dans79 wrote: ↑06 Mar 2019, 17:35
GPR -A wrote: ↑06 Mar 2019, 16:23
If that is believable, then Hamilton did his best flying run on 4th day, on late afternoon and Bottas did his race stint the previous day in the afternoon time too.
So, as some have said even without further tweaks to the set-up or new components Mercedes has time in hand.
This is the interesting part form the article. When we get to more realistic track and ambient conditions, Merc might find themselves sitting in the sweet spot with regards to the tires.
Mario Isola
“The thinner gauge protects you from blistering and overheating, it could generate graining especially in the colder conditions like in the early morning and late afternoon,” Isola admitted.
I said this elsewhere, but the important factor is, the Spec 2 car was barely 2 days old, before Bottas took it for a race sim. They had lost half a day before that due to oil pressure issue. Whereas, all other cars had completed 4 days of testing in the first test, then there was 5 days in between to go over the data to optimize the cars and then the next few days in the second test.
Whatever the reason be for Mercedes' late debut of Spec 2 car, they were bound to be on the back foot in understanding that car due to late arrival. With less than ambient track temperatures and lack of understanding of the car's performance window would have played it's part. Usually, Mercedes aren't quick off the box as they take time to understand the setup frailties of their car.
Whatever the true picture is, it should start becoming evident from Melbourne and they have the data from 4 days of running of the Spec 2 and 2 weeks of time before they turn the wheel in Melbourne.