2017 Russian Grand Prix - Sochi Autodrom, April 28-30

[Unc1eM0nty]

lets see what happens in sochi,,, Bahrain was supposed to be a mercedes track due to their mega engine...didnt work out ...

Really ? check back in the Bahrain race thread, most were saying rear limited track with hot temperatures was a Ferarri track

[basti313]

lets see what happens in sochi,,, Bahrain was supposed to be a mercedes track due to their mega engine...didnt work out ...

Really ? check back in the Bahrain race thread, most were saying rear limited track with hot temperatures was a Ferarri track

Both statements are a bit...bold...
In a normal Bahrain race Ham disappears with Vet behind Bot. So nothing to conclude out of this bad appearance which was triggered by the drivers and not the car.
And Sochi was not limited in any way the last years. All we can expect at the moment is, that tires will not play a big role. It will be a drag race to the first pit stop and then the usual undercut game. Hopefully we will see some overtaking action in the midfield.

[ferkan]

Sochi will be Merc playground. 13hp equals 2 tenths with new rules (on avg track). So that means, if Merc has 15hp more in Q3, in places like Sochi and Bahrain it will have more then 2 tenths solely from the engine. I don't see Ferrari getting under 3 tenths there, Vettel has a chance only if he beats Bottas off the line (he won't outqualify Bottas there).

I can see Vettel getting better of them only if he splits them and runs behind them like a hound dog. It seems like in race Ferrari is nicer car. Its better on all tires and genuinely looks comfortable no matter the conditions (no oversteer/understeer, slipping or rear tires getting hot).

Merc was always pole biased car, to the point that they always were fast to get tires up to temps. Even in 2013 it had 8 poles and only 3 victories, and sometimes poles (especially in 1st half of season) were pretty dominant. By dominant I'm talking ~.5 second with V8s not hybrid engines.

[godlameroso]

At what speed does DRS make a difference?

[FrukostScones]

Easy HAM win, VET Pu fault Dnf.

[Gothrek]

Easy HAM win, VET Pu fault Dnf.

Rather than wishing misfortune to one of the main title challengers, I hope for an exciting race.
Both Mercedes and Ferrari might be good here. Let's hope for some nice battles

[santos]

Easy HAM win, VET Pu fault Dnf.

Rather than wishing misfortune to one of the main title challengers, I hope for an exciting race.
Both Mercedes and Ferrari might be good here. Let's hope for some nice battles

Totally agree. I belive that even Hamilton would rather win races with rivals on track. Last race was amazing, so i hope this next one to be at least on the same level.

[FrukostScones]

Easy HAM win, VET Pu fault Dnf.

Rather than wishing misfortune to one of the main title challengers, I hope for an exciting race.
Both Mercedes and Ferrari might be good here. Let's hope for some nice battles

Totally agree. I belive that even Hamilton would rather win races with rivals on track. Last race was amazing, so i hope this next one to be at least on the same level.

Guys, it is just my crystal ball. Or call it guessing on factors. WDC will probably decided on PU contingent, with Ferrari in the defense. That's all, I d wish we See a tight battle till the last GP.

[BanMeToo]

WDC will probably decided on PU contingent

That could very well be true unfortunately. They have so few of them this season...

[CLKGTR]

I couldn't find more appropriate topic so move my post if neccesary...

Who was last Finn on pole before Bottas in Bahrain?

https://maxf1.net/en/who-was-last-finn- ... n-bahrain/

[turbof1]

WDC will probably decided on PU contingent

That could very well be true unfortunately. They have so few of them this season...

Oh dear. Banmetoo, could you sit down for a moment? Well seated? Ok, then I'll tell you what's going on:

Next year they will have to do with only 3 PUs.

[George-Jung]

WDC will probably decided on PU contingent

That could very well be true unfortunately. They have so few of them this season...

Oh dear. Banmetoo, could you sit down for a moment? Well seated? Ok, then I'll tell you what's going on:

Next year they will have to do with only 3 PUs.

If Mercedes is not getting on top of their tyre problems, like -from the top of my head- in 2013.. than they can have the fasted PU they want.. they will only chew up their tyres.

[dans79]

If Mercedes is not getting on top of their tyre problems, like -from the top of my head- in 2013.. than they can have the fasted PU they want.. they will only chew up their tyres.

Ferrari has shown a few inklings already this season, of a power unit that might not be 100% bullet proof.

If I had to choose between a reliable car that can grab poles but has higher tire wear that its closest competition, and a car that is good on tires, but has slower single lap pace,and questionable reliability, I'd choose the faster car.

I'd rather loose 7 points because I ate my tires and finished second, than potential loosing 25 and then having to deal with penalties later in the season because a PU/component blows.

[BrunoH]

even if merc makes pole, and it should... for some reason, it looks like the Ferrari can follow / work better in the dirty air than the competition.. so its not so straight forward in the race for the mercs....

[godlameroso]

If Mercedes is not getting on top of their tyre problems, like -from the top of my head- in 2013.. than they can have the fasted PU they want.. they will only chew up their tyres.

Ferrari has shown a few inklings already this season, of a power unit that might not be 100% bullet proof.

If I had to choose between a reliable car that can grab poles but has higher tire wear that its closest competition, and a car that is good on tires, but has slower single lap pace,and questionable reliability, I'd choose the faster car.

I'd rather loose 7 points because I ate my tires and finished second, than potential loosing 25 and then having to deal with penalties later in the season because a PU/component blows.

So far the latter team has made fewer mistakes, as the standings show.