2018 McLaren F1 Team - Renault

[ALO_Power]

I don't know about the long-runs but I think the pace is pretty good and the results just don't make it justice. All of the fastest laps (of all teams) have been posted at the start of the session and Alonso's best time that was on Mediums was matching most midfield's best times on softs (and some super-softs). When Stoffel went out not much were improving so his time was also not ideal, I think. To my eyes it looks like solid 4th best pace. Let's see how the long-runs look though cause they will show more interesting stuff.

[Macklaren]

They were doing 1.23s on Mediums. I saw ALO post a couple of 1.21s on soft in the long runs. Will need to wait for collation of data on everyone's full runs

[PhillipM]

Yeah, bit of a strange session for everyone, Alonso tried some faster laps near the end and got blocked two laps in a row and gave up, everyone is having tyre problems - Mclaren and Red Bull both seem to be able to switch them on okay though so it's try and shake some data out of the long runs and see what fp3 brings.

[GoranF1]

Race pace

Very similar to Renault
Faster than Ocon slower then Perez
Faster then Gorsjean slower then Magnussen
Faster then Torro Rosso
Faster then Williams

Slower then top 3 teams 1.5 per lap

[GoranF1]

If we aply Pirelli predicted tyre diference:


Mercedes 1:17.8
Red Bull 1:17.9

Ferrari 1:18.5
Mclaren 1:18.8

Haas 1:19.5
Force India 1:19.5

Renault 1:20.1

[McL-H]

McLaren is clearly fourth team here. Alonso was held up 2 consequetive times during his short run on SS’s, therefore his fastest lap is not representative.

I am curious to see times of the long runs, but one lap pace is around 1 second off the top 3 I think.

[godlameroso]

It's hard to say, we don't know if they were doing tests for the new aero configuration, or what fuel load they were running. On his long run Vandoorne did a 22 on his first lap, and the few laps Alonso did on heavy fuel he was consistently low 23's. McLaren is clearly faster than the midfield, but still around a second off the pace of the leaders, or so it seems. Maybe a little less.

[PhillipM]

The main thing to take away at the minute is they're happy and saying the updates work as expected/simulated, Barcelona is being a bit of a Diva with tyres so we might not learn anything until Q tommorow, or even the next race.

[Macklaren]

The main thing to take away at the minute is they're happy and saying the updates work as expected/simulated, Barcelona is being a bit of a Diva with tyres so we might not learn anything until Q tommorow, or even the next race.

Their post FP summary sounded pretty muted though. ALO made it sound like making Q3 would be an achievement

[AnthonyG]

Race pace

Very similar to Renault
Faster than Ocon slower then Perez
Faster then Gorsjean slower then Magnussen
Faster then Torro Rosso
Faster then Williams

Slower then top 3 teams 1.5 per lap

Bit of constructive commentary: then = time, than= comparison. "Alonso is faster than you".

Whatever these upgrades bring for Mclaren, unless they do another few leaps forward like this, the season will be no different than previous years.

[makecry]

Race pace

Very similar to Renault
Faster than Ocon slower then Perez
Faster then Gorsjean slower then Magnussen
Faster then Torro Rosso
Faster then Williams

Slower then top 3 teams 1.5 per lap

Bit of constructive commentary: then = time, than= comparison. "Alonso is faster than you".

Whatever these upgrades bring for Mclaren, unless they do another few leaps forward like this, the season will be no different than previous years.

You mean McLaren will finish P9? Oh cmon. This season is already better than 2015-2017.

[GoranF1]

0.4 between SuperSofts and Softs.

0.7 between Softs and Mediums.

Well according to Pirelli best possible time Alonso could have done is 18.8 and he did 19.7....so that is 0.9 med-ss

ALO did a 1.20.035 on mediums in FP2. Stoffel did a 1.20.083 on mediums in FP1. ALO's best sector times in FP1 on softs was 1.19.639 (i think)
.

You are right i was wrong.....so yeah its 1.1 medium to SS because Pirelli says Alonso could have done 18.8 on SS

[makecry]

Well according to Pirelli best possible time Alonso could have done is 18.8 and he did 19.7....so that is 0.9 med-ss

ALO did a 1.20.035 on mediums in FP2. Stoffel did a 1.20.083 on mediums in FP1. ALO's best sector times in FP1 on softs was 1.19.639 (i think)
.

You are right i was wrong.....so yeah its 1.1 medium to SS because Pirelli says Alonso could have done 18.8 on SS

Is there somewhere I can read that? I am being cautiously optimistic. I am sure their race pace would be really good but their quali pace will hold them back and its just impossible to overtake a ferrari or mercedes powerered car on this circuit.

[GoranF1]

ALO did a 1.20.035 on mediums in FP2. Stoffel did a 1.20.083 on mediums in FP1. ALO's best sector times in FP1 on softs was 1.19.639 (i think)
.

You are right i was wrong.....so yeah its 1.1 medium to SS because Pirelli says Alonso could have done 18.8 on SS

Is there somewhere I can read that? I am being cautiously optimistic. I am sure their race pace would be really good but their quali pace will hold them back and its just impossible to overtake a ferrari or mercedes powerered car on this circuit.

I found this times on Twitter. It said these times are adjusted by Pirelli estimated time gaps between tyre compands.


Mercedes 1:17.8
Red Bull 1:17.9

Ferrari 1:18.5
Mclaren 1:18.8

Haas 1:19.5
Force India 1:19.5

Renault 1:20.1

[i70q7m7ghw]

So they bolt on a new nose and suddenly they are .3 of a second behind Ferrari? Fat chance. Normal service will be resumed for qualifying, perhaps McLaren have caught up with Haas, perhaps not, but they certainly aren't top 4 yet.