're designed to pass the test, but still flex under aero load.
Not so sure about that. If the track temps stay well north of 40 C McLaren is hugely advantaged.
Yeah but they're not 8 tenths faster than the next car on merit.Cs98 wrote: ↑31 May 2025, 13:42Not so sure about that. If the track temps stay well north of 40 C McLaren is hugely advantaged.
We'll see but I assume the governing body will try something else as soon as they can. 2023 was awful for the sport and they don't want a repeat of what happened with Merc running away at the front either.
But how is it that McLaren was not affected by the TD when they had the most flexing wing, while Ferrari barely had any wing flex at all? If McLaren were to increase their lead despite this, there’s either some massive cheating going on, or it could be that McLaren had a substantial lead all along and were simply holding back at Imola and a few other races to make the season appear closer — much like Mercedes did a few times in 2014.
I have my doubts for this weekend. This looks like Jeddah to me. Unless track cools down others will be nowhere.
McLaren's main strengths this year are working their tires in all temperatures without overheating. Everyone else's tires are suffering while McLaren's is cool as a cucumber. It is possible that they lost a bit of lap time due to the flexi-wing story but the loss they had is nowhere near as close as to what they can do with their tires. Let's not forget they were very close in qualifying and at times more than 1s a lap quicker in the hot track at Miami.pantherxxx wrote: ↑31 May 2025, 13:48But how is it that McLaren was not affected by the TD when they had the most flexing wing, while Ferrari barely had any wing flex at all? If McLaren were to increase their lead despite this, there’s either some massive cheating going on, or it could be that McLaren had a substantial lead all along and were simply holding back at Imola and a few other races to make the season appear closer — much like Mercedes did a few times in 2014.
Of course not. Mclaren gives their drivers full power and super low fuel on hot laps attempts in FP3 to help them prepare for quali and find more confidence, which they've been lacking a lot come quali. Max was losing like 0.56s down the straight, not gonna be the case in Q3. and their will be less of a deficit in the corners as well due to lower track surface temperature.
Exactly, Max Verstappen is not 1 second off the competition.Matt2725 wrote: ↑31 May 2025, 13:41I think it's a bit of track temp as well as engine modes. Piastri was 3-4 tenths up in sector 1 and sector 2 respectively. Sector 1 is very power sensitive, and sector 2 rewards higher engine modes too with the mid-circuit straight and heavy acceleration event out of turn 5.
Sector 3 was within a margin.
But a lot of evidence suggests McLaren at least with Piastri had the wick turned up full (although acknowledging Norris has his incident) whereas the others were still holding some back. Add that with the track temps and I think the gap is somewhat exaggerated.
McLaren will probably still get pole of course but I don't think Max is a second behind by any stretch. The biggest worry is it's expected to be even warmer for the race.
They all do. They're designed to pass the test, but still flex under aero load.
Sure they are, at these track temps. If the temperature comes down then the gap will come down and they might be, idk, 3 tenths ahead.