4298 replies to this topic

[Razoola]

With it officially now less that a week away until lights out at Australia, maybe its time to fire up 2017 teammate threads to start discussing how our drivers are going to do given the rule changes this year.

From what I have guaged so far it seems to me many think Vettal is going to set himself well ahead of Kimi this year unlike last year where it was quite close in the end. Personally I am not so sure Vettel will have it so easy, I think kimi might surprise a few. For some reason I have it in my mind that over previous years the tyres have always been an extra handicap against Kimi given he seems to like longer stints. We saw it many times Kimi staying out on tyres and then get punished for it. I don't see that happening this year (or at least not as much) given the new perelli rubber, and that can only be a good thing as far as Kimi is concerned.

Edited by Razoola, 19 March 2017 - 11:29.

[Marklar]

4 days to early ;)

Vettel will win this (unless reliability has an big impact like last year until the summer). Even if they are close Vettel is certainly enjoying the benefits in the team to edge it out in the end. And if they are involved in a championship fight then I would be surprised if they wouldnt put all eggs in his basket (unless Kimi appears to be really quicker).

I do expect a good season from both drivers though. Conditions are certainly more favourable this year.

[Okyo]

Getting somewhat the feeling that it might be rather tight. Seb will probably edge it out, but i do expect to see Kimi ahead at times.

[F1Gmr]

4 days to early ;)

Vettel will win this (unless reliability has an big impact like last year until the summer). Even if they are close Vettel is certainly enjoying the benefits in the team to edge it out in the end. And if they are involved in a championship fight then I would be surprised if they wouldnt put all eggs in his basket (unless Kimi appears to be really quicker).

I do expect a good season from both drivers though. Conditions are certainly more favourable this year.

Agreed. Think Kimi will give Seb more of a challenge but still expect Seb to come out on top.

 

When Seb had the best car with Red Bull, and was able to qualify on pole and lead races, he was at his most comfortable and not only beat Webber but the rest of the field by some distance.

 

If the Ferrari is as good as testing suggests and and the car can challenge for wins, Seb will be a tough man to beat.

 

If Kimi has a good season though it may keep those young up and comers looking for a top drive away for another season.

[PilotPlant91]

I hope ferrari allows both driver to fight on tracks.....

 

which will never happens unfortunately.

 

Both seb and kimi have to outqualified each other, and stay comfortably ahead on sunday to be supported by team to win. Main reason why their strategy always sucks in comparison to rbr and merc. 

Edited by PilotPlant91, 19 March 2017 - 11:48.

[Razoola]

My appologies if the thread is to early, maybe the mods will let it go if it does not get out of hand. I guess there is more to think about affecting teammates this year given the rule changes and I have a feeling they are going to aid Kimi this time around as I have always felt the previous rules have hindered Kimi more than most.

[Jovanotti]

Well for Vettel's sake I hope he'll be ahead - 4 vs. 1 title, 37 vs. 29 years. If he loses, he'll have to answer many questions.

I also expect him to be ahead. Kimi needs to be on top of his game on Saturday AND Sunday. I really want to see him on the top step at least one last time before he retires.
As always with KR, hope dies last Roll on Australia!

Edited by Jovanotti, 19 March 2017 - 11:56.

[GoldenColt]

Well for Vettel's sake I hope he'll be ahead - 4 vs. 1 title, 37 vs. 29 years. If he loses, he'll have to answer many questions.

I also expect him to be ahead. Kimi needs to be on top of his game on Saturday AND Sunday. As always with KR, hope dies last Roll on Australia!

 

I've got a lot of questions regarding his 2014 and 2016 seasons already.

 

Anything less than a clear win against Kimi would enhance my already existing doubts about Vettel's abilities behind the wheel.

[Mercstar]

I have a sneaky suspicion Kimi will be able to live with Seb this year, more so than previous years. 

 

Having said that, still expect Seb to edge him out over the course of the season.

[Vesuvius]

Hopefully it will be close like last year, would like Kimi to win a race this season. New rules should benefit both drivers strenghts, cars/tyres are now like they used to be in Kimi's best years, but he isn't young boy anymore.Last season showed that he still has the speed to challenge the very bests like Vettel.

[MikeV1987]

Raikkonen seems to be back to his old self rather than the driver we seen in 14'. If he can keep his nose clean then I expect a close fight with Vettel.

Edited by MikeV1987, 19 March 2017 - 12:07.

[RPM40]

This is finally the year everyone, mark my words.

 

Kimi will like the car.

[Risil]

Nothing to discuss really. We'll open this again at Melbourne FP1 time.

[Razoola]

were are open for discussion again

[sopa]

Well...

 

Vettel is obviously the favourite to come out on top. Even though Raikkonen had a bit of a re-surgence last year, time is also working against him here.

 

Battle specifics remain to be seen though. Some say Vettel is impressive in odd-numbered years (2011, 2013, 2015, ?). With him you can never be sure, which game would he bring with him for the season. It could be clos(ish), but could also be domination.

[Jovanotti]

Vettel seems to have the edge so far. Top 4 for both cars tomorrow is mandatory.

[Razoola]

Yup, I agree I also preceived Vettal to be looking a little better based on what I saw so far during Friday.

[Whiz]

Kimi was significantly slower during long run despite having faster tyres (US).

[Cyanide]

Kimi was significantly slower during long run despite having faster tyres (US).

 

Could be he was running tyres which ran over grass and he was doing short runs for more laps on them than Seb.

[Marklar]

Perhaps Raikkonen was simulating the first stint and Vettel the 2nd stint

[beqa16v]

Kimi was significantly slower during long run despite having faster tyres (US).

Vettel was quicker in long runs during testing too. I fear these cars will not favor older drivers but I still hope KR will be fine. Its not about physical ability though, its about psychology

[Vesuvius]

Kimi was significantly slower during long run despite having faster tyres (US).

Kimi wasn't slower during the long run.

[Zesus]

I think both have a chance, but we saw last season that vettel had preferred strategy sometimes. If they are given equal chance, everything is possible.

Edited by Zesus, 24 March 2017 - 15:17.

[kimister]

The points taken from friday:

 

1- Both drivers have not got the right set-up yet. There is more to come in terms of pace. No worry.

2- Combining their best sectors, Seb was only 0.2 ahead, so we can't say he has the edge yet. The gap is nothing for a friday run. Wait till quali to write Kimi off. Remember last year. 

 

 

3- Their long run analysis:  Check here.

 

In the table below there are stints analyzed. The red marked ones (traffic related) have not been involved in the calculation.

 

 

 

4- Kimi was on US and Seb was on SS during their long runs. Based on this, we may assume they were simulating different strategy. Kimi was definitely doing a first stint run of a race sim, but not sure for Seb.

 

5- On the analysis above, they predict Vettel was simulating an aggressive two-stop strategy. I agree it may be the case because it is expected this race to be 1 stop as general, considering softs can last whole race.Therefore, I assume if they do not aim to start on SS, they will be using only US and later Softs in the second stint.

 

6- Kimi set consistent times ( exclude traffic) and he set the best time (1:28.4) of the 11-lap run at the last on US. This suggest he preserved the tyre quite a bit during the stint. There will be more when they push in real conditions.

 

7- Bottas may be within the reach for our drivers on sunday when team find more performance from a more balanced set-up, however Lewis looks out of reach so far. 

Edited by kimister, 24 March 2017 - 15:41.

[lahill]

I have to get this out of my chest: Kimi Räikkönen will be the WDC 2017.

Edited by lahill, 24 March 2017 - 18:12.

[Craven Morehead]

I have to get this out of my chest: Kimi Räikkönen will be the WDC 2017.

I would love this.

[Disgrace]

If Vettel gets beaten by a 37-year-old Raikkonen who - in my view - is ten whole years past his peak then it really would be time to reevaluate the worth of his four championships. I really don't see it though.

[RPM40]

If Vettel gets beaten by a 37-year-old Raikkonen who - in my view - is ten whole years past his peak then it really would be time to reevaluate the worth of his four championships. I really don't see it though.

Nearly happened last year.

[Fomalhaut]

I have to get this out of my chest: Kimi Räikkönen will be the WDC 2017.

 

I just need one more Kimi win before he retires. That's all I ask. Just one more race win to end the career of the mythic Iceman!

[BlackGold]

Nearly happened last year.

Yeah, but not because Kimi was better in races over the season.

[kimister]

Kimi looks in trouble with set-up issues, and it is said Vettel is very happy with the car.

 

So my prediction for today is Vettel for p2, Kimi for 4-6 place.

[Vesuvius]

So far Kimi hasn't found it yet but I think he will be closer in qualy
.Vettel will be fighting from front row.

[kimister]

So far Kimi hasn't found it yet but I think he will be closer in qualy
.Vettel will be fighting from front row.

 

nah looking at it, Kimi really struggles atm, so I expect a gap more than 0.3 betw them today.

[Slowersofterdumber]

If Vettel gets beaten by a 37-year-old Raikkonen who - in my view - is ten whole years past his peak then it really would be time to reevaluate the worth of his four championships. I really don't see it though.

 

Can´t see it happening either, Vettel has plenty of top tier years ahead, Kimi is probably way past being able to keep that level for long periods.

 

But still, what kind of absurd logic is that? It´s the same nonsense some people with a chip on the shoulder use against Räikkönen. "He´s not that good anymore so that means he was never any good".

[Vesuvius]

nah looking at it, Kimi really struggles atm, so I expect a gap more than 0.3 betw them today.

I don't see any struggle, maybe he hasn't pushed as much either.
Hopefully Kimi will be somewhere around 0,2 behind Seb.

Edited by Vesuvius, 25 March 2017 - 04:29.

[Zilbert]

I see some early signs of old woes with getting heat into tyres for Kimi, last year was the exception in that regard in Pirelli era.

[Radion]

Oh boy, the gap is too much!

[Vesuvius]

Kimi did a mistake on first corners and didn't push as much for the rest of the lap according to TS.

[RECKLESS]

Yeah, but not because Kimi was better in races over the season.

Point being?

 

You know, to win a race you need to be better in said race.

Not over a season.

[Trust]

Vettel destroying Kimi in their first qualifying session. Lets see what happens tomorrow, but this doesn't smell good for Kimi at all. 6 tenths of a gap is shameful.

[dreamer]

Australia

Qualifying: Vettel 2nd , Raikkonen 4th

Race:

 

Vettel vs Raikkonen

Qualifying: 1-0

Wins: 

Pole position:

Fastest lap:

Points (position):

[Radion]

When will this humiliation stop. I can't take another season

[Trust]

When will this humiliation stop. I can't take another season

I know this is a first race only and Kimi was always struggling in Australia, but this could be his last season. Needs to step up massively at the next track.

[Balnazzard]

Well clearly they didnt get good setup with Kimi =/...oh well hopefully race will be better P4 is still not disaster, just that the gap was quite big....

Anyhow something worth nothing is that Verstappen wasnt even be able to beat Kimi's first failed lap, and while ofc Melbourne isnt the best place to show the true pace of these cars, seems like Ferrari is indeed closer to Merc while Red Bull is quite far behind so its not as bad as expected after Friday I quess  

[Vesuvius]

Q3 was a big let down from Kimi. Q2 looked fine.

[Veemax]

When will this humiliation stop. I can't take another season

 

Forgot last year already?

[Razoola]

Lets wait and see what kimi says about Q3. Not a good start though for kimi.

[Ferrari2183]

What happened to Kimster? I actually thought he'd have the measure of Vettel around here.

[Alexandros]

When will this humiliation stop. I can't take another season

 

Another season? Kimi outqualified Seb last season.

 

I think it was pretty obvious they didn't get the setup right anyway. His race should be better.

Edited by Alexandros, 25 March 2017 - 07:23.

[GTA]

Kimi needs to bring it tomorrow and get 3rd....