2019 French Grand Prix - Le Castellet, June 21-23

[izzy]

Just had a look at the FP3 results. These cars, that engeneering, those simulations, even those drivers... they are all too perfect for the good of the show!

These are the time differences, in seconds, between all team mates:

Mercedes 0,041
Ferrari 0,028
Red Bull 0,061
McLaren 0,233
Renault 0,221
Alfa Romeo 0,236
Toro Rosso 0,362
Haas 0,015
Racing Point 0,187
Williams 0,085

Average 0,1469

Wayyyyyyy too perfect! The average position difference between team mates is 1.8 positions.

they were saying on Sky in FP3, Damon perhaps, that the long corners at this circuit make it more about the cars and the drivers can't make as much difference as usual. So i suppose it's more of an engineers' weekend, getting their cars to work all through all the corners

[Sierra117]

Loving how James Allison just destroyed the "long wheelbase is bad for turning" argument (his sit-down with Ted) (accidentally posted in the wrong forum rofl)

[Sierra117]

Well that's an interesting grid.

[Unc1eM0nty]

Wow, that missed lap really cost Vettel

Go Mclaren, great performance

[3jawchuck]

It's been a while since I could clap my hands and shout "McLaren --- yes". Long way to go in the grand scheme, but that's nice to see.

[TAG]

McLaren fans rejoice! What a qualifying session for them! Congratulations! Textbook example from Hamilton for the times we say that the fastest lap isn't always made up with our fastest sector times. Hamilton's 2nd attempt, yellow in both S1 and S3, all of the gains made in S2. Gasly's job at Red Bull is starting to look very very tenuous.

[Bill_Kar]

Anyone knows; best Q result for McLaren since... ?

[Just_a_fan]

Great qualifying performance from McLaren. Vettel having a poor afternoon - plenty to do tomorrow but I have no doubt he'll benefit from the tow and pass people on the first lap. Run down to T1 could be good for Leclerc.

Hamilton doing it at the end when it counts. Bottas has looked to be on top in practice and in early qualifying.

[F1T]

Hamilton takes commanding pole for French GP

Lewis Hamilton neared perfection at today's qualifying for the French Grand Prix, seemingly improving lap after lap to take pole with a new lap record. Valtteri Bottas finished second, leaving Mercedes' competition easily behind.

[TAG]

Anyone knows; best Q result from McLaren since... ?

Since they were powered by Mercedes.

[Bill_Kar]

Anyone knows; best Q result from McLaren since... ?

Since they were powered by Mercedes.

Looked it up real quick, since 2014 Russian GP (4th,6th)

[GPR-A]

Wow! That was some performance from McLaren! Hope they continue to make improvements and finally fight at the front like they used to do. Really happy for them.

[ringo]

Can Leclerc at least challenge Bottas for P-2?
I think Vettel can get P-4 at best. I don't see him getting on the podium.
This track has a very fast flow, and the direction changes are aggressive. It seems the cars need very good traction and aero transient behavior. The drivers pretty much have to trust that the car will turn without breaking traction on either front or rear axle. It also demands a lot engine power. You can hear how the fast corners load the engine on the corner exit. I believe this is why redbull aren't doing so well. The engine is too weak to compete with even the renault unit.

[Just_a_fan]

Can Leclerc at least challenge Bottas for P-2?
I think Vettel can get P-4 at best. I don't see him getting on the podium.

Bottas will be challenging Hamilton for P1 which might give Leclerc the opportunity to pass them both!

Vettel needs others to have a bad race in order for him podium. If Leclerc is 3rd and Vettel 4th, will Ferrari switch them? That would be more controversial than the Canada penalty, I think, especially as Leclerc is the closest the French crowd will have to a chance for a "home driver" podium.

[Bill_Kar]

Can Leclerc at least challenge Bottas for P-2?
I think Vettel can get P-4 at best. I don't see him getting on the podium.

Bottas will be challenging Hamilton for P1 which might give Leclerc the opportunity to pass them both!

Vettel needs others to have a bad race in order for him podium. If Leclerc is 3rd and Vettel 4th, will Ferrari switch them? That would be more controversial than the Canada penalty, I think, especially as Leclerc is the closest the French crowd will have to a chance for a "home driver" podium.

There is no way they switch them, it will be blatantly obvious. Vettel has been nowhere near Leclerc the whole weekend.