4021 replies to this topic

[10e10]

Even after Q I still don't know what to expect for tomorrow. I know the tyres dictated the qualifying strategy, but I was hoping to see more pace after the three weeks brake we had. Maybe it was masked by the tyres, and tomorrow we can really up our game.

[OO7]

Looks like the gap has definitely closed which is good news. The guys just have to keep working at it, which I know they will do. Not much of a conciliation but the car sounds great, I think it has something to do with the gearbox. It has this smooth silky note compared to others.

BTW what has happened to the 100 page limit here?

[Siperoth]

Hmm..I don't know after today's and Malaysia performance i get the impression the car never was that bad. Maybe the team just needs another speedy driver after losing Lewis.
Its a chance now for Whitmarsh to write this: "Dear Seb.Vettel. I heard those mean Red Bull guys where shouting in your ears for passing that rude Australian guy. We will like to inform you that our team can help you get rid of seeing his face every weekend by giving you a nice shinny car. We also have very nice food and you'll get to be a cartoon star.
With lots of love and kisses, Mclaren team principal
Martin Whitmarsh

P.S: Lucozade actually tastes better than Red Bull
"

Anyway lets see what race pace the team will have. If there is some big change that will bring more speed then i guess it has to at arrive at least until Barcelona. If Mclaren ain't as fast as any by then they can wave the championship fight bye bye.

[Force Ten]

Hmm..I don't know after today's and Malaysia performance i get the impression the car never was that bad. Maybe the team just needs another speedy driver after losing Lewis.

Sure. And Grosjean was much quicker than Raikkonen for the first half of last season. If this season Lotus had a REAL Grosjean, they would have taken the pole for sure. In-deed.

[Raziel]

People always bad-mouthing McLaren when they **** up something in the race (pit stop, strategy etc.) but we never hear "well done McLaren" when they do something right like in this case to put Button on hard tyres in Q3! This is probably the best decision from McLaren in months! All drivers from the first three rows with Pirelli cheese tyres will have problems very early in the race and that will be a good chance for Jenson!

Edited by Raziel, 13 April 2013 - 11:23.

[rodlamas]

Strategy to maximize results

One lap shot at Q1 on softs
One lap shot at Q2 on softs
Do not run on Q3

Start the race on mediums, 3 stop-strategy, run new tires all the way, 14 lap 1st stint, 16 lap 2nd stint, 18 lap 3rd stint, 8 lap 4th stint (softs), all the race on new tires.

If Jenson wins the race I expect a job offer from Mclaren as a racing strategist on Monday!

[SunnyENTP]

People always bad-mouthing McLaren when they **** up something in the race (pit stop, strategy etc.) but we never hear "well done McLaren" when they do something right like in this case to put Button on hard tyres in Q3! This is probably the best decision from McLaren in months! All drivers from the first three rows with Pirelli cheese tyres will have problems very early in the race and that will be a good chance for Jenson!

Dont count your chickens yet. Imagine there was a safety car lap in the first couple of laps

[Dalton007]

Dont count your chickens yet. Imagine there was a safety car lap in the first couple of laps

Knowing MAC's luck there will be!

Jenson has been impressive leading the team and his quali has been good. I still think this championship is salvageable.

No point being hard on Perez, it's still early days. He is driving a difficult car.

[PNSD]

Will be an interesting race tomorrow.

Though we have to remember all throughout the race whilst on the prime, we will have to go through the option stint. So JB might be on for a top 5 but that option stint will be crucial.

What I hope is JB goes all out attack and does a 3 stopper? Is that an possible strategy? With 5-8 laps max on the option for final stint?

[PNSD]

Will be an interesting race tomorrow.

Though we have to remember all throughout the race whilst on the prime, we will have to go through the option stint. So JB might be on for a top 5 but that option stint will be crucial.

What I hope is JB goes all out attack and does a 3 stopper? Is that an possible strategy? With 5-8 laps max on the option for final stint?

[BillBald]

I hope they learn from Sutil's experiment with this in Australia that you can't stretch the option tyre out without massive drops in pace. If they want to stick on the options at the end, do it based on how many laps the cars who started on them did... regardless of difference in fuel loads etc.

If they last 8 laps, stick them on with 8 laps to go.

The strange thing is, in Oz there were others who did more laps on the options than Sutil, and did them when the car was heavy with fuel, so really you can't judge by what other cars can do.

[jjcale]

Definite step forward, JB was only 8 tenths off in q2. It seems the car is struggling with the slow long corners. Bahrain should be even better, smooth and more point and squirt.

If Jenson gets a good start, he should be leading when the others pit. I think top 5 is achievable proving the team don't mess up operationally.

+ 1

Top 5 is definitely possibly ... but I dont think its likely this weekend.

Will be interested to see where SP ends up... a good start from him could also make things very interesting.

Edited by jjcale, 13 April 2013 - 12:35.

[jjcale]

People always bad-mouthing McLaren when they **** up something in the race (pit stop, strategy etc.) but we never hear "well done McLaren" when they do something right like in this case to put Button on hard tyres in Q3! This is probably the best decision from McLaren in months! All drivers from the first three rows with Pirelli cheese tyres will have problems very early in the race and that will be a good chance for Jenson!

It was a pretty obvious call for all the teams not in the hunt for pole... and we dont know yet how the options will last tomorrow. They usually look worse on Friday than they turn out on Sunday.

[nosecone]

It was a pretty obvious call for all the teams not in the hunt for pole... and we dont know yet how the options will last tomorrow. They usually look worse on Friday than they turn out on Sunday.

true. I wonder if the teams downplay the performance or if it is caused by the track which has more grip on sunday?

[DanardiF1]

The strange thing is, in Oz there were others who did more laps on the options than Sutil, and did them when the car was heavy with fuel, so really you can't judge by what other cars can do.

That's certainly true, but my point is more that if you want to stop late to stick on the options, make damn sure that you are not either going to hit the cliff and struggle round for even a couple of laps 5 seconds off everyone else's pace, or that you don't have to stop again.

[JaredS]

Knowing MAC's luck there will be!

Jenson has been impressive leading the team and his quali has been good.

Jenson's quali has been good? Relative to what - Perez? Errr I guess so.

[JRizzle86]

Jenson's run early on should be interesting to watch. I assume Vettel and Jenson should be able to make early gains after the first set of pit stops hopefully.

[femi]

This thread is overdue for closure and part 2 started...

[Dalton007]

Jenson's quali has been good? Relative to what - Perez? Errr I guess so.

Who else are you going to compre it to? Last years driver?

[Wingnut]

Who else are you going to compre it to? Last years driver?

Well yes, so given Jensons' performance today the McLaren isn't a bad car.

[WitnessX]

Well yes, so given Jensons' performance today the McLaren isn't a bad car.

It depends on one's definition of "bad car".

The car is said to have issues, however the team are not making the specifics open to the public. < This one > is obvious.

[ForeverF1]

Please continue here. http://forums.autosp...p;#entry6223800