Shrieker wrote:Lewis would've taken pole regardless of the new engine. Just look at the average quali gap between him and Rosberg this season.
Simple science.
Maybe too simple
? This is least scientific sentence possible, I don't understand the motivation for going in that direction. Qualifying second is one thing but fourth with an old engine decides the race. There's no point in comparing Merc engines either. 1. Older 2. All the data, laps, tyres were for the new one (admittedly difference is unknown). Also knowledge that you have a quicker car helps (margin for error).
Mercedes SOTA engine is an unreliable junk but thankfully only for one driver. Hard to compare lap times (new, old engine) but one-stop race which is Pirelli's prediction will not help Rosberg jumping Ferraris. I don't see anything wrong with their top speed or tyres. Qualifying looked predictable with drivers in team pairs and gaps, race order should be similar + one stopper = probably boring.