153 replies to this topic

[FastnLoud]

Mercedes look a cert for a front row lock out in Monaco with their Quali pace and the fact that they were half a second clear in last sector in spain bodes well.

Just wondering if we could see a huge train behind them in the race and i'm talking HUGE.

[30ft penguin]

Mercedes look a cert for a front row lock out in Monaco with their Quali pace and the fact that they were half a second clear in last sector in spain bodes well.

Just wondering if we could see a huge train behind them in the race and i'm talking HUGE.

Will probably be a train until the first pit stop. Then, because everybody will have been piled up right behind the Mercs, the whole field will overtake them during their pit stop and drive off into the sunset.

[PurpleHam]

Hamilton pole and race win...

[Trust]

Will probably be a train until the first pit stop. Then, because everybody will have been piled up right behind the Mercs, the whole field will overtake them during their pit stop and drive off into the sunset.

What if they pit at the same time as others or lap earlier?

[MortenF1]

The key here is how the supersoft compound will behave on the front-running cars. I'm sure Mercedes will be pole-threats again, and could very well make a front-row full-sweep again. Holding onto the lead from the start, they should lead the race for the first stint, but if they perform like they have for the first four races - and not like today - (today hasn't been the rule with Mercedes remember, even if they are worse than many others) they should put some water between boats, and have a chance to finish on the podium with one car.

...but it remains to be seen how the supersofts perform....

[pdac]

What if they pit at the same time as others or lap earlier?

If it's the same time as the others, then it's down to the pit crew. If it's earlier, then the front runners will put in a few faster laps and come out in front after their stops. If it's later than the others, then they will come out behind the ones that pitted first.

Edit: Assuming that their race pace is still significantly slower than the others.

Edited by pdac, 12 May 2013 - 16:09.

[Timstr11]

Monaco is not Barcelona.
Last year they were second and could have won the race despite generally not being good on tyres.
I would not be surprised if they do very well in Monaco.

Edited by Timstr11, 12 May 2013 - 16:09.

[Zoetrope]

They should drive wheel to wheel blocking all the way Easy 43 points for the WCC

[HoldenRT]

Looks likely.. but the wear problems will be less due to the lack of fast corners. It will be all about total downforce and traction.

Edited by HoldenRT, 12 May 2013 - 16:10.

[sopa]

This will be the mother of trains, one that even Trulli would be proud of.

Yeah, when I was younger I always wondered what would happen if Minardi was put on the front row at Monaco. Could they keep others behind? We will see with Mercedes.

My personal guess is that they can hold others behind for some time and even pitstops may not be decisive. Remember, Rosberg held onto the lead in Spain after the first round of stops. But if the tyres are truly gone, they will collapse and fall behind others. Like the Williams cars passed Alonso in 2005, when he was lapping 4-5 seconds per lap slower.

[F1ultimate]

I think teams will account for a Merc train in their strategy and might therefore tune their car for quali to come out ahead, or they will have to bulldoze their way past Rosberg and Lewis in the first corner.

[Pothead4Philosopher]

My guess is that Merc will drop off the leaders after the 1st pit-stops (will have to pit earlier as 3-4 sec slower pace would allow passing). Once they are in the pack, their tire degradation will kick into high gear. Will end up fighting for positions 5-9.

Would not mind to be wrong tho.

[scheivlak]

The tyre wear will be far, far less than in Barcelona. Traction will be more important.

A win is not impossible, certainly if they can lock out the front row and the 2nd car holds up the others.

[Boxerevo]

People will just UNDERCUT like a boss.

[sopa]

The tyre wear will be far, far less than in Barcelona. Traction will be more important.

A win is not impossible, certainly if they can lock out the front row and the 2nd car holds up the others.

Last year Mercedes help up well indeed, but in 2011 Monaco was one of the worst tracks for them. They dropped right to the back. So which one is it in 2013 we do not know yet.

[pdac]

My guess is that they won't get pole.

Edited by pdac, 12 May 2013 - 16:38.

[F1ultimate]

People will just UNDERCUT like a boss.

In other words, everyone but Merc will pit after the first lap and the race will start there.

[JensonWDC]

Chooo Choooooooooooo.......

[Jackmancer]

Will their tyres even last one lap for qualifying?

[DanardiF1]

I think they'll back everyone up so much they'll end up lapping themselves...

[GodHimself]

I miss the Trulli Train.

[rolf123]

They could go around at 30 mph in a formation of two.

[muramasa]

Lewis Hamiltrain

Loco Rosberg

[Jon83]

They were strong there last year. Bit reactive to automatically assume if they are on pole, they won't pull a gap.

[OO7]

Hamilton pole and race win...

No offence PurpleHam, but what was your prediction for qualification and the race this weekend.

[OO7]

I think they'll back everyone up so much they'll end up lapping themselves...

[V3TT3L]

Last year qualifying:

1.Webber
2.Rosberg
3.Hamilton

[SpaMaster]

I think people are assuming passing will be impossible in Monaco. If Pirelli could make Barcelona talk, I wouldn't rule out Monaco. There may be some surprise in store. If ever there is a chance to overtake, these Pirelli tyres would find that.

[F1ultimate]

I think people are assuming passing will be impossible in Monaco. If Pirelli could make Barcelona talk, I wouldn't rule out Monaco. There may be some surprise in store. If ever there is a chance to overtake, these Pirelli tyres would find that.

In Monaco defending hard is much easier to the advantage of Rosberg who enjoys clinging on for as long as he can before conceding a top grid position.

[HoldenRT]

Overtaking at Monaco is always possible out of the tunnel but it requires bravery and co operation from the driver infront.

[dweller23]

Last year qualifying:

1.Webber
2.Rosberg
3.Hamilton

Schumacher got the pole, but had a penalty for crash in Barcelona.

[SamH123]

They could go around at 30 mph in a formation of two.

And why not

People are saying fewer tires issues at Monaco but remember we've got these supersupersofts this year

[ANF]

A Ferrari will be on pole.

[GiancarloF1]

Yikes, the "you're as good as your last race" story again.

What happened in Barcelona, is not necessarily happen again in Monaco.

[Nonesuch]

There's bound to be some kind of train at Monaco. Let's just hope that doesn't lead to half a dozen missing front wings.

I miss the Trulli Train.

http://fr.academic.r...2001_Canada.jpg

I don't know why, but that picture cracked me up. Thanks for posting!

Edited by Nonesuch, 12 May 2013 - 17:56.

[Shiroo]

funniest would me, that they secure front row, yet lose it normally in race, being overtaken in Monaco... that would be funny as ****. and tbh, I believe in that

[Juan Kerr]

They could go around at 30 mph in a formation of two.

they'd have to change tyres though

[SpaMaster]

In Monaco defending hard is much easier to the advantage of Rosberg who enjoys clinging on for as long as he can before conceding a top grid position.

I think Mercedes may have a better pace in Monaco. But if their pace drops like in other race, it does not matter whether it is Monaco or Las Vegas, they will be passed. Tyre degradation would be the key and they would hope that Monaco is a much different place in that regard.

[fabr68]

For Monaco the DRS "zone" should be the whole track.

[SamH123]

A Ferrari will be on pole.

?
I would have them behind RB, Lotus and Mercedes - traction is not their strong point, I don't think they've won Monaco for quite a while?

[rasul]

?
I would have them behind RB, Lotus and Mercedes - traction is not their strong point, I don't think they've won Monaco for quite a while?

Since 2001.

[TomNokoe]

DRS will be overpowered and Mercedes pit stops will be slow.
No.

[TheF1BOB]

The Hammy Train.

[Pep]

This will be the mother of trains, one that even Trulli would be proud of.

[Shiroo]

This will be the mother of trains, one that even Trulli would be proud of.

Yeah, when I was younger I always wondered what would happen if Minardi was put on the front row at Monaco. Could they keep others behind? We will see with Mercedes.

My personal guess is that they can hold others behind for some time and even pitstops may not be decisive. Remember, Rosberg held onto the lead in Spain after the first round of stops. But if the tyres are truly gone, they will collapse and fall behind others. Like the Williams cars passed Alonso in 2005, when he was lapping 4-5 seconds per lap slower.

best post today on this board

[ArkZ]

Mercedes already did one pretty long train in Valencia last year. Schumacher was leading something like 12 cars long train.
Schumacher's train in MiniDrivers

Edited by ArkZ, 12 May 2013 - 22:14.

[Mauseri]

I think Mercedes may have a better pace in Monaco. But if their pace drops like in other race, it does not matter whether it is Monaco or Las Vegas, they will be passed. Tyre degradation would be the key and they would hope that Monaco is a much different place in that regard.

Yeah. If they have no race pace someone will be able to undercut them or pass the other way. Tyre performance between early and late stint varies so much that there is no hope to cruise for victory in the lead without race pace.

[Spillage]

Mercedes look a cert for a front row lock out in Monaco

Not too sure about that, first of all, but if they do then I suspect it may last only as long as the first stop.

[MikeTekRacing]

the track surface is very different, tyre wear is not an issue
they might win it

[PurpleHam]

No offence PurpleHam, but what was your prediction for qualification and the race this weekend.

I won money on the Pole and the Race winner, I absolutely owned this weekend.

Backed Hamilton and Rosberg at 7's and 18's on Saturday, and Alonso at 3's for the race.

And there was plenty of my posts on Satrurday in the Merc threads telling all the doubters it was in the bag ;)

So get your bets on Hamilton Pole and Race win, I'm on fire at the moment.

Edited by PurpleHam, 12 May 2013 - 23:02.