2015 Singapore Grand Prix - 18-20 September

[giantfan10]

Sounds like Mercedes AMG F1 has difficulty "understanding" the tyres. We might even witnesses another secret "black helmet" test. In the interest of safety of course...

I was thinking for along the lines of a convenient FiA/Pirelli tire pressure mandate to help the red cars along. In the interest of safety of course...

funny... its interesting though how Hamilton was the first driver to say the new tire pressure mandates would stink and that the tires would be running outside their optimum ranges... looks like he knew what he was talking about.
Secondly I think it was no accident that both Mercedes "accidentally" had low tire pressures in the Italian GP....

[Jordan44]

The article is very clear:
"The tyres for some reason aren't working on our car – it's weird," said Hamilton, as he reflected on qualifying.

"You heat them up the same as everyone else, you do your warm-up laps same as everyone else, and then you finish the lap, and you see somebody else a second up the road."

He said the tyres are not working...

But it's not as clear as other sources. Lauda has attributed it to tyre heat issues already. It's what he was trying to say, no doubt.

[Jordan44]

Sounds like Mercedes AMG F1 has difficulty "understanding" the tyres. We might even witnesses another secret "black helmet" test. In the interest of safety of course...

I was thinking for along the lines of a convenient FiA/Pirelli tire pressure mandate to help the red cars along. In the interest of safety of course...

funny... its interesting though how Hamilton was the first driver to say the new tire pressure mandates would stink and that the tires would be running outside their optimum ranges... looks like he knew what he was talking about.
Secondly I think it was no accident that both Mercedes "accidentally" had low tire pressures in the Italian GP....

Did you not read the final report? The team didn't have low tyre pressures. They had the correct tyre pressures. The FIA measured them when Mercedes had let their tyres cool off, which meant the pressure was down.

[Chene_Mostert]

The article is very clear:
"The tyres for some reason aren't working on our car – it's weird," said Hamilton, as he reflected on qualifying.

"You heat them up the same as everyone else, you do your warm-up laps same as everyone else, and then you finish the lap, and you see somebody else a second up the road."

He said the tyres are not working...

But it's not as clear as other sources. Lauda has attributed it to tyre heat issues already. It's what he was trying to say, no doubt.

Yes...Lauda

[Overdriving]

I would say Mercedes have the suspension too soft, you can see lewis' wheels bouncing all over the place losing so much grip compared to the others. Suzuka and the rest of the tracks are completely different so i'm sure pre-Singapore dominance will resume. Should be a fun race between Red Bull and Ferrari and interesting to see if the track is better for overtaking.

Yeah, watch Lewis's last year's pole here. The lap is bad, it's a wonder he got the pole at all. No wonder even last year's Ferrari was so close to the pole. Ferrari loves this track, Ferrari improved a lot compared to last year, Vettel loves this track & Mercedes and its drivers aren't that good here for some reason.

[Andres125sx]

That´s what people said before Monaco (track not suited for Mercedes), and Lewis ended up with 8 tenths advantage on qualifying (what is unbelieveble for such a short track) and so much advantage in race they tried to do an extra pitstop for free. This one with some more straight should be even better for them I think

Just trying to keep you expectations in a realistic level

You were saying something mate?

Me? No someone must have hacked my account

Surprising results, and awesome driving for Vettel =D>

[Jordan44]

I would say Mercedes have the suspension too soft, you can see lewis' wheels bouncing all over the place losing so much grip compared to the others. Suzuka and the rest of the tracks are completely different so i'm sure pre-Singapore dominance will resume. Should be a fun race between Red Bull and Ferrari and interesting to see if the track is better for overtaking.

Yeah, watch Lewis's last year's pole here. The lap is bad, it's a wonder he got the pole at all. No wonder even last year's Ferrari was so close to the pole. Ferrari loves this track, Ferrari improved a lot compared to last year, Vettel loves this track & Mercedes and its drivers aren't that good here for some reason.

Lewis is fine here. Win last year, on his way to a win in 2012, won in 2009. Plus Nico was probably the closest one to Vettel during his domination of the race last year. It's not their drivers, it's all about the car.

[Chene_Mostert]

Sadly todays quali results will put a bit of a damper on the Lewis - Senna comparisons. The Sky Sport crew was on about it since before FP1. Guess I'll be watching the race with a peculiar "lack" of commentary.

[godlameroso]

Their PU *IS* the best, not even arguable. But that doesn't mean their chassis isn't also the best. Williams, Lotus, Force India also run this best PU but they're not even close to Mercedes AMG. The car simply isn't working well at Singapore. It worked very well at Monaco where Hamilton was dominating the race until the safety car error. That's also a low speed street circuit which requires excellent mechanical grip. Every track the Mercedes has been dominant. Except for Singapore where something clearly isn't right. If you think Singapore presents a uniquely true test of a chassis' mechanical grip and low/medium speed aero compared to Monaco, Hungary, Australia etc. then I suggest you please take the advice in your own signature.

I don't know if you've ever been to Monaco, but those are some damn well maintained roads, not at all like the streets in Singapore. Singapore may be cleaner as in you'll find less trash, but those Monaco roads are billiard table smooth.

[Jordan44]

Wolffy thinks it is setup:

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/merce ... ualifying/

[iotar__]

Wolffy thinks it is setup:

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/merce ... ualifying/

- whole weekend of set up blunders
- on a track which was working fine last season and without big rules changes, tyres are slightly different
- for both drivers
- and with such a huge difference?
I don't remember anything like that, dominant car loses over a second and they don't know why? It wouldn't be the first time Merc management is not telling the truth but the first one without a reason. I assume other teams would have noticed engine problems?

At least they have Lauda thinking about it all: "This race is always difficult for people with mechanical problems and accidents. I think if some of the others ahead have trouble, Lewis can take third at most."
That settles it, Hamilton can be third but Rosberg doesn't exist. He's like people on internet message boards [-o< .

[SparkyAMG]

http://i.imgur.com/NEfTHvc.jpg

Nonetheless, maybe Merc boys did screw up with their suspension setup but I doubt Williams, Lotus and FI did that as well ...
And also we the 2 stop vs 3 one doesn't stand up ...

I would say the Mercedes customer teams are exactly where you'd expect them to be, it's only Merc who are really struggling in comparison to their normal performance.

Predictions:

Vettel leads off the line but Ricciardo stays close enough to undercut. They come together later in the race. Cue saftey car.

Raikkonen stays a comfortable third and inherits win.

Both Mercs lose out to Bottas at the start, Rosberg ahead of Ham.

Both Mercs jump Bottas at pit stops during race and final podium is Raikkonen, Kvyat, Rosberg.

[Spoutnik]

I still think the Merc can fight for the podium tomorrow.

[DCM]

Just throwing this out there. And please I don't pretend to know. Just speculating over a pint.

I don't want to support "conspiracy theories" but could it be possible that the Mercs really are struggling with tire pressures?

We could have a situation similar to the Ferrari flexi wings dilemma. Where the Merc's pressures pass the "test" but fail in actuality? Then the testing method changes and now they no longer pass where they used to?

Help me out here. Could it be possible that these Pirelli pressure issues are simply putting more spotlight on their oversight and enforcement of tire pressures? As such, there is less room for teams to play (abuse, get away with, loophole, whatever you want to call it) with the pressure's based on when they are measured? Before the race, after the race, during the race etc.

Otherwise, how can Mercedes pundits suggest that they are running the normal (intended) pressures while at the same time also say they can't "activate" their tires.

Perhaps mercedes could/got away with running lower actual pressures in the past GP's but can no longer do so? They wouldn't suggest they got away with it in the past and risk everything THAT would involve.

Hence the idea that they running "normal" pressure but still can't heat the tires. So to spare themselves and the sport a lot of headache they are just keeping their mouths shut now that the sport is actually measuring?

[zeph]

Given that Mercedes is usually 0.5-1.0s ahead of everybody else, it must mean that tire pressure alone cost them 2.0-2.5s.

I still have difficulty believing that.