2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix - Baku, June 04 - 06

[AMG.Tzan]

Looks like Mercedes is in trouble again this weekend...wtf?

They better short their problems out quickly cause otherwise Verstapen and RB are gone! And Perez seems to be getting better...

[SiLo]

Think FP2 will tell us a bit more. This is a track you can absolutely overtake on so qualifying it much less important to them.

[cooken]

Lots of tyre struggles on long runs. Rear graining, which will potentially cost you places in the race with poor traction onto the long straight.

[godlameroso]

Wind is straight shoving cars off the track. Those gusts in turn 16 are pretty brutal.

[godlameroso]

Lots of tyre struggles on long runs. Rear graining, which will potentially cost you places in the race with poor traction onto the long straight.

Rear graining comes from tire surface temp vs carcass temp. They need to bleed more brake heat into the rim to get the tire temperatures and pressures correct. Or is that the other way around, my dyslexia always gets in the way.

[godlameroso]

Also can I just say I'm very pleased to see Alonso with strong pace this weekend!

[Tvetovnato]

Interesting.. Despite what the idiots at Sky say, it's actually pretty close, at least on race fuel simulations. Was looking at the RBs vs Hamilton. There is a tyre difference with RB running soft and Hamilton running mediums, but they were pretty similar in S1, RB more into the high 37s than Hamilton there, but on average, not more than a tenth or so. In S2, the Bulls had an advantage of a couple of tenths, while in S3, the Merc had an advantage, at least in Lewis' hands. Would not be surprising if the softs are indeed better the first few laps, and then the mediums will come into their own.

So, luckily for Merc, should they drop the ball tomorrow again, there is at least easy podium pace for Sunday, which is what matters this weekend for them.

[cooken]

Lots of tyre struggles on long runs. Rear graining, which will potentially cost you places in the race with poor traction onto the long straight.

Rear graining comes from tire surface temp vs carcass temp. They need to bleed more brake heat into the rim to get the tire temperatures and pressures correct. Or is that the other way around, my dyslexia always gets in the way.

Given track conditions and layout I would tend to agree (carcass temp too low relative to surface and needs more heat input/retention), but it's a bit of an educated guess at best.

[PlatinumZealot]

I'm a little flattered and also impressed by Alpine's tweak to their rear wing end plates. I hope it works out for them!

Why? What have they done that has flattered you?

Flattered by inanimate objects, huh. I need to have what he's smoking!

[PlatinumZealot]

Looks like Mercedes is in trouble again this weekend...wtf?

They better short their problems out quickly cause otherwise Verstapen and RB are gone! And Perez seems to be getting better...

I woke up to RedBulls on top of the sheets and Merc smack dab in the mid-field! Sh*t snacks! I really can't take another weekend like Monaco.

[dren]

Looks like Mercedes is in trouble again this weekend...wtf?

They better short their problems out quickly cause otherwise Verstapen and RB are gone! And Perez seems to be getting better...

Perez has been good here in the past. Good to see him in the mix at the front.

[RedNEO]

Also can I just say I'm very pleased to see Alonso with strong pace this weekend!

He’s slowly coming back I’m pleased so far but I don’t want to jinx it. Good luck to your team.

[Tizz]

It will be interesting to see what the Ferrari pace now in practice is worth later. Feels like they hit the ON-switch...

[max_speed]

Also can I just say I'm very pleased to see Alonso with strong pace this weekend!

as happened in past. Ocon might find another gear in quali. i will be bit cautious though happy to see him within Top 10

[JPower]

It will be interesting to see what the Ferrari pace now in practice is worth later. Feels like they hit the ON-switch...

If they can get a handle on their tire deg , they should OK. Will be interesting to see which setup they show up with tomorrow.

I think McLaren is sandbagging some. I expect to see them up towards the front if Mercedes can't get their tires switched on.