venkyhere wrote: ↑07 Nov 2024, 12:58
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/how- ... /10670452/
Stella says it was not a driving issue, but a brake-lockup issue with front axle.
Why wasn't this problem present during wet qualifying on the same inter tyres, when the car has lesser fuel load and the driver is even more aggressive with the brake pressure ? Norris was P1 by a huge margin, wasn't he ?
Anyone has more info on this ? Curious to know, before I make up mind that Stella is simply protecting his drivers from the media (as a good TP should).
If a car is prone to specific handling characteristics/problems, it is not unreasonable at all to assume a driver could drive around (or get lucky) to avoid the problems for a lap or two (i.e qualifying).
But over the course of the grand prix, it becomes harder to maintain consistency and at some point you will run into the issue.
It also could explain why Lando was on the brink of being out of Q1. A series of burned laps + cautious driving until he found a “sweet spot” for the right feel and tried to replicate that throughout.
With changing conditions that becomes harder and harder.