This forum contains threads to discuss teams themselves. Anything not technical about the cars, including restructuring, performances etc belongs here.
Man, if Lando had nailed that lap he would have been the only Mercedes-powered car in Q3. Considering that the team has right out accepted they lack a lot of downforce, it would be hypocritical to blame the power unit. But boy, these are not good signs for the future. If they manage to pull themselves together from this weak start, then that power unit will start to make the difference if they remain so seemingly underpowered.
He didn't set a green S3, that was what did him in. But a much better Saturday, let's hope the trend tomorrow and then Australia.
Q: (Stefano Mancini – La Stampa) Kimi, will you help Vettel to win his championship this year?
Kimi Raikkonen: I can only drive one car, obviously.
@2018 Singapore Grand Prix drivers press conference.
Man, if Lando had nailed that lap he would have been the only Mercedes-powered car in Q3. Considering that the team has right out accepted they lack a lot of downforce, it would be hypocritical to blame the power unit. But boy, these are not good signs for the future. If they manage to pull themselves together from this weak start, then that power unit will start to make the difference if they remain so seemingly underpowered.
Russell was in
When arguing with a fool, be sure the other person is not doing the same thing.
If we assume Yuki and Mick would have gone faster there wouldn't have been much difference in the position to last week, but the car has looked more competitive at least so it looks like they may be able to do something with it on the race tomorrow. Let's see.
Seidl confirmed the brake rescue mission has taken priority over bringing any potential upgrades that were in the pipeline so you could argue Mclaren are down a tenth for two due to the lack of performance upgrades.
Obviously nothing can be confirmed until the stop watch confirms it but small steps are being made
I feel like it's very important for the team to be able to make this car competitive enough to fight for P4 at least within this season. The car is obviously lacking quite a bit right now, but the gap doesn't seem big enough to call it quits.
Up until 2021, the new technical team that Zak put in place was starting to prove itself, incrementally improving each year. They were actually starting to innovate a bit, like on the old days, with the unique diffuser last year. Now here come the new regulations, and unfortunately they take quite a big step back. And it's not like they played it safe either, because mechanically they went hard on the changes (no other team has a rear-suspension design that comes close to McLaren's). I don't want them to lose confidence / momentum because the new tools are coming soon, and they must be on top form when they do.
Objectively, McLaren should have the better technical team and more resources than all of the other midfield teams that are currently out-pacing them (maybe bar Alpine). If they nail the upgrades, and the concept has potential, then it doesn't seem unrealistic for them to move up the order as the season progresses.
Slight improvement from last the qualifying session but still a mile off the pace. Lets hope we can avoid the carmagedon tomorrow and score some points!
As for the engine, don't think the PU itself is the problem but the fuel, someone dropped the ball on that E10 stuff.
