2018 pre-season testing thread

[GPR-A duplicate2]

How do you get RB ahead of Ferrari from that sim?

Only because, RB started the first stint on Mediums and Ferrari on SuperSoft (2 step softer), but the pace is similar.

Sure, I agree that all three are quite similar.

On paper, you'd say Mercedes has the edge (to the tune of 0.2 per lap over Ferrari) but I think motobaleno's point about the tyres is valid - Bottas' strategy isn't something you would be allowed to do over a race distance, so skews results (and I think *not* running SS is actually beneficial, as they go off too quickly and you have to stretch other stints).

You also have to account that, while SS goes off quickly, it provides far better early pace and that might just put the first stint into 1:20.xxx (albeit for 10 to 12 laps).

Based on what we have seen so far with various different cars, the degradation once again is going to be very little and might not play a role. With heightened downforce levels on all cars, it would be much easier to manage the tyres. We are not left with any more tracks that have abrasive nature anymore.

[dans79]

On paper, you'd say Mercedes has the edge (to the tune of 0.2 per lap over Ferrari)

Based on the sims posted, it looks like a lot more than 0.2!

[Santozini]

The fuming horse



[media]https://twitter.com/Berrageiz/status/971736988721262592[/media]

[Mattchu]

What surprised me a little was the fact Vettel only got into the 19`s once during the whole stint [last lap], whereas Bottas got in the 19`s thirteen times [all in the final stint]. This last stint is intriguing as both drivers bolt on their final set of mediums within seven laps of each other but Vettels pace doesn`t improve massively but Bottas goes ~ 1 second quicker...
Personally i think we are going to have a very close tussle between Ferarri and Mercedes with Red Bull not far behind, maybe even right with them.

Then again, its only testing right...both cars look super solid...

[F1NAC]

VES tyres (19laps) after race sim VS VET tyres (26laps) after race sim

[f1316]

On paper, you'd say Mercedes has the edge (to the tune of 0.2 per lap over Ferrari)

Based on the sims posted, it looks like a lot more than 0.2!

Look at the average lap over the entire race sim. From what I understand it’s 0.2 secs per lap in Mercedes favour

[Phlumbert]

Only because, RB started the first stint on Mediums and Ferrari on SuperSoft (2 step softer), but the pace is similar.

Sure, I agree that all three are quite similar.

On paper, you'd say Mercedes has the edge (to the tune of 0.2 per lap over Ferrari) but I think motobaleno's point about the tyres is valid - Bottas' strategy isn't something you would be allowed to do over a race distance, so skews results (and I think *not* running SS is actually beneficial, as they go off too quickly and you have to stretch other stints).

You also have to account that, while SS goes off quickly, it provides far better early pace and that might just put the first stint into 1:20.xxx (albeit for 10 to 12 laps).

Based on what we have seen so far with various different cars, the degradation once again is going to be very little and might not play a role. With heightened downforce levels on all cars, it would be much easier to manage the tyres. We are not left with any more tracks that have abrasive nature anymore.

Yeah, I agree. The SS degrades quicker no doubt but that is mostly negated by the quicker times it's capable of providing for the first few laps. There isn't much of a difference between Bottas' and Vettel's first stints and that's M vs SS.

[Vanja #66]

VES tyres after race sim VS VET tyres after race sim

https://i.redditmedia.com/oVVATkTl_33wa ... 73525ad701

Driving to a delta compared to driving on the edge?

[F1NAC]

VES tyres after race sim VS VET tyres after race sim

https://i.redditmedia.com/oVVATkTl_33wa ... 73525ad701

Driving to a delta compared to driving on the edge?

we can only speculate but it seems that way

[f1316]

Only because, RB started the first stint on Mediums and Ferrari on SuperSoft (2 step softer), but the pace is similar.

Sure, I agree that all three are quite similar.

On paper, you'd say Mercedes has the edge (to the tune of 0.2 per lap over Ferrari) but I think motobaleno's point about the tyres is valid - Bottas' strategy isn't something you would be allowed to do over a race distance, so skews results (and I think *not* running SS is actually beneficial, as they go off too quickly and you have to stretch other stints).

You also have to account that, while SS goes off quickly, it provides far better early pace and that might just put the first stint into 1:20.xxx (albeit for 10 to 12 laps).

Based on what we have seen so far with various different cars, the degradation once again is going to be very little and might not play a role. With heightened downforce levels on all cars, it would be much easier to manage the tyres. We are not left with any more tracks that have abrasive nature anymore.

Hmmm, don’t know that I agree.

For one, Helmet Marko seems to think Mercedes are blistering softer tyres (https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/vers ... s-1012637/) although could be track surface related; still, it may explain why they chose an unrepresentative tyre strategy for their race sim. This would indicate that degredation is anything but low for some teams.

Likewise, if you’re having to nurse SS tyres to get a decent stint length, you won’t be pushing them and they won’t be faster. So I don’t think it’s a given they’d be faster in that stint, nor will the next two stints be apples with apples given longer lengths.

Let’s say this: i’m waiting to see a Mercedes do the same strategy before making conclusions.

[dren]

Gasly to 3rd, 1:18.3

[1158]

Gasly to 3rd, 1:18.3

Listed as on HS

[dren]

Another quick lap, but down 2 tenths. Looks like a quali sim.

[CriXus]

There is something strange in Vettel's race stints. In his last stint his last lap is a whole second quicker 1:19.9. There is not gradual pace increasing, it looks more like driving to a given delta. Is it possible he is hiding his true pace, like his qualy laps, where he was going off throttle on the pit straight. Maybe i am too optimistic about Ferrari, but we will see in Melbourne.

[Moose]

There is something strange in Vettel's race stints. In his last stint his last lap is a whole second quicker 1:19.9. There is not gradual pace increasing, it looks more like driving to a given delta. Is it possible he is hiding his true pace, like his qualy laps, where he was going off throttle on the pit straight. Maybe i am too optimistic about Ferrari, but we will see in Melbourne.

Of course they are - all of them are. This is testing, not "show everyone exactly how fast your car is where" day.