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Is it just me or has Ferrari lost the plot here? I don't have all the data at my disposal, but I cannot recall a single instance were Alonso gained a position after a pit stop, which -btw- are too slow compared to RBR and McL.
They seem to struggle with the concept of tire management over the whole weekend as an integral part of their race strategy.
He had the slower car, what was he supposed to do? The only chance for him and Ferrari to keep the place were if they pitted on the same lap as Vettel or Hamilton.
Now tell me how he should know when they will pit?
If he pits earlier, they will overtake.
If he pits a lap after, they will overtake.
To his defence he actually beat Vettel out of the first pit stop and kept the lead.
I'd be interested to compare the Spain GP Prime Tyre laptimes of Sauber vs Ferrari (anyone know a link I could view them on?).
With very similar suspension geometries (at least at the rear), and Sauber being regarded as the easiest in the field on tyres, I'm curious as to why Ferrari can't make the Primes last, or get any reasonable performance out of them. Yet Sauber can.
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There are teams, notably McLaren, who seem to have a good handle on strategy and tactics, and always never seem to put a foot wrong. Ferrari, since they have been in the game so long, and once had immaculate strategy and execution, should be able to get through a weekend without appearing foolish, or weak.
But let's get this straight, to make the kind of calls we see in Formula One, it takes tons of data, experience, courage, and sometimes luck. It isn't easy, in fact I consider it one of the toughest jobs imaginable.
But (OK I'm going to say it), ever since Schumacher and his brain trust left Ferrari things just aren't as smooth. The car and drivers are still formidible, but every so often we witness brain farts. From leaving a driver in the pits when he should have been on track, only to not advance to the next qualifying session, to having a car leave the pits with the refuelling hose still attached, to the blown call on the last race of the year. Mind you, someone took the fall for that, but I suspect that even still, the problem is within the system, and no fault of one individual.
Racing should be decided on the track, not the court room.
Ferrari might be slow for now but there are other companies who are good enough. McLaren is one of the good handle on strategy and tactics, and always never seem to put a foot wrong.
DaveKillens wrote:But (OK I'm going to say it), ever since Schumacher and his brain trust left Ferrari things just aren't as smooth. The car and drivers are still formidible, but every so often we witness brain farts.
That is my point. The data others provided do not show noticeable cock-ups, but I cannot recall a single instance where a Ferrari came out ahead of a direct competitor after a stop.
For RBR and McL this is routine. If they can't overtake, they'll catch Ferrari come pitstop time.
