7 replies to this topic

[Mrv]

In this race Michael and the Ralf pitted on the same lap and Montoya pitted on the following lap, but what was rather interesting was how long Rubens ran as compared to Coulthard in this race. Rubens pitted way after Coulthard did. I know that Ferrari have modified this current engine somehow for fuel efficiency, but they still have the 050B sitting at home ready to use at sometime, but what we saw today was not the 050B engine. Any thoughts?

[Todd]

I think that the decision for when DC stopped was based on where he could come out in traffic. I don't think we can make any worthwhile assumptions on fuel range based on this one race. I do think we will see more 2 stop races from Ferrari, provided the pitlane at the track in question is fairly short.

[Ali_G]

The Ferrari engine is supposed to be the most fuel efficient.

The only difference is that too make for better aerodynamics the tank is smaller than most of the others.

Niall

[Dr.Raj]

Mrv, I don't know the answer to that question but why did Williams opt for a two stopper? I thought it was strange after the advantage they had in Canada. It kept me guessing throughout the race. Maybe they were looking to surprise Ferrari.
Yet I doubt Ferrari could have got their problem solved so quick. They wouldn't risk fidling with the engine and cause failure.

[Mrv]

Todd, Mclaren has been stuck in traffic in other races also and they pitted further than Ferrari. What makes it so different in this race? I know for a fact that they have done something to the engine but I do not have the specifics on the modification. I can also tell you for sure, that Ferrari didn't use the modification at Montreal like they said they were. For whatever reasons they backed off, but today it was evident that they have something. I will try and find out what is really going on.

[Captain Cook]

This sounds like one for the technical forum. I would imagine that the differences between the engines as regards fuel consumption are minimalistic. I don't have a clue what size the fuel tanks are in any of the cars (I doubt the teams give out such information).

Rubens did stay out for very long though!

[Mrv]

Dr Raj, I think that a 1 stopper for Williams in this race would have been a disaster. It was about tires. Did you see how worn the Michelins were on a two stopper. The Michelins would not have made it on a one stopper. Clearly Bridgestone had the advantage at this race. As far as Ferrari not having a solution about Fuel efficiency really quick that is not true. Ferrari have been developing in this area even before Monaco. If you know how they do things at Maranello, you should see how quickly Ferrari comes up with new designs and improvements. Last year they designed an aero part for the car one afternoon and had it on the car the following morning. Amazing.

[Bruce]

I was surprised too, at the length of time that RB stayed out - and at the time I wondered if perhaps Ferrari had done something to make their fuel tank bigger - though I think that perhaps RB's late-ish stop may have appeared later than it was by the fact that, as Todd mentioned, DC's (and probably MH's, too) stop(s) were predicated on traffic and the Williams were 2 stopping...