2018 Mexico Grand Prix - Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, 26-28 October

[search]

there was heavy rain on the forecast for yesterday afternoon - any idea if it really happened? That would probably mean that most grip is washed away again for the race, which could make things interesting

[Unc1eM0nty]

Vettel still has a shot in Turn one, it is a very long straight and the Ferrari has a clear pace advantage on the straight.

Maybe with a great start he can get ahead of one maybe two cars, but when was the last time we saw someone fourth lead into the 1st corner, it's unlikely to say the least.

[Juzh]

some laps

verstappen vs ham q3
https://streamable.com/wt6ov


verstappen vs alo (q2 - p12)
https://streamable.com/guzzh

[Sieper]

Vettel still has a shot in Turn one, it is a very long straight and the Ferrari has a clear pace advantage on the straight.

Maybe with a great start he can get ahead of one maybe two cars, but when was the last time we saw someone fourth lead into the 1st corner, it's unlikely to say the least.

Last year we were 3 thick into the corner, I watched the Ferrari on board lap comparison and especially on the second part of the straight they have an advantage. Maybe Lewis will this year leave Some room for an expected battle around him and maybe Vettel will want to jump into that room. The tow from the startline is a real thing here.

I will be sure to have shaking hands for the start, be sure of that!

[MtthsMlw]

[netoperek]

some laps

verstappen vs ham q3
https://streamable.com/wt6ov
https://streamable.com/wt6ov

verstappen vs alo (q2 - p12)
https://streamable.com/guzzh
https://streamable.com/guzzh

That McLaren looks so terrible against RBR. Looked like ALO had to fight with it most of the time.

[Sieper]

The McLaren was exactly as quick on the straight, so I think that means (as RBR is quicker this season and that must be Partly due to more efficiënt downforce) that the RBR had more wing set. The difference in the corners is very big. Mechanical grip and more wing combined.

[F1NAC]

If this telemetry is accurate, McLaren is at least 10 kph slower than RB through fast corners. Also in stadium section. No Downforce whatsoever nor mechanical grip

[LM10]

https://i.imgur.com/q1659mI.jpg

Haha, yea, especially as a fan of Ferrari and Vettel this season (unfortunately).

As for today, there cannot be more spice upfront. Max will go aggressive and release his frustration of qualifying, Ricciardo will defend and on top of that a Ferrari and Mercedes with double slipstream following them. Let's see, if Vettel will go for the first risky half-chance again or stay calm.

[drunkf1fan]

Sky showed Daniels lap compared to Max, Daniel just nailed it and there were a few key apex's he made much better use of in particular.

Yeah except those videos don't show the rear tires. If you brake and hte tires lock up at the wrong time good luck making the apex where you want to.

[cooken]

I'm thinking Ham already has his eye on the line across the grass.

With the speed advantage of the Merc and Ferrari combined with tow...4 wide into T1 pretty likely... Vettel I think is actually the one who can take the least risk. To finish first and all that.

[Jolle]

I'm thinking Ham already has his eye on the line across the grass.

With the speed advantage of the Merc and Ferrari combined with tow...4 wide into T1 pretty likely... Vettel I think is actually the one who can take the least risk. To finish first and all that.

Not just can but must! And that in the third fastest car, so he must gain track position as soon as possible to have a shot. And the last few races he wasn’t flawless... either a brilliant move from Vettel or a cloud of carbon fiber and smoke. And I can see Hamilton give everyone room to use the speed of his car to become at least sixth.

[Sieper]

Engine-braking on down shift, not braking. It is when the compression in the engine (in normal vehicles when you release the clutch) slows down the drive train. On my motorbike (Aprilia Dorsoduro) this can even block your rear wheel.

Now in F1 they don’t use clutch for normal shifting, the next gear is preselected and matched to engine revs, this is all software controlled but apparently on these torqy engines this can give problems (indeed with the rear wheels jerkily slowing down a bit, throwing of the balance of the car a bit).

Verstappen reported this after FP2 already, I think they managed to improve it but fully on the limit in the Q sessions it was still there. It wasn’t a showstopper but it is not what you want.

[PlatinumZealot]

Given the altitude has a much more pronounced effect on Mercedes and Ferrari than Renault, is it reasonable to suggest that Renault's turbocharger is more effective than that of Ferrari and Mercedes?

My reasoning being, we know the Renault engine is inferior to both, yet here both Renault and Red Bull are extremely competitive - Renault especially. Given power drop off with altitude is relatively linear, the only method of compensation would be differential of turbo performance.

What do we know of the Renault turbo relative to that of Ferrari and Mercedes? E.g. size, RPM, etc...

It also could be the case the Renault's battery and charging system is more efficient, meaning they can produce full(er) charge from reduced engine power output.

Just speculation on my part, and I'm not an engine expert, but the data here seems to provide some evidence toward highlighting architectural differences.

McLaren is still crap so no.

[jz11]

Sieper, on top of what you said, remember there is also the differential, they probably have some clever magic going on in the diff to deliver the negative torque (engine braking) to the inner wheel, acting sort of an anchor to help turn in the car, but the diff may unintentionally (because of the engine jerkyness during down shift) intermittently lock up (think - solid axle of a cart), which will want to make the car go straight, major PITA during turn in...