So a relatively mixed up grid for today. With a few cars starting out of position. Charles from the pitlane (with Sargent), Perez in 11th alongside Russell in 12th, Stroll outqualifying Alonso who starts in 8th, and the Mclarens for the best start positions of the season (I think)
Be interesting to see if Charles' Issues are rectified, should be able to power his way up through the grid if he has the confidence. Perez certainly has the car to be able to challenge for a podium position - so that should be his target.
Be interesting to see the race pace of both Mercedes with the new upgrades. I think Russell should be able to make some positions up and Lewis should get Norris, one would imagine. Expecting Alonso to make up a couple of early positions passing Ocon and Hulk.
Not too sure what to expect from McLaren - hopefully they have plenty pace to keep their positions.
Going to be a hell of a fight for the remaining 2 podium positions.
Juzh wrote: ↑04 Jun 2023, 12:07
I predict hamilton in P2 on lap 10 at the latest. Mclaren has got no speed on straights and ferrari has no speed in sector 3, so they'll be sitting ducks. And if anyone jumps him off the line it'll only prolong the whole thing by a lap or two.
I think he's also got perez covered.
A LOT to consider with the sector speeds. next to nothing in S3 really. Sainz is roughly 4-5kmh slower where drivers lifted slightly into T14, which ended up to be 1kmh a very short way before the finish line. At the very end of the telemetry speed traces it was 5khm somehow - maybe this is deployment? What is then interesting is when they started the fast lap, it was within 1kmh of SAI and HAM, but Sainz pulled 5kmh on Lewis before braking into T1. So you could say the Ferrari has a bit better top speed, off the final corner and down the straight.
Of course, how that translates into a DRS vs No DRS pass is another question/topic and something we will have to see, but I think if both have DRS, neither will be able to overtake each other if they were following say Max for example within 1second.
Speeds between Norris and Ham were actually pretty close - expected given the same PU in the back. Interesting Lewis actually lost most his time to Norris in S1 (turn 1) and S3 (turns 10 and 12). Turn 1 he lost a tenth and marginally gained some back and S3 Turns 10 and 12, +0.16 for Lewis. So I imagine it might actually turn out to be pretty difficult for Lewis to pass Norris on pure pace alone. Whether he can get him on the brakes into one of the corners is what we will have to see. Telemetry wise there is VERY little between the two.
Mess with the Bull - you get the horns.
