2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread

F1Tyrant · Post by **F1Tyrant** » Fri May 08, 2015 1:36 pm

Hamilton consistently 0.5 seconds slower in the long runs than Nico and then at the end of the session puts in couple of 1:31.5s on the hard tyre. Given that his soft tyre target sectors were 1:31.7s those laps were mega.

Hamilton making it look so easy. Pace in his pocket...

Mr-E · Post by **Mr-E** » Fri May 08, 2015 1:39 pm

mds wrote:
egnat69 wrote:
red_alert wrote:Engine change for Ric!?
yep... water leak...

edit: he's now officially on his 4th (and last penalty-free) ICE...
Wasn't he already?

Yeah isn't this his 5th?

F1Tyrant · Post by **F1Tyrant** » Fri May 08, 2015 1:46 pm

ReservoirDog wrote:If it's hot tomorrow too, expect the Mercs to struggle on tires.

Ferrari have to do one stop less than the Mercedes to be within a sniff of the win. I don't think Mercedes are getting that much degradation over a medium stint to force them to a 3-stop.

Both will likely be two stopping meaning the Ferrari's have to pass on track.

Zoue · Post by **Zoue** » Fri May 08, 2015 2:10 pm

Live Timing wrote:15:22 Brilliant. Raikkonen has told Ferrari he is getting "nothing" out of lapping the track again and again. The response "understood" but keep doing it.

Zoue · Post by **Zoue** » Fri May 08, 2015 2:15 pm

Just realised BUtton's fastest time is only a second faster than Vandoorne's pole attempt in GP2 at the moment. The Force India's would struggle to get pole in GP2 if we take today's times as representative! I'm guessing (hoping!) that most of the F1 grid has a fair amount in hand and the times should tumble tomorrow

VDV23 · Post by **VDV23** » Fri May 08, 2015 2:35 pm

ReservoirDog wrote:
VDV23 wrote:McLaren might have a virus in their computers according to Alonso What a legend
He said that on live TV?

The conversation was something like that

FA: "The battery's not recharging"
RE: "We can see on our computers that it is, keep going"
FA: "I think you have virus on your computer, because it is not charging"

lamo · Post by **lamo** » Fri May 08, 2015 2:48 pm

How did the long run pace look?

Clarky · Post by **Clarky** » Fri May 08, 2015 3:12 pm

@andrewbensonf1
Race picture pretty clear for once. Averages medium tyre: ROS 1:31.582; HAM 31.652; VET 32.529; RAI 32.639; MAS 32.746; BOT 33.397

Zoue · Post by **Zoue** » Fri May 08, 2015 3:23 pm

Clarky wrote:
@andrewbensonf1
Race picture pretty clear for once. Averages medium tyre: ROS 1:31.582; HAM 31.652; VET 32.529; RAI 32.639; MAS 32.746; BOT 33.397

wow, Mercs one second per lap faster than the Ferraris on long term pace. That's pretty crushing and unless I'm very much mistaken the biggest gap of the year so far?

Clarky · Post by **Clarky** » Fri May 08, 2015 3:29 pm

Zoue wrote:
Clarky wrote:
@andrewbensonf1
Race picture pretty clear for once. Averages medium tyre: ROS 1:31.582; HAM 31.652; VET 32.529; RAI 32.639; MAS 32.746; BOT 33.397
wow, Mercs one second per lap faster than the Ferraris on long term pace. That's pretty crushing and unless I'm very much mistaken the biggest gap of the year so far?

I haven't seen the times so only going by Andrews post.

Option or Prime · Post by **Option or Prime** » Fri May 08, 2015 3:35 pm

Clarky wrote:Hamilton with hot seat problems yet again.

Can't they just stick some asbestos in a cushion for him?……what?…..

Need4Naiim · Post by **Need4Naiim** » Fri May 08, 2015 3:37 pm

Zoue wrote:
Clarky wrote:
@andrewbensonf1
Race picture pretty clear for once. Averages medium tyre: ROS 1:31.582; HAM 31.652; VET 32.529; RAI 32.639; MAS 32.746; BOT 33.397
wow, Mercs one second per lap faster than the Ferraris on long term pace. That's pretty crushing and unless I'm very much mistaken the biggest gap of the year so far?

Ferrari has to find at least 0.6 seconds per lap to get within the horizon of both titles. But i keep my hope because i know Ferrari could not yet use most of those new upgrades. I expect gradual increase from the Scuderia in terms of competitiveness over the season.

The leading team has so much advantage now that EVEN if they start next season with this car, they can not be written off for both titles. I think McLaren did the right thing by getting Honda engines. The gap is massive and Honda's engine design is massively different. At least Honda is right to be hopeful for next season unlike Renault.

mcdo · Post by **mcdo** » Fri May 08, 2015 3:38 pm

ReservoirDog wrote:So much for McLaren making a step forward at Catalunya. Still 3 secs behind.

You spoke too soon

Seanie · Post by **Seanie** » Fri May 08, 2015 4:00 pm

Obviously skeptical of the McLaren practice times, as its practice. But if they could get near troubling the top 10 tomorrow it'd be a step forward!

Black_Flag_11 · Post by **Black_Flag_11** » Fri May 08, 2015 4:25 pm

Zoue wrote:
Clarky wrote:
@andrewbensonf1
Race picture pretty clear for once. Averages medium tyre: ROS 1:31.582; HAM 31.652; VET 32.529; RAI 32.639; MAS 32.746; BOT 33.397
wow, Mercs one second per lap faster than the Ferraris on long term pace. That's pretty crushing and unless I'm very much mistaken the biggest gap of the year so far?

Thing is they have blown Ferrari away in all high to medium speed corners so far.

They were mighty in Malaysia S2. At China again I think they gained a lot in the middle sector IIRC, and when watching the Vettel/Hamilton pole comparison it was pointed out how much more planted the Merc was in T11/12.

Spain should be an easy win, the only thing that could save Ferrari is tyre wear, or if their upgrades boost their aero by a large margin (and assuming they were sandbagging in P2).

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Fri May 08, 2015 5:42 pm

Black_Flag_11 wrote:
Zoue wrote:
Clarky wrote:
@andrewbensonf1
Race picture pretty clear for once. Averages medium tyre: ROS 1:31.582; HAM 31.652; VET 32.529; RAI 32.639; MAS 32.746; BOT 33.397
wow, Mercs one second per lap faster than the Ferraris on long term pace. That's pretty crushing and unless I'm very much mistaken the biggest gap of the year so far?
Thing is they have blown Ferrari away in all high to medium speed corners so far.

They were mighty in Malaysia S2. At China again I think they gained a lot in the middle sector IIRC, and when watching the Vettel/Hamilton pole comparison it was pointed out how much more planted the Merc was in T11/12.

Spain should be an easy win, the only thing that could save Ferrari is tyre wear, or if their upgrades boost their aero by a large margin (and assuming they were sandbagging in P2).

This perhaps shows then that the Mercedes engine is no longer the biggest factor?

Mayhem · Post by **Mayhem** » Fri May 08, 2015 9:16 pm

VDV23 wrote:
ReservoirDog wrote:
VDV23 wrote:McLaren might have a virus in their computers according to Alonso What a legend
He said that on live TV?
The conversation was something like that

FA: "The battery's not recharging"
RE: "We can see on our computers that it is, keep going"
FA: "I think you have virus on your computer, because it is not charging [anything]."

Best part of Fp2

Exediron · Post by **Exediron** » Sat May 09, 2015 4:07 am

pokerman wrote:This perhaps shows then that the Mercedes engine is no longer the biggest factor?

I've been saying that since Malaysia, but nobody seemed to listen then

kleefton · Post by **kleefton** » Sat May 09, 2015 5:32 am

pokerman wrote:
Black_Flag_11 wrote:
Zoue wrote:
Clarky wrote:
@andrewbensonf1
Race picture pretty clear for once. Averages medium tyre: ROS 1:31.582; HAM 31.652; VET 32.529; RAI 32.639; MAS 32.746; BOT 33.397
wow, Mercs one second per lap faster than the Ferraris on long term pace. That's pretty crushing and unless I'm very much mistaken the biggest gap of the year so far?
Thing is they have blown Ferrari away in all high to medium speed corners so far.

They were mighty in Malaysia S2. At China again I think they gained a lot in the middle sector IIRC, and when watching the Vettel/Hamilton pole comparison it was pointed out how much more planted the Merc was in T11/12.

Spain should be an easy win, the only thing that could save Ferrari is tyre wear, or if their upgrades boost their aero by a large margin (and assuming they were sandbagging in P2).
This perhaps shows then that the Mercedes engine is no longer the biggest factor?

It is still a big factor. They can crank up the downforce and wing levels more than anyone else with the power that they have. That's why they usually excel in the medium to high speed stuff. They just have a ton of downforce that noone is able to match yet.

F1Tyrant · Post by **F1Tyrant** » Sat May 09, 2015 8:13 am

kleefton wrote:It is still a big factor. They can crank up the downforce and wing levels more than anyone else with the power that they have. That's why they usually excel in the medium to high speed stuff. They just have a ton of downforce that noone is able to match yet.

I don't think this is a fair assessment in 2015. The Ferrari only has a marginal power deficit to Mercedes. People seem hesitant to give the Mercedes aero staff some credit for their continued superiority.

The W06 has the best aero package on the grid which explains their dominance of high-mediums speed corners. They have the best engine, best aero and best drive-ability. Every component is the class of the field.

Clarky · Post by **Clarky** » Sat May 09, 2015 8:38 am

FP3 starts in 22 minutes

Black_Flag_11 · Post by **Black_Flag_11** » Sat May 09, 2015 8:52 am

On the engine side I would point out that Mercedes seem to have a big advantage when they turn it up to the max for qualifying. In the races far less so.

Need4Naiim · Post by **Need4Naiim** » Sat May 09, 2015 9:03 am

Exediron wrote:
pokerman wrote:This perhaps shows then that the Mercedes engine is no longer the biggest factor?
I've been saying that since Malaysia, but nobody seemed to listen then

If one squad has additional chunk of power advantage from PU, they won't use that power ONLY for the long straights. What they do is that using a lot more downforce, gaining massive time through high-medium speed corners and STILL not losing much time over the long straights.

This shows power strength. I agree with Kleefton.

mds · Post by **mds** » Sat May 09, 2015 9:21 am

F1Tyrant wrote:The Ferrari only has a marginal power deficit to Mercedes.

Ah. How much then?

Clarky · Post by **Clarky** » Sat May 09, 2015 9:21 am

The Ferrari still looks a handful through the slower corners

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Sat May 09, 2015 9:40 am

Need4Naiim wrote:
Exediron wrote:
pokerman wrote:This perhaps shows then that the Mercedes engine is no longer the biggest factor?
I've been saying that since Malaysia, but nobody seemed to listen then
If one squad has additional chunk of power advantage from PU, they won't use that power ONLY for the long straights. What they do is that using a lot more downforce, gaining massive time through high-medium speed corners and STILL not losing much time over the long straights.

This shows power strength. I agree with Kleefton.

The fact that they are losing time on the straights sort of negates what you are saying, Williams are the fastest car on the straights, why don't they simply crank on more downforce?

F1Tyrant · Post by **F1Tyrant** » Sat May 09, 2015 9:43 am

mds wrote:
F1Tyrant wrote:The Ferrari only has a marginal power deficit to Mercedes.
Ah. How much then?

I don't have numbers. You have to look at Sauber's performance relative to Lotus and Force India to appreciate that the pure power unit is pretty close to Mercedes.

dizlexik · Post by **dizlexik** » Sat May 09, 2015 9:55 am

Oh well I don't like the new McLaren after all.

Clarky · Post by **Clarky** » Sat May 09, 2015 9:59 am

This weekend could be Rosberg's chance of pole.

F1Tyrant · Post by **F1Tyrant** » Sat May 09, 2015 10:01 am

Rosberg looks to have better pace than Hamilton this weekend much like last year. Nico will probably get pole today. The race is really anyone's game given how good Hamilton's starts have been and how sloppy Nico has been this year.

dizlexik · Post by **dizlexik** » Sat May 09, 2015 10:03 am

Ferrari seems very close to Mercedes. It can be Vettel on pole.

Bacus · Post by **Bacus** » Sat May 09, 2015 10:07 am

Exediron wrote:
pokerman wrote:This perhaps shows then that the Mercedes engine is no longer the biggest factor?
I've been saying that since Malaysia, but nobody seemed to listen then

I've been saying that since the beginning of the season

, it was noticeable in the testing. So far it has unfolded predictably, at tracks where there a lot of slow, short corners Ferrari is much closer, at long, windy medium to high speed corners Merc rules. It's all about the corners.
Now at this track, the picture could be a bit distorted due to Ferrari's updates, if they do work Merc supremacy could really be in danger at other tracks.

Bacus · Post by **Bacus** » Sat May 09, 2015 10:09 am

F1Tyrant wrote:Rosberg looks to have better pace than Hamilton this weekend much like last year. Nico will probably get pole today. The race is really anyone's game given how good Hamilton's starts have been and how sloppy Nico has been this year.

I wouldn't say that, Ham just made a few mistakes this session. Yesterday was a different story.

F1Tyrant · Post by **F1Tyrant** » Sat May 09, 2015 10:09 am

dizlexik wrote:Ferrari seems very close to Mercedes. It can be Vettel on pole.

You've not taken into account Mercedes qualifying engine mode which they only run in Q3. If Vettel splits the Mercedes or starts P1 then it's an incredible achievement.

F1Tyrant · Post by **F1Tyrant** » Sat May 09, 2015 10:12 am

Bacus wrote:I wouldn't say that, Ham just made a few mistakes this session. Yesterday was a different story.

Rosberg also made mistakes on his qualifying sim yesterday. Nico's long run pace was pretty impressive but I'm sure he was pushing whereas Hamilton was driving to pre-determined sector times.

flyboy10 · Post by **flyboy10** » Sat May 09, 2015 10:17 am

What time is qualifying?

Need4Naiim · Post by **Need4Naiim** » Sat May 09, 2015 10:22 am

pokerman wrote:
Need4Naiim wrote:
Exediron wrote:
pokerman wrote:This perhaps shows then that the Mercedes engine is no longer the biggest factor?
I've been saying that since Malaysia, but nobody seemed to listen then
If one squad has additional chunk of power advantage from PU, they won't use that power ONLY for the long straights. What they do is that using a lot more downforce, gaining massive time through high-medium speed corners and STILL not losing much time over the long straights.

This shows power strength. I agree with Kleefton.
The fact that they are losing time on the straights sort of negates what you are saying, Williams are the fastest car on the straights, why don't they simply crank on more downforce?

#1+They do not lose more than 0.1 seconds through straights.

#2+Because Williams, FI and Lotus can not use "same" engine as efficient as Mercedes GP. The engines are identical when on garage, but when it comes to use it, Mercedes GP is miles ahead.

Ask some more now.

w1Y! · Post by **w1Y!** » Sat May 09, 2015 10:25 am

Programmestarts at midday so assume 1

Need4Naiim · Post by **Need4Naiim** » Sat May 09, 2015 10:25 am

F1Tyrant wrote:Rosberg looks to have better pace than Hamilton this weekend much like last year. Nico will probably get pole today. The race is really anyone's game given how good Hamilton's starts have been and how sloppy Nico has been this year.

Since 2006, Rosberg looks good on practice sessions.

F1Oz · Post by **F1Oz** » Sat May 09, 2015 10:31 am

official formula 1 site talks about first 5 in FP3 - then 7-10 as making up the top 10. Apparently Dan doesn't exist