Malaysian GP 2011 - Sepang

[beelsebob]

Pretty sure at this point the McLaren has more downforce – they were roughly equal to the RBRs in sector 1, marginally faster in 3, and about a tenth faster in sector 2 (except vettel's pole lap). Give that sector 2 has all the high downforce turns in bar 12, that's a pretty clear indication of where they're strong.

I don't get it, if they were quicker in all sectors, why are they behind?

Note the "(except Vettel's pole lap)" – one makes exceptions for Vettel on a single lap flier. The point was to highlight the relative speeds – McLaren were gaining time in the high downforce areas of the track, not losing it.

[raymondu999]

He's saying that McL had the 3 sector purples, but couldn't string a 3-purple lap

[Tamburello]

Either way, I'm pretty certain the Macca Kers is working better than the RBR one so all other things being equal, rain would affect McLaren more...

[ell66]

Either way, I'm pretty certain the Macca Kers is working better than the RBR one so all other things being equal, rain would affect McLaren more...

how do you figure that one out?

[PlatinumZealot]

Mclaren have to crank up the wings to be close to the Bulls but the Bulls still have the more efficient down-force. Notice again this time the Bull drivers being less mistake prone.

Hoping that The RedBull's don't overtake the Mclarens in the race.

[raymondu999]

Don't you mean, "Hoping that the McLarens overtake the Red Bulls?" I mean, technically the McLarens are the ones with the overtaking to do seeing as they're starting behind.

Anyone have speedtrap figures for DRS and non-DRS, for both RBR and McL? It'll be interesting to see who's gaining more of their advantage through DRS, as in the race (for the most part) the laptime advantages of DRS will be removed. eg if RBR are getting more laptime from DRS than McLaren are getting, then their race pace has more to lose from DRS. And vice versa.

[Tamburello]

Either way, I'm pretty certain the Macca Kers is working better than the RBR one so all other things being equal, rain would affect McLaren more...

how do you figure that one out?

Well they cannot use KERS in the rain so any gains that you have with it would be negated.

[Dragonfly]

AFAIK thay cannot use DRS but not the KERS.

[raymondu999]

Really? I thought you could, just that you're more traction limited, so you use it less. In all fairness, I think ell66 was talking about, "How do you figure that Macca's KERS is better?"

[Tamburello]

The talk is that the RB DRS ain't that good either. I have heard reports that they're gaining between 8-12kph on the straights with it whereas the Maccas are gaining a lot more.

[Tamburello]

Really? I thought you could, just that you're more traction limited, so you use it less. In all fairness, I think ell66 was talking about, "How do you figure that Macca's KERS is better?"

I could be confusing it with the rule on DRS usage.

As to why I think Macca's KERS is better, well they've been developing it longer and have more experience at it and we know for a fact that RB couldn't get theirs to work well until this weekend. The safe bet is that it ain't as good as the Macca unit at this stage. But maybe they all work the same, I don't know?

[FrukostScones]

I m pretty convinced that McLaren will be stronger in the race than Red Bull. So if it will be a dry race without any major incidents, car breakdowns or tyre degradation issues McLaren will finish 1 and 2.
Did any one hear the rumor that Mark Webber ran out of fuel in Melbourne shortly after crossing the finish line?

[PlatinumZealot]

I have a feeling there is going to be a little overtaking tango and I fear the Bulls will come out on top in the end.

[sriraj1031]

I m pretty convinced that McLaren will be stronger in the race than Red Bull. So if it will be a dry race without any major incidents, car breakdowns or tyre degradation issues McLaren will finish 1 and 2.
Did any one hear the rumor that Mark Webber ran out of fuel in Melbourne shortly after crossing the finish line?

I guess he didn't run out of fuel but was extremely pissed with the car being so slow compared to his teammate

[Florio]

Was thinking about this in the morning, may seem obvious to others but has confused me. How have the McLaren's brought almost a second qualifying deficit to just above a tenth? Wouldn't a track like this favour a RB, especially as they now have their KERS? I know better understanding of set up etc has a considerable effect, but surely as both rejected the new diffuser, how could they reduce it to that little?