GPR-A wrote:Based on FP2 long runs:
- Mercedes are trying to one stop with US and then on S. Their pace on Softs is equaling the pace of RB and Ferrari on US/SS. There isn't any distinguishable difference between US and SS. Way too much of risk to one stop I guess.
- Ferrari's pace on Softs is way far off compared to Mercedes, but they seems to be planning to gamble on strategy between their two drivers. Ferrari needs a happy Vettel, but looks like he isn't. Neither is he sharp on one lap and nor is he on long runs.
- Red Bull isn't even bothered about Softs. So they are just focusing on US/SS.
There isn't much between Ferrari and RB, so whoever lucks into a strategy gamble would come out the winner between the two.
One stop in Singapore? There's no way they're even trying . You know they can use tested compounds on more than one stint
? So Verstappen is the only one with new Renault engine:
A. He needs all the help in the world, imagine the world without strategy gift in Spain and 10 s pitstop in Monaco
B. ""There is no tactic, no strategy, no preference," Renault managing director Cyril Abiteboul told Autosport. "We like Max, but it is just the natural way of managing the engine pool" Abiteboul
Natural way? They don't plan their upgrades, they don't know who and when gets the one available engine and to their surprise it's not their own team? What kind of Ron's speak is that? 'Natural' cycle of hatching of an engine lasts so many months and this one's was in the middle of September. No plans, no production cycle, no reliability testing, nothing. Whether it's the team we want to beat or us doesn't matter
.
Renault has "no tactic and no strategy" indeed. No wonder they are perpetually surprised how tough it is (no surprise), changing goals every 3 months (pseudo-goals by corporate ignorant), in full chaos and incompetence mode with drivers (Palmer). They're lucky Toro Rosso has Ferrari, in 2017 works team might be the third in line for their own engines - their own natural way of course.
