2013 Singapore GP - Marina Bay

[SiLo]

Mercs are always slow in FP2 though as they concentrate on their race pace, even in FP3 they seem to do that as well so I reckon we will see their ultimate pace in quail, which could be enough to challenge RB for pole.

[myurr]

The bulls are infront by quite a margin in FP2. I think they will get pole and victory.

I liked how the Mercs look, very stable car, but ultimately, RBR might have more speed.

From what Brundle was saying from the track side the Merc looked really stable and planted, but that the Red Bull was able to put the power down incredibly early with the drivers able to just boot it and have it grip. Sounds like the EBD is still giving the Red Bull a huge advantage in terms of rear grip.

The rest of this year may be a bit of a write off, with a real lack of tension in the WDC, but next year is going to be fascinating. I'd argue that Merc are in a better position than Red Bull heading into next year. They have a solid all round aero package and arguably the best mechanical setup, and one that has taken several years to master. Red Bull aren't exactly a one trick pony, but have exploited the EBD far better than any other team and arguably that is where much of their advantage over the last few years has come from. Next year they lose that advantage. No doubt Newey will still come up with a incredible aero concept but I expect the cars to be on a much more level playing field aerodynamically next year. The big differences are going to come from the mechanical side of things, and here Merc already have a class leading suspension system and seem to be throwing everything at producing the best engine on the grid.

There are so many compromises made in the design of every single F1 car that they could still produce a dud, through incorrect assumption, simulation to track correlation, or a vast array of other reasons. But the signs are at least promising and Merc have a really good shot at producing a class leading car next year to upset the run of form that Red Bull have enjoyed. And that's discounting all that Ferrari, McLaren and Lotus can bring to the party.

[myurr]

Mercs are always slow in FP2 though as they concentrate on their race pace, even in FP3 they seem to do that as well so I reckon we will see their ultimate pace in quail, which could be enough to challenge RB for pole.

Hamilton also aborted his first option tyre lap, had traffic on his second attempt, and managed to set his best time on his fifth lap on those tyres after letting them cool down. Given the degradation and making some assumptions about the fuel levels I wouldn't be at all surprised if they were able to take the fight to RBR.

Vettel also didn't seem comfortable on the prime tyre which could compromise him in Q1 (although given the pace difference perhaps all the runners will need to use the option), and could at least put pressure on him in the second half of the race. Especially if a safety car closes the field.

[Juzh]

Mercs are always slow in FP2 though as they concentrate on their race pace, even in FP3 they seem to do that as well so I reckon we will see their ultimate pace in quail, which could be enough to challenge RB for pole.

Hamilton also aborted his first option tyre lap, had traffic on his second attempt, and managed to set his best time on his fifth lap on those tyres after letting them cool down. Given the degradation and making some assumptions about the fuel levels I wouldn't be at all surprised if they were able to take the fight to RBR.

Vettel also didn't seem comfortable on the prime tyre which could compromise him in Q1 (although given the pace difference perhaps all the runners will need to use the option), and could at least put pressure on him in the second half of the race. Especially if a safety car closes the field.

Clutching for straws.

[Sevach]

From what Brundle was saying from the track side the Merc looked really stable and planted, but that the Red Bull was able to put the power down incredibly early with the drivers able to just boot it and have it grip. Sounds like the EBD is still giving the Red Bull a huge advantage in terms of rear grip.

The rest of this year may be a bit of a write off, with a real lack of tension in the WDC, but next year is going to be fascinating. I'd argue that Merc are in a better position than Red Bull heading into next year. They have a solid all round aero package and arguably the best mechanical setup, and one that has taken several years to master. Red Bull aren't exactly a one trick pony, but have exploited the EBD far better than any other team and arguably that is where much of their advantage over the last few years has come from. Next year they lose that advantage. No doubt Newey will still come up with a incredible aero concept but I expect the cars to be on a much more level playing field aerodynamically next year. The big differences are going to come from the mechanical side of things, and here Merc already have a class leading suspension system and seem to be throwing everything at producing the best engine on the grid.

There are so many compromises made in the design of every single F1 car that they could still produce a dud, through incorrect assumption, simulation to track correlation, or a vast array of other reasons. But the signs are at least promising and Merc have a really good shot at producing a class leading car next year to upset the run of form that Red Bull have enjoyed. And that's discounting all that Ferrari, McLaren and Lotus can bring to the party.

With all the changes to next year regs i think cars are gonna look very different, it's not simply removing EBD, outwash FWs won't work nearly as well, lower noses will affect floor efficiency and without beam wings, sidepods and gearbox concepts will need rethinking.

[SiLo]

Mercs are always slow in FP2 though as they concentrate on their race pace, even in FP3 they seem to do that as well so I reckon we will see their ultimate pace in quail, which could be enough to challenge RB for pole.

Hamilton also aborted his first option tyre lap, had traffic on his second attempt, and managed to set his best time on his fifth lap on those tyres after letting them cool down. Given the degradation and making some assumptions about the fuel levels I wouldn't be at all surprised if they were able to take the fight to RBR.

Vettel also didn't seem comfortable on the prime tyre which could compromise him in Q1 (although given the pace difference perhaps all the runners will need to use the option), and could at least put pressure on him in the second half of the race. Especially if a safety car closes the field.

Clutching for straws.

Not really, I think when it gets to Q3 both Rosberg and especially Hamilton will be right up there in the fight for pole. I think Hamilton will grab pole again, he loves this circuit and the Mercs are always quick in quail (high downforce tracks)

[Jon_S]

Not really, I think when it gets to Q3 both Rosberg and especially Hamilton will be right up there in the fight for pole. I think Hamilton will grab pole again, he loves this circuit and the Mercs are always quick in quail (high downforce tracks)

Agree, Mercedes' been the strongest car this year in qualifying on high downforce tracks, they should be very close to RBR or even in better shape tomorrow.
The fact that Vettel has dominated Spa and Monza does not mean Red Bull will dominate this GP too (maybe they will, but who knows), completely different aero packages.
I wouldn't bet against Mercedes here.

Ferrari looks slow, hope they are up there too.

Any news about RBR gearboxes ? Mechanical failures can be the only thing stopping Vettel to be WDC, in 2010 it wasn't enough tho...

[Powershift]

Webber or maybe Rosberg or even maybe Alonso or 1 of the Lotus cars can sneak this win out from Vettel or Hamilton by running the Primes in Q3 and running a long first stint allowing them to not be caught up in traffic after the first stint. How long are the options lasting here?

POO could be just as winning a strategy as OPO, of course safety car/pit timing will be key

[Powershift]

Webber or maybe Rosberg or even maybe Alonso or 1 of the Lotus cars can sneak this win out from Vettel or Hamilton by running the Primes in Q3 and running a long first stint allowing them to not be caught up in traffic after the first stint. How long are the options lasting here?

It would be real tough to do. You are guaranteed to start 10th that way and risk being passed in the early laps. The option is so much faster this weekend.

That is quite possible but not necessarily true, 6th place and lower cars in Q2 would have probably used up all their allocation of new options just to get into Q3, I see a RBR or Merc on new Primes to be faster than a McL or FIF1 on used options. So therefore possibly putting them around 6th in Q3(assuming they were the only ones to try the alternate strategy), of course if it is Webber, Rosberg or Massa trying this alternate strategy, based on current form, they are guaranteed to fall back at the start regardless what tires they are running.

So, start P6 on used(for q3)Primes or somewhere between P3 and P6 on used(for q3) Options

[SectorOne]

Yea as for the last three races now, FP1 Merc on point, FP2 RBR runs fumes, Come Qualifying and the gap is considerably smaller.

I also disagree on Muyrr´s point on RBR having the best mechanical grip, i´d say the Merc has that.

[beelsebob]

While I agree that the gap will probably shrink in Q, I don't think we'll see a merc on pole. I don't remember the last race where RBR had a 1 second advantage in P2.

[CHT]

Hows is the tyre degradation going to be this weekend? should be 2 stopper?

[atanatizante]

On other forum people are speaking about RBR gains over the summer are due mostly to the following facts:
1.The return of the 2012 tyre construction led them to unless all of their remaining bespoken downforce levels mentioned by them at the start of the year
2.RBR switched their strategy, now their setup tends to be a little bit more towards the quali than before the summer, bearing in mind their race pace and the return of the 2012 tyre construction
3.Least and not last, Newey found something new at the back of the car, fact that was revealed first time by Grosjean at Monza and was backed by Lauda before the race in an interview with Brundle ...

[raymondu999]

Looks to me they'll either go for OPP or OOPP. We also need to look at how the safety car plays out. If the safety car falls bang on someone's pitstop window (either OOPP or OPP) then they'll get a massive advantage.

[CHT]

Looks to me they'll either go for OPP or OOPP. We also need to look at how the safety car plays out. If the safety car falls bang on someone's pitstop window (either OOPP or OPP) then they'll get a massive advantage.

It will be nice if we have a SC period 15 laps from the end.