Lewis strategy in France

[Flutterfly]

I’d be interested to hear what people think Lewis’ strategy will be in France. I would expect Ferrari to be quick like last year and although Lewis claims he can win, points is realistic.

My first thought was fuel heavy and try for the best he can in qualy 3, maybe starting 15th or so –Maybe even abandon qualy and start from the pitlane to avoid first corner pile ups. This was the first instinct of Martin Whitmarsh after Canada, but the speak coming from the McLaren camp now sounds like they want to try something different – or ‘aggressive’ as they put it.

I wouldn’t call a 3 stop aggressive at Magny Cours – in fact other than 2007, 3 stops would be considered quite normal. Could they be thinking of a 4 stop strategy? This would almost guarantee him pole. Then starting 11th he would be much lighter than the cars around him meaning he should make up places. If things went well they could maybe extend one of the stints and turn it into 3 stops.

Would this be possible/worthwhile? Wouldn’t he just end up behind the cars he’s passed and have to pass them again?

For me a long first stint is the best option but that doesn’t sound like what they have in mind. Any ideas/thoughts anyone?

(ps. Just joined this site so hello )

[nae]

welcome in

MS did a 4 stop a few years back and made it work

they could go daft and not qualy and save tyres and do a 4 stop or summit wild like that, which ever way they do it it could be interesting, just as long as he doesnt pit at the same time as kimi

personally i dont think he will do any better than 3rd

[Flutterfly]

The thing is MS made a 4 stopper work from 2nd on the grid. That’s fine with the field spread because you shouldn’t come out in the pack. Starting down the grid I’m not sure he’ll ever the clear air to make it work. That’s why Lewis comments are confusing me!

[nae]

maybe he can not stop at all

as evidenced buy the red light and the dent in kimis car

[Conceptual]

maybe he can not stop at all

as evidenced buy the red light and the dent in kimis car

=D> =D> =D>

[axle]

I'd like to see Lewis P1 quali and go for it from 11th (he would start 11th yeah?) with a light load and 3-4 stops. A ton of overtaking would silence some critics and make for an interesting race. Not qualifying IMO is foolish. France has a short pitlane and plenty of options on the fuel strategy. We know Lewis massacres his tyres so giving him 4 sets would allow him to be his usual agressive self without worrying about the tyres lasting.

At the start there's an argument for both hards or softs...hards would be good to get out of the way in the period when he's more likely to get held up...but softs would allow him a few more metre's off the line and ensure he's fighting when everyone is bunched at the start....knowing Lewis he'll go for the latter option....and only use the hard tyres for his last stint.

I would like to see Nico do the same - banzai Quali, and go super agressive on the strategy relying on overtaking etc. It's not like Nico hasn't made lots of stops of late anyway...(4 noses & 1 tub in 2 races isn't it?)

Then again, if there is rain....just leave them out there to get it done.

[Miguel]

Hi guys,

I just wanted to remind you of France '07, when Alonso's gearbox broke on the first lap of Q3. That meant he started with a strategy for pole, but from back on the grid. In case you don't remember, he spent lots of laps behind Heidfeld (does it ring a bell?), and when he finally overtook him, the longer stint of Heidfeld plus traffic allowed him to overtake Alonso back. If that wasn't enough, McLaren decided to switch him to a two-stop strategy on his second stop, meaning an extremely long (and slow) third stint.

With this, I just want to point out that Hamilton either goes on a proper two stopper or does some incredible start and three or four overtakings in the first 10 laps. Else, traffic will play heavily against him. Also, a qualy strategy is not likely to work, or at least so I think, based in my impression that Alonso's drive last year wasn't bad at all. A podium without casualties will only result after an absolutely brilliant race from Lewis.

[djones]

His stratergy will be a standard one from that position - nothing crazy. They have lost the lead in the championship and cannot afford to risk anything.

They will have one aim and that is to just get as many points as possible. Winning will not even be a consideration IMO

However I think he is starting to feel the pressure so dont think he will finish the race, he will come off. Fingers crossed anyway - I can't stand his attitude, his manufactured image or the fact the British media want to make love to him.

[donskar]

RE djones comments:

=D>

[f1italia]

Kimi will pole and win.

[donskar]

Hamilton will get the pole and win the the race.

Ummmmm . . . You mean he will start from 11th position and win the race????

[f1italia]

Hamilton will get the pole and win the the race.

Ummmmm . . . You mean he will start from 11th position and win the race????

Thats right I forgot about the penalty. Then I will go with Kimi.

[Flutterfly]

I agree that heavy is the way to go but it doesn’t sound like what they (or Lewis) has in mind.

It wouldn’t surprise me given Lewis’ mentality if he did try something different. Saying you can still win is somewhat foolish but that’s the way he thinks and I agree with djones comments.

But then why would you comment on the short pit entry/exit, about having to pass some cars and ‘going aggressive’. All these comments would indicate you want to go light because 3, maybe 4 stops is an option. You would have to pass some cars again and again because you come out behind them in the pits and ‘aggressive’ to me would mean light.

I’m sure his engineers would have a different opinion. I guess we will just have to wait and see.

[onon]

I think Lewis will try to qualify with heavy loads of fuel and opt for one stop strategy. Magny - cours does not offer many overtaking opportunities, so if he opts for three or four stop strategy i dont think he will able to finish even in the points. so i think the best strategy would be to go one stop.

[Miguel]

The thing about going light is that Lewis will probably end up stuck behind a Red Bull/Toyota/Williams/Alonso, which aren't only slower, but also with more fuel. I wouldn't bet on him overtaking 5 cars in Magny Cours (not counting the first lap). Even if he did, having been slow (remember he had to overtake those cars), he'll be pitting soon, meaning he'll drop behind another slow car. It's also likely that car will be going to two stops and, in that precise moment, not heavier than Hamilton. Result? More slow laps. In this precise track, with the rev limiter and without the MP4-20 speed advantage, going heavy is the only way to try to be close to Heikki.

But, of course, I could be terribly wrong. I just hope to see some brilliant moves over Adelaide.