2020 Italian Grand Prix Free Practice & Qualifying Thread

[Herb]

Surprised we didn't have a thread.

Love these posters from Racing Point:

What we thinking? Can Renault challenge Red Bull? Are the rumours of a poor Merc low-downforce setup overblown?

[Invade]

Well, I certainly think Renault are onto something with their own low-downforce package and so if Ricciardo puts together a similar sort of weekend then I could see him challenging Verstappen. Can't see Ocon challenging Verstappen over a race somehow, but who knows...

Max might be closer to pole position but even if he gets it I suspect it will be a brutal task to hold back Mercedes in the race.

[JN23]

Surprised we didn't have a thread.

Love these posters from Racing Point:

What we thinking? Can Renault challenge Red Bull? Are the rumours of a poor Merc low-downforce setup overblown?

Seems like Racing Point are going for a podium made up of Ricciardo, Albon and Roscoe

[JN23]

Well, I certainly think Renault are onto something with their own low-downforce package and so if Ricciardo puts together a similar sort of weekend then I could see him challenging Verstappen. Can't see Ocon challenging Verstappen over a race somehow, but who knows...

Max might be closer to pole position but even if he gets it I suspect it will be a brutal task to hold back Mercedes in the race.

I might look very stupid saying this but, I think there’s more chance of Ricciardo taking pole than Verstappen. I’d probably then expect Ricciardo to have a tough time finishing ahead of Verstappen as the Red Bull driven by Verstappen is just a better combo in the race.

[Option or Prime]

Well, I certainly think Renault are onto something with their own low-downforce package and so if Ricciardo puts together a similar sort of weekend then I could see him challenging Verstappen. Can't see Ocon challenging Verstappen over a race somehow, but who knows...

Max might be closer to pole position but even if he gets it I suspect it will be a brutal task to hold back Mercedes in the race.

I might look very stupid saying this but, I think there’s more chance of Ricciardo taking pole than Verstappen. I’d probably then expect Ricciardo to have a tough time finishing ahead of Verstappen as the Red Bull driven by Verstappen is just a better combo in the race.

No, I can see that, but we are talking about a 'chance', reality is that we are talking about 3rd and 4th on the grid.

[JN23]

Well, I certainly think Renault are onto something with their own low-downforce package and so if Ricciardo puts together a similar sort of weekend then I could see him challenging Verstappen. Can't see Ocon challenging Verstappen over a race somehow, but who knows...

Max might be closer to pole position but even if he gets it I suspect it will be a brutal task to hold back Mercedes in the race.

I might look very stupid saying this but, I think there’s more chance of Ricciardo taking pole than Verstappen. I’d probably then expect Ricciardo to have a tough time finishing ahead of Verstappen as the Red Bull driven by Verstappen is just a better combo in the race.

No, I can see that, but we are talking about a 'chance', reality is that we are talking about 3rd and 4th on the grid.

Yeah you are probably right. Would take a surprise from the qualy mode ban to see him higher than that.

On another note, it’s supposed to be hot this weekend, touching 30degrees. I know this wasn’t a problem in Spain for Mercedes but might be worth watching out for, especially as we’re back onto the C2, C3 and C4 tyres.

[Zazu]

Tyres will be fine because won't have overheating problems on straights


Renault went really well here last year. I thought they might get in the mix for pole if power mode hampered Mercedes but Rob Smedley completely dismissed Merc struggling when analysing Spa with Ted

[JN23]

There’s supposed to be a meeting between Masi and the teams at some point to plan how to avoid a repeat of the Q3 issues of last year. Not sure how it’ll work, as no one will want to be front of the queue.

[pokerman]

Did that really need a red flag?

[Clarky]

Did that really need a red flag?

No IMO.

[Option or Prime]

Did that really need a red flag?

Probably just got confused, there are red flags everywhere at the Italian Grand Prix!

[JN23]

F3 qualifying saw slipstream shenanigans: https://twitter.com/fiaformula3/status/ ... 64416?s=21

F1 will have a reference lap time to judge if someone is driving unnecessarily slowly: https://twitter.com/andrewbensonf1/stat ... 50178?s=21

[Herb]

[JN23]

I hope it doesn’t take a plane crash for F1 to sort out these car parks at the end of laps.

[kleefton]

WTH? Mercedes looking dominant as ever so far. I know this is still practice and nothing should be taken too seriously but If this ban of quali mode results in Mercedes being even further ahead in qualifying it will be absolutely comical.

[mikeyg123]

WTH? Mercedes looking dominant as ever so far. I know this is still practice and nothing should be taken too seriously but If this ban of quali mode results in Mercedes being even further ahead in qualifying it will be absolutely comical.

Would be good to teach the FIA a lesson if anything. I think they can use any engine mode in quali though.

[Schumacher forever#1]

I hope it doesn’t take a plane crash for F1 to sort out these car parks at the end of laps.

I anticipate everyone will be on the same lap in qualifying, and therefore this should hopefully not be a problem. I actually find it really fun and interesting, and don't mind if it occurs for a second year.

[kleefton]

WTH? Mercedes looking dominant as ever so far. I know this is still practice and nothing should be taken too seriously but If this ban of quali mode results in Mercedes being even further ahead in qualifying it will be absolutely comical.

Would be good to teach the FIA a lesson if anything. I think they can use any engine mode in quali though.

Indeed. But you mean in practice? Yeah I know but you'd think they would be practicing a mode somewhat close to what they will be using for tomorrow since it's the first time they will be doing it. We shall see.

[mikeyg123]

WTH? Mercedes looking dominant as ever so far. I know this is still practice and nothing should be taken too seriously but If this ban of quali mode results in Mercedes being even further ahead in qualifying it will be absolutely comical.

Would be good to teach the FIA a lesson if anything. I think they can use any engine mode in quali though.

Indeed. But you mean in practice? Yeah I know but you'd think they would be practicing a mode somewhat close to what they will be using for tomorrow since it's the first time they will be doing it. We shall see.

Sorry, yes in practice.

You would think they would use something similar but who knows.

[mikeyg123]

Qualifying in F3 was a bit of a joke - https://www.motorsport.com/fia-f3/news/ ... n=widget-1

Hopefully the rules around maximum lap time prevent this happening in F1.

[Clarky]

The minimum in quali will be 1:43:00.

[Schumacher forever#1]

The minimum in quali will be 1:43:00.

I'm not sure how this will actively fix the problem. It will just mean that they will be bunched before the Parabolica, and, more importantly, that every car will want to leave the pitlane with exactly 1 minute 43 seconds to go. Just let the sport be free and have a laissez-faire attitude to minimise the potential downside.

[Lotus49]

Rumours on another forum are that Renault will be rebranded Alpine-Renault or something along those lines with their current DP World sponsor and next years car will be blue and yellow and that we may see Alonso and Ocon driving outside of F1 for Alpine somewhere too.

Already confirmed is Alpine branding replacing Renault Sport brand and Cyril leading Alpine. Announcement Sunday I think.

[Greenman]

Did that really need a red flag?

.

The Marshalls have to practice for the race - they'll have to use the flags to allow Ferrari to catch up.

.

[Invade]

Worth noting that if the pattern continues then Bottas has choice over going first or second this week in qualifying, so expect a Bottas pole. Tow is good.

[JN23]

Worth noting that if the pattern continues then Bottas has choice over going first or second this week in qualifying, so expect a Bottas pole. Tow is good.

That’s only important if the two Merc’s are at the front of the queue.

[Invade]

Worth noting that if the pattern continues then Bottas has choice over going first or second this week in qualifying, so expect a Bottas pole. Tow is good.

That’s only important if the two Merc’s are at the front of the queue.

Yeh I just figured they will have the pace in hand to avoid the melee and chaos behind and choose to get on with it, but maybe not.

[JN23]

Worth noting that if the pattern continues then Bottas has choice over going first or second this week in qualifying, so expect a Bottas pole. Tow is good.

That’s only important if the two Merc’s are at the front of the queue.

Yeh I just figured they will have the pace in hand to avoid the melee and chaos behind and choose to get on with it, but maybe not.

Yeah you could be right, might be a bit risky with no qualy mode advantage but they look good so far so still possible.

[mikeyg123]

I can't see Hamilton just accepting second.

[Mort Canard]

The minimum in quali will be 1:43:00.

I'm not sure how this will actively fix the problem. It will just mean that they will be bunched before the Parabolica, and, more importantly, that every car will want to leave the pitlane with exactly 1 minute 43 seconds to go. Just let the sport be free and have a laissez-faire attitude to minimise the potential downside.

I would love to see Merc deploy Lewis and Valtteri way early for the last lap in Q3 and catch most of the other teams flat footed. Clearly Merc doesn't need a tow and there is only possible downside to providing anyone else the fastest tow on the grid.

[pokerman]

I don't understand the white line rule, I saw a car beyond the white line and not lose the lap.

[pokerman]

The minimum in quali will be 1:43:00.

I'm not sure how this will actively fix the problem. It will just mean that they will be bunched before the Parabolica, and, more importantly, that every car will want to leave the pitlane with exactly 1 minute 43 seconds to go. Just let the sport be free and have a laissez-faire attitude to minimise the potential downside.

I would love to see Merc deploy Lewis and Valtteri way early for the last lap in Q3 and catch most of the other teams flat footed. Clearly Merc doesn't need a tow and there is only possible downside to providing anyone else the fastest tow on the grid.

Same here, Hamilton actually did that in Spa whilst others were looking for tows.

[pokerman]

I don't understand the white line rule, I saw a car beyond the white line and not lose the lap.

Ah Vettel just had the lap removed.

[pokerman]

Sky go to adverts and we miss drivers doing their qually sims and then we come back to a red flag.

[Clarky]

OMG

[pokerman]

Bottas all 4 wheels off on his fastest lap, bring in a draft of rules that the stewards don't have the competence to police.

[Clarky]

Bottas all 4 wheels off on his fastest lap, bring in a draft of rules that the stewards don't have the competence to police.

Yep.

Looked awfully like Vettel last year. Didn't check the behind camera.

[Clarky]

Was that Grosjean blocking Hamilton?

[pokerman]

Bottas all 4 wheels off on his fastest lap, bring in a draft of rules that the stewards don't have the competence to police.

Yep.

Looked awfully like Vettel last year. Didn't check the behind camera.

How can we trust them to police qualifying?

[pokerman]

Was that Grosjean blocking Hamilton?

If it was what can we say yet again?