I'M almost certain Merc has a fuel consumption issue. The need more fuel because there coanda exhaust needs more fuel to energize the coanda effect. The car is quick on low fuel because the extra 0.26KG the need for a single lap doesn't show in lap time. But if you need 0.26KG more fuel for 57 laps. That means you are carrying 15KG (MSC said that were 15KG heavier). Carbon Dev Racing calculated (forum user) that 1kg of fuel is worth about 0.09 of laptime.
1 lap 15KG extra fuel = = 0.0932 extra laptime * 15KG= 1.4 (1.398) Sec slower a lap. Nico Rosberg did 1.32.3 and Vettel did 1:32.5. So the RB9 and Merc W04 are really close on low fuel (no 15KG Fuel penalty).
So if you look at the average laptimes you can clearly see it back in laptimes. Nico also suggested they have a good car and that really true, a bad car can get pole. Rosberg was fastest in every single sector of this track. So the highspeed advantage is also no true Force India fast the fastest in the speedtrap but their race pace was still good. The car is really good but they need to sort out how they can rid of the extra fuel ballast during the race. Nico was fighting during most of the race so the better comparison is with Lewis both he and Vettel were driving the most part of the race in clean air. On the first couple of stints losses 1.2 and 1.6 average. On the first 2 stints Lewis losses 1.455 secs on average. If MSC was right that Merc is 15KG heavier this means that merc is loosing 1.398 a lap, thats pretty close to the 1.455 the lose on average during the first 2 stints. Stint 3 and 4 the Merc burns more fuel and the extra ballast is coming down. In stint 3 and 4 Lewis is getting faster and faster and the average lap loss decreases because the extra ballast penalty gets lower and lower. In stint 4 Lewis losses 0.1sec on average on a lap comparing to Vettel. Also the underfuelling in Malaysia is a sign that every drop extra hurts the Merc, that why they got in to trouble in Sepang. Ross gambled and thought they would use less because of change of rain. The Merc Also looks really heavy compared to other cars in the beginning of the race. Merc is doing something wrong with their coanda exhaust compared to FI and McLaren. The need more fuel compared to them. Or the need better engine maps that saves more fuel. Because i really don't think the tyres are the problem i really think the tire deg is an outcome of the heavier car the run the race compared to other.
Vettel - Hamilton
Av. Lap Time 1 1:42.508 1:43.803 -1.295
Av. Lap Time 2 1:41.595 1:43.210 -1.615
Av. Lap Time 3 1:40.826 1:41.271 -0.445
Av. Lap Time 4 1:39.830 1:39.939 -0.109
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Vettel - Rosberg
Av. Lap Time 1 1:42.508 1:43.505 -0.997
Av. Lap Time 2 1:41.595 1:43.160 -1.565
Av. Lap Time 3 1:40.826 1:42.161 -1.335
Av. Lap Time 4 1:39.830 1:41.338 -1.508
![Image](http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/p484/MarkedOne8/Renault_zpse3cf9995.jpg)
renault chart. Merc engines need more fuel, plus that the W04 needs extra fuel compared to others like MSC said.
Look at the chart The races the W03 was competitive where the race with less fuel consumption and less fuel throttle. It's no coincidence that China and Monaco were good races for Merc. 2 totally different tracks low speed and high speed the only thing they got in common is fuel consumption and full throttle this means less fuel less, extra balast and stress for tyres. If you look at SPA last year. That was a horrible race 60sec behind winner. If you look 1 weekend later at Monza. Less Fuel and more competitive.
-SPA MSC 1.5 of pole 3.15L fuel per Lap 72% full throthle and 7KM track.
-Next weekend at Monza 72 full throthle 5.7KM and 2.5L per lap, the Merc was only 0.5 Sec of pole.
So SPA is the worst track for Merc.
-more fuel
-longest track ( effect of extra fuel bigger, plus high speed corners with heavier car).
I can't believe that its the setup, with cleaver guys like costa,bell, willis etc. There is more then enough knowledge how to set a car up. It's simply the extra weight that, puts more stress in the tyres.
If the new Merc V6 engine is on par with the Renault of Ferrari V6. The W05 will be a real contender. The guys have builled 2 quick cars (W03/W04), the W05 should be faster again. Without extra fuel i really think Merc will be far more competitive in the race's. Merc should really concentrate on being on pole in Monaco because that is a race they can win this year. No mistakes in Q3 and they should win the race. Hope the bring some updates for Spain and still the quickest on a single lap because the next race will be Monaco. Also Canada and Singapore will be good if i'am correct. But Singapore i'm not so sure because of devolpement the car could be slower as others devolp beter during the year. I really can't see Mercedes challenge for race wins if the fuel issue isn't sorted. No car setup will disguise 13-15KG of extra fuel i'am a afraid.
Irvine:"If you don't have a good car you can't win it, unless you are Michael or Senna. Lots of guys won in Adrian Newey's cars, big deal. Adrian is the real genius out there, there is Senna, there is Michael and there is Newey.They were the three great talents."