I said let's see what happens overnight. Balance improvement can give a considerable laptime improvement. This car was very good at the beginning of the season in the high speed corners at circuits like Australia, Silverstone, and Barcelona.
IIRC Mercedes was quick in the mid/slow corners at SIlverstone (thanks to that new front wing upgrade). Otherwise they were a distant 3rd behind RB and McLaren through the fast stuff.
True but at that point, they were at least stronger than Ferrari and Aston Martin.mkay wrote: ↑22 Sep 2023, 17:17IIRC Mercedes was quick in the mid/slow corners at SIlverstone (thanks to that new front wing upgrade). Otherwise they were a distant 3rd behind RB and McLaren through the fast stuff.
Suzuka was always going to be a difficult one for them as they would have been 3rd fastest at best. But now they're having balance/setup issues and facing a resurgent Ferrari.
True. They also tend to be bang average in anything less than full downforce configuration. Struggling at Suzuka was expected.mkay wrote: ↑22 Sep 2023, 17:17IIRC Mercedes was quick in the mid/slow corners at SIlverstone (thanks to that new front wing upgrade). Otherwise they were a distant 3rd behind RB and McLaren through the fast stuff.
Suzuka was always going to be a difficult one for them as they would have been 3rd fastest at best. But now they're having balance/setup issues and facing a resurgent Ferrari.
Maybe they should use the high downforce wing again like last year? It's expected to be a dry race so they will have the benefit of DRS, unlike last year's race.Hammerfist wrote: ↑22 Sep 2023, 17:36True. They also tend to be bang average in anything less than full downforce configuration. Struggling at Suzuka was expected.mkay wrote: ↑22 Sep 2023, 17:17IIRC Mercedes was quick in the mid/slow corners at SIlverstone (thanks to that new front wing upgrade). Otherwise they were a distant 3rd behind RB and McLaren through the fast stuff.
Suzuka was always going to be a difficult one for them as they would have been 3rd fastest at best. But now they're having balance/setup issues and facing a resurgent Ferrari.
Mark my words when Hamilton leaves the garage tomorrow the big wing will be on his car.Hammerfist wrote: ↑22 Sep 2023, 17:36True. They also tend to be bang average in anything less than full downforce configuration. Struggling at Suzuka was expected.
Hamilton in particular had funky laps in fp2. His car was snapping mid corner in spoon and degner. Just lots of instability mid corner.Cs98 wrote:Mark my words when Hamilton leaves the garage tomorrow the big wing will be on his car.Hammerfist wrote: ↑22 Sep 2023, 17:36True. They also tend to be bang average in anything less than full downforce configuration. Struggling at Suzuka was expected.
Could we be seeing the impact of the TD at a proper f1 circuit?dialtone wrote: ↑22 Sep 2023, 18:01Hamilton in particular had funky laps in fp2. His car was snapping mid corner in spoon and degner. Just lots of instability mid corner.Cs98 wrote:Mark my words when Hamilton leaves the garage tomorrow the big wing will be on his car.Hammerfist wrote: ↑22 Sep 2023, 17:36True. They also tend to be bang average in anything less than full downforce configuration. Struggling at Suzuka was expected.
They will be so slow in s3 if they do that. High downforce doesn’t really work at Suzuka.AR3-GP wrote: ↑22 Sep 2023, 17:52Maybe they should use the high downforce wing again like last year? It's expected to be a dry race so they will have the benefit of DRS, unlike last year's race.Hammerfist wrote: ↑22 Sep 2023, 17:36True. They also tend to be bang average in anything less than full downforce configuration. Struggling at Suzuka was expected.mkay wrote: ↑22 Sep 2023, 17:17
IIRC Mercedes was quick in the mid/slow corners at SIlverstone (thanks to that new front wing upgrade). Otherwise they were a distant 3rd behind RB and McLaren through the fast stuff.
Suzuka was always going to be a difficult one for them as they would have been 3rd fastest at best. But now they're having balance/setup issues and facing a resurgent Ferrari.
I do not understand this statement. It doesn't have any bearing on anything as it too simple and general.
Maybe the parts they put on are not working as expected?
Having watched Lewis's onboard all through FP2, I'd say that's pretty much right. The car was horrendous through the Esses.Luscion wrote: ↑22 Sep 2023, 19:26I don't know how much stock you guys put into Formula data analysis posts on Twitter but according to his data, Merc is fourth fastest at the minimum speed corner (RB and Alfa in between) 3kmh off Ferrari. Longest time at full throttle with RB second, which he attributes to either a lower engine mode or excellent traction and 3kmh off RB on the straights. Seems they lose all their time in the first sector due to the rear end stepping out
https://x.com/FDataAnalysis?t=vB3veO7cS ... rcd6w&s=09
I don't think it was that bad honestly. There seems to be understeer and a lack of grip. Only the turn before Degna seems problematic with oversteer and both drivers are fighting to stay on the track there. Otherwise I don't see any bad traits.dans79 wrote: ↑22 Sep 2023, 20:12Having watched Lewis's onboard all through FP2, I'd say that's pretty much right. The car was horrendous through the Esses.Luscion wrote: ↑22 Sep 2023, 19:26I don't know how much stock you guys put into Formula data analysis posts on Twitter but according to his data, Merc is fourth fastest at the minimum speed corner (RB and Alfa in between) 3kmh off Ferrari. Longest time at full throttle with RB second, which he attributes to either a lower engine mode or excellent traction and 3kmh off RB on the straights. Seems they lose all their time in the first sector due to the rear end stepping out
https://x.com/FDataAnalysis?t=vB3veO7cS ... rcd6w&s=09
