Ferrari were quicker than Mercedes in the Bahrain Grand Prix because they had greater “sheer power”, according to Toto Wolff.
The Mercedes team principal said their initial analysis of their rivals’ performance in qualifying showed Ferrari’s superior straight-line speed was largely down to their engine, and not differences in aerodynamic configuration.“It’s not the drag,” said Wolff following today’s race. “It’s never one silver bullet or one simple action but the drag levels that we’ve calculated would have been a tenth, maybe, in difference.
“It’s sheer power. This is the analysis after 24 hours, but obviously lots of data collected today and yesterday. We’ve seen different power levels I think in the race today also between the cars. So that needs to be digested now.”
Wolff said Ferrari’s advantage in Bahrain was what they had expected from their rivals based on pre-season testing in Spain.
“We expected them to be strong in Melbourne after what we’ve seen in terms of pace in Barcelona testing,” he said. “So Melbourne was more the surprise than actually Bahrain.
“Bahrain was very strong. [Their] straight-line performance is unbelievable. The power they have displayed is unmatched by anybody. That was. I think in qualifying. five-tenths on the straights only. And that’s really difficult to compete with.
“So we have to get used to this level of performance in my opinion, and [it’s] Melbourne that’s the outlier.”
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Phylyp (@phylyp)
31st March 2019, 20:45
Well it sure as h. isn’t their putative #1 driver.
sam1
31st March 2019, 21:27
Vettel would have very likely ended up 1st if there was no spin. Hamilton carried momentum, had warmed up tires and got in his DRS range but Vettel should’ve been able to overtake him back once his car recovered to full pace.
Phylyp (@phylyp)
31st March 2019, 21:31
But that’s my point. Vettel spun out. Again. Even midfield drivers are not having so many unforced & contact spins. I can excuse an occasional spin from even a top driver, but not this often. 😔
Keith summed it up best, a Ferrari should have won today, even accounting for Charles’ car problem.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
1st April 2019, 5:37
Bottas did a great job and Hamilton overtook Vettel, vettel spun after the fact. Last year, at this track Ferrari looked even quicker than this year, merc’s car still loks more nimble just lacking a bit in this track, but like last year the “sheer power” excuse is not correct, when vettel raced hamilton with the drs he was slower than when hamilton fought vettel, perhaps Ferrari has more battery or more higher power laps but when merc goes 95% they are still ahead.
Niefer (@niefer)
31st March 2019, 21:26
Just shut it, Toto, and rack up your points. The difference is marginal and it will remain until Merc’s habitual leap after summer.
grat
31st March 2019, 21:36
I dunno, that looked like three tenths of a second gap between Ferrari and Mercedes… which isn’t 5 tenths, but definitely comes under the heading of “up to 5 tenths faster”.
Looks like Mercedes was being honest, and the tinfoil brigade is self-delusional once again.
Niefer (@niefer)
1st April 2019, 0:10
The difference between venues will set the gaps. But the race pace is what really counts, and they are roughly the same. Mercedes isn’t struggling with temps any more and appears to be handling the middle sectors better than Ferrari, since Barcelona. If Ferrari was really ahead, no way Lewis could build his game and later pull his move on Seb today. Yet he did. Both have pace. Once more it will be determined on consistency and development. MER has both edges.
MG1982 (@mg1982)
1st April 2019, 6:14
+1
Martin
31st March 2019, 22:41
A lot of people owe Toto and Lewis an apology after accusing them of lying with such vitriol. It’s plainly obvious that their pre season and pre AUS comments were made in full honesty.
David BR (@david-br)
31st March 2019, 23:38
+1 I wouldn’t hold your breath though.
Martin
1st April 2019, 22:39
Trust me I have no intention of expecting people here to admit they were wrong :)
papaya
1st April 2019, 1:32
Again, What A Drive from Hamilton! Ferrari were 0.5s ahead of performance and it took Hamilton’s skillful drive to force Vettel’s error! This season would be continuation of this theme but wait… while Hamilton playing bumper car game with Vettel there’s Leclecr far ahead winning the races (if Ferrari fixed the reliability woes). Lol