2015 Singapore Grand Prix - 18-20 September

[F1NAC]

Rossi driving really careful

[Juzh]

FP2

[Jonnycraig]

New PSI rules implemented and Mercedes slower over a lap and more degradation over a stint as well.

The cynic in me expects to see them 'accidentally' under-inflate in qualifying, be on pole by a second and again be let off..

[ME4ME]

RIC could have gone even faster if he hadn't been blocked. I fully expect Mercedes to turn the wick up tomorrow and gain back some round, but Red Bull look seriously quick. Should be fun in Q3. Personally I would be very happy for Ricciardo to win the race.

[Jordan44]

New PSI rules implemented and Mercedes slower over a lap and more degradation over a stint as well.

The cynic in me expects to see them 'accidentally' under-inflate in qualifying, be on pole by a second and again be let off..

Rubbish. A few PSI isn't responsible for that pace difference and degradation. It's simply because we're at Singapore, a track where cornering speed matters and top speeds don't so much. Their engine advantage is negated here.

Secondly Mercedes were never let off, they never broke the rules. Have a little read of the final report.

[dans79]

New PSI rules implemented and Mercedes slower over a lap and more degradation over a stint as well.

The cynic in me expects to see them 'accidentally' under-inflate in qualifying, be on pole by a second and again be let off..

Rubbish. A few PSI isn't responsible for that pace difference and degradation. It's simply because we're at Singapore, a track where cornering speed matters and top speeds don't so much. Their engine advantage is negated here.

exactly....

This is also why McLaren are in the top 10 as well.

[F1NAC]

[Moose]

Either merc have big problems, or they're sand bagging. My bet's on sand bagging, because I can't believe they're in roughly the same place as Williams when they dominated Monaco.

[Jordan44]

Either merc have big problems, or they're sand bagging. My bet's on sand bagging, because I can't believe they're in roughly the same place as Williams when they dominated Monaco.

You should know by now that Mercedes are always the ones who find the most time between practise and qualifying, especially with their special mode. The question is whether Red Bull are genuinely quick enough to challenge.

[F1NAC]

Either merc have big problems, or they're sand bagging. My bet's on sand bagging, because I can't believe they're in roughly the same place as Williams when they dominated Monaco.

You should know by now that Mercedes are always the ones who find the most time between practise and qualifying, especially with their special mode. The question is whether Red Bull are genuinely quick enough to challenge.

it will be also interesting to see effect of the special mode that Ferrari also got after monza upgrade

[dans79]

Either merc have big problems, or they're sand bagging. My bet's on sand bagging, because I can't believe they're in roughly the same place as Williams when they dominated Monaco.

You should know by now that Mercedes are always the ones who find the most time between practise and qualifying, especially with their special mode. The question is whether Red Bull are genuinely quick enough to challenge.

Merc always runs with the engines turned down, heavy fuel, and as we get further into the season old race motors on Friday. Merc seems to spend most Fridays exploring the outer edges of the set-up envelope, before really dialing it in on Saturday.

[Unc1eM0nty]

Agreed, my guess is it's down so a heavier fuel load.

This is the only session that is relevant to the actual race conditions, makes no sense to chase fast laps, fine tuning the race set up is what it's all about.

[FW17]

Aren't manor outside the 107% should they be allowed to race?

[godlameroso]

I don't know, last year's pole was a 1:45.6, and fastest race lap was a 1:50.4, with heavy fuel load that they're able to do 51's means that fastest race lap should be comfortably in the 49's, and that's with the track being a bit slower than last year, so I expect pole to be roughly the same, maybe dipping into the low 45's high 44's. The key is definitely going to be around tire wear, a three stop seems to be the best strategy with three super soft stints, and a final stint on softs. However the probability of a safety car is pretty large around here, so we could definitely see some people finish out of position especially between the two and three stoppers.

As far as pace goes, Mercedes are not usually beaten on Friday, I think this is the first time this season where they haven't been comfortably ahead. I'm sure they have more in the bag, but so does everyone else, as team usually find another second or so with an optimized package.

[dobbster71]

Aren't manor outside the 107% should they be allowed to race?

Que?