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

[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

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.

From what I can see Mercedes actually holds a slight edge in traction.

Turn 11 at Bahrain, look how much more composed the Mercedes is. Interlagos has a few corners that are essentially carbon copies of turn 11. Turns 4, and 12 as you mentioned, then there's also the exit out of 10. I do see RB having the upper hand through the Senna esses, as well as turn 6 all the way through the exit of turn 9. It's likely Mercedes will make up some time on the exit of 4 10 and 12 along with the straights. It will be a lot closer, and will likely set the tone for the remaining 3 races.

I feel like RB brought some upgrades to COTA, car has looked a lot better since then

[b2bL44]

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.

Important to remember this was after the championship had been won. Lewis crashed out in qualifying when the car bottomed out in T6/7, he took it too fast!

The power unit was turned up to warp speed as it only had to do 2 races. They cannot afford to do that any more even though the reliability issues have been resolved.

Speaking of reliability, with 4 races to go we are getting to the point of the season where parts are fatigued, power units are getting weary. It's going to get messy.

[godlameroso]

It's going to be as close as it was in Netherlands.

[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.

Important to remember this was after the championship had been won. Lewis crashed out in qualifying when the car bottomed out in T6/7, he took it too fast!

The power unit was turned up to warp speed as it only had to do 2 races. They cannot afford to do that any more even though the reliability issues have been resolved.

Speaking of reliability, with 4 races to go we are getting to the point of the season where parts are fatigued, power units are getting weary. It's going to get messy.

True, but the PUs were substantially less reliable in 2017.

We would get a kaboom almost every race. Whereas now, teams just preemptively replace worn units to cope with the absurd limits. Incredible the rate of progress on these complex hybrid power units.

[ismail1991]

I think Mercedes had a more relialbe PU in 2017 than today

[PlatinumZealot]

From what I can see Mercedes actually holds a slight edge in traction.

I invite you to watch the Mercedes debriefs. Traction out of corners is Mercedes main weakness this year! Just not enough rear downforce and any track where the rear tyres suffer Mercedes has been behind.

[PlatinumZealot]

It's going to be as close as it was in Netherlands.

Thinking McLaren will be a fly in the ointmnet here.

[max_speed]

I feel brazil could be a decider in title race. If red bull wins then it will break mercedes mentally and then they can sail through.
if merc beats the bulls then going in Qatar mercedes can turn the tables.
May the luck be with Redbull. I just wish for once verstappen takes pole and perez slots himself as 2nd.

[AMG.Tzan]

Gonna be another easy win for Max and a boring race for us!

Mercedes has been losing in Brazil since 2017 when Vettel won there! 2018 and 2019 Red Bull were in front...I don't see how Mercedes is going to challenge here! Their "tricky" suspension doesn't seem to work anywhere else apart from Turkey. Apart from that cool temperatures (or even rain) I think are going to help Red Bull and Sprint Qualifying hasn't gone quite well for Lewis and Mercedes at Silverstone and Monza!

Anyway, I'm hoping for an exciting race without Max winning in the end, as this will mean that the championship is almost done (he'll need only 2nd places if he wins Brazil), which will make the rest of the championship also boring!

[Wouter]

You must have heard that two cargo planes that were supposed to fly via Miami were significantly delayed.
At the moment, six garages are still completely empty. No stuff to build the cars, no car parts and no engines.
Mark Sutton (F1 photographer) just posted a number of videos on his Instagram Story, in which you can see that. He (sometimes) comments on it.
It is hoped that the first cargo will arrive in 3 hours. It is hoped that the timetable will not need to be changed.

Story with explanation from Mark about the situation. Just activate the sound.

https://www.instagram.com/stories/f1sut ... 477697678/

[Big Tea]

I think Mercedes had a more relialbe PU in 2017 than today

They have to last longer today. Reliability would probably be file if they could change every week

[SirBastianVettel]

It seems HAM will change his ICE. That’s a 5 place grid drop right?

[dans79]

It seems HAM will change his ICE. That’s a 5 place grid drop right?

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formula- ... l-25434786
Marko, is the source, and it's a rumor he heard, that's not exactly a chain of good sources.

[Bill_Kar]

It has been reported by Brazilian journalists as well, so it might be true.

I don't think it changes something dramatically. I mean, realistically, Hamilton can only expect P2, so with a 5-place grid he will still be P2 or P3 I think, it depends on Perez.

[godlameroso]

Rough translation, water pressure issue? Hamilton taking another ICE?