Ok, can someone in layman’s terms explain how Verstappen starting on softs will affect the strategy of the two teams?
Soft tyres should allow Verstappen to get off the line faster at the start, but they will degrade faster and lose peak performance earlier in the race.
They will be be faster initially but possibly slower over the entirety of the stint.
The fastest strategy is a balance of how hard you can push on a set of tyres while making tyres last, time lost on track due to tyre degradation, and time lost due to slowing down to make a pit stop. I believe a one stop race is expected to be the fastest way to run this race, but things can change once the race starts.
If they can make the soft tyres last well enough they may be able to switch to the hard tyres and do a one stop race. The cooler night time temps will possibly help. If that happens, we can expect Verstappen to be leading the final phase of the race with Hamilton trying to catch him on younger tyres (Hamilton’s stop will likely be later than Verstappen’s because his medium tyres should last longer).
If the softs ‘go off’ too quickly, Red Bull may be forced into a two stop strategy. If that happens, we can expect Hamilton to lead the final phase of the race with Verstappen trying to catch him on fresher and possibly softer (faster) tyres.
That’s my layman’s understanding. There are large teams of people paid lots of money by each team to come up with smarter ideas than that so don’t rule out a surprise.
I think it does make it more likely, though, that we will see the winner decided by an overtake on the track.
Or Hamilton waits for Verstappen to change his tyres during the race and yellows are flagged before Hamilton has to change his - meaning his stop will be about 10 seconds quicker.
Or Hamilton waits for Verstappen to change his tyres during the race and yellows are flagged before Hamilton has to change his - meaning his stop will be about 10 seconds quicker.
Yeah, a safety car and the timing of it could be highly significant. An early one that allows Verstappen to get off the softs - do Mercedes stick or twist? If it comes after Verstappen changes tyres it could help Hamilton hugely. Late in the race and it might neutralize any advantage one or the other has by being on fresh rubber.
The slipstream took a couple of tenths off the lap, so by my reckoning Verstappen was still nearly 2 tenths faster overall.
Regardless off who you support, that was a hell of a lap
Indeed it was - props for a stunning lap. The Dutch going crazy in the stands. It’s big for motorsport in the Netherlands - they have never had a title winning driver I don’t think
The Dutch love it, when i went to the Abu Dhabi grand prix a few years back almost every boat party in the marina was full of Dutch fans going mental
The slipstream took a couple of tenths off the lap, so by my reckoning Verstappen was still nearly 2 tenths faster overall.
Regardless off who you support, that was a hell of a lap
Indeed it was - props for a stunning lap. The Dutch going crazy in the stands. It’s big for motorsport in the Netherlands - they have never had a title winning driver I don’t think
The Dutch love it, when i went to the Abu Dhabi grand prix a few years back almost every boat party in the marina was full of Dutch fans going mental
There was always loads of Dutch fans supporting Jans Lammers at Le Mans. Was in the Terte Rouge bar one evening when Holland were playing in the Euros. Decent guys, who liked a drink and a laugh.
Or Hamilton waits for Verstappen to change his tyres during the race and yellows are flagged before Hamilton has to change his - meaning his stop will be about 10 seconds quicker.
Yeah, a safety car and the timing of it could be highly significant. An early one that allows Verstappen to get off the softs - do Mercedes stick or twist? If it comes after Verstappen changes tyres it could help Hamilton hugely. Late in the race and it might neutralize any advantage one or the other has by being on fresh rubber.
Verstappen has no medium tyres available. An early stop could mean he's pushing the hard tyres at the en of the race.
Did I see that RB increased the downforce to add speed. That’s not going to help with tyre wear.
It normally works the opposite way round. Less downforce (ie smaller rear wing) means less drag, less air resistance and results in a quicker car. Normally the downside of course is less grip!
Seems that Max Verstappen has tested positive for COVID so will miss the race
Only kidding, its Mazepin that'll be absent from the Grid
Means that the Russian will finish 21st in a 20-man Drivers Championship
I think he's had a remarkable season!
I do not recall seeing a more inept, dangerous, and clearly out of his depth driver in what is the pinnacle of motor sport. How the hell does he get on the grid........ oh wait!
I can't ever remember looking forward to a race as much as this one. I reckon it will be explosive in parts. Can't wait .
Interestingly, I think it's going to be fucking boring. Unless Max shits himself at the start, he'll get away in first no problem on the softs. Lewis may lose a place to Lando and/or Sergio. Get back into second after 4 / 5 laps. By that point Lewis will have to charge, ruin his initial long run tyre advantage. Both will two stop, Max will win by about 10 seconds.
Do hope not though, want to see one final duel between them.
Id find it interesting if Verstappen decided to take Hamilton out
If he then got points deductions I wonder if Red Bull would argue that Hamilton got no deductions for a "similar" incident at Silverstone.
More likely to have Perez take him out if they were to try and go that route, he's starting right behind Hamilton on the grid on soft tyres, so could "outbrake himself" and plough into the back of him at Turn 1
Comments
They will be be faster initially but possibly slower over the entirety of the stint.
The fastest strategy is a balance of how hard you can push on a set of tyres while making tyres last, time lost on track due to tyre degradation, and time lost due to slowing down to make a pit stop. I believe a one stop race is expected to be the fastest way to run this race, but things can change once the race starts.
If they can make the soft tyres last well enough they may be able to switch to the hard tyres and do a one stop race. The cooler night time temps will possibly help. If that happens, we can expect Verstappen to be leading the final phase of the race with Hamilton trying to catch him on younger tyres (Hamilton’s stop will likely be later than Verstappen’s because his medium tyres should last longer).
Hamilton has all three compounds available.
Seems that Max Verstappen has tested positive for COVID so will miss the race
Only kidding, its Mazepin that'll be absent from the Grid
Means that the Russian will finish 21st in a 20-man Drivers Championship
I reckon it will be explosive in parts.
Can't wait .
Do hope not though, want to see one final duel between them.
Yes, I have no problem with that. I want Lewis to win but would accept a Verstappen win as long as it's fair. No question he is a very good driver.
No irony.
If he then got points deductions I wonder if Red Bull would argue that Hamilton got no deductions for a "similar" incident at Silverstone.