2021 São Paulo Grand Prix - Interlagos, Nov 12-14

[MtthsMlw]

2019 Results
Qualifying


Race




2019 Pole Lap


2019 Race Highlights


P.S. it's Sprint™ again

[Sieper]

Sprint indeed. Which as a format for the weekend needs some work. We now have a FP2 as “mustard after the meal” (Dutch expression, meaning too late, serves no real purpose anymore).

Also, just one FP makes it a bit of a gamble, as does the mini race (with start and potential restarts). I guess that is exactly the purpose, to mix things up. If it continues down this path we will end up in indycar where the draw of the luck plays a (too) big part imho.

[AeroDynamic]

[JPower]

Red Bull is the prohibitive favorite here again, at least to me.

I'm interested to see if any risks are taken in the sprint race this go around.

[SirBastianVettel]

I have a feeling that Mercedes won’t really be able to use their squatting rear suspension because turn 13, 14 and 15. Since it’s not really a straight a stalling diffuser would probably be bad.

[zibby43]

This circuit will actually suit Mercedes’ lower-drag car quite well. The altitude is less dramatic than Mexico, but Mercedes’ PU performed better than ever in the altitude in Mexico this year, and that has been the only limiting factor in Brazil recently.

[Dee]

This circuit will actually suit Mercedes’ lower-drag car quite well. The altitude is less dramatic than Mexico, but Mercedes’ PU performed better than ever in the altitude in Mexico this year, and that has been the only limiting factor in Brazil recently.

I completey agree.

No 1 strength you need is engine power and Merc will have a lot, add in their lower drag and a circuit that slingshots you on to a straight and you have a recipe for Lewis to win or at least able to overtake Max on multiple occasions

Only drawback for Mercedes is the lack of time to setup the car, Merc were terrible on Friday in Mexico. If they have the same issues in Brazil, they may be in trouble on Sunday

[Gillian]

Sprint indeed. Which as a format for the weekend needs some work. We now have a FP2 as “mustard after the meal” (Dutch expression, meaning too late, serves no real purpose anymore).

Also, just one FP makes it a bit of a gamble, as does the mini race (with start and potential restarts). I guess that is exactly the purpose, to mix things up. If it continues down this path we will end up in indycar where the draw of the luck plays a (too) big part imho.

Indeed! Totally hate this sprint gimmick. Yuck.

[dans79]

I have a feeling that Mercedes won’t really be able to use their squatting rear suspension because turn 13, 14 and 15. Since it’s not really a straight a stalling diffuser would probably be bad.

Depends how much DF they really need at those turns, and how much they are still getting from the rear wing.

[Dee]

Speed trap data for RB vs Merc

2019

Mexico RB + 3kph
Brazil RB + 5kph

2021

Mexico Merc +8kph
Brazil Merc ?

Advantage Merc for me if RB can't get that difference decreased

[Zynerji]

Love this track!

I expect anyone that crashes in the Sprint to take all-new PU components. Vettel proved in 2012 that you can come through from the back here deep into the points.

[zibby43]

This circuit will actually suit Mercedes’ lower-drag car quite well. The altitude is less dramatic than Mexico, but Mercedes’ PU performed better than ever in the altitude in Mexico this year, and that has been the only limiting factor in Brazil recently.

I completey agree.

No 1 strength you need is engine power and Merc will have a lot, add in their lower drag and a circuit that slingshots you on to a straight and you have a recipe for Lewis to win or at least able to overtake Max on multiple occasions

Only drawback for Mercedes is the lack of time to setup the car, Merc were terrible on Friday in Mexico. If they have the same issues in Brazil, they may be in trouble on Sunday

Any advantage they have is likely to be marginal, and Max is driving at a level to make up that difference.

His move at T1 in Mexico was brilliant. He’s driving like a champion right now.

[zibby43]

Love this track!

I expect anyone that crashes in the Sprint to take all-new PU components. Vettel proved in 2012 that you can come through from the back here deep into the points.

Hamilton went from a pit lane start to P4 back in 2017, I believe.

[Ryar]

Speed trap data for RB vs Merc

2019

Mexico RB + 3kph
Brazil RB + 5kph

2021

Mexico Merc +8kph
Brazil Merc ?

Advantage Merc for me if RB can't get that difference decreased

Did you consider RB switching back to spoon rear wing for Interlagos? If Mercedes goes with the same rear wing that they used in Mexico, then they would stay as is while RB gains straightline speed. If Mercedes chooses a lower downforce wing, then they have a bigger downforce reduction than RB due to the relative lack of inherent downforce levels through the chassis. Downforce would still be a factor at Interlagos. Second sector is where a lot of time can gained/lost on the basis of downforce levels. A car with better downforce exits turn 12 with good traction, which is critical to get on full throttle quicker for that long straight. No point in gaining 10kph extra speed at the speed trap, if it wasn't optimum start to the straight.

[pb6797]

This circuit will actually suit Mercedes’ lower-drag car quite well. The altitude is less dramatic than Mexico, but Mercedes’ PU performed better than ever in the altitude in Mexico this year, and that has been the only limiting factor in Brazil recently.

I completey agree.

No 1 strength you need is engine power and Merc will have a lot, add in their lower drag and a circuit that slingshots you on to a straight and you have a recipe for Lewis to win or at least able to overtake Max on multiple occasions

Only drawback for Mercedes is the lack of time to setup the car, Merc were terrible on Friday in Mexico. If they have the same issues in Brazil, they may be in trouble on Sunday

Were Mercedes not ahead in FP1? It might affect Red Bull more than Mercedes if there is limited setup time, based on the last two races where Mercedes had a good FP1 and it all fell apart for them later.