2017 Japanese Grand Prix - Suzuka, 6-8 October

[Phil]

It's really a tricky one... I'm inclined to say Vettel for pole as well, but more because I'm not entirely sure if this is supposed to be a strong track for Hamilton. He was somewhat underwhelming here last year and I recall correctly, Rosberg also beat him to pole in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

We will see.

[TAG]

I'm not entirely sure if this is supposed to be a strong track for Hamilton. He was somewhat underwhelming here last year and I recall correctly, Rosberg also beat him to pole in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

We will see.

He was .013 off pole last year and had a bad start. Probably next to Malaysia, the reason he lost the championship. Rosberg was a lot of things but bad at qualifying he wasn't. I'm thinking pole with at least a 2 tenth gap to Ferrari, we'll see a little bit more detail in FP3 but it's going to be closer Saturday than it will be on Sunday.

[Bill_Kar]

It's really a tricky one... I'm inclined to say Vettel for pole as well, but more because I'm not entirely sure if this is supposed to be a strong track for Hamilton. He was somewhat underwhelming here last year and I recall correctly, Rosberg also beat him to pole in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

We will see.

It's really weird that HAM never got pole here, and only one podium besides his victories in 2014-15.
But anyways, you're somewhat right. I genuinely think that Mercedes plays the game safely as far as reliability is concerned, so they were certainly hiding performance today, but I have the feeling that VET will pull out a ...Hamilton lap tomorrow.

[Restomaniac]

Am I the only person wondering if Mercedes are using either a turned down PU 1 and/or 2 for FP 1&2 to save on mileage on their 2 needed ICEs?

[Phillyred]

I say VET gets pole tomorrow and a win if they stay reliable. I think Merc will play it safe for HAM in 2nd unless they can really find pace or a pit strategy that lets HAM get ahead. Not sure how the RedBulls will factor in, but VER is always a threat (for better or worse) depending who you're cheering for!

[TAG]

Am I the only person wondering if Mercedes are using either a turned down PU 1 and/or 2 for FP 1&2 to save on mileage on their 2 needed ICEs?

Std. Procedure at this point in the game. The race engine goes in overnight for FP3 and Q. Mercedes had a run of luck in that not only were they able to turn down the engine in Monza due to the lack of pressure, but they were able to turn it down in Singapore and chose to turn it down in Malaysia.

They are likely better than scheduled as far as their PU stores go.

[Restomaniac]

Am I the only person wondering if Mercedes are using either a turned down PU 1 and/or 2 for FP 1&2 to save on mileage on their 2 needed ICEs?

Std. Procedure at this point in the game. The race engine goes in overnight for FP3 and Q. Mercedes had a run of luck in that not only were they able to turn down the engine in Monza due to the lack of pressure, but they were able to turn it down in Singapore and chose to turn it down in Malaysia.

They are likely better than scheduled as far as their PU stores go.

True. Which also makes me wonder if we are not comparing apples and oranges.
Vettel is running his spec 4 and Mercedes are running a wheezy spec 1/2.
Ferrari spec 4 brings 10 extra horses apparently. Just how many horses have also left the barn in those old Mercedes engines compared to when they were new on top of that?

[GPR-A duplicate2]

Am I the only person wondering if Mercedes are using either a turned down PU 1 and/or 2 for FP 1&2 to save on mileage on their 2 needed ICEs?

Std. Procedure at this point in the game. The race engine goes in overnight for FP3 and Q. Mercedes had a run of luck in that not only were they able to turn down the engine in Monza due to the lack of pressure, but they were able to turn it down in Singapore and chose to turn it down in Malaysia.

They are likely better than scheduled as far as their PU stores go.

True. Which also makes me wonder if we are not comparing apples and oranges.
Vettel is running his spec 4 and Mercedes are running a wheezy spec 1/2.
Ferrari spec 4 brings 10 extra horses apparently. Just how many horses have also left the barn in those old Mercedes engines compared to when they were new on top of that?

These numbers rather tell a different story. Someone need to confirm if Mercs are using older PUs and Ferrari are indeed using Spec 4 in FP1. If so, then old spec Merc = Spec 4 Ferrari OR Ferrari have turned down MORE than Merc. OR both are using their latest spec AND have turned down equally. For reference, in quali last year, the top speed registered was 315.5 KPH by Hamilton.
[EDIT] I watched the post FP2 comments and Kimi confirms, they were indeed running Spec 4.

[Bill_Kar]

These numbers rather tell a different story. Someone need to confirm if Mercs are using older PUs and Ferrari are indeed using Spec 4 in FP1. If so, then old spec Merc = Spec 4 Ferrari OR Ferrari have turned down MORE than Merc. OR both are using their latest spec AND have turned down equally.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DLaxONOXUAA8VZa.jpg:large

Plus we don't know the rear wing angle. Presumably similar?

[GPR-A duplicate2]

These numbers rather tell a different story. Someone need to confirm if Mercs are using older PUs and Ferrari are indeed using Spec 4 in FP1. If so, then old spec Merc = Spec 4 Ferrari OR Ferrari have turned down MORE than Merc. OR both are using their latest spec AND have turned down equally.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DLaxONOXUAA8VZa.jpg:large

Plus we don't know the rear wing angle. Presumably similar?

To add here, Vettel was under the slipstream of a Sauber on his SS fast lap (on long straight as well as on start straight), when he registered his fastest lap of FP1.

[ChrisDanger]

There are so many unknowns I don't know how you guys can start inferring anything from today's times, especially with such limited running. For me the fun part is that we won't know until qualifying, and even then the race result is not a given.

[cooken]

Those were speed trap figures and not top speeds. From onboards I'm sure I recall seeing closer to 310+.

[Andres125sx]

I will say one thing.

I love to watch racing at this track.

+1!

My favourite track by far ... ok Spa is not that far, and Austin is growing in me year after year, but Suzuka still has the edge

[Restomaniac]

Std. Procedure at this point in the game. The race engine goes in overnight for FP3 and Q. Mercedes had a run of luck in that not only were they able to turn down the engine in Monza due to the lack of pressure, but they were able to turn it down in Singapore and chose to turn it down in Malaysia.

They are likely better than scheduled as far as their PU stores go.

True. Which also makes me wonder if we are not comparing apples and oranges.
Vettel is running his spec 4 and Mercedes are running a wheezy spec 1/2.
Ferrari spec 4 brings 10 extra horses apparently. Just how many horses have also left the barn in those old Mercedes engines compared to when they were new on top of that?

These numbers rather tell a different story. Someone need to confirm if Mercs are using older PUs and Ferrari are indeed using Spec 4 in FP1. If so, then old spec Merc = Spec 4 Ferrari OR Ferrari have turned down MORE than Merc. OR both are using their latest spec AND have turned down equally. For reference, in quali last year, the top speed registered was 315.5 KPH by Hamilton.
[EDIT] I watched the post FP2 comments and Kimi confirms, they were indeed running Spec 4.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DLaxONOXUAA8VZa.jpg:large

So a Mercedes ICE with at best 2/3 races under its belt can propel the car as fast as the new Ferrari ICE. Interesting.

[Moose]

These numbers rather tell a different story. Someone need to confirm if Mercs are using older PUs and Ferrari are indeed using Spec 4 in FP1. If so, then old spec Merc = Spec 4 Ferrari OR Ferrari have turned down MORE than Merc. OR both are using their latest spec AND have turned down equally. For reference, in quali last year, the top speed registered was 315.5 KPH by Hamilton.
[EDIT] I watched the post FP2 comments and Kimi confirms, they were indeed running Spec 4.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DLaxONOXUAA8VZa.jpg:large

Gah... repeat after me...
TOP
SPEEDS
DO
NOT
INDICATE
ENGINE
PERFORMANCE.

It is well known that Mercedes' philosophy is for a more aerodynamically efficient car than Ferrari, with a lower peak downforce production. Aerodynamic efficiency has far more impact on top speed than engine.