This forum contains threads to discuss teams themselves. Anything not technical about the cars, including restructuring, performances etc belongs here.
Merc did well at Zaandvort too from memory last year. I agree though, it was the Brazil win that led the team up the wrong path with the fake belief the concept 'worked'. Coupled with a decent performance in Mexico aswell I think.
I dont think the W14 is 'that' bad this year. It certainly has its moments, but its still a very competitive race car. If you take Max out of the equation then probably comfortably leading the WCC this year given the standards Perez has had. Its with the McLaren upgrade its going to be a interesting remainder of the season.
I think with a few well calculated tweaks, their car will be on the fight for wins again. The RB/Max advantage isnt going to last forever and others have/will close the gaps in. (the penalty is catching up with RB it seems last few races - but we see what the upgrade does.
It should be interesting to see what George does tomorrow. P18 starting position and a car to make some good progress. Im expecting P10-P7-ish for him tomorrow.
The team may start him on the hards, but unless he gets lucky with a safety, it's going to rough getting points. I think with both Mclarens being up front, and the Ferraris and Alpines and Astons have generally good pace and top speed, Russel may find it difficult to get points.
By the way, I notice the calls for Lewis to be dropped have waned for some races now. Russel was the next big thing and Lewis was washed up, and did not deserve his weight in salary; someone kept saying. Since the upgraded W14 he has been putting somewhat of a gulf between himself and George in the races. George is still very good and very quick on a Saturday, but Lewis brings certain experience and fighting mentality that still is important for the team to retain.
Also Max is not comfortable with him. Everyone else he calls his mate and he has a mental advantage over. Only Lewis ruffles Max's feathers. So I hope things stay this close till the end of the season.
The car itself is still unproven. It goes well at this track but may be mediocre in Spa. Ferrari are not sorting themselves out and that's what making things look better than they are. Aston has run out of steam and so has Alpine.
Mclaren does not have much weakness now in the car, and W14 need to get to that point of not having any major weakness before it can challenge.
ringo wrote: ... By the way, I notice the calls for Lewis to be dropped have waned for some races now. Russel was the next big thing and Lewis was washed up, and did not deserve his weight in salary; someone kept saying. ...
I wasn't around back then and I'll probably regret this, but is that "someone" calling for Toto's head now
ringo wrote: ... By the way, I notice the calls for Lewis to be dropped have waned for some races now. Russel was the next big thing and Lewis was washed up, and did not deserve his weight in salary; someone kept saying. ...
I wasn't around back then and I'll probably regret this, but is that "someone" calling for Toto's head now
Whatever is going on with Russell, he should sort it out. But the fact is, they literally built recent upgrades to suit Lewis as Shovlin claimed. I don't know if that's a good thing or bad. It's good to see Lewis is delivering the goods with that like Russell did last year. Unless Russell clears his mind and find a way to drive this car, he is going to look very poor. He doesn't have the same support from Toto to get the next set of upgrades built for him.
Whatever is going on with Russell, he should sort it out. But the fact is, they literally built recent upgrades to suit Lewis as Shovlin claimed. I don't know if that's a good thing or bad.
Should we build our car going forward to suit a seven time world champion, or, George?
Absolute no brainer from the team. The correct call.
ringo wrote: ... By the way, I notice the calls for Lewis to be dropped have waned for some races now. Russel was the next big thing and Lewis was washed up, and did not deserve his weight in salary; someone kept saying. ...
I wasn't around back then and I'll probably regret this, but is that "someone" calling for Toto's head now
Whatever is going on with Russell, he should sort it out. But the fact is, they literally built recent upgrades to suit Lewis as Shovlin claimed. I don't know if that's a good thing or bad. It's good to see Lewis is delivering the goods with that like Russell did last year. Unless Russell clears his mind and find a way to drive this car, he is going to look very poor. He doesn't have the same support from Toto to get the next set of upgrades built for him.
On a basic level. Lewis wanted more rear and less drag ( like everyone wants )...they are yet to provide either on a consistent level. And probably wont be able to this season for obvious reasons.
George is fine, he just got caught up in the pack yesterday. Today, he will show his pace, as usual.
The team may start him on the hards, but unless he gets lucky with a safety, it's going to rough getting points. I think with both Mclarens being up front, and the Ferraris and Alpines and Astons have generally good pace and top speed, Russel may find it difficult to get points.
By the way, I notice the calls for Lewis to be dropped have waned for some races now. Russel was the next big thing and Lewis was washed up, and did not deserve his weight in salary; someone kept saying. Since the upgraded W14 he has been putting somewhat of a gulf between himself and George in the races. George is still very good and very quick on a Saturday, but Lewis brings certain experience and fighting mentality that still is important for the team to retain.
Also Max is not comfortable with him. Everyone else he calls his mate and he has a mental advantage over. Only Lewis ruffles Max's feathers. So I hope things stay this close till the end of the season.
The car itself is still unproven. It goes well at this track but may be mediocre in Spa. Ferrari are not sorting themselves out and that's what making things look better than they are. Aston has run out of steam and so has Alpine.
Mclaren does not have much weakness now in the car, and W14 need to get to that point of not having any major weakness before it can challenge.
Yes... I can't read how many points Russell is ahead in the championship too...
It's like when Ricciardo beat Max in 2017 I mean there's momentum/luck/short term and the reality of pure skill, talent and racing IQ.
Lewis could take 3rd spot in the championship today and gets closer to Perez. He' doing an amazing job this season on track, and it seems off track too.
The development since June 30th, hasn't touched the Aston Martin. You think they already have parts from the windtunnel on July 1st, a full package of parts 2 weeks later? This car is the culmination of wt time used in the first half of the year. There's no excuses. They've dropped it.
I think you missed my point, they had a significant allocation because they finished 7th last year. They used that allocation wisely at the beginning of the year. However they have a lot less now, and they still have to abide by the budget cap. They could be out of money, or had to cut way back on development time, because they jumped up the order, or both.
if you look at the rules you can really be hammered under the cfd tunnel allocation if you make a big jump up the field.
it's very much a balancing act.
as you can see here.
Have you heard the rumour of Redbull cheating wind tunnel time, suly now that it is out, Merc can now do the same
Whatever is going on with Russell, he should sort it out. But the fact is, they literally built recent upgrades to suit Lewis as Shovlin claimed. I don't know if that's a good thing or bad.
Should we build our car going forward to suit a seven time world champion, or, George?
Absolute no brainer from the team. The correct call.
In a whole new concept car, George was motivated because he was fighting let's say at the same level with Lewis to understand the car.
The energy he was able to put before he will find that again. I don't think he would have been 2nd or 3rd in the championship with the concept they had before. At the end it always more satisfying when you beat other teams and then beat your teammate. Let's keep that momentum
“And suddenly I realized that I was no longer driving the car consciously. I was driving it by a kind of instinct, only I was in a different dimension.”
― Ayrton Senna
When Perez had caught Hamilton and the latter successfully defended from him, they should've pitted. Even getting stuck behind a Ferrari was worth it. Merc more than had the speed in the final stint, Hamilton could've overtaken and still remained ahead of Perez when the final stops were done.
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