Sevach wrote:SectorOne wrote:Phil wrote:When did the teams have to allocate the tires? After or before Melbourne?
After the Australian GP, I felt Mercedes was quite fortunate that they had that set of unused medium tires.
In retrospect, it´s clear Mercedes knew what they were doing all along.
How so? Their standard strategy was also a 2 stopper(Rosberg took softs on lap 12), Hamilton took mediums because traffic was killing him, mediums were never part of their plan A.
I just thought of something:
Consider this; After the 3rd corner, they were facing a challenge: Rosberg held up by two Ferraris, Hamilton by a Torro Rosso. The prime reason why Rosberg pitted for softs when he did, was because the aim was to undercut Kimi. That might have worked with the mediums, but might have put him at a disadvantage relative Ferrari, at that point unknown what Ferraris real pace is. Pitting for softs meant they could get past Kimi, then in 2nd to close the gap on Vettel and perhaps later either undercut him too, or if Vettel pits first, to put him on the SS on the last stint to give the best chance to attempt an overtake on track.
Had both Mercedes remained ahead during the race and not held up by other cars, who knows, perhaps mediums might have been a consideration.
Though judging by their allocated tires, the team radio and how the race unfolded, i too am inclined to think that mediums weren't a real consideration. And this is interesting, because judging by their allicated tires for Bahrain, i think it wasnt for that race either. With the knowledge of Australia, i wonder if they in hindsight might have decided differently. I'd be weary going into a race on a tire you didnt test on that track on those conditions beforehand. I also wouldnt underestimate Ferrari; if 2015 showed one thing, it's that tire wear is a crucial factor in extracting your potential and deciding over winning or not.
