2025 São Paulo Grand Prix - Interlagos, Nov 07 - 09

[Farnborough]

"So nobody in the UK can see Imgur???"

No, they've pulled the plug rather than be compliant with new data rules etc.

[Badger]

VPN can be used to avoid Hadrian's firewall.

[stephen]

I expect Max to close the gap to the McLaren drivers this weekend, as he usually shines during sprint race weekends, especially in tricky conditions.

[Vettel165]

If Max wins sprint and race then the fight is on for the last 3 races. But the problem is nothing else then a win will do to keep the pressure on. Its all or nothing. Close the gap to around 25-28 points with 83 to go, or Mclaren wins this race and the small chance is over… But I salute Max and Red Bull for trying I can say…

[selvam_e2002]

if no rain, McLean miles ahead for the rest of the field like Mexcio ....

[venkyhere]

if no rain, McLean miles ahead for the rest of the field like Mexcio ....

I wouldn't go so far as to say 'miles ahead' , because Mexico was so severe on cooling requirements, that McLaren enjoyed a 'double whammy' advantage - less openings on engine cover => less 'bad air' hitting the rear DF structures, better 'efficiency in downforce generation' => amplifying the alread big tyre life advantage even more, on top of 'less drag'. Plus Norris has unlocked a new way to 'setup the car to his liking' which he exploited to the hilt.

McLaren were 'miles ahead' before the summer break, when Redbull were struggling to setup the car, Mercedes didn't have their front wing fix, Ferrari were completely lost etc. All three teams have found 'fixes' (to different extents) after the summer break. So for the rest of the races, I would say McLaren are 'ahead' and might end up winning everything, but not expecting 'mega car advantage'.

Also, may I add, that all cars are different from 2024, so expecting Verstappen to 'dominate' like 2024, in case the race is wet, is not a given. So whether wet or dry, Mclaren winning all 4 races (even Vegas) is a definite possibility.

[search]

I would say McLaren's advantage in the wet was fairly significant this year. Verstappen also echoed that in Spa, saying "McLaren is even stronger in the wet than in the dry, because the overheating is even bigger, of course, on an Intermediate, so they have that really well under control."

But even if this still is the case, especially changing conditions still have potential to lead to a bigger upset, of course.

[Farnborough]

Ferrari have definitely learnt to "thread the needle" in terms of maximised performance from what they've got in these recent races.
There are small margin all around between these front 4 teams though. Hard to predict in any certainty in lead up to each weekend.

Tyre pressure this weekend look like 25 front (constant lateral loading) and 23 rear less particular risk of structural overheat.

[Farnborough]

Pirelli further detail https://press.pirelli.com/harder-compou ... t-weekend/ here.

Looking back, 2023 they had start pressures of 23F & 21R !

[Farnborough]

Mexico for comparison https://press.pirelli.com/once-again-a- ... y-weekend/ here.

[deadhead]

Quali might be really windy and gusty

So whether wet or dry, Mclaren winning all 4 races (even Vegas) is a definite possibility.

I don’t see how they can beat the Mercedes on such a cold track

[Farnborough]

This one, Baku, is amusing https://press.pirelli.com/the-c6-is-back-for-baku/ here. Huge longitudinal loading, consistently bashed through both front and rear.

Look at the start pressure, and where were McL was in performance terms.

[Seanspeed]

I would say McLaren's advantage in the wet was fairly significant this year. Verstappen also echoed that in Spa, saying "McLaren is even stronger in the wet than in the dry, because the overheating is even bigger, of course, on an Intermediate, so they have that really well under control."

But even if this still is the case, especially changing conditions still have potential to lead to a bigger upset, of course.

Easy to forget Norris was also fastest in the wet last year for most of the race, up until the safety car mixup that got Max out front.

The Mclaren should still be favorites in any conditions. It's easily been the best car all year in basically every situation.

[AR3-GP]

If the conditions are inters on a drying track, then Mclaren is unbeatable. If its wet enough to keep the inters cool like last year, then the others can fight.

[organic]

I would say McLaren's advantage in the wet was fairly significant this year. Verstappen also echoed that in Spa, saying "McLaren is even stronger in the wet than in the dry, because the overheating is even bigger, of course, on an Intermediate, so they have that really well under control."

But even if this still is the case, especially changing conditions still have potential to lead to a bigger upset, of course.

Easy to forget Norris was also fastest in the wet last year for most of the race, up until the safety car mixup that got Max out front.

The Mclaren should still be favorites in any conditions. It's easily been the best car all year in basically every situation.

No he wasn't?