mwillems wrote: ↑23 Feb 2024, 07:57
SmallSoldier wrote: ↑23 Feb 2024, 00:59
mwillems wrote: ↑22 Feb 2024, 23:35
A quick and far from comprehensive look at Norris' 3 fastest laps compared to Sainz fastest lap shows us consistently a few tenths down at T10 today. Also slower than Perez.
But we have a major platform change still being dialled in, so this may yet be resolved. I suspect they are looking for the middle ground that offers the platforms stability without quite so much rigidity that will improve front left contact in this situation.
At present the contact appears not substantial enough, but better than yesterday.
I may be reading the telemetry wrong (most probably)… But are you comparing Lando’s laps on C3’s against Sainz on C3’s? Or against his fast lap on C4’s?
Fastest Lando’s lap vs Perez, both C3’s… In T10 Lando is 2 tenths faster:
https://i.imgur.com/MpWlaVV.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/nAAnd8L.jpg
Similar 2 tenths against Sainz when comparing fastest laps both C3’s
You're right on Sainz, I'd selected a C4, against C3s he's not ahead. Lando and Sainz or on a par on their 3 fastest laps at T10
Perez is faster than Lando in T10 though by a tenth, I think you might be looking at Perez' second fastest lap. Looking at the 3 fastest laps of each, Perez is a tenth quicker in T10.
It could well be setup. The team will be working the data overnight to understand. I wouldn't say we have an issue until we've seen the setup evolve, but we also don't want to be struggling to find 2-3 tenths on a corner (Verstappen will be faster than Perez, I'm sure) over a lap either, but this corner is a bit more unique. As a comparison between teams it needs more work, this was just a quick look to see if we have time on the table, not to rank us through the corner, I haven't looked at nearly enough data and it's too early.
Today should be exciting.
Hopefully a good last day of testing with plenty of laps… All I’m trying to point out is that it is too soon to make any judgements, either on the hype side or the gloom side… A few less (or more Kg) of fuel will have an effect on lap time, specially on very low speed corners.
Based on the available data and what we have seeing on track I don’t think McLaren is ahead of Red Bull… Is it too far behind? No clue to be honest… This is also a very unique track and I would argue not really representative of the season, it makes cars with certain characteristics (very good traction, exit speed and low understeer) shine… But that doesn’t mean that the same car will be as good in more flowing tracks, where stop and go isn’t one represents most of the circuit.
After everything said by the team, with updates still expected in the following races, with parts that they consciously decided to further develop and therefore introduce later on the season, it is not surprising that they would start a big behind the grid leader, with a very long season, rushing upgrades to have a “great start” that could degrade throughout isn’t something I would chose, considering that the car that ends 2024 is most probably very close to the car that will race in 2025 (because most teams will favor working early on the 2026 car with new regulations upcoming) it’s sensible to stretch development as long as possible to make sure the solutions will place you in a good position next year.
Luckily, so far there doesn’t seem to a particular problem yet with the car, no apparent weakness (which doesn’t mean that it won’t be slower than others) and most importantly, a platform that seems to be doing what the team expected it to do… Is it enough to fight upfront? time will tell, but nothing to generate major concerns yet.
No idea where we slot in elsewhere but I'm optimistic that we are in a very close fight for second if not very far from it.