2021 AMG Mercedes F1 Team

[TimW]

I don't understand why Toto in the post qual interview again was saying the chassis swap was to balance the miles.

How does that make any sense given both drivers do virtually identical laps over a weekend??

Yes I was thinking the same. The only explanation I could come up with is that the strategy for tomorrow does not include Bottas finishing the race.....

[214270]

The chassis go back as far as 2020. The intention given the budget limitations is to not deploy spend and manufacturer more. Balancing of miles makes sense, we’ve not even completed a third of the season yet; even usage across all the chassis is desired and seems to be what they’re trying to do.

[SiLo]

They were easily faster on the mediums, and I doubt either the Bulls or the Mercs touch the softs tomorrow. It will be very close again I imagine. It still looks very much like a year that will be dictated by tyres though, which I find a tad frustrating.

[djones]

The chassis go back as far as 2020. The intention given the budget limitations is to not deploy spend and manufacturer more. Balancing of miles makes sense, we’ve not even completed a third of the season yet; even usage across all the chassis is desired and seems to be what they’re trying to do.

But why swap the chassis between drivers?

[RZS10]

Reaaaaaally wild guess but what if their driving styles put different strain on them?

[214270]

The chassis go back as far as 2020. The intention given the budget limitations is to not deploy spend and manufacturer more. Balancing of miles makes sense, we’ve not even completed a third of the season yet; even usage across all the chassis is desired and seems to be what they’re trying to do.

But why swap the chassis between drivers?

My guess is that they consider it to be just ‘a part’ and not precious in any significant way. The drivers have confidence in the teams engineering & manufacture and the racing ethos which doesn’t actively favour any one driver, therefore nothing to worry about.

I’m not sure I believe real differences exist between the chassis; that’s not an actual thing these days. The manufacturing is quite finely honed.

[selvam_e2002]

The one lap issue due to Tyre operational window. RB and Ferrari doing it in One lap however Mercedes struggling. I believe they will fix it after summer break.

It is something remembering the season 2012 in which Ferrari and Alonso lead by 40 points till summer and after summer all gone. I am hopping history repeating for RB this time other way around.

[214270]

The chassis go back as far as 2020. The intention given the budget limitations is to not deploy spend and manufacturer more. Balancing of miles makes sense, we’ve not even completed a third of the season yet; even usage across all the chassis is desired and seems to be what they’re trying to do.

But why swap the chassis between drivers?

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/66362 ... swap-myth/

I think it really is a case of parts, now in low stock and eking them out over the year. RUS/BOT crash as well as the cap causing some difficulties.

[PhillipM]

I swear by this point Bottas has just forgotten how to defend, everyone just blows past him like nothing.

[Jozsusz]

Yeah don't pit Bottas for the fastest lap. Let's give it to Verstappen.
Let's f.ck up the strategy as well.
Either Hamilton or Mercedes f.cks it up this year, it's starting to become a comedy.

[SiLo]

I swear by this point Bottas has just forgotten how to defend, everyone just blows past him like nothing.

He didn't need to defend against Max when he did, and likely would have held him off for 1 more lap. Might have been enough...

[mvfad]

I think Bottas doesn't deserve his car. He's a good guy, but he's not at the driving level that Mercedes needs. I would like to see a better driver in Mercedes car #2. Someone like Norris, who wouldn't challenge Hamilton, but who could "hurt" Verstappen a little more.

[siskue2005]

I swear by this point Bottas has just forgotten how to defend, everyone just blows past him like nothing.

He didn't need to defend against Max when he did, and likely would have held him off for 1 more lap. Might have been enough...

Yes, he didnot have to go to inside and compromise his line out of it... it was really not required.

[f1rules]

Hamilton keep mentioning lacking on the straights, no --- sherlock, look at the rw rb is running vs mercs one, merc really has a fight on their hands when rb can match merc on the rest of the lap with that rw and then gain on the straights

[Jolle]

I think Bottas doesn't deserve his car. He's a good guy, but he's not at the driving level that Mercedes needs. I would like to see a better driver in Mercedes car #2. Someone like Norris, who wouldn't challenge Hamilton, but who could "hurt" Verstappen a little more.

He finished on 12 seconds behind a 7 time WC while running in dirty air most of the GP. That is an excellent result.
Verstappen didn’t need much more time passing Hamilton then he needed on Bottas. When your (harder) tires are gone, it’s impossible to defend hard.