Mercedes quickest again but Ferrari close in

22 comments on “Mercedes quickest again but Ferrari close in”

1. 

   Hugh (@hugh11)
   1st September 2017, 14:20

   McLaren showing the other teams that slipstreaming in qualifying will be incredibly helpful. They’ve nailed it so that they can tow all through sector 1, with braking in the middle of the track at turn 1 so as to not upset the car on a quick lap.
   1. 

      Ju88sy (@)
      1st September 2017, 14:28

      @hugh11 Very nicely executed by the McLaren drivers! Although I am sure the race will end up being a shocker for them.
      1. 

         Damon (@damon)
         1st September 2017, 18:09

         @ju88sy
         They could cooperate during the race as well. Full cycling style or the way they do it on ovals in IndyCar.
2. 

   Miltiadis (@miltosgreekfan)
   1st September 2017, 14:22

   Mercedes vs Ferrari
   Williams vs F.I
   Rbr from behind
   This race has potential!
   1. 

      Jere (@jerejj)
      1st September 2017, 16:33

      @miltosgreekfan +1
   2. 

      Damon (@damon)
      1st September 2017, 18:11

      And maybe a couple of drops of water as well?? :D:D:D
3. 

   Philip (@philipgb)
   1st September 2017, 14:27

   It’s interesting that Ferrari are running a standard rear wing rather than the low drag spoon shaped type they had in Belgium. It’s not even as flat as Red Bulls rear wing either.

   Most of the teams have now shifted over to curved rear wings now even at the more standard circuits. It’s odd that Ferrari would ditch it at a circuit where drag is most crucial.
   1. 

      He Man
      1st September 2017, 16:07

      The spoon shaped rear wing is used in Spa because even though it’s relatively low downforce, there’s still the 2nd sector which is twisty. Monza is deifferent as it’s pure low downforce, so the spoon shape would create more drag. Typically, skinny rear wings like the one Ferrari are using is the norm.
      1. 

         Philip (@philipgb)
         1st September 2017, 16:28

         The theory behind the spoon shaped wing is its lower drag than a level wing at the same downforce levels. When Mercedes re-popularised it, they did so specifically for Spa and Monza. It took them a while before they started using the spoon profile at other circuits as well.

         Red Bull go with such a flat, tea-tray profile wing I can understand them not resorting to the spoon shape. But Ferrari has been using the spoon profile, and their Monza wing isn’t anything like as flat as Red Bulls. I’m sure their data shows it’s faster and if practice times are anything to go by it looks like they’re right, it’s just interesting that a low drag solution isn’t being used for the circuit with the lowest drag requirements.
         1. 

            Damon (@damon)
            2nd September 2017, 9:56

            The theory behind the spoon shaped wing is its lower drag than a level wing at the same downforce levels.

            @philipgb
            If this was all to it, then they would always use it. It has to be more complex.
            I think the spoon wing has a higher discrepency between downforce/drag produced on straights and in turns. As you can see, the centre – more drag producing – part of the wing gets less air on the straights (being sheltered behind the centre air inlet), but is exposed to more air in turns when it gets air coming from an angle. Therefore, the sharper the turn, the more air it gets and produces more downforce.

            So, although you behefit on the straights, it’s a matter of the track characteristic whether you also benefit (or lose) in the downforce demanding sections of a track as well.
4. 

   Marian Gri (@)
   1st September 2017, 15:35

   Ferrari closer… this is the best news so far. Ultras not being available, I highly doubt someone will broke the lap record, only maybe the Mercs with a tow and if they manage to go under 1m20s on their own speed. These cars may be faster in corners and better under braking (they’re heavier too, yeah), but the top speed dropped so much that the time gained over a lap is canceled. VET again not looking that good regarding the top speed: 8-9km/h down on HAM, 14-15km/h down on Force Indias. I think Ferrari should pay a little attention to FI when setting up the car, given the top speed difference and that it’s highly possible 3rd row will be a FI row, not to have an ugly surprise to be overtaken at the end of the straight and spend a full stint (or more) behind a slower car.
5. 

   formevic (@formevic)
   1st September 2017, 15:49

   MB ran very few laps on 2nd practice.. did they guess setting soon or.. sandbaggin..
   1. 

      Philip (@philipgb)
      1st September 2017, 16:29

      Saving mileage
6. 

   Tim
   1st September 2017, 15:59

   Where’s everyone from this morning complaining about oil burning ? Oh they switched off because there’s no point watching for the rest of the season….
7. 

   Duc Pham (@ducpham2708)
   1st September 2017, 16:30

   Read somewhere that Ferrari did NOT update their engines this weekend? Is this true? I think it’s a very good strategy since Monza was going to be Mercedes territory anyway and Singapore is not so much about engines. That gives them time to develop a great engine for Malaysia onward, and if they outperform the Mercedes PU then there’s nothing Mercedes can do about it except taking a costly grid penalty.

   Which would also mean Ferrari is free to burn 1.2L/100km of oil this weekend because they are running old PUs. Then why all the fuss about Mercedes oil burning in the comments?
   1. 

      Henrik
      1st September 2017, 17:15

      Imagine that you are Claire Williams of Vijay Mallya! Not only are you getting the updated Mercedes engine later than the factory team; at Singapore where it makes little difference, not only is it the lowly customer version but, to add insult to injury, because of Mercedes introduction schedule the engines *you* receive will be limited to 0.9 L/100 km, not theirs. I’d be pretty furious. Wouldn’t you?
      1. 

         PhillySpur
         1st September 2017, 19:54

         Those dastardly people with the 3 pointed stars. The utter shame.
      2. 

         McLaren
         1st September 2017, 20:51

         @Henrik actually no. Considering Claire is getting her engines extremely discounted this year, she’s happy. Vijay has been arrested, so he’s got bigger things to worry about right now.
   2. 

      formevic (@formevic)
      1st September 2017, 18:14

      Yes, it is the third Ferrari PU, same used at SPA. Probably 4th one wasn’t ready yet or better they opted for more lubricating oil allowed, to match MB.
8. 

   just.daz (@nemo87)
   1st September 2017, 23:56

   Probably Mercs last chance of a 1-2 this year?
9. 

   Evil Homer (@)
   2nd September 2017, 4:13

   For those watching Sky for practice, when Horner was getting interviewed and saying how much Red Bull invested & nurtured their drivers I swear JEV walked past in the background (if it wasnt him if was a good look alike)- if it was him how ironic :)

   Looking forward to quali and thinking this could be a pretty good race out front!
   Good to hear Ross Brawn saying this penanlty system needs changing but should be good to see the Red Bull gys come through the pack.
   1. 

      Damon (@damon)
      2nd September 2017, 10:08

      Who’s JEV??

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