20 replies to this topic

[F1Fund]

I'm not saying this is what they did, or slagging off Macca, but do you think they took a commercial gamble with the strategy which has kinda backfired on them.

They have admitted to putting the lighter fuel load in the car which is quickest in Q2. Therefore which ever driver appears to have the best set-up gets the better strategy choice - it makes sense (especially at a track like Barcelona).

So why when Lewis posted the quicker time in Q2 did he end up with the (supposedly) heavier fuel load? He has been slightly quicker than Alonso most of the weekend yet seems to have been disadvantaged by the poorer race strategy.

The obvious answer is ITS ALONSO's HOME RACE. Imagine how much of commercial dream it would have been for Alonso to be sitting on pole come Sunday morning - in the best position to win the race from. How much would Macca make from merchandise sales! I know they will still make loads but the extra bonus of pole would have created a perfect commercial aspect for them.

But would they really risk a race win for a bit of good PR????

Lewis' comments after qualy about the expected fuel loads makes me think he was rubbing it in a bit. He was basically saying - look i have the quicker car but I’ve got more fuel. I could have had my car on pole but I had to let Alonso have it.

Now the fact Alonso didn't get pole - and even worse both Macca's start on the dirty side of the grid the whole thing seems to have backfired.

So would they have done it? Would they risk it?

[COUGAR508]

I find it hard to believe that a team of McLaren's calibre would make competitive compromises for arguably short-term competitive gain.

[Lifew12]

I believe the deal is that the driver of the quicker car in Q2 gets first choice on the fuel load front.

Therefore it's Lewis's choice.

[F1Fund]

yeah agreed, but I can't see at a track like this you would choose to have a heavier fuel load. I guess we will have to wait and see if it pays off but I can't think it will - not from fourth on the grid anyway.

[naiboz]

And whats to stop the second driver choosing the same fuel load?


I dont understand why a team would have a silly rule like that

[ferrarifanatic]

Aaah! Come on.. its nothing commercial

Anyone would want to be on pole in their Home Grand Prix.. with all those thousands of fans supporting you in the stadium. Alonso did it last time.. and still could win the race becoz he had a faster car.

He can win today too.. but he has to have a faster car.. which i suppose he doesn't and added to that he's running on fumes.. So i cannot rule out a Ferrari 1/2 today.. on the condition that the Ferrari drivers don't goof up

Forza Ferrari

[Schumeister]

Originally posted by F1Fund
yeah agreed, but I can't see at a track like this you would choose to have a heavier fuel load. I guess we will have to wait and see if it pays off but I can't think it will - not from fourth on the grid anyway.

I feel by the way Lewis could not hold back telling ITV him and Alonso were on different strategies i.e. I'm heavier, shows he is slightly frustraed at not being given the optimum strategy choice. Giving out this sort of info is not the done thing.

[ferrarifanatic]

Originally posted by Schumeister


I feel by the way Lewis could not hold back telling ITV him and Alonso were on different strategies i.e. I'm heavier, shows he is slightly frustraed at not being given the optimum strategy choice. Giving out this sort of info is not the done thing.

He could have a lighter car at Silverstone.. I don't understand why he is so pissed off!

[F1Fund]

Originally posted by ferrarifanatic


He could have a lighter car at Silverstone.. I don't understand why he is so pissed off!

Because if he had the lighter car he probably (maybe!) could have got it on pole and be set for his first win.

[smartie_f1]

Originally posted by naiboz
And whats to stop the second driver choosing the same fuel load?


I dont understand why a team would have a silly rule like that

because they need to decide who gets to stop first

[F1Fund]

...and lead the championship !

[F1Fund]

Originally posted by naiboz
And whats to stop the second driver choosing the same fuel load?


I dont understand why a team would have a silly rule like that

Its something to do with the new safety car rules as well. They need the car's to have a pit stop gap of about 2 laps to avoid any issues in a 'car park' situation if there was a safety car.

[VresiBerba]

Originally posted by naiboz
And whats to stop the second driver choosing the same fuel load?

Because they can't obviously pit on the same lap.

I dont understand why a team would have a silly rule like that

Well, there has to be some kind of rule, how else would they choose when to pit, rock, paper and siccors?

[ferrarifanatic]

Originally posted by F1Fund


Because if he had the lighter car he probably (maybe!) could have got it on pole and be set for his first win.

Winning your home grand prix is much sweeter.. for a confirmation ask Massa

[F1Fund]

Originally posted by ferrarifanatic


Winning your home grand prix is much sweeter.. for a confirmation ask Massa

Yes I can imagine winning your home race is sweet. But wouldn't leading the championship in you first season be sweeter

[Schumeister]

Originally posted by ferrarifanatic


He could have a lighter car at Silverstone.. I don't understand why he is so pissed off!

As great as it may be to be on pole for your home Grand Prix, i dont think as a driver you would sacrafice a possible pole at another circuit. Come Silverstone Hamilton may struggle with the car you take your chances when you have got them, there is WDC at stake here.

With every race that evolves it does appear that Mclaren is supporting Alonso as Number 1 driver and Hamilton is being treated as Number 2, just by the way the decissions appear to be falling Alonso's way all the time.

[Hellenic tifosi]

Why do you consider a "light" car a better strategic option? First of all, let's see actually how heavy each car is.

Secondly, I wouldn't for a second believe that a team like Mclaren would sacrifice even the slightest percentage of their winning possibilities so as to gain short-term publicity.

[emburmak]

It is obvious that LH is beginning to get the short end of the stick here. Last week no testing---this week inspite of the fact he was the slightly quicker, Alonso gets the better strategy. All one can hope is that LH continues to show his stuff on the track.

[HP]

Originally posted by F1Fund


Its something to do with the new safety car rules as well. They need the car's to have a pit stop gap of about 2 laps to avoid any issues in a 'car park' situation if there was a safety car.

I do understand the reasoning behind that, but I question the practical value of it.

We've had 3 races and not an issue with a closed pit so far. This year so far shows that qualifying position is very important. If a team compromises their drivers chances in qualifying for the possibility of avoiding a perceived (and so far not proven) disadvantage if there's an SC car within the pit stop window, then I don't know if that is the smart thing to do.

[Schumeister]

Originally posted by Hellenic tifosi
Why do you consider a "light" car a better strategic option? First of all, let's see actually how heavy each car is.

Secondly, I wouldn't for a second believe that a team like Mclaren would sacrifice even the slightest percentage of their winning possibilities so as to gain short-term publicity.

A light car on this circuit is the best option as it is very difficult to over take here (all circuits are difficult this is one of the worst) the teams are so close in terms a race pace over taking in the pits will also be difficult.
I don't think Mclaren has sacrificed there chances of winning, just that they gave the optimum strategy to Alonso, when it should of gone to Hamilton...again

[Lurb]

Get on with the program! Alonso is just an old codger well past his prime that should be thinking about finishing his mediocre career already or at least make way to the new sensation and be content with a testing role, or polishing Hamilton's helmet or something like that.
Hamilton is imppresive, less so his cheerleaders.