2017 Austrian Grand Prix, Spielberg 7-9 Jul

[fiohaa]

No, you can. What's nonsense is the inference - "the Merc was 0.2 seconds faster in sector 1, therefore the engine is what made that difference" <- this is a false statement.

The Merc was 0.2 seconds faster in sector 1. There are many things that could have caused that.
• A better engine
• A lower downforce setup
• Better mechanical grip out of corners
• ...

no you don't understand do you. you're not dealing with the counter-factual.
many things that could have caused that......including an engine qualy mode. you cannot discount that out the equation of inference.

[CriXus]

https://twitter.com/AlbertFabrega/statu ... 6568097793 The difference between Merc and Ferrari in S1 is most like due to the engine (ERS). Look at the speed, Ferrari is down 6-7 kph. In one of the FP sessions Anthony Davidson said how important would be the deploying of the ERS out of the turn 1, so perhaps Ferrari are still down on hybrid power.

[AnotherAlex]

It appears to be generally assumed that Mercedes' qualifying mode is a function of the ICE. Could it instead be an additional electrical energy store? (Perhaps the Mercedes is a 'plug-in' hybrid )

[Artur Craft]

Looking into the sector times, Bottas ideal lap(1.04.058) is more confortably faster than Vettel's(1.04.293).

And the gap from Red Bull to Vettel comes mostly from S2 as they almost matched him on S1 and S3.

I think Bottas will win this one, unless Lewis manages to get to P2. If that happens, he will obviously be told to slow down and give the win to Lewis.

Btw, the Red Bulls are 10 kph slower than Bottas(312kph) on Intermedite 1 and only Mercedes powered cars are above 304kph on that point

[iotar__]

It appears to be generally assumed that Mercedes' qualifying mode is a function of the ICE. Could it instead be an additional electrical energy store? (Perhaps the Mercedes is a 'plug-in' hybrid )

Weren't they related to fuel, meaning more efficient/top, short term costly performance? OK found it:

For 2017, each team will only be able to nominate five fuel blends for the season, and only two at any given race weekend. Previously, an unlimited number was on offer.
This should really narrow the teams' abilities to make vast changes between qualifying and race conditions, along with restricting their choices as they visit differing circuits.

Whatever it is you need places to use it to make a difference, like straights, if they are shorter like in Austria, it's not some unlimited magical solution and times confirmed it.

Mercedes lectured their drivers on strategy and the existence of DRS . I'm loving it.

(autosport:) "From what I have seen in the pre-race strategy notes, that kind of plan is not on those notes," said Bottas.
"We need to focus on trying to have a good start to the race and we need to win the race.
"Lewis can fight back from where he is starting. If you start playing games it gets tricky, if the car behind gets DRS and the slipstream, then with just one mistake they can get the win."

We know, we heard it in Baku.

[Schuttelberg]

Kimi is just, UNDERWHELMING!

[Juzh]

Btw, the Red Bulls are 10 kph slower than Bottas(312kph) on Intermedite 1 and only Mercedes powered cars are above 304kph on that point

As expected. It's been the same for 4 years running now. That stretch is heavily relying on the mgu-h, just as the one in baku. Results are similar.

[f1universe]

Kimi is just, UNDERWHELMING!

He is going to cost Ferrari the WCC or at least a chance to fight for it in the final races.

[Vasconia]

Vettel closer to Mercedes than expected, good. They are still ahead but at least there is some hope. Not a good Q3 for Hamilton but a disaster for Kimi, come on! he must improve.

Excellent qualy by Carlos, he could have been ever better but that yelllow flag...

We can expect another great race tomorrow!

[GPR-A duplicate2]

Can FIA not fix the problem of time loss that happens due to various problems in Qualifying? It just robs off the complete fun of seeing what the cars are capable of on their ultimate run. A lot of drivers gets robbed off from their opportunities to perform their best act. The track kept improving throughout and the times were tumbling and then there was yellow flags.

As much as the security of the drivers/marshals is important, it is also important from an audience perspective to ensure that the show is complete with a proper closure to it.

[Moose]

No, you can. What's nonsense is the inference - "the Merc was 0.2 seconds faster in sector 1, therefore the engine is what made that difference" <- this is a false statement.

The Merc was 0.2 seconds faster in sector 1. There are many things that could have caused that.
• A better engine
• A lower downforce setup
• Better mechanical grip out of corners
• ...

no you don't understand do you. you're not dealing with the counter-factual.
many things that could have caused that......including an engine qualy mode. you cannot discount that out the equation of inference.

We're not discounting that it *could* have been that. We're discounting the idea that it being faster proved that it *was* that. It *could* have been that, but it also could have been many other things.

[Shrieker]

Can FIA not fix the problem of time loss that happens due to various problems in Qualifying?

IIRC, after the whole Monaco debacle in 2014, they were going to give an extra timed lap to everyone else in case there were yellows.

What happened to that ?

[motobaleno]

Maybe Hamilton is running a different setup, knowing he wont start on pole anyway. AMuS said it was a strategic decision to keep quiet on Hamiltons gearbox change as that gave them the opportunity to prepare during FP1 and 2, while everyone else was focusing on a more default approach to the weekend on Friday.

he was simply slow.

[notsofast]

Kimi is just, UNDERWHELMING!

He is going to cost Ferrari the WCC or at least a chance to fight for it in the final races.

It seems to me that he achieved the best possible result for the team, at the least possible cost. Third position on the grid, right behind Vettel, and just 0.1s in front of the number 4 position. Why put more wear and tear on the engine, if there's nothing better to be had?

[giantfan10]

Maybe Hamilton is running a different setup,

I knew it... Rain set up, Monaco set up, Q2 SS set up, vs Rosberg set up.................

Damn! Merc engine mode 0.2s in S1 on Vettel...

- Or he braked too early, or took the last corner slower, or car was set up differently. How about RB - Ferrari engine mode comparison? Those excuses are getting sillier and sillier. If it's Hamilton behind = Mercedes is "worse affected by dirty air" if it's Vettel it's evil engine mode. No, it's car vs car and driver vs driver.

- They are as close as it can be 1-2-3-4 and this nonsense can't die. Difference between Ferrari and Mercedes engines with all the made up fairy tales and measured in time is smaller than between RB's Renault and Mercedes V8s of ... - '13.

I agree with you completely