2025 São Paulo Grand Prix - Interlagos, Nov 07 - 09

[r85]

Interesting, I thought the somewhat thinner air would need teams to run a higher load?

[AR3-GP]

Interesting, I thought the somewhat thinner air would need teams to run a higher load?

It's a minor issue compared to mexico.

[AR3-GP]

“In the rain it’s always very risky,” Verstappen told the official Formula 1 channel. “It can work for you, it can work against you.

“Also this season I think in the wet McLaren has been very, very strong to control the overheating, for example, on the intermediate tyres. So it’s not a given that if it rains that suddenly we will be the ones to beat.”

https://www.racefans.net/2025/11/06/ver ... advantage/

[venkyhere]

Interesting, I thought the somewhat thinner air would need teams to run a higher load?

Everyone going for less loaded wings, even though sector2 has many medium speed corners and takes up half the laptime. I guess this is the sacrifice because no one wants to be sitting duck in sector1 and sector3 , where straightline speed matters. I think they are expecting a dry Sunday race and will risk running this config for Saturday sprint and main quali. (I still believe optimising sector2 is important, but let's see)

[Ben1980]

if no rain, McLean miles ahead for the rest of the field like Mexcio ....

I wouldn't go so far as to say 'miles ahead' , because Mexico was so severe on cooling requirements, that McLaren enjoyed a 'double whammy' advantage - less openings on engine cover => less 'bad air' hitting the rear DF structures, better 'efficiency in downforce generation' => amplifying the alread big tyre life advantage even more, on top of 'less drag'. Plus Norris has unlocked a new way to 'setup the car to his liking' which he exploited to the hilt.

McLaren were 'miles ahead' before the summer break, when Redbull were struggling to setup the car, Mercedes didn't have their front wing fix, Ferrari were completely lost etc. All three teams have found 'fixes' (to different extents) after the summer break. So for the rest of the races, I would say McLaren are 'ahead' and might end up winning everything, but not expecting 'mega car advantage'.

Also, may I add, that all cars are different from 2024, so expecting Verstappen to 'dominate' like 2024, in case the race is wet, is not a given. So whether wet or dry, Mclaren winning all 4 races (even Vegas) is a definite possibility.

Did he dominate 2024? He was good, but he won, pretty much because of the red flag didn't he?

[venkyhere]

Did he dominate 2024? He was good, but he won, pretty much because of the red flag didn't he?

He was on average 1s per lap faster with same tyre age. If you think all the 1s came from clear visibility and clean air, well I guess your thoughts are aligned with Norris "it's all luck, not talent"... and no matter what anyone says, is going to change your opinion. Good for you.

[Ben1980]

Did he dominate 2024? He was good, but he won, pretty much because of the red flag didn't he?

He was on average 1s per lap faster with same tyre age. If you think all the 1s came from clear visibility and clean air, well I guess your thoughts are aligned with Norris "it's all luck, not talent"... and no matter what anyone says, is going to change your opinion. Good for you.

He did well, but, I don't think he wins without the red flag. Lando had stopped, then passed Russell. And was not far off.

Colapinto pretty much won him the race.

[Farnborough]

He absolutely has the ability, intent, method, application to "crystallise" these marginal situations that develop through uncertainty. A key asset in his career, probably more than most drivers we've observed before.

Closing out those opportunities a vital attribute in him, and just as importantly, the team in operation trackside etc. They being particularly fleet of foot in acceptance of the circumstances moving toward them, then to apply lucid and resolved actions to bank the result.

Both parts are impressive in fast moving battle of circumstances, particularly mixed track adhesion characteristics.

[_cerber1]

Did he dominate 2024? He was good, but he won, pretty much because of the red flag didn't he?

He was on average 1s per lap faster with same tyre age. If you think all the 1s came from clear visibility and clean air, well I guess your thoughts are aligned with Norris "it's all luck, not talent"... and no matter what anyone says, is going to change your opinion. Good for you.

You've apparently forgotten that Verstappen couldn't pass Leclerc for 13 laps in the dirty air, and only managed to pass him when Charles pitted. And yes, the red flag gave Verstappen around 30 seconds and clean air. It's foolish to deny the obvious.

[Wouter]

Did he dominate 2024? He was good, but he won, pretty much because of the red flag didn't he?

He was on average 1s per lap faster with same tyre age. If you think all the 1s came from clear visibility and clean air, well I guess your thoughts are aligned with Norris "it's all luck, not talent"... and no matter what anyone says, is going to change your opinion. Good for you.

You've apparently forgotten that Verstappen couldn't pass Leclerc for 13 laps in the dirty air, and only managed to pass him when Charles pitted. And yes, the red flag gave Verstappen around 30 seconds and clean air. It's foolish to deny the obvious.

.
Huh???

Before the red flag:



After the red flag . No 30 sec and no clean air.



Another red flag. Ending in lap 42:

Video: https://i.imgur.com/QyPk5MQ.mp4

[Ben1980]

I think it just means ge didn't have to stop in the pits. He may well have still won, but it was a big slice of luck that went a long way to winning.

[Farnborough]

Thats the thing about those pesky world champions .... damned lucky chaps, all of them.

All of the time, in every eventuality

[Vettel165]

Who cares it was legendary drive from p17 to p1, one of his best…

[Ben1980]

Thats the thing about those pesky world champions .... damned lucky chaps, all of them.

All of the time, in every eventuality

I just find it hard that sometimes people struggle to accept luck can play a part.

There's nothing wrong with it, it can work both ways.

Last year alone, London had luck in Miami or Max wins and its a different narrative probably.

It happens its part of racing, but people see it as a bad word.

[Ben1980]

Who cares it was legendary drive from p17 to p1, one of his best…

Not saying it wasn't, but just you can't ignore he got some luck along the way.