

Yeah, Cota sector 3 performance was very strong, esp. in the race. If the new floor generates more load as it's supposed to, it could push Max above the McLarens. Rain brings too much luck into play, a Stroll like incident with red flags in qualy could destroy the weekend. Of course, it also increases the chances of a big point swing but if the floor works, I'd take a dry weekend but that's looking unlikely with rain forecasted for qualy.f1isgood wrote: ↑03 Nov 2025, 11:07I think a dry race will be very favorable for McLaren but a win for Max cannot be ruled out even in a dry race. The car was good in long radius corners in Austin. It won't be easy but it's not impossible. Indeed, I am assuming that the car won't be as bad as it was in Mexico. Hope the cooling requirements and downforce levels can support the car.
Sprint weekend is the bigger issue. No time to get the car in a good working window. It will be rushed. So it will be tricky to nail the setup.
Max needs big point swings so anything that increases the chance of that (like rain) is good for him. It's not a guarantee of anything, but it creates opportunities.euv2 wrote: ↑03 Nov 2025, 14:52Yeah, Cota sector 3 performance was very strong, esp. in the race. If the new floor generates more load as it's supposed to, it could push Max above the McLarens. Rain brings too much luck into play, a Stroll like incident with red flags in qualy could destroy the weekend. Of course, it also increases the chances of a big point swing but if the floor works, I'd take a dry weekend but that's looking unlikely with rain forecasted for qualy.
If it's dry and cold then qualifying will be super important. They need to get on top of whatever issues they had in Mexico because Max will need the front row at the very least for best chances to win here.Badger wrote: ↑03 Nov 2025, 15:21Max needs big point swings so anything that increases the chance of that (like rain) is good for him. It's not a guarantee of anything, but it creates opportunities.euv2 wrote: ↑03 Nov 2025, 14:52Yeah, Cota sector 3 performance was very strong, esp. in the race. If the new floor generates more load as it's supposed to, it could push Max above the McLarens. Rain brings too much luck into play, a Stroll like incident with red flags in qualy could destroy the weekend. Of course, it also increases the chances of a big point swing but if the floor works, I'd take a dry weekend but that's looking unlikely with rain forecasted for qualy.
Rain looks most likely for Friday actually, with potential for some drizzle on Saturday. Crucially Sunday looks to be quite cold and overcast.
Combination of McLaren being overpowered for most of the season and the racing being pure sh*t with these cars this final year of these regulations, but yeah I meant it more in contrast to a wet Brazil, which Max can win it from anywhere assuming chaos works out in his favor.
Whatever floor they use in FP1 is the one they'll stick with for the week, I think. I don't think they'll try to switch floors without data from Max on both.Emag wrote: ↑03 Nov 2025, 16:30Combination of McLaren being overpowered for most of the season and the racing being pure sh*t with these cars this final year of these regulations, but yeah I meant it more in contrast to a wet Brazil, which Max can win it from anywhere assuming chaos works out in his favor.
A dry race removes some variability and you’re back to the season’s norm. Would be interesting to see if they keep the Mexico floor or not though.
Friday rain would be the worst as they need data to set up the car.Badger wrote: ↑03 Nov 2025, 15:21Max needs big point swings so anything that increases the chance of that (like rain) is good for him. It's not a guarantee of anything, but it creates opportunities.euv2 wrote: ↑03 Nov 2025, 14:52Yeah, Cota sector 3 performance was very strong, esp. in the race. If the new floor generates more load as it's supposed to, it could push Max above the McLarens. Rain brings too much luck into play, a Stroll like incident with red flags in qualy could destroy the weekend. Of course, it also increases the chances of a big point swing but if the floor works, I'd take a dry weekend but that's looking unlikely with rain forecasted for qualy.
Rain looks most likely for Friday actually, with potential for some drizzle on Saturday. Crucially Sunday looks to be quite cold and overcast.
So does everyone else.Paa wrote: ↑03 Nov 2025, 17:19Friday rain would be the worst as they need data to set up the car.Badger wrote: ↑03 Nov 2025, 15:21Max needs big point swings so anything that increases the chance of that (like rain) is good for him. It's not a guarantee of anything, but it creates opportunities.euv2 wrote: ↑03 Nov 2025, 14:52Yeah, Cota sector 3 performance was very strong, esp. in the race. If the new floor generates more load as it's supposed to, it could push Max above the McLarens. Rain brings too much luck into play, a Stroll like incident with red flags in qualy could destroy the weekend. Of course, it also increases the chances of a big point swing but if the floor works, I'd take a dry weekend but that's looking unlikely with rain forecasted for qualy.
Rain looks most likely for Friday actually, with potential for some drizzle on Saturday. Crucially Sunday looks to be quite cold and overcast.
You are technically right, but still the sentiment is that RedBull needs more time/data to find the sweetspot compared to others, especially with their new floor. So losing time can potentially be more harmful for RedBull, than others.
The strange part is that sprint weekend results dont fit that narrative.Paa wrote: ↑03 Nov 2025, 19:39You are technically right, but still the sentiment is that RedBull needs more time/data to find the sweetspot compared to others, especially with their new floor. So losing time can potentially be more harmful for RedBull, than others.
Similarly the sentiment is that Max is very good in rain, so a Sunday rain can benefit him more vs the competitors.
Neither is necessarily true, but this is the general expectation. So based on this Sunday rain is better Max,.while Friday rain is worse.