2020 Tuscan Grand Prix - Mugello, September 11 - 13

[epo]

I'm not impressed by Vettel and Albon. Same 3 and 4 tenths gap to teammate respectively. Vettel paid a steeper price and Albon was lucky.

In Vettel's case, Leclerc is just that much faster. I don't believe it has anything to do with car control anymore. 3 tenths is 1.5 tiers faster. For precisely this reason, I don't think Vettel will set the world alight in Aston Martin, might be the same performance level as Perez but his winning mentality will be good for the team morale.

I am now firmly of the view that Albon is average and Max is two tiers above him into the elite segment. (2 tenths plus 2 tenths). One segment below max is the very good drivers, like Ricciardo, Bottas. I don't think Albon is a bad driver, he's just not good enough to partner an elite level like Max.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8BGfuXkVaI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzkFH5AAk5Y

Hmm, I personally would rate Ricciardo higher then Bottas, especially in race craft.
Also this is Ferrari and yeah Leclerc is good, most certainly better then Vettel now but he probably has some better equipment and Vettel probably doesn't care anymore which is dangerous. Just hope for him he will get back that winning mentality and not lose against pay drivers like Stroll (who still might get the newer stuff, but not if Vettel proves himself).

[Schuttelberg]

Love how these 'tiers' are formed!

Sebastian is P14 or something but what I am sure of is that he's behind Raikkonen and the Alfa is not faster than the Ferrari. Also, I think we have a large enough sample size to estimate which of Kimi/Sebastian is faster in terms of speed at this point in their careers.

There is something fundamentally wrong and chronically broken between Vettel and Ferrari and if they can't figure it out then who the hell am I? It's not like Sebastian has suddenly forgotten how to push the pedals enough? He was fast enough last year for Charles.

Alex, did an OK job. He's very clearly not happy with what is clearly a very 'nose happy' car. Max has been around, driven the development of that car and he himself has been spinning a lot this year. It's not an easy car and I don't care if you're Senna in qualifying or Schumacher in the race but if you aren't in sync with the car, the lap time is not there. You have to have the confidence to throw the machine around. That's not just F1, it's motorsport. At least, Alex's team is being supportive of him.

[Wass85]

If beating your teammate by half a tenth after also having an extra run in Q3 is putting him in his place I'd hate to know what you would call what the likes of Verstappen and Russell are doing to their teammates.

Hamilton surprised me by his recovery but I'm guessing he learned some tricks after doing his homework last night.

You do realise it was both of their first q3 run times that counted right? So the extra run means nothings at all?
Hamilton regularly does 2 runs good enough for pole where bottas can't even get close with his second run.

Of course it means something when you get another bite of the cherry, Bottas was prevented from that by Ocon.

It's not as though he had to find a chunk of time to grab pole after Hamilton failed to improve, I think it's one that got away from the faster driver but he only has himself to blame for not getting the job done in the first run.

[dans79]

It's not as though he had to find a chunk of time to grab pole after Hamilton failed to improve, I think it's one that got away from the faster driver but he only has himself to blame for not getting the job done in the first run.

How exactly do you know Bottas would have improved?

[Zynerji]

I'm not impressed by Vettel and Albon. Same 3 and 4 tenths gap to teammate respectively. Vettel paid a steeper price and Albon was lucky.

I want to agree with the Vettel statement, but watching the onboards, his car simply does not seem to accelerate like Leclerc's car does. It like the wheel bearings are not as smooth. Not making excuses, but you can hear the difference while accelerating...

[Wass85]

It's not as though he had to find a chunk of time to grab pole after Hamilton failed to improve, I think it's one that got away from the faster driver but he only has himself to blame for not getting the job done in the first run.

How exactly do you know Bottas would have improved?

Obviously without seeing his lap it's hard to make that judgement, Bottas did say there was room for big improvement so I'll take him at face value.

[214270]

KVY - Sochi 2014.

I bet you something mysterious like that happens to one of the Ferrari cars in quali.

LEC
Q3.1 - 1:17.73
Q3.2 - 1:16.27

What do we think? Special tyres like KVY in Sochi?

[F1ern]

KVY - Sochi 2014.

I bet you something mysterious like that happens to one of the Ferrari cars in quali.

LEC
Q3.1 - 1:17.73
Q3.2 - 1:16.27

What do we think? Special tyres like KVY in Sochi?

Yes, special in the way that the 1. run was on used softs, 2. run was on new softs.

He did 1:16.324 and 1:16.424 in Q2.

[214270]

KVY - Sochi 2014.

I bet you something mysterious like that happens to one of the Ferrari cars in quali.

LEC
Q3.1 - 1:17.73
Q3.2 - 1:16.27

What do we think? Special tyres like KVY in Sochi?

Yes, special in the way that the 1. run was on used softs, 2. run was on new softs.

Ok, good spot

Anybody with mini sector data of BOTs 2nd run? Was he faster than previous?

[Mchamilton]

Keepin it pinned at 170mph through the gravel

[Mchamilton]

It's not as though he had to find a chunk of time to grab pole after Hamilton failed to improve, I think it's one that got away from the faster driver but he only has himself to blame for not getting the job done in the first run.

How exactly do you know Bottas would have improved?

Obviously without seeing his lap it's hard to make that judgement, Bottas did say there was room for big improvement so I'll take him at face value.

He 100% always says this when he gets beat by Lewis

[Mchamilton]

LEC
Q3.1 - 1:17.73
Q3.2 - 1:16.27

What do we think? Special tyres like KVY in Sochi?

Yes, special in the way that the 1. run was on used softs, 2. run was on new softs.

Ok, good spot

Anybody with mini sector data of BOTs 2nd run? Was he faster than previous?

He only got to turn 4 didn't he?

[Wass85]

How exactly do you know Bottas would have improved?

Obviously without seeing his lap it's hard to make that judgement, Bottas did say there was room for big improvement so I'll take him at face value.

He 100% always says this when he gets beat by Lewis

Again you are talking as though he was way off Hamilton, what makes you so sure Bottas wouldn't improve?

[Hammerfist]

If Bottas felt he was faster, then he must prove it tomorrow. Don't get dropped like he usually does and then claim more BS afterwards. Onto the race.

[Mchamilton]

Obviously without seeing his lap it's hard to make that judgement, Bottas did say there was room for big improvement so I'll take him at face value.

He 100% always says this when he gets beat by Lewis

Again you are talking as though he was way off Hamilton, what makes you so sure Bottas wouldn't improve?

At no point did I say he was way off nor did I say he wouldn't improve. All I said was that he always says the time was there but for one reason or another didn't get it. he consistently doesn't find said time when it matters.