2016 United States Grand Prix - COTA, 21-23 October

[Mansell89]

So tomorrow it's Lewis, Nico, Max on softs and Dan on the SuperSoft?

[Morteza]

So tomorrow it's Lewis, Nico, Max on softs and Dan on the SuperSoft?

Yes!

[justmoi]

On the other note, 36.7 is quite slow. mid 35s for pole I'd say.

Hows 1.34.9s for ya?

[jknights]

Only the race result counts unless the stewards intervene!!

[iotar__]

- 0,5 between Merc and RB - predictable, slightly bigger than expected
- Red Bull - split tyre strategies but rather weirdly, why not give softs to the quicker driver, the one closer to Merc? He stays behind after start + x laps and then what? Before you ask, they knew who'd be quicker.
- Hulkenberg - close enough to Ferraris.

[Racer X]

I think Telmex is damaging it's own driver when they set out Celis to use up Sergio Pérez's practice time on Fridays.

He looses about 1 second to Hulk on week ends thay Celis takes the wheel.

I've noticed this.

[basti313]

- 0,5 between Merc and RB - predictable, slightly bigger than expected

On which times are you basing your expectations? FP times would suggest lower time difference, but the season so far suggest more difference.
To me the problem is the tire: On the SS the Bulls might be 0.5sec away. But on the S both Merc drivers bottled the Q2 lap with at least a laptime deficit of 0.3sec. To me it looks like at least 0.8sec on the S and Merc on the S faster than a Bull on the SS.

- Red Bull - split tyre strategies but rather weirdly, why not give softs to the quicker driver, the one closer to Merc? He stays behind after start + x laps and then what? Before you ask, they knew who'd be quicker.

They have to profit from the usual bad start or first corner crash, otherwise the SS strategy is pointless. And it makes only sense for the driver starting in front, driving with the SS behind you teammate on S is more than stupid.
So I think using Ric was a good choice. He starts better and may have the chance to attack P1 in the initial laps and make the Merc use his tires. Or undercut.
On the other hand I do not see much benefit from the S for Ves. Running on P4 I do not see much chance to gap the cars behind and he will inevitably end up in traffic. This is a strategy for the disappearing Mercs, nothing for a podium contender in the pack.

- Hulkenberg - close enough to Ferraris.

But, as usual, surely not on race pace.
I do not expect too much. If the Mercs make it through turn one on 1/2, they will disappear. I do not expect the Bulls to have the pace to attack them. The same for Bulls vs. Ferrari vs. FI. Maybe a little bit of spicing up due to the Bull on Soft, but in the end the differences are too big if nothing happens at the start.

[SectorOne]

Some wonderful shots from the high-speed esses today. I still haven´t fully grasped that next years cars will be on a completely different level.

[RedNEO]

Some wonderful shots from the high-speed esses today. I still haven´t fully grasped that next years cars will be on a completely different level.

The important thing is if they can go faster in race mode. I don't want to see extreme fuel/tyre saving like we have been getting, I want the drivers to be aloud to push all race.

[Juzh]

On the other note, 36.7 is quite slow. mid 35s for pole I'd say.

Hows 1.34.9s for ya?

34.999, but yeah. Tbh i had low 35s in mind initially but merc sandbagged a bit higher than usual in FPs.

[jknights]

Some wonderful shots from the high-speed esses today. I still haven´t fully grasped that next years cars will be on a completely different level.

The important thing is if they can go faster in race mode. I don't want to see extreme fuel/tyre saving like we have been getting, I want the drivers to be aloud to push all race.

I look forward to seeing real racing, not the pit wall strategy and com.sims games that we have at present.

[krisfx]

Some wonderful shots from the high-speed esses today. I still haven´t fully grasped that next years cars will be on a completely different level.

The important thing is if they can go faster in race mode. I don't want to see extreme fuel/tyre saving like we have been getting, I want the drivers to be aloud to push all race.

I look forward to seeing real racing, not the pit wall strategy and com.sims games that we have at present.

This won't change.

[Mark4211]

My latest one!

Annotated wheel adjustments: Pole position lap - USA 2016
https://vimeo.com/188451131

[SR71]

Some wonderful shots from the high-speed esses today. I still haven´t fully grasped that next years cars will be on a completely different level.

The important thing is if they can go faster in race mode. I don't want to see extreme fuel/tyre saving like we have been getting, I want the drivers to be aloud to push all race.

I look forward to seeing real racing, not the pit wall strategy and com.sims games that we have at present.

Pit wall strategy and best simulation execution is real racing. Welcome to 2016.

Welcome to f1.

[ChrisDanger]

So there's been a rule clarification regarding Verstappen's questionable defending tactics.

“Article 27.5 of the Sporting Regulations states that “…no car may be driven…in a manner which could be potentially dangerous to other drivers…”, furthermore, Article 27.8 prohibits any manoeuvre “…liable to hinder other drivers, such as…any abnormal change of direction”.

With this in mind, and with the exception of any move permitted by Article 27.6, any change of direction under braking which results in another driver having to take evasive action will be considered abnormal and hence potentially dangerous to other drivers. Any such move will be reported to the stewards.”

Autosport ran an article quoting Verstappen commenting on numerous complaints from his fellow drivers, saying "It's funny. I just listen to it." Although I find that attitude less than funny, the title picture they use is.