j.yank wrote: ↑13 Nov 2017, 10:37
stevesingo wrote: ↑13 Nov 2017, 10:12
j.yank wrote: ↑13 Nov 2017, 07:22
I am wondering why the supposed superior McLaren chassis were down from RedBull 0.1-02 sec per lap in the second sector, when Alonso was with fresh soft tires but Ricciardo was with 32 laps and more old soft tires? Verstappen were about 0.7 sec quicker there with new soft tires. At the very same time, Alonso was 0.4 sec per lap quicker than Masa (with new softs, too) in the same sector. How this holds with the theory that McLaren are missing only the power of mighty Renault engine?
I don't believe Alonso ran in clean air through S2, he was always behind Massa and therefore fixed to Massa's pace in a sector where overtaking is not possible.
Actually in the second stint with softs Alonso was most of the time 2-2.5 sec behind Masa, and never was capable to close more than 0.4 in sector 2, which then he lost in sector 1 and 3. At the same time, there were not any problem for Ricciardo catch Massa in the same sector 2.
Prior to RIC pitting on L44, RIC did 38.279 in S2 on 43lap old Softs. On the same lap ALO did 37.914 on 15 lap old softs, which could be expected, given the newer tyre.
Post pitstop, RIC did a 37.522 on his outlap using new Super Softs against ALO 38.055 and MAS 38.357. Again, the tyre difference is at play there. Neither comparison is like for like due to tyres, so I guess RIC was faster at that point due to new tyres of a faster compound.
ALO was given the hurry up from the pits on L45, ALO closed the gap from 2.46s down to 0.972 by L54. All the time losing in S1 and S3.
ALO compared to MAS in S2 between L46 and L54
L46 S2 +0.171 Lap +0.689 (ALO Passed by RIC)
L47 S2 -0.429 Lap -0.192
L48 S2 -0.962 Lap -0.911(MAS passed by RIC)
L49 S2 -0.435 Lap +0.068
L50 S2 -0.476 Lap -0.116
L51 S2 -0.448 Lap -0.063
L52 S2 -0.454 Lap -0.027
L53 S2 -0.454 Lap -0.056
L54 S2 -0.471 Lap -0.134
L55 S2 -0.653 Lap -0.346
For the most part, What was gained in S2 was lost in S1&3. Perhaps in clean air ALO could have been 0.2-0.3 faster in S2, bt he would not have had the benefit of the low and probably lost more or on the straights in S1 and S3.
FWIW ALO was faster than RIC between L53-57.
What is probably more indicative of the relative pace through S2 is the Qualifying pace.
RIC 33.211 vs ALO 35.197 vs VER 34.853.
One has to wonder if McLAren trimmed DF to have a respectable top speed.