2019 Monaco Grand Prix - Monte Carlo, May 23-26

[Artur Craft]

I think agility is really something of the decider these past few years. Now that the cars are longer, this seems to affect the competitive order depending on how extreme you take it. Ferrari were fastest in 2017, then only 2nd fastest in 2018 when they switched to a long wheelbase car(which lost all its hyperagility from the year before), with Mercedes struggling both years with a particularly long wheelbase(even though we know they have great downforce). I would still put Red Bull as favorites this year for this reason, though it's possible Mercedes have simply upped their game enough elsewhere to overcome this disadvantage.

You're delluding yourself. Mercedes is on another league on the slow corners. Also, you brought out a common misconception that I often read on this forum(and in other places). The lengh of a wheelbase does not have an impact on the "agility" of a car, or it's low speed grip(Bottas almost got pole on 2017 with all the wheelbase difference). The only impact that longer wheelbases have is that you need more steering input for the same corner.

Mercedes, somehow, is extracting way more grip out the tyres(I think rear steering was speculated by amus on winter testings) and that will guarantee a confortable 1-2 on Q3. And if not, then it's drivers should feel totally ashamed for it.

[Restomaniac]

I think agility is really something of the decider these past few years. Now that the cars are longer, this seems to affect the competitive order depending on how extreme you take it. Ferrari were fastest in 2017, then only 2nd fastest in 2018 when they switched to a long wheelbase car(which lost all its hyperagility from the year before), with Mercedes struggling both years with a particularly long wheelbase(even though we know they have great downforce). I would still put Red Bull as favorites this year for this reason, though it's possible Mercedes have simply upped their game enough elsewhere to overcome this disadvantage.

You're delluding yourself. Mercedes is on another league on the slow corners. Also, you brought out a common misconception that I often read on this forum(and in other places). The lengh of a wheelbase does not have an impact on the "agility" of a car, or it's low speed grip(Bottas almost got pole on 2017 with all the wheelbase difference). The only impact that longer wheelbases have is that you need more steering input for the same corner.

Mercedes, somehow, is extracting way more grip out the tyres(I think rear steering was speculated by amus on winter testings) and that will guarantee a confortable 1-2 on Q3. And if not, then it's drivers should feel totally ashamed for it.

Speaking of the Mercedes’ supposed rear steering did anyone ever get to the bottom of the ‘Diff-magic’ conversation between Hamilton and Bono?

[Zynerji]

I think someone provided a link where Hamilton was discussing it waaaay back in 2013, so it's doubtful that it's a new development.

[zibby43]

I think someone provided a link where Hamilton was discussing it waaaay back in 2013, so it's doubtful that it's a new development.

Correct - it has been available since 2013. Confirmed via radio transcript.

[Restomaniac]

Thanks guys.

[zibby43]

Thanks guys.

No problem! Dug up the reference from the 2013 Korean GP radio transcript:

• Tony Ross (to Nico Rosberg): "We think diff magic is latched currently."

[Restomaniac]

Thanks guys.

No problem! Dug up the reference from the 2013 Korean GP radio transcript:

• Tony Ross (to Nico Rosberg): "We think diff magic is latched currently."

It does make the Hamilton conversation a little odd though.

If it’s been on the car since he joined the team why does he need reminding about it still all this time later? Could it be that the mental workload in these cars are to the point where he’s at maximum capacity?

[bosyber]

Or perhaps they had to stop using (as much, or to as much effect) it for a time after the hydraulic linking stuff was banned, but kept it in mind and have been working on it until it is again at a level that now it's back to being important if they figure how to get it right, as it seems they did on that last day of testing.

[iotar__]

Thanks guys.

No problem! Dug up the reference from the 2013 Korean GP radio transcript:

• Tony Ross (to Nico Rosberg): "We think diff magic is latched currently."

It does make the Hamilton conversation a little odd though.

If it’s been on the car since he joined the team why does he need reminding about it still all this time later? Could it be that the mental workload in these cars are to the point where he’s at maximum capacity?

IMO not even workload, perhaps just routine race engineer driver communication, repeating seemingly obvious things like tyre temperature, engine modes and so on. Or starting with OK Lewis, he knows who he is and there's no one else there . Maybe the context here is different but it doesn't seem strange to me.

[Restomaniac]

So... Mercedes around a second faster right out of the box.

That’s not depressing at all......

[Restomaniac]

Both Haas cars black flagged. WTF?

[tpeman]

So they won't drive for the rest of the practice?

[WaikeCU]

What's wrong with the Haas?

[garygph]

Radio problems on both cars

[Restomaniac]

So they won't drive for the rest of the practice?

No idea. Utter confusion but SKY are now saying it’s a lack of telem/radio.

It must be garage side though. Either that or one hell of a coincidence