2019 Spanish Grand Prix Race Thread

[mcdo]

Renault needs to figure it out, they have gone backwards with Danny ric as a driver this year. They wanted to get closer to red bull but they are getting beat by the B teams.

Dan was the only reason that Renault made an appearance in Q3

[lucifers]

Regarding Hamilton's pace after the safety car, I thought Bottas had used an extra set of softs in Q1. Is it possible his softs weren't fresh?

they definitely weren't, now that you mention it. I recall Dutch commentary saying he was bolting on a set of used tyres at the stop.

neither hamilton or bottas had a new set of softs.

[Johnson]

Verstappen had new softs, all other top 6 had no new softs.

https://i.imgur.com/4GJmb66.png

[Option or Prime]

Absolutely correct, got my posts mixed up, I thought we were referring to Verstappen's tyre strategy not the Mercs, apologies.

[Siao7]

Absolutely correct, got my posts mixed up, I thought we were referring to Verstappen's tyre strategy not the Mercs, apologies.

No worries, I just got confused!

[Fiki]

I found Hamilton's comments about the changes he made during the laps to the grid interesting. I wish those changes would be explained a bit better, but I suppose that's too much to hope for. It has been years since I read about that happening. I wonder why we don't hear of such things more regularly.

My guess is Hamilton took a bit of downforce off, in a search for better balance. Any ideas about this?

[Zoue]

I found Hamilton's comments about the changes he made during the laps to the grid interesting. I wish those changes would be explained a bit better, but I suppose that's too much to hope for. It has been years since I read about that happening. I wonder why we don't hear of such things more regularly.

My guess is Hamilton took a bit of downforce off, in a search for better balance. Any ideas about this?

I think I recall seeing the mechanics working on the front of the car at some point and I think someone mentioned downforce at the time. That's as specific as it gets, sorry!

[shoot999]

I found Hamilton's comments about the changes he made during the laps to the grid interesting. I wish those changes would be explained a bit better, but I suppose that's too much to hope for. It has been years since I read about that happening. I wonder why we don't hear of such things more regularly.

My guess is Hamilton took a bit of downforce off, in a search for better balance. Any ideas about this?

Worth a shot asking Mercedes? They are pretty good with that sort of thing through Pitpass.

[pokerman]

Regarding Hamilton's pace after the safety car, I thought Bottas had used an extra set of softs in Q1. Is it possible his softs weren't fresh?

I don't believe that either driver had any fresh softs left, they ran exactly the same strategy in qualifying.

[pokerman]

Regarding Hamilton's pace after the safety car, I thought Bottas had used an extra set of softs in Q1. Is it possible his softs weren't fresh?

they definitely weren't, now that you mention it. I recall Dutch commentary saying he was bolting on a set of used tyres at the stop.

If I recall correctly, neither Merc had any fresh softs going into the race.

Sky commentary suggested Bottas was just giving himself space and preparing his battery for a fastest lap attempt. I've not looked at lap time to check that out.

That's exactly what Bottas did, both drivers were allowed to use strat5 which I guess is a qualifying mode, then they had just the one lap to try and get fastest lap, Hamilton had his run the lap before Bottas, after that all bets were off so to speak.

[pokerman]

I found Hamilton's comments about the changes he made during the laps to the grid interesting. I wish those changes would be explained a bit better, but I suppose that's too much to hope for. It has been years since I read about that happening. I wonder why we don't hear of such things more regularly.

My guess is Hamilton took a bit of downforce off, in a search for better balance. Any ideas about this?

I think I recall seeing the mechanics working on the front of the car at some point and I think someone mentioned downforce at the time. That's as specific as it gets, sorry!

The only thing that you are allowed to change is the front wing angle so I would be guessing that would be it?

[shoot999]

[Clarky]

That is cool.

[Fiki]

I found Hamilton's comments about the changes he made during the laps to the grid interesting. I wish those changes would be explained a bit better, but I suppose that's too much to hope for. It has been years since I read about that happening. I wonder why we don't hear of such things more regularly.

My guess is Hamilton took a bit of downforce off, in a search for better balance. Any ideas about this?

I think I recall seeing the mechanics working on the front of the car at some point and I think someone mentioned downforce at the time. That's as specific as it gets, sorry!

The only thing that you are allowed to change is the front wing angle so I would be guessing that would be it?

It has to be. Well spotted!

Brilliant! Many thanks, both of you!

[Clarky]

Merc have said that as it looks like Bottas's poor start was more down to lack of grip than the car. Further investigations to follow.

4:24

https://twitter.com/i/status/1128599139145670657