holeindalip wrote: ↑08 Aug 2020, 18:30
godlameroso wrote: ↑08 Aug 2020, 17:51
So hards to lap 21 then hards again to lap 42, then softs to the finish? Or aggressively do 19 lap stints on hards to lap 38 finish last 14 laps on mediums? By then the track will be as rubbered in as it will get.
Also tomorrow it's forecast for fewer clouds so track temperatures will be higher. Which will benefit the hards.
Getting past Hulkenberg as early as possible will be key to Verstappen's race.
Verstappens highest place is p3 barring any issues with the mercs so it really doesn’t matter when he gets past hulk imo...
Safety car and issues aside, if Max can have a clean first lap there may actually be more opportunities than you may think.
In my opinion the fastest time will be a combination of 2 hards and 1 medium. Starting on the Hards and finishing on the medium will yield the fastest strategy.
During the first stint, I don't expect the Mediums of the Mercs to hold for long - especially as I do expect Lewis to fight for first position. There's a good chance they start losing a bit of pace until they have enough gap to pit - if they will even get that luxury. Max will need to make sure to stay as close as possible during this time.
With this strategy, if Max can finish on the Mediums and Mercs are on the Hards, there might be a possibility to go on the attack on some fresher and softer rubber.
Granted that the RB16 has less pace than the Mercs, but Honda giving both drivers a new PU, in my opinion is a sign that the plan to finish the year with no penalties is out of the window. I expect a more aggressive mapping tomorrow to make up for part of the package's deficit.
Until RB get the chassis together, that's the only thing they can do. It's clear that this year is all but lost so at this point it's either go all out or go home.
And if there's a Safety Car? Let's just hope it happens after the Mercs pit and before Max pits.