Ofc you can make the stint shorter, but even if you do that, the car will be heavier. We can't now but I think even with a much shorter Sprint Race if Norris was in clear air earlier he would've catch Leclerc pretty fast.chrisc90 wrote: ↑22 Oct 2023, 14:40Ferrari was on the end of its tyres in the sprint - so whether a sorter stint on the mediums will help we dont know. I wonder if the race pace will be a second or so slower given more fuel and a longer distance. As in 1:41's rather than the 40's.Spoutnik wrote: ↑22 Oct 2023, 14:36I don't think Charles will match Norris or Hamilton pace, especially with an heavier car than yersteday. The big issue for these two will be to overtake Charles - if they don't manage to do it on the first lap - because the top speed of that Ferrari is pretty amazing and it has a very good traction too. Charles race is against Perez, Piastri, Russell & his teammate imo, he's aiming for P4 probably.chrisc90 wrote: ↑22 Oct 2023, 14:30How much pace does Max have in reserve if he actually needs to push the tyres? That's the key thing to take from this sprint/all season. How little reserve Max has left will be how much of a chance Lewis has (albeit I think Lando might be ahead of Lewis in the race).
Dont forget, Max was around 7tenths a lap quicker in the closing stages.
Lando and possibly charles are Lewis' races today, in my opinion. A podium will be the place to aim towards for them both.
We'll see, Ferrari will be fast on the straights with the lower downforce, but it'll need to look after its tyres in doing so. I think if a Ferrari is within the slipstream/ or DRS of a car infront, it'll be neigh on impossible to overtake on the straight.
Nevertheless I agree with you the traction of the Ferrari + the top speed will make turn 1 absolutely critical for anyone who want to beat Max for the win.
