Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc (all-day), and Russell will be in the evening session so we'll see a sort of "glimpse" of the pecking order tomorrow when they do their fast laps.Xero wrote: ↑20 Feb 2026, 00:55Isn't it mad to think we've just one test session left before we go racing, and we still can't all agree on the order of the front 4. I think tomorrow will paint a better picture, teams will need to get a read on peak performance. Each of the top 4 has something to make them stand out as the best car in certain areas. Mercedes seems like a good all rounder, Red Bull with it's impressive straight line speed and efficiency, Ferrari with their slow speed traction and rocket starts, and McLaren with high speed corner performance. If those traits carry we'll get some wild track dependant swings.
you gotta wonder if the teams colluded to set it up that way on purposeSB15 wrote: ↑20 Feb 2026, 01:18Norris, Leclerc (all-day), and Russell will be in the evening session so we'll see a sort of "glimpse" of the pecking order tomorrow when they do their fast laps.Xero wrote: ↑20 Feb 2026, 00:55Isn't it mad to think we've just one test session left before we go racing, and we still can't all agree on the order of the front 4. I think tomorrow will paint a better picture, teams will need to get a read on peak performance. Each of the top 4 has something to make them stand out as the best car in certain areas. Mercedes seems like a good all rounder, Red Bull with it's impressive straight line speed and efficiency, Ferrari with their slow speed traction and rocket starts, and McLaren with high speed corner performance. If those traits carry we'll get some wild track dependant swings.
I just remembered Max more than likely will be in the evening as well.upsidedowntoast wrote: ↑20 Feb 2026, 01:28you gotta wonder if the teams colluded to set it up that way on purposeSB15 wrote: ↑20 Feb 2026, 01:18Norris, Leclerc (all-day), and Russell will be in the evening session so we'll see a sort of "glimpse" of the pecking order tomorrow when they do their fast laps.Xero wrote: ↑20 Feb 2026, 00:55Isn't it mad to think we've just one test session left before we go racing, and we still can't all agree on the order of the front 4. I think tomorrow will paint a better picture, teams will need to get a read on peak performance. Each of the top 4 has something to make them stand out as the best car in certain areas. Mercedes seems like a good all rounder, Red Bull with it's impressive straight line speed and efficiency, Ferrari with their slow speed traction and rocket starts, and McLaren with high speed corner performance. If those traits carry we'll get some wild track dependant swings.
Norris has had both morning sessions this week, with Piastri in the afternoons. Will be another split day tomorrow, but likely switched around I believe.SB15 wrote: ↑20 Feb 2026, 01:18Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc (all-day), and Russell will be in the evening session so we'll see a sort of "glimpse" of the pecking order tomorrow when they do their fast laps.Xero wrote: ↑20 Feb 2026, 00:55Isn't it mad to think we've just one test session left before we go racing, and we still can't all agree on the order of the front 4. I think tomorrow will paint a better picture, teams will need to get a read on peak performance. Each of the top 4 has something to make them stand out as the best car in certain areas. Mercedes seems like a good all rounder, Red Bull with it's impressive straight line speed and efficiency, Ferrari with their slow speed traction and rocket starts, and McLaren with high speed corner performance. If those traits carry we'll get some wild track dependant swings.
That's not what I said.dialtone wrote: ↑20 Feb 2026, 00:05So there's no problem with starts then, we can keep them as is.
It doesn't affect the starts much. Mercedes has a larger turbo. That's it. That's why their starts are worse.
I don't think there's much left to the imagination. I think it's quite clear that Mercedes is competitive enough to win races. The only question left is who their main rival will be. Ferrari or Mclaren. Mclaren is sharing the PU so they have a more natural chance of being close if chassis is also good. Ferrari is the x-factor with their blown diffuser and convertible top DRS system.
Day 2 was quite atypical for Ferrari with fewer laps. I would definitely wait for Charles on Day 3 before making any judgment about Ferrari's position.
