Gilles 27 wrote:Another big point in the development, imho, is the DRS that has make big difference in Hockenheim. The F2012 has with, closed DRS, a topspeed of ca. 300/302 km/h (if i see right) on the straight of the german circuit. Once open 316-318 km/h a diff of 14-16 km/h ! After this observation, i think they not only have ride with more downforce to save the tyres, but enough "defensive" topspeed to be save once in front. Even McL can't passed Alonso and they have generaly more topspeed as Ferrari.
That's not a defensive setup - that's an attacking setup. If it was defensive, the difference between non-DRS and DRS would be smaller, not bigger.
Gearboxes must last 5 races. I don't remember Alonso taking a gearbox change penalty this year - so we can rule that out, meaning that they will change after Round 5 and Round 10, being Spain and Germany