2025 Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail, Nov 28 - 30

[Vettel165]

For such a high-stakes weekend, race thread is awfully quiet. (in the meantime team threads are bursting at the seams with irrelevant topics ).
Anyway, looking at last years data, the two protagonists (NOR & VER) were exchanging sector time punches through the lap (Q and R) - NOR was unbeatable through S3 whilst VER gained his time in S1. The difference makers were the T4-T5 double apex corners (very similar to Lesmos in Monza) in S1, and the mega full throttle S3 : right-right-right-left-right 12-13-14-15-16. S2 was almost equal between them. Even in 2024, RB20 didn't hold high speed corner advantage over the McL38. This year's McL39 is even stronger in the high speed corners, and RB21 is a lottery car.

Logically thinking, I expect NOR P1, PIA P2, VER P3 - such is the 'mega'ness of the McL39 in long and fast corners (unless McLaren knee-jerk by increase ride height beyond what they planned, and kill their chances).

Wishfully thinking, I want VER P1 and NOR P4 and below, so that AbuDhabi2025 is as high voltage as AbuDhabi2021. That's all I want, no favourites, just a blockbuster finish Is my desire.

It's the opposite no?

https://imgur.com/a/DUykYBQ

Indeed Max was a monster in that s3 last year.

[bluechris]

I think Max will be fastest and win the race. The real question imo is Merc. They will play big in these last two races as they could keep Lando off the podium. Long shot but possible.

Why specific for Lando? i mean is there something for them except to cement the 2nd place in the championship?

[FittingMechanics]

I think Max will be fastest and win the race. The real question imo is Merc. They will play big in these last two races as they could keep Lando off the podium. Long shot but possible.

Why specific for Lando? i mean is there something for them except to cement the 2nd place in the championship?

Because he is hoping Max is clearly first and then other teams slot in between McLaren and Max to give him chance to beat Lando to the title.

[SiLo]

The great part about the tire restriction is that all drivers push FULL SEND the entire race. That is fantastic. LOVE IT.

It's good, but then because there is no refueling, you have zero strategy at all. They all pit around the same time and do the same thing.

[Chuckjr]

I think Max will be fastest and win the race. The real question imo is Merc. They will play big in these last two races as they could keep Lando off the podium. Long shot but possible.

Why specific for Lando? i mean is there something for them except to cement the 2nd place in the championship?

Because he is hoping Max is clearly first and then other teams slot in between McLaren and Max to give him chance to beat Lando to the title.

Correct.

I want the best driver to win the title each year if possible, whoever is best that year. Right now 2025, Max is the best driver imo, so I want him to win the title. I'm not a fan of any one driver anymore. Macca was the best constructor this year, clearly, and deserved the title, and I like it that they won so dominantly as a team. Want the same for the driver.

[Badger]

The great part about the tire restriction is that all drivers push FULL SEND the entire race. That is fantastic. LOVE IT.

It's good, but then because there is no refueling, you have zero strategy at all. They all pit around the same time and do the same thing.

With a 25 lap restriction it should open up strategic options since there's a lot of margin in there for when you take the two stops. In 2023 it was an 18 lap restriction which basically forced you to do all 18.

[euv2]

A bold prediction but I think Leclerc could cook this weekend, the car has been strong in the high speed this season, mid everywhere else. I'm expect him to be in contention for a P3-P5 in qualy and end up being the car to take the place of anyone from MCL or RBR who underperforms.

[venkyhere]

For such a high-stakes weekend, race thread is awfully quiet. (in the meantime team threads are bursting at the seams with irrelevant topics ).
Anyway, looking at last years data, the two protagonists (NOR & VER) were exchanging sector time punches through the lap (Q and R) - NOR was unbeatable through S3 whilst VER gained his time in S1. The difference makers were the T4-T5 double apex corners (very similar to Lesmos in Monza) in S1, and the mega full throttle S3 : right-right-right-left-right 12-13-14-15-16. S2 was almost equal between them. Even in 2024, RB20 didn't hold high speed corner advantage over the McL38. This year's McL39 is even stronger in the high speed corners, and RB21 is a lottery car.

Logically thinking, I expect NOR P1, PIA P2, VER P3 - such is the 'mega'ness of the McL39 in long and fast corners (unless McLaren knee-jerk by increase ride height beyond what they planned, and kill their chances).

Wishfully thinking, I want VER P1 and NOR P4 and below, so that AbuDhabi2025 is as high voltage as AbuDhabi2021. That's all I want, no favourites, just a blockbuster finish Is my desire.

It's the opposite no?

https://imgur.com/a/DUykYBQ

Yeah, it looks like VER was faster in S1, but was also faster in S3 (by less than a tenth) in the Q lap. My bad.
However, in race laps, it was exactly like how I wrote before, S1 belonged to VER, S3 to NOR. Here is a typical race lap :

[Henk_v]

Then again, if you pit on lap 10, you have a 3 lap window for your second stop. An early pitstop will make you hamstrung strategically, or even sitting duck for an overcut.

I guess they will mostly go for a long 1st stint, hoping on a SC. Then floor it for the 2nd and then see how deg & track position goes to decide if they take a late stop with softs.

[search]

I guess they will mostly go for a long 1st stint, hoping on a SC. Then floor it for the 2nd and then see how deg & track position goes to decide if they take a late stop with softs.

last year softs hardly lasted for 10 laps. May be a bit better now, but I'd think most will prefer the medium and hard for the race, even for shortish stints.