2017 Brazilian Grand Prix - Interlagos, 10-12 November

[F1NAC]

Is that Hartley's new engine? Renault "doing a Honda" right now.

Mercedes could go back to back on rear ride height, test how much it affects the balance.

It's definitely practice engine I suppose

[Jolle]

Is that Hartley's new engine? Renault "doing a Honda" right now.

Mercedes could go back to back on rear ride height, test how much it affects the balance.

It's the special "prepare for Honda" program STR is running: -How many laps do you actually need to set up the car - how fast can the mechanics change a PU - Testing the press lines: Progress is made, got some good data, looking forward to the race.

[ChrisDanger]

[Vasconia]

Before I reach the conclusión that Mercedes is now using its full power again, and because of this the advantage is clear now, I will wait until FP2 and even FP3. Ferrari should be closer.

[F1NAC]

Blister baby

[zac510]

Blister baby

Great photo! Really explains blistering perfectly.

[godlameroso]

Exactly as I expected, the super soft tire is not a good race tire, it doesn't last, and it's race pace over a stint is no better than the soft. The ideal strategy is going to be 22 laps on the super softs, and then try to stretch the soft to the end, the medium is too slow, even if the medium can go the full race distance with no drop off in pace.

The fastest runners will be doing low 13's high 12's ending in 11's maybe high 10's, McLaren has definite top 10 pace. Mercedes and Ferrari are very close as usual, with Mercedes having a slight edge.

Seems like Renault's new engine mode uses the batteries more aggressively.

[digitalrurouni]

So the track temps were reported to be in the 50s. That's frigging hot. How come the Mercs were so brutally quick?

[ChrisDanger]

[Edax]

Does anyone remember Verstappen catching and passing Lewis last year ?
I seem to remember Max losing it and nearly smashing into the wall while trying to catch lewis, yet people always mention how good max was that day, also remembering that Lewis had everything to lose and Max had nothing to lose.

+1 As mighty as Max's performance was, Lewis' was mightier!

Hard to choose, Hamilton always is spectacular in the rain, but what was impressive about Max drive where the last few laps. I mean how he cut through the whole field.... like he was on another planet. He was seconds quicker than his teammate with the same gear and declassified other drivers who are pretty confident in the wet like vettel (monza 2008)

Maybe he had little to lose, but I think it was one of the determining moments where he pulled the #1 driver status within RB towards him. Championships are won and lost (webber Korea) in the rain. Having the rain “gene” is not just an asset but a must and I am pretty sure RB views it that way.

[Edax]

+1 As mighty as Max's performance was, Lewis' was mightier!

Hard to choose, Hamilton always is spectacular in the rain, but what was impressive about Max drive where the last few laps. I mean how he cut through the whole field.... like he was on another planet. He was seconds quicker than his teammate with the same gear and declassified other drivers who are pretty confident in the wet like vettel (monza 2008)

Monza 2008 was some kind of a reversal! There it was Hamilton who was making the passes like Verstappen did! But again everyone remembers the race because it was Vettel's first win...in a Toro Rosso in the rain! Nobody seems to recall that Hamilton was much faster than everyone that day! Just like no one seems to recall that after passing Rosberg, Verstappen couldn't keep up with Hamilton!

True, same in silverstone. Ves was able to pass Ros but not Ham. I suspect you’re right and Ham still has an edge over Ves. Pity that the chance of rain is low. I would like to see what Ham can do without having to hold back for the championship.

[TAG]

Only one guy didn't spin his car in Brazil last year. He won the race too. I think Verstappen has some wet driving skill, that's why I'm even more bummed about Singapore, it was going to be a pretty fantastic race, and then it wasn't.

[PlatinumZealot]

So the track temps were reported to be in the 50s. That's frigging hot. How come the Mercs were so brutally quick?

Maybe it's the longest flat-out section and the percent throttle per lap. In 2016 interlagos was close to 68% full throttle! so 2017 should be higher!

On these high percent throttle tracks this year it usually resulted in a close fight with Mercedes and Ferrari...

https://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2009/02/17/ ... -compared/

Venue – Longest flat-out section (m)
Spa – 1,865
Shanghai – 1,370
Monza – 1,320
Suzuka – 1,230
Interlagos – 1,220
Istanbul – 1,200
Catalunya – 1,140
Bahrain – 1,050
Valencia – 930
Silverstone – 890
Sepang – 830
Nurburgring – 800
Hungaroring – 750
Melbourne – 735
Singapore – 650
Monte-Carlo – 510


Venue – % of lap spent at full throttle (2009(*?) cars)
Spa – 70%
Monza – 70%
Suzuka – 67%
Melbourne – 65%
Sepang – 65%
Interlagos – 65%!
Silverstone – 64%
Bahrain – 63%
Istanbul – 63%
Nurburgring – 62%
Valencia – 59%
Hungaroring – 58%
Catalunya – 57%
Shanghai – 55%
Singapore – 44%
Monte-Carlo – 42%

[Just_a_fan]

Mercedes team members robbed at gunpoint leaving the circuit yesterday. Luckily no one hurt but obviously shaken up.

[George-Jung]

Only one guy didn't spin his car in Brazil last year. He won the race too. I think Verstappen has some wet driving skill, that's why I'm even more bummed about Singapore, it was going to be a pretty fantastic race, and then it wasn't.

Lets be honest, Hamilton drove up front.. less spray from cars in front and hardly any pressure from behind.

Still a superb drive, but you need to see it in perspective.