2017 Singapore Grand Prix - Marina Bay, 15-17 September

[PlatinumZealot]

Ok, so my question is really quite simple: were Mercedes running a bigger rear wing than Ferrari at Monza (it's very obvious they were running a bigger one than RB)?

If yes, then we can all draw our own conclusions, but I'm just saying that the video seemed to imply they had trimmed the drag from the rear wing vs. rivals and I don't see that.

But the point is that if the Mercedes car has a lower drag level than Ferrari's, they can afford to run more downforce without losing out on top speed.

The Ferrari might make more total downforce when in Singapore mode than Mercedes but it makes more drag too. At Singapore that isn't a problem because of the nature of the track. They can bolt on the downforce and be quicker in the corners and thus the lap.

At a fast track like Monza, the drag penalty of the Ferrari means they have to run less downforce than Mercedes to maintain a similar top speed on the long straights. They immediately lose out on lap time in that case.

On slow/medium top speed tracks e.g. Monaco, Singapore, Ferrari's philosophy wins because drag isn't an issue as top speeds are low. On higher top speed tracks e.g. Silverstone, Spa, Mercedes's philosophy wins because they can run slightly more downforce without loss of top speed.

The season will be determined, all other things being equal, on which philosophy is better suited to the most number of circuits in the season. Indeed, so well matched are they that the season is likely going to be determined by things like reliability, accidents etc.

Everything is a matter of degree (how much). I have to correct you her though. Ferrari ran more downforce than Mercedes in Monza. Time and time again it was said. Mercedes is more efficient aerodynamically but that does not mean they have to run the same or more downforce... They can run whatever downforce makes them fastest and in Monza that was having less downforce than Ferrari (but good balance under braking from DRS).

[TAG]

Looking more and more like a dry qualifying with a wet race, that's potentially the worst possible news for Ferrari, Red Bull would be very difficult to beat here in the wet.

[Vanja #66]

How can you be considering a wet race under the flood lights?

[GPR-A duplicate2]

It would be the race of the year, if could be a wet race under the lights. There would hardly be a dry line available. Verstappen would be licking his lips if it were to be true.

I would love to see if would be a wet race.

[LookBackTime]

https://twitter.com/thebuxtonblog/statu ... 3402389506

[Vasconia]

Looking more and more like a dry qualifying with a wet race, that's potentially the worst possible news for Ferrari, Red Bull would be very difficult to beat here in the wet.

Ferrari has a lot downfore and Vettel is very good under those conditions, I hope Ferrari´s problems to make the full wet tyre work in Monza was an exception.

RB and Ferrari(Vettel) at the front of FP1.

[Morteza]

[atanatizante]

Lewis and Bottas did their fastest laps on used US tyres and Max, Ricci and Vettel did on new ones?
At least that`s what was coming up from F1 app tyre stint allocation ...

[GPR-A duplicate2]

This is just FP1, but based on long run times, Mercedes seems to be in trouble. Fight is between the two red bulls and one ferrari (needless to say which one).

http://www.fia.com/file/61426/download?token=nL7sT-_0

[matt_b]

Lewis and Bottas did their fastest laps on used US tyres and Max, Ricci and Vettel did on new ones?
At least that`s what was coming up from F1 app tyre stint allocation ...

Ferrari and Red Bull did 2 runs on the ultras, Mercedes did one and beat their first attempts. They didn't get a second run with the ultras because they used SS to begin with. Things should be more clear come FP2.

[f1316]

Ok, so my question is really quite simple: were Mercedes running a bigger rear wing than Ferrari at Monza (it's very obvious they were running a bigger one than RB)?

If yes, then we can all draw our own conclusions, but I'm just saying that the video seemed to imply they had trimmed the drag from the rear wing vs. rivals and I don't see that.

But the point is that if the Mercedes car has a lower drag level than Ferrari's, they can afford to run more downforce without losing out on top speed.

The Ferrari might make more total downforce when in Singapore mode than Mercedes but it makes more drag too. At Singapore that isn't a problem because of the nature of the track. They can bolt on the downforce and be quicker in the corners and thus the lap.

At a fast track like Monza, the drag penalty of the Ferrari means they have to run less downforce than Mercedes to maintain a similar top speed on the long straights. They immediately lose out on lap time in that case.

On slow/medium top speed tracks e.g. Monaco, Singapore, Ferrari's philosophy wins because drag isn't an issue as top speeds are low. On higher top speed tracks e.g. Silverstone, Spa, Mercedes's philosophy wins because they can run slightly more downforce without loss of top speed.

The season will be determined, all other things being equal, on which philosophy is better suited to the most number of circuits in the season. Indeed, so well matched are they that the season is likely going to be determined by things like reliability, accidents etc.

Everything is a matter of degree (how much). I have to correct you her though. Ferrari ran more downforce than Mercedes in Monza. Time and time again it was said. Mercedes is more efficient aerodynamically but that does not mean they have to run the same or more downforce... They can run whatever downforce makes them fastest and in Monza that was having less downforce than Ferrari (but good balance under braking from DRS).

I don't see from the rear wing level - with Mercedes able to retain a spoon shape and Ferrari having to ditch the spoon wing they used in Spa in favour of a much flatter, more traditional Monza wing - that that's the case.

I can understand how the rest of the Ferrari concept is a relatively draggier downforce producing machine than the Mercedes, but I just don't see it on the rear wing (which was my whole point).

Appreciate we're way off topic though so will shut up about it now

[atanatizante]

Lewis and Bottas did their fastest laps on used US tyres and Max, Ricci and Vettel did on new ones?
At least that`s what was coming up from F1 app tyre stint allocation ...

Ferrari and Red Bull did 2 runs on the ultras, Mercedes did one and beat their first attempts. They didn't get a second run with the ultras because they used SS to begin with. Things should be more clear come FP2.

Yeah, seem to me it was that too ... So Merc beat their first attempt on used US tyres, isn't it?

[F1NAC]

Lewis and Bottas did their fastest laps on used US tyres and Max, Ricci and Vettel did on new ones?
At least that`s what was coming up from F1 app tyre stint allocation ...

Ferrari and Red Bull did 2 runs on the ultras, Mercedes did one and beat their first attempts. They didn't get a second run with the ultras because they used SS to begin with. Things should be more clear come FP2.

Yeah, seem to me it was that too ... So Merc beat their first attempt on used US tyres, isn't it?

Lewis did his Fastest lap with new Ultras on his first flyer. I checked on FIA page

[atanatizante]

This is just FP1, but based on long run times, Mercedes seems to be in trouble. Fight is between the two red bulls and one ferrari (needless to say which one).

http://www.fia.com/file/61426/download?token=nL7sT-_0

Bottas complained about a loose rear end in their race sims laps ... that means they have a stiff setup and maybe they should go for a softer one than usual in order to give them both more traction and knowing there is a good chance of a wet race on Sunday ...

[garyjpaterson]

Certainly looked a handful that Merc.

I wonder if they are thinking to just completely focus on qualy, try to get as far up as possible and just Trulli Train their way through the race?