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Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 1:36 pm
by F1Tyrant
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...
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 1:39 pm
by Mr-E
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?
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 1:46 pm
by F1Tyrant
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.
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 2:10 pm
by Zoue
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.
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 2:15 pm
by Zoue
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
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 2:35 pm
by VDV23
ReservoirDog wrote:
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"
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 2:48 pm
by lamo
How did the long run pace look?
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 3:12 pm
by Clarky
@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
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 3:23 pm
by Zoue
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?
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 3:29 pm
by Clarky
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.
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 3:35 pm
by Option or Prime
Clarky wrote:Hamilton with hot seat problems yet again.
Can't they just stick some asbestos in a cushion for him?……what?…..
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 3:37 pm
by Need4Naiim
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.
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 3:38 pm
by mcdo
ReservoirDog wrote:So much for McLaren making a step forward at Catalunya. Still 3 secs behind.
You spoke too soon
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 4:00 pm
by Seanie
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!
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 4:25 pm
by Black_Flag_11
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).
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 5:42 pm
by pokerman
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?
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 9:16 pm
by Mayhem
VDV23 wrote:ReservoirDog wrote:
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
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 4:07 am
by Exediron
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
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 5:32 am
by kleefton
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.
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 8:13 am
by F1Tyrant
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.
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 8:38 am
by Clarky
FP3 starts in 22 minutes
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 8:52 am
by Black_Flag_11
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.
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 9:03 am
by Need4Naiim
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.
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 9:21 am
by mds
F1Tyrant wrote:The Ferrari only has a marginal power deficit to Mercedes.
Ah. How much then?
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 9:21 am
by Clarky
The Ferrari still looks a handful through the slower corners
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 9:40 am
by pokerman
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?
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 9:43 am
by F1Tyrant
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.
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 9:55 am
by dizlexik
Oh well I don't like the new McLaren after all.
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 9:59 am
by Clarky
This weekend could be Rosberg's chance of pole.
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 10:01 am
by F1Tyrant
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.
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 10:03 am
by dizlexik
Ferrari seems very close to Mercedes. It can be Vettel on pole.
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 10:07 am
by Bacus
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.
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 10:09 am
by Bacus
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.
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 10:09 am
by F1Tyrant
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.
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 10:12 am
by F1Tyrant
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.
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 10:17 am
by flyboy10
What time is qualifying?
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 10:22 am
by Need4Naiim
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.
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 10:25 am
by w1Y!
Programmestarts at midday so assume 1
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 10:25 am
by Need4Naiim
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.
Re: 2015 Spanish GP Free Practice Thread
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 10:31 am
by F1Oz
official formula 1 site talks about first 5 in FP3 - then 7-10 as making up the top 10. Apparently Dan doesn't exist
