2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 3:44 pm
Mercedes Vs. Red Bull...where tyre temps & pit strategy will decide the winner...
Source - Imgur
Source - Imgur
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2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
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Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 3:46 pm
Curious to see if Bottas can hold the lead for more than 10 laps.
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 4:24 pm
Looking like a Mercedes whitewash for tomorrow their pace on the medium is eye popping.
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 7:07 pm
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 7:20 pm
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 10:26 pm
Verstappen will either have an amazing race or a horrendous one, no in between.
He will either win through a combination of aggression and willpower, or he will have a collision and finish way down.
I can’t imagine him just finishing 3rd in a normal boring race, especially given how angry he sounded after qualifying.
He will either win through a combination of aggression and willpower, or he will have a collision and finish way down.
I can’t imagine him just finishing 3rd in a normal boring race, especially given how angry he sounded after qualifying.
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 7:58 am
This is what we've been waiting for. The top 2 teams occupying both their 2 cars in the first four grid slots. Best thing is all four of these cars are starting on mediums. Wonder if the first 2 cars (Mercedes) have the advantage or the back 2 cars (Red Bull) have it when it comes to strategic advantage.
Even though it seems Mercedes have the advantage on mediums to get them upto temperature sooner but the difference here is this is the race. It's about sustaining the tyres, grip & performance. Most likely a single stop is on the cards but who knows what the race will bring up.
A exciting prospect for sure in many ways.
Even though it seems Mercedes have the advantage on mediums to get them upto temperature sooner but the difference here is this is the race. It's about sustaining the tyres, grip & performance. Most likely a single stop is on the cards but who knows what the race will bring up.
A exciting prospect for sure in many ways.
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 8:10 am
For Red Bull it all depends on if Perez can A) get a good start and stay 4th and B) can keep up.UnlikeUday wrote: ↑Sun May 02, 2021 7:58 amThis is what we've been waiting for. The top 2 teams occupying both their 2 cars in the first four grid slots. Best thing is all four of these cars are starting on mediums. Wonder if the first 2 cars (Mercedes) have the advantage or the back 2 cars (Red Bull) have it when it comes to strategic advantage.
Even though it seems Mercedes have the advantage on mediums to get them upto temperature sooner but the difference here is this is the race. It's about sustaining the tyres, grip & performance. Most likely a single stop is on the cards but who knows what the race will bring up.
A exciting prospect for sure in many ways.
If he can do those things then Red Bull should split strategies - one driver goes for an aggressive undercut whilst the other stays out and goes long.
Merc hate splitting strategies so that should at least make them uncomfortable.
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 9:02 am
Pit strategy options:
Source - Imgur
Source - Imgur
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 9:15 am
If Pirelli is right (hah-hah, yeah right), a lot of the grid have got themselves on the wrong foot by qualifying on mediums despite there being no real advantage.
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 9:28 am
This Pirelli thing is massively affecting the sport now and its annoying! We are going to bigger wheels because they can't build a safe tyre. Whatever Pirelli say about compounds it was clear yesterday that the mediums worked better than softs, whether they should have is another matter. For the track temperature yesterday thats what happened. Today could be totally different. That makes tyres a bit of a lottery, that is frankly totally and utterly ridiculous.
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 9:55 am
Anyone know if there are specific track limit rules for lap one? I’m sure someone is bound to go wide at turn one on lap one.
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 11:02 am
I do remember FIA were quite lenient for lap 1 but do believe FIA will be strict for lap 1 as well. It ofcourse depends on the severity of the scenario.
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 11:07 am
We all know both Mercs & RB cars are starting on mediums but I've got some interesting news in relation to this.
Mercedes has no new sets of hard tyres available for either of its drivers & Red Bull has no new sets of soft tyres available. This will surely make for mixed strategies during the race.
Mercedes has no new sets of hard tyres available for either of its drivers & Red Bull has no new sets of soft tyres available. This will surely make for mixed strategies during the race.
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 12:17 pm
It's a 1 stop raceUnlikeUday wrote: ↑Sun May 02, 2021 11:07 amWe all know both Mercs & RB cars are starting on mediums but I've got some interesting news in relation to this.
Mercedes has no new sets of hard tyres available for either of its drivers & Red Bull has no new sets of soft tyres available. This will surely make for mixed strategies during the race.
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 12:29 pm
I think it ultimately depends on how used the Merc’s hard tyres are. If they’ve done one install lap then it’s probably irrelevant but if they’ve done some running in practice then it’s hard to see how Merc does a one stop medium-hard strategy. It’s probably the former to be honest and strategy will be fairly consistent.F1_Ernie wrote: ↑Sun May 02, 2021 12:17 pmIt's a 1 stop raceUnlikeUday wrote: ↑Sun May 02, 2021 11:07 amWe all know both Mercs & RB cars are starting on mediums but I've got some interesting news in relation to this.
Mercedes has no new sets of hard tyres available for either of its drivers & Red Bull has no new sets of soft tyres available. This will surely make for mixed strategies during the race.
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 12:30 pm
It's not a pirelli thing. As is known. This is the mandate from the fia to have a tyre that drops off as it does.Option or Prime wrote: ↑Sun May 02, 2021 9:28 amThis Pirelli thing is massively affecting the sport now and its annoying! We are going to bigger wheels because they can't build a safe tyre. Whatever Pirelli say about compounds it was clear yesterday that the mediums worked better than softs, whether they should have is another matter. For the track temperature yesterday thats what happened. Today could be totally different. That makes tyres a bit of a lottery, that is frankly totally and utterly ridiculous.
We as fans are looking for a consistent tyre throughout the whole stint. Much like we had in the late 90s and early 00s
The 18 inch tyre is a intreating one and I'm actually looking forward to it as long as we have a nice construction and consistent tyre. The main problem the 18 inch tyre has is the warm up process. As I believe the rule is still in place for next year that we wont have any tyre warmers.
It's a nice new variable that is actually is one of the good to be implemented next year
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 12:35 pm
I've not seen what laps if any merc have done.JN23 wrote: ↑Sun May 02, 2021 12:29 pmI think it ultimately depends on how used the Merc’s hard tyres are. If they’ve done one install lap then it’s probably irrelevant but if they’ve done some running in practice then it’s hard to see how Merc does a one stop medium-hard strategy. It’s probably the former to be honest and strategy will be fairly consistent.F1_Ernie wrote: ↑Sun May 02, 2021 12:17 pmIt's a 1 stop raceUnlikeUday wrote: ↑Sun May 02, 2021 11:07 amWe all know both Mercs & RB cars are starting on mediums but I've got some interesting news in relation to this.
Mercedes has no new sets of hard tyres available for either of its drivers & Red Bull has no new sets of soft tyres available. This will surely make for mixed strategies during the race.
But surely the curing process will change the characteristics of the tyre to make it more consistent and cured more and maybe even more durable as it has has a cycle put through them.
Also correct me if I'm wrong. But surely merc have not used both hard tyres. Havent the fia mandated 2 hard 3 medium and 8 softs for the weekend with soft tyres being returned after f1 and Qualifiying.
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 12:37 pm
Like you say they have obviously done an installation lap. I personally think all races should be at least 2 stop, much better than sprint races.JN23 wrote: ↑Sun May 02, 2021 12:29 pmI think it ultimately depends on how used the Merc’s hard tyres are. If they’ve done one install lap then it’s probably irrelevant but if they’ve done some running in practice then it’s hard to see how Merc does a one stop medium-hard strategy. It’s probably the former to be honest and strategy will be fairly consistent.F1_Ernie wrote: ↑Sun May 02, 2021 12:17 pmIt's a 1 stop raceUnlikeUday wrote: ↑Sun May 02, 2021 11:07 amWe all know both Mercs & RB cars are starting on mediums but I've got some interesting news in relation to this.
Mercedes has no new sets of hard tyres available for either of its drivers & Red Bull has no new sets of soft tyres available. This will surely make for mixed strategies during the race.
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 12:52 pm
Here's what they have left - as me and F1 Ernie have said, in all probability, they've only done an install lap on that one set of hards they have leftwire2004 wrote: ↑Sun May 02, 2021 12:35 pmI've not seen what laps if any merc have done.JN23 wrote: ↑Sun May 02, 2021 12:29 pmI think it ultimately depends on how used the Merc’s hard tyres are. If they’ve done one install lap then it’s probably irrelevant but if they’ve done some running in practice then it’s hard to see how Merc does a one stop medium-hard strategy. It’s probably the former to be honest and strategy will be fairly consistent.F1_Ernie wrote: ↑Sun May 02, 2021 12:17 pmIt's a 1 stop raceUnlikeUday wrote: ↑Sun May 02, 2021 11:07 amWe all know both Mercs & RB cars are starting on mediums but I've got some interesting news in relation to this.
Mercedes has no new sets of hard tyres available for either of its drivers & Red Bull has no new sets of soft tyres available. This will surely make for mixed strategies during the race.
But surely the curing process will change the characteristics of the tyre to make it more consistent and cured more and maybe even more durable as it has has a cycle put through them.
Also correct me if I'm wrong. But surely merc have not used both hard tyres. Havent the fia mandated 2 hard 3 medium and 8 softs for the weekend with soft tyres being returned after f1 and Qualifiying.
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 1:16 pm
I'm not sure that is what I want. I does seem the "tyres that wear and fall off a cliff" is really hard to achieve. I'd be quite curious to see the "running two compounds in the dry" scrapped and have high performance tyres with a drop off. I'd like to see a late safety car mean that all the cars that have stopped have to overtake whatever cars decide to stay out for track position.
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 1:20 pm
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 1:39 pm
Is it just me. And I maybe completely wrong about this. But its going to be one of those grand prix today. Where not much is going to happen.
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 1:43 pm
That's always a possibility, but with drivers complaining about the tyres not being grippy enough (music to my ears) and a layout that we've seen before cause spins and passing, it could be quite the opposite. Let's see.....
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 1:47 pm
The wind and lack of grip is either going to catch loads of them out or they will all be driving at 90% for the most part and it'll be boring as sin. Im hoping its the first one.
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 1:49 pm
Dont get me wrong. I've seen enough grand prix in the last 27 years to know that things can change on a whim. I just get this feeling it's going to be one of those days. I hope I'm wrong.Asphalt_World wrote: ↑Sun May 02, 2021 1:43 pmThat's always a possibility, but with drivers complaining about the tyres not being grippy enough (music to my ears) and a layout that we've seen before cause spins and passing, it could be quite the opposite. Let's see.....
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 1:50 pm
Rosberg is such a good pundit to have on Sky.
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 1:50 pm
Rosberg deffiantly doing his best sky impression and calling turn 1 at Imola hyper aggressive lol
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 1:53 pm
I was about to write exactly the same thing. He's got a great, calm manner, clearly knows his stuff, isn't bothered about asking big questions and his voice is perfect.
On a side note, I didn't realise last years race had the most overtakes of all the 2020 races.
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 2:07 pm
Well, that was bizarre from Kimi. Wonder if he was looking in the mirrors and caught the other Alfa much quicker than expected with the slipstream.
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 2:07 pm
that has to be about the most careless mistake i've seen in ages. Not even in a braking zone and kimi just hits the back of his team mate. Badly misjudging the length of his car?
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 2:10 pm
chocolate fudge cake sake, we've lost three laps already and they haven't even cleared Kimi's car yet.
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 2:11 pm
Safety cars are always out too long, one of the things I hate
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 2:12 pm
What is it about Monaco that allows cars to be removed so quickly, yet where there's lots more space for cranes, it takes ages. Just surround the circuit with mobile cranes and get on with it.....
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 2:12 pm
SLOW ZONES!!!!!!!!
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 2:13 pm
This is a joke now
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 2:14 pm
Get on with it!
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 2:16 pm
Well, Sainz just ruined his race in one move.
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 2:17 pm
Sleepy sleepy hamilton
Re: 2021 Portugal Grand Prix Race Thread
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 2:17 pm
Hamilton got caught out...