2023 Spanish Grand Prix - Catalunya, June 02 - 04

[KimiRai]

That chicane must cost at least a second of lap time.

Much more than a second. Three or four seconds at least

[Just_a_fan]

That chicane must cost at least a second of lap time.

Much more than a second. Three or four seconds at least

I guess we'll find out in a few days...

[Just_a_fan]

About the chicane, in 2006 the last year without the chicane the best qualifying time was Alonso's 1:14.648, so times will be pretty quick.

2006 had the tighter "hairpin" Turn 10, so the times ought to be quicker even than that 1.14:6 with the faster T10.

Having said that, the cars are much heavier these days so...

[CMSMJ1]

Am looking forwards to the faster end of the lap - can they follow? Will it be yet more boredom..Should be a tyre killer so we'll see who can manage that

[organic]

I think they will be able to race hard here. T1 was already interesting last year.

RB will be unstoppable here, even moreso with the change to the last sector

[langedweil]

About the chicane, in 2006 the last year without the chicane the best qualifying time was Alonso's 1:14.648, so times will be pretty quick.

2006 had the tighter "hairpin" Turn 10, so the times ought to be quicker even than that 1.14:6 with the faster T10.

Having said that, the cars are much heavier these days so...

Indeed, 1:13/1:14 could maybe be possible, but there are a lot of variables at play.
Seeing the first few races 1:17 on the same track as last year should be possible, and subtracting the two low speed corners then vs the high speed turn now should easily deliver 3 to 4 seconds.
But it will unfold pretty soon ...

[Just_a_fan]

I think they will be able to race hard here. T1 was already interesting last year.

RB will be unstoppable here, even moreso with the change to the last sector

How much of the field do you think Max will lap? I reckon the top 6 will be on the lead lap. Maybe.

[organic]

I think they will be able to race hard here. T1 was already interesting last year.

RB will be unstoppable here, even moreso with the change to the last sector

How much of the field do you think Max will lap? I reckon the top 6 will be on the lead lap. Maybe.

I agree with your suggestion of the top 6. Stroll and maybe 1 other car has a problem and the rest of the field lapped

[cplchanb]

About the chicane, in 2006 the last year without the chicane the best qualifying time was Alonso's 1:14.648, so times will be pretty quick.

2006 had the tighter "hairpin" Turn 10, so the times ought to be quicker even than that 1.14:6 with the faster T10.

Having said that, the cars are much heavier these days so...

Indeed, 1:13/1:14 could maybe be possible, but there are a lot of variables at play.
Seeing the first few races 1:17 on the same track as last year should be possible, and subtracting the two low speed corners then vs the high speed turn now should easily deliver 3 to 4 seconds.
But it will unfold pretty soon ...

this will probably be the first year where they can challenge the lap record from 2005...

[AR3-GP]

2006 had the tighter "hairpin" Turn 10, so the times ought to be quicker even than that 1.14:6 with the faster T10.

Having said that, the cars are much heavier these days so...

Indeed, 1:13/1:14 could maybe be possible, but there are a lot of variables at play.
Seeing the first few races 1:17 on the same track as last year should be possible, and subtracting the two low speed corners then vs the high speed turn now should easily deliver 3 to 4 seconds.
But it will unfold pretty soon ...

this will probably be the first year where they can challenge the lap record from 2005...

It's a bit hollow isn't it? Track configuration.

[AR3-GP]

I think they will be able to race hard here. T1 was already interesting last year.

RB will be unstoppable here, even moreso with the change to the last sector

How much of the field do you think Max will lap? I reckon the top 6 will be on the lead lap. Maybe.

I think Alpine have something up their sleeve. Not strong enough to trouble the leaders, but not going to be lapped either. This is another circuit that will suit their substantial floor upgrade from Baku in addition the sidepod upgrade in Monaco. Ocon's P4 qualy lap in Monaco was illuminating. Bad cars don't qualify that well, outlier track or not. Ocon mostly tire saved in Monaco so we didn't see their true level but his FP2 race run was quite fast.

[Just_a_fan]

Indeed, 1:13/1:14 could maybe be possible, but there are a lot of variables at play.
Seeing the first few races 1:17 on the same track as last year should be possible, and subtracting the two low speed corners then vs the high speed turn now should easily deliver 3 to 4 seconds.
But it will unfold pretty soon ...

this will probably be the first year where they can challenge the lap record from 2005...

It's a bit hollow isn't it? Track configuration.

Turn 10 is faster than it was in 2005, which means the 2005 lap record can't be "beaten" - the track isn't the same.

But if they got down in to the 1.13s, that would certainly say "the 2023 cars are the fastest ever in Catalunya" as it will be enough to account for the T10 difference. However, if they're only in the high 14s, then it probably doesn't mean much.

[KimiRai]

this will probably be the first year where they can challenge the lap record from 2005...

While qualifying times will be obliterated I'm more doubtful about the race lap record due to the hybrid PU and lack of refuelling.

[AR3-GP]

this will probably be the first year where they can challenge the lap record from 2005...

While qualifying times will be obliterated I'm more doubtful about the race lap record due to the hybrid PU and lack of refuelling.

and the tire situation.

[emp]

I would love some rain here too, but the chances are slim at the moment.