2018 Austrian Grand Prix, Spielberg, 29 June - 1 July

[jz11]

how about respecting track limits?

going off of the track with all 4 wheels is the extreme case - it is the last limit
having a wheel on the outside kerb - if the car can tolerate it - by all means, take the risk of rattling your car apart and blame it on yourself

going off the track while trying to maintain speed or worse - trying to gain advantage, then getting punished by the track for it - how is this a "serious question"? The serious answer is - don't do it! or do it and make your car more durable (heavier basically)

this is some "playstation generation" era BS - when you don't want to suffer for any mistakes, just keep on pushing and let stewards sort the that sh!t out, here, totally opposed to the PR track last week (it is a test track, so that's all fine by me), the track is actually doing what it is supposed to do - punish for the mistakes drivers make

[browney]

[/quote]
I am against so large kerbs. If driver goes off track he should only lose time , like on most tracks, not parts of car like here.
[/quote]

I think they would potentially go faster (rather than lose time) at this track by going off.

It is an interesting debate/question that has been going on since they started tarmacing the edges of circuits. Probably one that will go on for much more time!

[jjn9128]

So Charlie Whitting said that teams should make wings stiffer.
Is this seroius answer to very seroius question?
Lots of teams suffered due to yellow kerbs,for some of drivers one corner off track could mean end of race. While during French GP you could go where ever you want off track, without any damage.

I wasn't sure if you are for or against the curbs?

I think it is good that there are curbs like that to make sure the best drivers in the world actually stay on the track. I have no problem with running off the track (Ie. Making a sporting mistake) ruining a driver's race, just like it does at a street circuit. If it is safe enough, I'd like all circuits to have curbs like that.

I also think that circuits like Paul Ricard, conversely make the sport worse because it reduces the challenge of driving the track.

It goes without saying that the circuits need to be safe (this is the highest priority) but there should be a sporting consequence for going off the track.

It is also another challenge for the stress engineers to design for that load case. After all, we push aero engineers for the best concepts.

I am against so large kerbs. If driver goes off track he should only lose time , like on most tracks, not parts of car like here.

Problem is in Austria - especially the last 2 turns, but also turn 1 and 3 - going wide is an advantage. It allows them to overspeed the apex and carry the speed through to exit - so there has to be a strong deterrent to keep them on the black stuff. It's a balance of risk to reward for them, risk the speed but get it wrong and there's a potential for retirement, which is what all the drivers have been asking for when they say the circuits are too sanitized, e.g. Paul Ricard, if you watch the Blancpain at Paul Ricard all the drivers run 1-2m off the track on exit of Signes.

It's another annoying thing about the modern world, give 'em what they want and they moan that's not quite what they meant. It's why we have the current crap aero rules and tyres.

[f1316]

One thing I’m still not clear on - despite there being a Grand Prix there last week - is whether the blue/red stripes in Paul Ricard actually increase tyre degradation (and hence disincentivise people going out there)?

The onscreen graphic said ‘high degradation’ but the commentators seemed to think it was more a question of high adhesion (to prevent people hitting barriers).

Which is it? If the former, it seems a good, safe solution to track limits and punishing mistakes; if the latter, it does little to help. (And btw, they wouldn’t have to be painted blue and red for those who found it annoying).

[Unc1eM0nty]

I can't remember which driver said it but the quote was "you need to treat this track like Monaco", I think this nails it.

They all push the limits because there is lap time to be had out on the kerbs, but they get punished for any mistakes which is how it should be.

[DVB]

RAI doing 1,04,937 on his 6th consecutive lap with the US tires. Ferrari is just fine I believe.

[atanatizante]

This time I think Merc drivers couldn`t afford to start on another tyre than US, coz here the tow is much more powerful and could lose also at the start (like in France) ...

Regarding strategy, for Lewis is a straightforward US-S, but for Bottas could be US-SS. And Ferrari could mirror this strategy, with Vettel on S and Kimi on SS ...

[MtthsMlw]

Ferrari gaining 2 tenths on Merc in S2 but losing 2 tenths in S3. Red Bull losing time in every sector.

[F1NAC]

Tf . Kimi 4 tenths quicker in s2 then went off

[Sierra117]

I'm loving this unforgiving Turn 9 kerb Chewing up those wings!

[MtthsMlw]

I'm loving this unforgiving Turn 9 kerb Chewing up those wings!

RIP Toro Rosso's new FW.

[Sierra117]

I'm loving this unforgiving Turn 9 kerb Chewing up those wings!

RIP Toro Rosso's new FW.

Vandoorne joins the party!

[MtthsMlw]

I'm loving this unforgiving Turn 9 kerb Chewing up those wings!

RIP Toro Rosso's new FW.

Vandoorne joins the party!

Don't think they have many spare FW left..

[Sierra117]

A bit off-topic, but did anyone see the Porsche 919 Hybrid new Nordschleife record? It's like a video game! The way the boost just steamrolls through the speedometer ...

[Sevach]

Mercedes has a lot of downforce for the high speed sections.