2016 Singapore Grand Prix - Marina Bay, 16-18 September

[basti313]

The race is all about choosing when you want to be fast, that said track position is very important. An undercut can only work if you don't have to pass anyone to make it stick. Also is it just me or have they re-paved the road? Looks much better than last year.

So why do you think they will 3-stop if track position is the key?

So James Allen was talking about two possible strategies:

- US-SS-SS
- SS-S

But I wonder if US-US-S/SS is an option? With all those ultra softs, you've got to think Ferrari intend to use them and very much doubt they'll be wanting to do a 3 stop.

Regarding Ferrari: They will run more on the US in FP. Maybe a good choice on the green track. When Q starts the tire numbers will be more or less equal like usual.

Regarding strategy: This will depend on the lifetime of the US. In the past races with the US, it lasted more or less the same time like the SS. So I think we will see any combinations like for example US-SS-US or US-S. I would be surprised if the US last much shorter than the SS on this non aggressive tarmac.

[zac510]

If we run 10% of the race under a safety car then maybe two sets of the US will last.

[ollandos]

THE wall of champions No2 is out there ....

[basti313]

If we run 10% of the race under a safety car then maybe two sets of the US will last.

The data is not showing this. There is not a big drop of laptime in the first 10 laps in FP1! Usually they complained about tires falling apart after 3 laps at this point. Even Nasr just put a 9 lap run on the US and posted green laps through the run.

Mercs doing longruns on S already now is implying they are planning a SS-S or even US-S strategy, but the S times look quite slow even with fuel to me.

Also no really fast SS times, all really fast laps have been set on the US.

The laptime of Mercs on S I can not take serious for comparison. Different league...

[PlatinumZealot]

somebody is. Going to run softs from the start and pray for an end of stint safety car. I bet its going to be a Haas.

[ChrisDanger]

[Phil]

Personally, I think Mercedes sorted their issues, but it still might be close. I think last year, they were a lot further down in practice already.

I still think it'll be close with RedBull though. They have a good chance of grabing it. Gonna be interesting to see who prevails, Max or Dan. I was pretty sure it was Dan, but Max is pretty fearless and that might give him the edge...

[Hammer44]

Someone tell FOM to stop using that low onboard camera that is on Vettel and Hamilton's car. You can't see nothing on the right hand side and it diminishes the sense of speed compared to the T cam.

[zac510]

If we run 10% of the race under a safety car then maybe two sets of the US will last.

The data is not showing this. There is not a big drop of laptime in the first 10 laps in FP1! Usually they complained about tires falling apart after 3 laps at this point. Even Nasr just put a 9 lap run on the US and posted green laps through the run.

Mercs doing longruns on S already now is implying they are planning a SS-S or even US-S strategy, but the S times look quite slow even with fuel to me.

Also no really fast SS times, all really fast laps have been set on the US.

The laptime of Mercs on S I can not take serious for comparison. Different league...

Good info, thanks!

[Schuttelberg]

Rosberg is going to be secretly hoping the Bulls are quicker. He hasn't a hope in hell of beating Hamilton here. He rather lose 2 points than 7 and keep his hopes of nicking the championship.

[LionKing]

Personally, I think Mercedes sorted their issues, but it still might be close. I think last year, they were a lot further down in practice already.

Last year at the end of FP1 it was 1-2 for Mercedes.

[turbof1]

The times Mercedes did on the softs are interesting, and could tell 1 of 2 things: either they are not keen on showing their hand and have that 2 step tyre performance in hand, or they have difficulties getting the ultra soft/super soft into the correct window.

[Nuvolari]

Mercedes have got this sorted, haven't they? They look very fast!

[TwanV]

Mercedes have got this sorted, haven't they? They look very fast!

Likely but I'm not so sure, if they have a problem with US tyre temperatures they're in trouble. All will be revealed

[Vasconia]

Rosberg is going to be secretly hoping the Bulls are quicker. He hasn't a hope in hell of beating Hamilton here. He rather lose 2 points than 7 and keep his hopes of nicking the championship.

I havent seen such a different but if both RB are ahead it could be good for him, if Hamilton is faster as you imply.

Mercedes looks better than last year but we could enjoy a RB-Mercedes-Ferrari(at least Vettel) here!.