2026 Belgian Grand Prix - Spa-Francorchamps, July 17 - 19

[Rikhart]

"flat out" through Pouhon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCvOUSRTp-4

Absolutely ridiculous, this reminds me of cars I had in my youth, when going uphill

The pinnacle of motorsport

[langedweil]

It has to be such an odd feeling when you're decelerating that much down the straight.

For the drivers I'm sure it is, for us it's just sad to hear & see ..
It's still FP1, but 1.40.5xx last year vs 1.47.0xx now feels really sad.

Isn't this F1 Technical? You don't understand that we have an entirely different set of regulations on chassis and power unit?

No, mate seriously !?
I wasn't aware ..

[PlatinumZealot]

"flat out" through Pouhon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCvOUSRTp-4

Can we compare to the 2022 cars? Why compare end of the regulation cycle to the beginning?

You can say that for aerodynamics but not for the power unit. The power unit spec will not improve at all. In fact this is the last year of this power unit spec. It will be changed for 2027 to new spec that delivers more ICE power.

[PlatinumZealot]

George is 1 second down on Kimi. How??

[FW17]

For the drivers I'm sure it is, for us it's just sad to hear & see ..
It's still FP1, but 1.40.5xx last year vs 1.47.0xx now feels really sad.

Isn't this F1 Technical? You don't understand that we have an entirely different set of regulations on chassis and power unit?

No, mate seriously !?
I wasn't aware ..

And that is the couple of seconds benefited from the straight line mode aero. Without thar the time would have been 10 seconds slower

[venkyhere]

George is 1 second down on Kimi. How??

I think we have had the answer for this over the past 9 race weekends.
Even a small 1% error/deviation w.r.t optimally timed driver inputs (there is no scope for 'driving style' variations, every driver has to be faithful to the 'driving style' expected by the energy algorithm) results in a huge loss of laptime. That is the formula. A huge chunk of the deficit comes due to this.

Plus there is the 'talent gap' that I keep banging on about (which people are not ready to accept) that exists between Russel and Antonelli. It's undeniable. Yet it's unpalatable and unacceptable to many.

[Farnborough]

George is 1 second down on Kimi. How??

I think we have had the answer for this over the past 9 race weekends.
Even a small 1% error/deviation w.r.t optimally timed driver inputs (there is no scope for 'driving style' variations, every driver has to be faithful to the 'driving style' expected by the energy algorithm) results in a huge loss of laptime. That is the formula. A huge chunk of the deficit comes due to this.

Plus there is the 'talent gap' that I keep banging on about (which people are not ready to accept) that exists between Russel and Antonelli. It's undeniable. Yet it's unpalatable and unacceptable to many.

Ooh! Venky, you'll call down the opprobrium of those contributors who insist on judgement by fan loyalty, rather than pragmatic appreciation of difference within drivers in their approach and delivery

Antonelli, in my understanding, has significant experience in cars like the GT Merc in which modulation within limited downforce and peak grip is vital to pace. Bringing that to, and melding it with, the demands of current F1 rules derived chassis performance, appears to bring a well rounded delivery of ultimate pace within these confines.

It is after all "Bracket" racing in which consistent delivery within tight parameters pays dividend, much like endurance/Le Mans category. Inevitable with a pure energy against drag priority formula which mostly lacks that utter pure pace focus which F1 should be.

Antonelli needs to give focus to car fragility, given that could be the origin of lost points margin in recent races. Sure tge car should take it, but points lost to this potential compromise need to be accounted for in bringing a successful points accumulation to win a championship. He looks like he's interpreted this circuit well, so far.

[hollus]

I think P2 on the grid will be optimum.

That’s so gimmicky! Who made those rules? Unfair!
/sarcasm off/

The speed differentials to last year are shocking, though. And not that dissimilar to the current gap between Mercedes and Aston!!!

[Chuckjr]

Two different circuits

https://postimg.cc/LgvS3L20

I don't see the ferocious acceleration these cars are supposed to have. The speed traces in the acceleration phase look like they overlap.

My guess is wheel spin. They were already at the limit last year. The car simply cannot accelerate faster at these weights and measures.

[FW17]

George is making Taunoda and Peraz performances against their teammate look good

[Bill]

George is making Taunoda and Peraz performances against their teammate look good

those drivers are not getting equal machinery use your head.George topspeed was compromised in silverstone.f1 is becoming like wrestling with fake heroes or recent worldcup were Argentina is being favored

[De Wet]

"flat out" through Pouhon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCvOUSRTp-4

Can we compare to the 2022 cars? Why compare end of the regulation cycle to the beginning?

You can say that for aerodynamics but not for the power unit. The power unit spec will not improve at all. In fact this is the last year of this power unit spec. It will be changed for 2027 to new spec that delivers more ICE power.

The changes are so small that it'll be pretty much what it is now.

[De Wet]

George is 1 second down on Kimi. How??

I think we have had the answer for this over the past 9 race weekends.
Even a small 1% error/deviation w.r.t optimally timed driver inputs (there is no scope for 'driving style' variations, every driver has to be faithful to the 'driving style' expected by the energy algorithm) results in a huge loss of laptime. That is the formula. A huge chunk of the deficit comes due to this.

Plus there is the 'talent gap' that I keep banging on about (which people are not ready to accept) that exists between Russel and Antonelli. It's undeniable. Yet it's unpalatable and unacceptable to many.

Go Kimi...

[FNTC]

The onboards with the battery info (percentage, deploy, recharge) removed in all FPs and now also in qualy is embarrassing... Probably running half the lap with an empty battery.

[erudite450]

Hadjar is doing a good job.