Early pit stop could compromise Barrichello (Brazilian GP fuel strategies)
17th October 2009, 23:19 by Keith Collantine 88 Comments »
Rubens Barrichello has gambled on a slightly shorter first stint
Rubens Barrichello won’t have everything his own way tomorrow as the fuel weight for the Brazilian Grand Prix revealed he will have to stop two laps earlier than Mark Webber and Adrian Sutil.
Jarno Trulli, who starts fourth, will also make his first stop later than Barrichello. Here’s the fuel weights in full:
Fuel weights
| Grid | Name | Weight | Fuel (kg) | First stint (laps) |
| 1 | Rubens Barrichello | 650.5 | 45.5 | 22 |
| 2 | Mark Webber | 656 | 51 | 24 |
| 3 | Adrian Sutil | 656.5 | 51.5 | 25 |
| 4 | Jarno Trulli | 658.5 | 53.5 | 26 |
| 5 | Kimi Raikkonen | 651.5 | 46.5 | 22 |
| 6 | Sebastien Buemi | 659 | 54 | 26 |
| 7 | Nico Rosberg | 657 | 52 | 25 |
| 8 | Robert Kubica | 656 | 51 | 24 |
| 9 | Kazuki Nakajima | 664 | 59 | 28 |
| 10 | Fernando Alonso | 652 | 47 | 22 |
| 11 | Kamui Kobayashi | 671.6 | 66.6 | 32 |
| 12 | Jaime Alguerusari | 671.5 | 66.5 | 32 |
| 13 | Romain Grosjean | 677.2 | 72.2 | 35 |
| 14 | Jenson Button | 672 | 67 | 32 |
| 15 | Sebastian Vettel | 683.5 | 78.5 | 38 |
| 16 | Heikki Kovalainen | 656.5 | 51.5 | 25 |
| 17 | Lewis Hamilton | 661 | 56 | 27 |
| 18 | Nick Heidfeld | 650.5 | 45.5 | 22 |
| 19 | Giancarlo Fisichella | 683.5 | 78.5 | 38 |
| 20 | Vitantonio Liuzzi | 680 | 75 | 37 |
Jenson Button is starting on a similar strategy to the cars immediately in front of him – he will need to work is way past them if he is to have any chance of scoring well tomorrow.
The two McLarens are fuelled aggressively and will be able to use KERS to make progress. Sebastian Vettel, however, has settled on a long first stint in the hopes of moving up the running order.
Trulli could be a dark horse for a strong result here, as the heaviest of the top four. But a fast-starting Kimi Raikkonen could upset his race.
Sebastien Buemi also has a very respectable fuel load having qualified an excellent sixth for Toro Rosso.
The start
Barrichello will have to fend off Webber at the start, but he can at least take heart from the fact that this highest KERS car – Raikkonen’s – is four places back and not likely to give him too much grief.
Button will be having nightmares about that 14th place grid slot tonight. The Senna ‘S’ is a devillish funnel that’s just made for first-lap accidents – such as the one that eliminated David Coulthard on the first lap of last year’s race.
Worse, Button has F1′s three least experienced drivers right in front of him – Kamui Kobayashi, Jaime Alguersuari and Romain Grosjean – and the fast-starting McLaren duo just two rows back. And his other title rival Vettel in his wheel tracks. The pressure on Button at the start will be gigantic.
Wet set-ups
The teams are restricted in terms of the changes they can make to the cars between qualifying and the race. So the other big question mark ahead of tomorrow’s race is what kind of set-ups the drivers have gone for – who’s gambling on wet weather, and who’s leant towards a dry set-up.
On the face of it Vettel seems the most likely to have taken the gamble. Normally so at ease in wet conditions, he was unable to do better than 16th in the first part of qualifying.
Also the McLaren drivers were quick to blame their failure to progress beyond Q1 on the shortcomings of the MP4-24. Although the cars’ downforce levels are poor, 17th and 18th is still somewhat worse than one might expect, suggesting something else might be responsible for their low starting positions.
Update: Vitantonio Liuzzi has been given a five-place penalty following an engine change. This is more bad news for Button, as Vettel now starts alongside him and the KERS-powered Mclarens start one place closer.
Brazilian Grand Prix
S Hughes said on 17th October 2009, 23:25
Lewis said in interview that his car had a dry set up.
Keith, by what you’re saying, you’re implying that the McLaren drivers put in poor performances. I believe Lewis and Martin Whitmarsh when they describe the car as having no downforce in those conditions. I’m sure they know what they are talking about.
They need to start sorting the car out for next year in order to iron out those downforce problems.
Keith Collantine said on 17th October 2009, 23:29
No I’m suggesting they’re using dry weather set ups. I haven’t heard the interview you mentioned, got a link?
S Hughes said on 17th October 2009, 23:38
Here’s the link Keith.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8312706.stm
Patrickl said on 18th October 2009, 7:46
The interview was shown during qualifying.
Keith Collantine said on 18th October 2009, 9:58
Thanks for that guys.
DMW said on 18th October 2009, 1:46
And, obviously, its hard to recover the benefit of the KERS packaging bargain with little traction. Traction and acceleration is where the McLaren makes up for and often overcomes it’s lack of aero efficiency. I can’t understand the dry-set up gamble either. Who told Marty it would be dry? It’s going to be another soggy day tomorrow.
Jenson Button has filed his answer to Keith’s post yesterday about whether he is a deserving chamption. So far, he is doing a good job of “blowing it.”
CJD said on 18th October 2009, 13:05
Agreed that he is blowing it but Martin Brundle points out in today’s Sunday Times that Button has led more laps this season than Vettel and Rubens combined. So not that unworthy if it happens
david said on 17th October 2009, 23:30
”Jarno Trulli, who starts third”
does he not start first keith
david said on 17th October 2009, 23:31
Jarno Trulli, who starts third”
does he not start first keith
now im making a mistake
does trulli not start fourth
Ned Flanders said on 17th October 2009, 23:58
Who knows where Trulli starts! One thing’s ‘for sure’- he won’t finish in a higher position than he starts.
Keith Collantine said on 18th October 2009, 10:00
LOL thanks for that David, sorted now.
LC Coelho said on 17th October 2009, 23:32
I don’t think a short 1st stint is risky… completely the other way, i believe running short is good to an eventual rain/sun/safety car thing, very plausible for tomorrow in São Paulo…
mm said on 17th October 2009, 23:56
If the others stick with him or he has a bad start though we could see him end up down the field and Button win due to not enough points – which will end up being a rubbish end to the season.
It’s all in Barrichello’s hands now.
James Carruthers said on 17th October 2009, 23:33
If it’s a wet race tomorrow then Ruben’s will have a fantastic visibility advantage if he can get in to first.
While I am supporting Button – I’ve been a long time Barrichello supporter too – I can’t decide!
Alistair said on 17th October 2009, 23:37
Keith, Hamilton had a dry set-up (and an awful car):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8312706.stm
m0tion said on 17th October 2009, 23:47
Don’t expect problems for Vettel from the McLaren’s unless Lewis breaks the script & thinks his contract is bullet proof. Haug’s “special friend” as he called Vettel today is worth more to them as champion, so Kimi is getting 3rd party swapped by McLaren / Santander for Vettel in order for RB to take some cash & the Mercedes engine into 2011? That explains Webber’s comments. If that Cosworth goes then 2010 could still be interesting for RB. Hamilton & Vettel for 1 year and then Vettel back to RB for 2011 following the Mercedes engine with Kimi to retire. Mercedes then has the Rosberg / Vettel combo in seperate powered teams and McLaren gets sold off.
Scribe said on 17th October 2009, 23:48
I’m not sure if i want wet weather tommorow.
With dry weather im sure we’ll have Button, Hamilton, Vettle with maybe Kovalinen fighting their way through the pack. But a wet race would play into Barrichello’s hands and I want this victory for him with a hunger.
Never enjoy the sight of floundering McLarens though.
F1Fan said on 17th October 2009, 23:50
If it’s dry, Vettel will get on the podium. That RBR is wicked quick here. And, he is 1-stopping, that’s worth about 25-26 seconds. The key for both him and Button is to not get involved in a 1st-lap accident. I think overtaking is possible here, so a quick driver w/ a dry set-up will be able to gain several places quickly.
Patrickl said on 18th October 2009, 7:47
How is one stopping worth 25-26 seconds?
Or are you simply forgetting that carrying around a heavy fuel load costs a huge amount of time?
mm said on 17th October 2009, 23:52
A dry race will make a spectacular race of driving with the lower “dry cars” picking off the field.
A wet race is always interesting but can be decided purely on pitting decisions etc.
Rogerek said on 17th October 2009, 23:52
Kubica is also on dry weather setup
Betpusher said on 17th October 2009, 23:54
got a link Rogerek?
isle said on 18th October 2009, 0:12
It was on autosport.com
mm said on 18th October 2009, 0:00
If Vettel gets not points – the best thing for him is Barrichello not to finish, that way he can grab secondin WDC.
Webber to hit Barrichello!
Achilles said on 18th October 2009, 7:04
With Barrichellos knack for muffing his starts, and Webbers degree in wrecking his cars, you may get your wish…lol.
Whitty 123 said on 18th October 2009, 10:22
remember nurburgring
mm said on 18th October 2009, 10:35
not a very exciting way for Jenson to win the title though… would be great to see him come through the field in style today. Something which we have not seen Vettel do.
Ned Flanders said on 18th October 2009, 0:02
Alonso was pretty rubbish in Q3… he had the joint lightest fuel load yet he ended up last. At least he beat Grosjean. I hope he enjoys his last two pressure free races at Renault, as he won’t be getting any more mediocre teammates while he’s at Ferrari
Johnnie Siggie said on 18th October 2009, 0:20
If Kimi doesnt nail Sutil at the Start we could see the first force india victory.
Austin said on 18th October 2009, 0:36
Webber is 3 tenths faster than Sutil on the same fuel load so I don’t think Sutil will win it without something happening to Webber and Barrichello. A wet race could help Sutil but Webber and Barrichello are great in the wet too. I’m really worried for Barrichello, unless he gets a 21+ seconds lead he’s in danger of Webber and maybe Sutil passing him in the first pitstop. Lets hope Barichello breaks his duck at his home grand prix and keep the championship alive to the last race. Its going to be exciting race tomorrow.
Maciek said on 18th October 2009, 1:53
I’m pretty sure Barrichello doesn’t need 21 seconds over Webber at his first stop…. and Webber was .3s faster than Sutil in qualifying – doesn’t mean it’ll hold lap after lap in the race…
Jelle van der Meer said on 18th October 2009, 9:19
Agree – why the 21s gap needed – if he has 5 seconds it is enough as Webber will not make up 2,5 seconds per lap.
For Barrichello it is much more important how much lead he has on positions 4-10. The lower he gets back on the grid the more time he will lose.
His luck can be Raikonnen creating the gap in which Barichello can return and overtake Trulli, Sutil and Webber when they pit.
Becken said on 18th October 2009, 0:37
Vettel gained a position, Liuzzi will change the gearbox…