Vodafone McLaren MP4-27 Mercedes

[hardingfv32]

Indeed, that said i want to wait to see if the car is fast on all types of circuits, we got spa, monza ad singapore next if its competetive at all then id be impressed.

You must be kidding. A little soon on that call I believe. Was not too long ago (days?) and the same claim was being made of Ferrari. Until proven otherwise, they lucked out with the tire setup.

Brian

[Owen.C93]

[morefirejules08]

It looks to me with today's race the the car now has the ability to manage its tires. 30 odd laps in a hot race on a single set without falling off the cliff is pretty impressive

[icemanchay]

I thought it was rather impressive also. The fact Lewis was still putting in purple times in sector 3 in the last few laps kind of reads to me that he had a small bit in reserve if he needed it. It bodes well for the rest of the year I think.

[wesley123]

He did that before, in Bahrain iic, he did 27 laps there on his tires.

[ell66]

Indeed, that said i want to wait to see if the car is fast on all types of circuits, we got spa, monza ad singapore next if its competetive at all then id be impressed.

You must be kidding. A little soon on that call I believe. Was not too long ago (days?) and the same claim was being made of Ferrari. Until proven otherwise, they lucked out with the tire setup.

Brian

You obviously didn't read what I said. IF mclaren remain very competeive at spa, monza and singapore it will show that they can race well on allmost all types of circuits.

And with all due respect to ferrari anyone that pays attention would realise they lucked into winning valencia, silverstone the redbulls and lotus's were faster in the dry and even in germany button and vettel had a bit more pace.

still concerend with the mclaren race pace, lotus and red bull looked quiker today.

[n smikle]

The car is the quickest over a lap now, but not really the best on race pace in the conditions of Hungary. I hope Spa is cold.

Hoping to see the earless front brake ducts on the Mclaren for Spa.

[Jackles-UK]

The car is the quickest over a lap now, but not really the best on race pace in the conditions of Hungary. I hope Spa is cold.

Don't forget, in normal dry conditions (in the hands of Hamilton anyway) the car has never been outside the top 3 over a single lap.

Race pace has been somewhat an achilles heel though recently, chiefly down to slightly weaker tyre deg than other teams and despite the Lotus' good pace at Hungaroring it does seems that tyre deg (and therefore race pace) has improved quite a bit. Lewis even said over the radio that he felt he actually came in a couple of laps earlier than he needed to on his first set of primes (second stint) which, seeing as he was hitting the cliff about 3-5 laps earlier than he'd want pre-upgrades, mark a big improvement.

[Boost]

still concerend with the mclaren race pace, lotus and red bull looked quiker today.

Remember that RBR went with the 3 stop strategy, which was actually the predicted fastest way to the finish but exposed the drivers to a greater likely hood of getting stuck in traffic. This meant that they could push their tyres harder.

[raymondu999]

I don't think we have a direct comparison except for Vettel vs Hamilton in the first stint. But at that point Lewis had free air and Vettel was getting caught up with a slower Button anyways.

[beelsebob]

still concerend with the mclaren race pace, lotus and red bull looked quiker today.

Remember that RBR went with the 3 stop strategy, which was actually the predicted fastest way to the finish but exposed the drivers to a greater likely hood of getting stuck in traffic. This meant that they could push their tyres harder.

Also remember, it was hot today, so it was worst case for McLaren and best case for RBR and Lotus.

[raymondu999]

It's generally hot and traction that does it for McLaren though. Hot and lateral I don't remember having similarly averse effects.

[beelsebob]

It's generally hot and traction that does it for McLaren though. Hot and lateral I don't remember having similarly averse effects.

Right, but the killer in Hungary is exactly that – traction. It's the rear tyres out of the final two turns that die.

[raymondu999]

Don't forget the first two turns too on taking life out of the rears. But having said that, a large part of the tyre life goes through thermal deg as they carry speeds through long corners.

[turbof1]

Could anyone tell me what was happening with Hamilton's tail light flickering for half the race? Glitch or something more serious?