Mercedes trim their wings to keep Ferrari behind

14 comments on “Mercedes trim their wings to keep Ferrari behind”

1. 

   F1 in Figures (@f1infigures)
   26th August 2017, 19:20

   I’m puzzled why that speed trap is located at the beginning of the Kemmel straight. That doesn’t make any sense. This speed trap mainly measures engine power (acceleration), not power to drag. It’s pretty much Mercedes-Ferrari-Renault in this ranking. The main exception is Williams. It’s almost as if they have a problem with their engines.

   I’d like to know the real top speed of the Ferraris. They were 4 kph slower at the beginning of the straight, but how much was it at the end of the straight? Hamilton was hitting 339 kph at the end of the straight.
   1. 

      anon
      26th August 2017, 19:36

      @f1infigures, they also have a separate detection point at the end of the Kemmel straight, which is coincident with the timing beam for the first sector.

      For comparison, whilst Hamilton hit 339.3kph (Bottas was even faster, at 340.6kph), Vettel hit 332.5kph and Kimi 332.1kph. Mind you, because it doesn’t specify when in the session they hit that speed, it is possible that some of those figures were with the assistance of a tow – Alonso, for example, had the 5th highest top speed in the first sector at 337.8kph.
      1. 

         F1 in Figures (@f1infigures)
         26th August 2017, 20:15

         Thx. :)
         The top speeds are consistent with the fact that Mercedes are running less downforce. In the race things will be different because the drivers cannot use DRS all the time, but this suggests that it will be very hard for Vettel to slipstream Hamilton in the first lap. Hamilton, however, may have a go at Vettel if he loses the lead at the start.
   2. 

      KaIIe (@kaiie)
      26th August 2017, 19:50

      It made sense back in the day as it’s right after Raidillon; it was a good indication had a driver taken Eau Rouge flatout or not. Nowadays, as you say, it really does not mean anything.
   3. 

      Bart
      26th August 2017, 20:25

      The closer the speed trap is to the previous corner, the more effect cornering speed has.
      Williams is weak there, apparently; maybe that’s what keeping them down at the speed trap.

      Mercedes have the holy grail: low drag and still enough grip in the corners. Red Bull have a likewise grail, but less power.
2. 

   Julian (Mr. Sakura) (@xiasitlo)
   26th August 2017, 21:18

   Keith nails it quite good here.

   The (only) key to the race will be the first lap, and the fun fact is that we will see the true personality of Vettel tomorrow. Because this race will be the tipping point as I predicted, and Vettel knows the first lap will be his only chance in the race. Seb’s clear air pace will lack so much after the first stint because with the lower fuel rates more parts of S2 will be flat out and the Mercedes will not lose enough there for Ferrari to try something in S1.

   My prediction is: Hot-headed Vettel will cause something to Lewis as the guy always shows to not handle pressure on vital moments when he needs to fight for his championship instead of getting it handed. Like in 2009 or more iconic the 2015 Bahrain GP, remember that dumb lack of concentration in which he broke his wing? He was Ferrari’s comeback kid back then remember? Same thing now.

   I don’t think he’s just satisfied with the most realistic scenario for tomorrow; Kimi jumps Bottas, gains on him in S2 and keeps him off in the first stint, some SC causes some trouble for Bottas but all ends well when he sails past both Ferrari’s as DRS will be nuts tomorrow without any wind whatsoever.

   PS: If I was Ricciardo I’d be scared as hell. Look who’s around him. Even Alonso will be mad and eager tomorrow.
   1. 

      David-A (@david-a)
      27th August 2017, 0:18

      @xiasitlo Funny you talk about SV not handling pressure then you use Bahrain 2015, not Malaysia or Hungary (Mercedes were also dominant that year and Vettel didn’t have a realistic shot at the title) and you talk about 2009 where Brawn were out of reach but ignore the four titles that followed.
      1. 

         Julian (Mr. Sakura) (@xiasitlo)
         27th August 2017, 2:38

         @david-a

         — I’m taking Bahrain as everyone was hyping Ferrari had caught Mercedes as remember, VET won in Malaysia (simply because of Mercedes making a strategy error) and brought Ferrari their first win in over 23 races, so Bahrain everyone was looking if Ferrari could race with the Mercs. It was a breaking point and gave him enormous pressure in his first Ferrari year. Everyone knows this.

         — Brawn where not out of reach second part of the season and even in Bahrain (2nd of the season) if you watch the weekend you’d remember Brawn were beaten in Bahrain quali 2009 by both Toyotas (with Timo Glock of all people) – Seb had all chance to race Button and he just got caught on vital moments in that race.

         But then again I’m not a Ferrari fan. I must be wrong on this.
         1. 

            David-A (@david-a)
            27th August 2017, 4:21

            @xiasitlo
            But the race that followed Vettel’s 2015 Malaysia win was actually China. So it’s odd that you cherrypick Bahrain for your pressure claims. It was hardly an “iconic” race.

            Brawn mightn’t have been out f reach in the second part of the season, but they were in the first, with 6 wins in 8 races for Button, and a few 1-2s with Barrichello “of all people”.
            1. 

               Julian (Mr. Sakura) (@xiasitlo)
               27th August 2017, 12:23

               @david-a

               People thought the hype could last in China, because Hamilton tried some tactic of backing Rosberg into the Ferrar i- while some extra wear issues played along – and because of that SC of Verstappen Ferrari stayed very close until the end but couldn’t try anything as the race ended under the SC, so most were suggesting in China ”we didn’t got to see the Merc running at full speed there”.

               Yeah I already discussed that last week here – when Button didn’t have clear air and a superior race pace in that car Barrichello outperformed him for more then 50% of that season. End of discussion.
   2. 

      Michael
      27th August 2017, 10:09

      bottas will overtake vettel on the straight after eu rouge.
3. 

   hahostolze (@hahostolze)
   27th August 2017, 6:18

   ‘That means the run from Eau Rouge to La Source on lap one’

   Not to be pedantic, but they’re doing the circuit in reverse?
4. 

   Chicane85 (@ramysennaf1)
   27th August 2017, 6:35

   forget about mercedes and ferrari, if not for the freakin honda engine, alonso should be on pole today.
5. 

   Mark G (@)
   27th August 2017, 7:09

   I’ve got a feeling we’ll see a 2013 style start to the race where Vettel nails eau-rouge and passes Hamilton on the Kemmel straight.

   As a Mercedes fan I hope that doesn’t happen, but nobody can deny Vettel’s hunger and ruthlessness in a title fight and I suspect we’ll get another showing of that today.

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