dans79 wrote: ↑27 Sep 2020, 07:12
zibby43 wrote: ↑27 Sep 2020, 06:47
I don't think the Softs are going to be that bad. Are the Mediums marginally better? Probably. Renault thinks the Softs are good for 15-20 laps, so if Lewis retains the lead at the start and can have good pace in clean air, I think a one-stop on Hards is possible.
Considering 2014 and 2018 are the only races in Sochi not to feature a safety car, and that Masi seems to have a compulsion for them this year, I'd say chances are high that it won't matter what tire people start on.
Very good point. If a really early SC/VSC happens, you'd definitely expect Hamilton to jump, but it'll be interesting to see what the Medium-shod drivers do.
Moore77 wrote: ↑27 Sep 2020, 07:10
Performance on softs differs from car to car. With Mercedes having so much downforce, can easily push that out of the window, but then they can nurse it too with such a big performance advantage. The only interesting thing is, if Hamilton and Bottas are 1-2 after turn 2, then how does that play out. Bottas might push Hamilton harder with those mediums and that might cause some worries.
Performance does vary car-to-car, but as a general rule, the more downforce you have, the better you protect the tires, as you're not sliding around on them as much (which generates overheating).
Other factors do play a role, such as the nature of the circuit/corners, abrasiveness of the tarmac, and ambient/track temperatures. Even with loads of downforce, if you generate too much heat/energy and take them out of the window, you end up the same place that a car with insufficient downforce does: sliding.