AR3-GP wrote: ↑25 Apr 2023, 20:21
The problem with this theory is Monza 2022 where RB just ran a bigger wing than everyone else and still had higher top speeds when the DRS was open in qualifying, and then had a massive tire advantage in the race.
Both account are incorrect actually. While RB18 was only 1kmh down on Ferrari on top speed, two other straights show the two teams chose very different deployment strategies over the lap. So RB was actually giving more juice on the main straight than Ferrari, bringing top speeds closer. Both cars were 3-4kmh slower than DEV Williams in speed trap.
As for the tires in the race, Leclerc made the first stop under VSC which turned to green flag while he was still in the pits, losing 20s there. Team gambled on saving time under VSC but it backfired and no one can still explain why VSC call was made in any case by Race Direction. Leclerc then had to make another stop since his first stint was shorter than expected, unlike Max, so the 20s lost under VSC pit remained. Finally, Ferrari made an error by pitting Leclerc under final SC even if he had fresher tires than Max. If race ended under SC like it did, he would have won. If there was a lap or two left to race, at worst he would have finished 2nd like he was in any case.