FoxHound wrote:I don't think Mercedes are runnning at full tilt because it is not in their interest to win by 30 seconds. They maybe close to maximum, but they aren't showing everything yet.
People switch off, and opponents call for equalisation.
However, I do think Ferrari are not that far away from giving Mercedes a genuine scrap. They are in the mix, but still not ready to challenge head to head.
It's the start of a great rivalry I've waited years for.
And I genuinely hope that Ferrari can improve and take this fight to Mercedes.
I say that as an Uber Mercedes fan, because it's worth more when you beat strong opponents, and it helps when you are beating a team that actually builds cars...rather than anything else I could care to mention.
I'm hoping Ferrari's forthcoming token updates bring them to realistic challenger's for outright victory, toe to toe.
And I genuinely feel Mercedes hope they get it right too.
Win for Ferrari, Win for Merc, and win for F1.
And it may just be my crazy self, but are there not the echoes of McLaren-Mercedes v Ferrari in this budding duel?
Bahrain took me back to 98!
i see we are back to this nonsense again.....the " i think the mercedes are holding back pace" arguement is pretty much dead.
please answer me this question:
1. if mercedes is holding back pace and can win by 30 seconds if they want why would they make setup changes to improve speed and tire life after FP3 knowing that the possibility existed that they could have issues with their brakes?
look mercedes is ahead of ferrari right now in both championships and on the track....why do some feel the need to create fantasies and conspiracy theories giving mercedes some massive theoretical advantage?