2014 Russian GP - Sochi

[Emerson.F]

Peter Windsor on Sochi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnyHqXm3UvA

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I was impressed by Kvyats performance today, he was only ~4 tenths down after sector 2 before he was held up by Vettel on his last lap, could probably have finished around ~3rd or 4th, and the long runs were quick as well. The update package they brought for Suzuka seems to be a big step forward, will be interesting to see if Toro Rosso can convert that into a result as well this weekend.

[Juzh]

He was held up by vergne?

[SiLo]

I like that they took the time to build a second car, probably knowing for a while that they wouldn't race it. And now are leaving it where it should be, sitting in the right spot in the garage, waiting for it's rightful driver to come back.

[ParkerArt]

I somehow don't see how Red Bull didn't foresee the engine issue if they wanted to bring a whole 6th power unit for Vettel. I can't see them doing well here even if their Spa rear wing works well so this race would have been the perfect chance to take the hit and start from Pit Lane. That way, they could save all five elements for Adu Dhabi with low mileage and double points.

To be even more bold, I almost believe that if Hamilton wins this race, he might night want to pull a 6th power unit in Austin. COTA seems like a track that the W05 would be fast enough that Hamilton could start from the pits and still come out with good points. Then, use that low mileage EET to run flat out for the final race.

[SiLo]

I thought Hamilton and Rosberg were on the same amount of engines used? And other parts as well? It seems the engine failures on Hamiltons car have been parts that can be replaced.

[Moose]

I thought Hamilton and Rosberg were on the same amount of engines used? And other parts as well? It seems the engine failures on Hamiltons car have been parts that can be replaced.

They normalized the engines by making Hamilton use an older engine in various practice sessions over the course of a few races. They're now back on par, having both switched to their fifth engine in Japan.

[MercedesAMGSpy]

I thought Hamilton and Rosberg were on the same amount of engines used? And other parts as well? It seems the engine failures on Hamiltons car have been parts that can be replaced.

They normalized the engines by making Hamilton use an older engine in various practice sessions over the course of a few races. They're now back on par, having both switched to their fifth engine in Japan.

Fifth engine in Japan already pff, well they will use definitely a 6th engine then.

[kalinka]

Really interesting comments from Rosberg :
"It seems that there's no tyre degradation here, which we need for overtaking. I think it's going to be quite difficult to overtake. It might even be a one-stop [race] because there's no degradation, the tyres just stay the same. We need to review all that. Definitely it's all a bit unusual here so we need to be a bit creative"

Source : ESPN F1

[noel]

Really interesting comments from Rosberg :
"It seems that there's no tyre degradation here, which we need for overtaking. I think it's going to be quite difficult to overtake. It might even be a one-stop [race] because there's no degradation, the tyres just stay the same. We need to review all that. Definitely it's all a bit unusual here so we need to be a bit creative"

Source : ESPN F1

well yeah, but let's not forget the degradation when driving behind or being chased, and the amount of lock-ups we've seen today. i expect to see a lot of cars in the run-off areas.

[SectorOne]

Sick save by Magnussen. puncture Turn 3, looked like he would have a big shunt with the wall about 10 times but saved it.

edit: have a feeling that Mercedes probably made a mistake giving Rosberg experimental setups if he can´t recover from this in Qualifying. They are both locked in a tight championship battle and should probably not start sending one guy out to do experiments that could harm his own progress during the weekend.

[Waywardism]

Did Nico have problems in FP3 aswell or is Lewis set to dominate?

[sAx]

have a feeling that Mercedes probably made a mistake giving Rosberg experimental setups if he can´t recover from this in Qualifying.

Rosberg.."We decided as a team that one guy does that, one guy does that. My thing didn't work out so we need to go back on that tomorrow."

Sounds like both drivers tried different things.

[SectorOne]

It doesn´t say that Hamilton also ran experimental setups, for all we know he could have been given the more straight forward route while Rosberg was assigned the experimental setup.

"We even went as far as trying something completely creative on my car, something we've not done so far."

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Mark Surer form German TV talked to Eric Bouillier yesterday and he said that they expect to be further down the rankings today. Bouillier mentioned that McLaren had an advantage when the grip level is low but can't progress when the track is improving.