wunderkind wrote:Maelstrom wrote:The team boss hinted that both Mercedes could have gone faster still.
"We backed off once we saw that we weren't really under any threat because Lewis has got a penalty," Brawn said. "We wanted to try and save a set of tyres."
I find the above quote from Ross Brawn interesting. I wonder if its true or he's just playing mind games.
Mercedes probably hasn't run it's DDRS system to its maximum setting for fear that the FIA might reverse its ruling if they do run away from the rest of the field. The FIA wants to level the playing field, not to give any one team an unassailable advantage.
Another thing I want to add is how good the Mercedes W03 looked in sector 2. It looked so planted and great traction into and out of the corners. It shows what the W03 is capable of if it gets it's tyres to work properly.
I whole heartedly disagree with you on both accounts. Its a complete absurd thing to say.
THE FIA does not ban an invention if it provided more time. EBD & Qualifying maps provided 1.5-2 seconds. If anyone has an invention they will use it. The only reason qualifying with separate engine mapping was banned because it was very expesive. SO DDRS can only be banned if it VERY EXPENSIVE OR ILLEGAL & DDRS is not any of it.
I think it will be infinitely stupid,maybe even ludicrous retarded to have a great invention & not use it. And Brawn has said they are using an optimized DDRS. So no reason to speculate on this.
Other thing is Mercedes were the quickest on the straight during FP but in Qualy were 8-9 kms behind Sauber even with DDRS. Whitemarsh says only blowing a F-Wing can give you 6-8km,blowing both the Front Wing & Rear Wing in a huge straight in China will give you atleasr 10 odd km.
So Mercedes have sacrificed a huge chunk of straightline speed for downforce. Huge is probably an understatement. It is gigantic. They have bolted the car with downforce. I think this will help them in tyre management & in wet conditions. Again I dont think Mercedes' exhaust in the best. Sauber despire a poor Ferrari engine & no DDRS are top of the speed trap. This is because they have so much downforce that they could sacrifice some for straightline speed.
I hope they debut the Sauber or Mclaren exhaust at Mugello as they can surely find a tenth or 2 with that. I think their 5 star Sidepod design is covering up for their average exhaust.
Mechanically I am still somewhat worried. Hope Costa can help