Since last year that I have been observing, on the face of it, FP2 times are what you see in Race (up to mid race), barring a few exceptions. I don't understand this engine modes, fuel loads and gains overnight as you don't see the cars being vastly different from FP2 to race. This has been the picture for both Ferrari and Mercedes.
Pole position advantage has always put a car in clean air and allows it to run a controlled race pace. At times, even when the car isn't the outright fastest in race mode. Unlike the previous years, where Mercedes used to start from pole and disappear in distance, this year, though Ferrari seems to have been the faster car in qualifying, they haven't managed to run away from the Mercedes. Their race pace corroborates with what you see in qualifying (closest). Despite not being on pole, Mercedes manages to stay very close to Ferrari in races and at so many times, they have proved to be faster in races. It's the qualifying advantage with which Ferrari manages to battle Mercedes. If Mercedes manages pole, then it becomes difficult for Ferrari to keep up.
- Login or Register
No account yet? Sign up
