bosyber wrote: ↑02 Oct 2018, 12:27
AMuS: Ferrari FIA sensor and power advantage (in German, here a translated quote):
The competition's GPS data shows it clearly: Ferrari's advantage on the straight has disappeared since two races. Did Mercedes catch up or did Ferrari have to turn down Power? And what role does a new FIA sensor on the Ferrari play?
So maybe they did indeed lose some power to Mercedes, which would explain some of why they are struggling, relatively speaking.
Still, I also agree the car doesn't seem to have that broad setup window now (and the big rear wing might be indicative of problems getting the balance, and tyre heating, right).
Again, as has been said here all season, I think they’re completely missing the point about where the speed comes from. It isn’t purely engine - it’s traction + drag.
Mercedes have made a massive leap on traction in the past 2-3 races - they’ve said so themselves and their updates to rear suspension etc. clearly indicate a focus on that aspect (as does the fact they’re suddenly competitive at tracks like Russia and Singapore); their new rear wing supports - a copy of Ferrari’s - almost certainly speaks to drag.
The Ferrari engine is strong but I highly doubt it was ever more powerful than the Mercedes - Mercedes themselves also noted that the Ferrari derated at Spa first - rather it was evident from the very beginning that Ferrari had built a very slippery car; Mercedes have likely caught up enough for it to swing the other way.
