[ 2020 ] Aston Martin RedBull Racing F1 Team - Honda

[lio007]

Any information if Max' 2nd PU survived?

[Juzh]

There is something interesting I observed on long runs on F1 live timing. On Sector 1, Mercedes were slightly faster or equal to Max, while Max was using Softs, Bottas on Mediums (on couple of occasions, he was faster by 3 tenths than Max) and Hamilton on hards. Sector 2, Hamilton was fastest with over 4 tenths consistently over Max and Bottas being second fastest. Sector 3, sometimes all three make same times and on couple of laps, Max was fastest by 3 to 4 tenths. So far, Mercedes shows consistent lack of pace in Sector 3, especially on the last chicane where they lose most of that time.

So basically mercedes is faster by at least few tenths?

[TNTHead]

There is something interesting I observed on long runs on F1 live timing. On Sector 1, Mercedes were slightly faster or equal to Max, while Max was using Softs, Bottas on Mediums (on couple of occasions, he was faster by 3 tenths than Max) and Hamilton on hards. Sector 2, Hamilton was fastest with over 4 tenths consistently over Max and Bottas being second fastest. Sector 3, sometimes all three make same times and on couple of laps, Max was fastest by 3 to 4 tenths. So far, Mercedes shows consistent lack of pace in Sector 3, especially on the last chicane where they lose most of that time.

So basically mercedes is faster by at least few tenths?

On AMuS they observed indeed that Merc looses about 4 tenths at the bus stop chicane. With Max fastest lap he didnt get a purple.

AMus also hinted that the Mercs might be preparing for a rain race with more DF and others were preparing for track position. Who knows, so far this season RB also set the car for race trim. VER mentioned that he hoped for a dry race, may be he already knows that a wet race will benefit the Mercs.

[Moore77]

There is something interesting I observed on long runs on F1 live timing. On Sector 1, Mercedes were slightly faster or equal to Max, while Max was using Softs, Bottas on Mediums (on couple of occasions, he was faster by 3 tenths than Max) and Hamilton on hards. Sector 2, Hamilton was fastest with over 4 tenths consistently over Max and Bottas being second fastest. Sector 3, sometimes all three make same times and on couple of laps, Max was fastest by 3 to 4 tenths. So far, Mercedes shows consistent lack of pace in Sector 3, especially on the last chicane where they lose most of that time.

So basically mercedes is faster by at least few tenths?

On AMuS they observed indeed that Merc looses about 4 tenths at the bus stop chicane. With Max fastest lap he didnt get a purple.

AMus also hinted that the Mercs might be preparing for a rain race with more DF and others were preparing for track position. Who knows, so far this season RB also set the car for race trim. VER mentioned that he hoped for a dry race, may be he already knows that a wet race will benefit the Mercs.

I don't think it has anything related to rain. They are trying to do something there. They were supposed to be on par with the fastest cars there, if not outright fastest, through slow speed corners.

[bosyber]

The Formula 1 website's analysis (see race thread for figures) also points to Mercedes losing quite a bit in slow corners, while gaining in Medium speed - clearly, as AMuS also mentions, they run higher downforce, but they might well have more reserve from the PU, it having been the first day of running it. Still, both Red Bull and Renault look like they found a good setup for their car, which will make the race interesting (and in rain I'd expect Verstappen to do well either way).

That chicane losing both Mercedes so much pace does seem like a particular weakness - something for Verstappen and Red Bull to note for the race, surely. Unless Merc. can cure it today, which I guess FP3 will show.

[Wouter]

According to the Formula1 site, Lewis was 0.8 sec faster than Max yesterday.
They have tied together the best sector times.
Mercedes had already their new PU in the cars.

Andrew Shovlin

We’ve had new power units in both cars today and some updated bodywork. So far that all appears to be working as expected. The sessions were a bit messy, although it’s always difficult with such a long circuit as you don’t get many laps in each run. Both drivers have struggled a bit with the balance, mainly with a weak front end and we looked a bit slower than we normally do on a Friday even when the car seems to be working well.

[Moore77]

There is something interesting I observed on long runs on F1 live timing. On Sector 1, Mercedes were slightly faster or equal to Max, while Max was using Softs, Bottas on Mediums (on couple of occasions, he was faster by 3 tenths than Max) and Hamilton on hards. Sector 2, Hamilton was fastest with over 4 tenths consistently over Max and Bottas being second fastest. Sector 3, sometimes all three make same times and on couple of laps, Max was fastest by 3 to 4 tenths. So far, Mercedes shows consistent lack of pace in Sector 3, especially on the last chicane where they lose most of that time.

So basically mercedes is faster by at least few tenths?

IMHO, if Mercedes indeed have a problem in that chicane, they yes, they are a few tenths quicker (tyres normalized) on long runs. If that problem is an anomaly and gets sorted, then that gap could be bigger.

[bosyber]

According to the Formula1 site, Lewis was 0.8 sec faster than Max yesterday.
They have tied together the best sector times.
Mercedes had already their new PU in the cars.

Andrew Shovlin

We’ve had new power units in both cars today and some updated bodywork. So far that all appears to be working as expected. The sessions were a bit messy, although it’s always difficult with such a long circuit as you don’t get many laps in each run. Both drivers have struggled a bit with the balance, mainly with a weak front end and we looked a bit slower than we normally do on a Friday even when the car seems to be working well.

Those words, and it being Mercedes, make me wonder whether that is code for 'because of the new PU we were not running nearly full blast, and we have a weak frontend to solve' (but we only appear so little ahead ...).

But, Red Bull certainly look like they have the car running well with both drivers, so that's progress for the team, even if in the end the Mercedes is still faster. And with rain and a well balanced car (and perhaps Merc having a slight issue in the busstop chicane), seems like it could be the best weekend for Verstappen here he has had - stay out of trouble on T1 though this time Max!

[Wouter]

Didn't see the session but read at the motorsport-total live ticker that VER said after his first lap of FP1 that his front grip was strong. Did they update (visibly) front wing or cape?

The "party" will be over soon
------
Marko hopes to have already solved these problems in Spa: "We are bringing a new front wing, we expect improvement!"

https://www.kleinezeitung.at/sport/moto ... ontfluegel

[Jaisonas]

Any information if Max' 2nd PU survived?

What happened to his 2nd pu, i dont remember a failure

[seense]

They reverted to the first engine because they saw anomalies on the 2nd engine

[lio007]

They reverted to the first engine because they saw anomalies on the 2nd engine

Exactly, before the race in Spain.

[hasika]

Not bad qualifying.
Ricciardo's P4 was due to the tow i think,he started his lap just behind Albon in Q3's first run.

[etusch]

Not bad qualifying.
Ricciardo's P4 was due to the tow i think,he started his lap just behind Albon in Q3's first run.

Renault Pu must be as good as Cyril had said, I think.

[ME4ME]

Finally Albon will start from a decent position. Expecting a 4th place from him.