719 replies to this topic

[CPR]

The Race have McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull

Motorsport.com have Mclaren, Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes

 

Yeah. Everyone has McLaren ahead. Nobody can decide on 2nd to 4th.

 

And there's plenty of scope for things to change at Melbourne.

[messy]

Worrying for Sauber that media articles are starting to mention Williams 2019/Haas 2021 in discussing their prospects, even if it’s in the context of ‘it’s not quite that bad, but’. If that car is really poor then it’s a shame for Hulk and especially Bortoleto. The rest of the orders seem different with each list! McLaren top, Sauber last, between that, who even knows. Looks fascinating for Melbourne. I don’t think I’d rank Red Bull as high as second as a team, but Max/Red Bull as a package is a different question. I’m so happy Williams seem to have made such a leap.

[rodlamas]

Worrying for Sauber that media articles are starting to mention Williams 2019/Haas 2021 in discussing their prospects, even if it’s in the context of ‘it’s not quite that bad, but’. If that car is really poor then it’s a shame for Hulk and especially Bortoleto. The rest of the orders seem different with each list! McLaren top, Sauber last, between that, who even knows. Looks fascinating for Melbourne. I don’t think I’d rank Red Bull as high as second as a team, but Max/Red Bull as a package is a different question. I’m so happy Williams seem to have made such a leap.

 

Bortoleto had zero options. Sauber is better than anything for him.

 

Hulk on the other hands had multiple options, but he probably opted for a huge german salary from Audi.

[vlado]

[chumma]

Melbourne is always a bit weird for a barometer. Ferrari are usually strong there too. If McLaren if strong and clearly ahead in Melbourne, look out because I am not expecting to be class of the field there.

[7MGTEsup]

Bortoleto had zero options. Sauber is better than anything for him.

 

Hulk on the other hands had multiple options, but he probably opted for a huge german salary from Audi.

 

He's coming to the end of his career so a big pay day to top off the pension is a good move on his part, if Audi come good it's a bonus.

[EvilPhil II]

So, I'll update a summary over the weekend of the 3 days for our archives. 

 

However, Melbourne is super quick. I am going to say McLaren and Ferrari will be miles ahead with a trick rear wing a piece. 

 

If I was a betting man I would say a Ferrari 1-2 but with Hamilton in distant second place. 

[vlado]

What trick

[JimmyClark]

He's coming to the end of his career so a big pay day to top off the pension is a good move on his part, if Audi come good it's a bonus.

I always hoped it would be him to get Haas their first podium - a nice symmetry.

But alas I genuinely think now he will finish his career without ever making the top 3, which would be extraordinary for someone so highly rated for so long.

[Nobody]

So, I'll update a summary over the weekend of the 3 days for our archives.

However, Melbourne is super quick. I am going to say McLaren and Ferrari will be miles ahead with a trick rear wing a piece.

If I was a betting man I would say a Ferrari 1-2 but with Hamilton in distant second place.

Apart from a random YT video showing Merc RW dipping under extreme load I've not seen anything regarding Wache's comments about mini DRS trickery by Ferrari and McLaren

Edited by Nobody, 04 March 2025 - 08:52.

[RedRabbit]

Apart from a random YT video showing Merc RW dipping under extreme load I've not seen anything regarding Wache's comments about mini DRS trickery by Ferrari and McLaren

I have seen a GIF somewhere of a Ferrari with a rear wing that appears to flex open slightly. Quality is poor and it could easily be a reflection.

But if not, that is a ballsy move by Vasseur, knowing there is no specific test for it, just a quiet word from the FIA. And that quiet word can't come until AFTER the first race, when they already got the benefits.

[pup]

I have seen a GIF somewhere of a Ferrari with a rear wing that appears to flex open slightly. Quality is poor and it could easily be a reflection.

But if not, that is a ballsy move by Vasseur, knowing there is no specific test for it, just a quiet word from the FIA. And that quiet word can't come until AFTER the first race, when they already got the benefits.

 

I haven't seen that one, but there is one of the Merc that shows the whole wing bending backwards, in I guess the 'classic' way, but with a fair amount of movement.  There's also a gif of the McLaren that supposedly shows some mini-drs action, but imo shows no movement at all, but apparently some people (Wache) see things that I can't.  

 

Merc:

https://x.com/robert...851388371882220

 

McLaren:

https://x.com/robert...858652973842811

 

Others are saying that the FIA have requested some changes to the markings on the wings and location of the rear camera prior to Australia.  And someone on the Ferrari thread said that the FIA are going to examine Ferrari's wing at the factory prior to the race.  That last one seems like a stretch to me.  

Edited by pup, 04 March 2025 - 16:17.

[gillesfan76]

How much more imagination do I need to use to see something flex on that McLaren rear wing?

[KWSN - DSM]

How much more imagination do I need to use to see something flex on that McLaren rear wing?

 

Somewhere between a smidgen and a jot.

[TomNokoe]

How much more imagination do I need to use to see something flex on that McLaren rear wing?

I hope this doesn't descend into something akin to track limits, where we are policing microscopic flex. Over regulation helps nobody.

[KWSN - DSM]

I hope this doesn't descend into something akin to track limits, where we are policing microscopic flex. Over regulation helps nobody.

 

There is a perfectly fine system in place, FIA measure static load if within limits you pass, if the static loads needs to be changed they change them - If the teams manager to 'beat' the rule, the rule is not worded correctly and needs to be reworded.

[Garagista]

I haven't seen that one, but there is one of the Merc that shows the whole wing bending backwards, in I guess the 'classic' way, but with a fair amount of movement. There's also a gif of the McLaren that supposedly shows some mini-drs action, but imo shows no movement at all, but apparently some people (Wache) see things that I can't.

Merc:
https://x.com/robert...851388371882220

McLaren:
https://x.com/robert...858652973842811

Others are saying that the FIA have requested some changes to the markings on the wings and location of the rear camera prior to Australia. And someone on the Ferrari thread said that the FIA are going to examine Ferrari's wing at the factory prior to the race. That last one seems like a stretch to me.

I think the Mclaren one is the white line give us an illusion of movement.

[vlado]

RB won’t file a complaint if they haven’t seen anything

[pup]

RB won’t file a complaint if they haven’t seen anything

Such integrity.

[vlado]

could be conspiracy but those are far out