2018 Russian Grand Prix - Sochi Autodrom, 28 - 30 September

[Juzh]

Ferrari just can't keep their tyres alive in S3. S1 and S2 are fine compared to Merc.

Raikkonen was held up quite badly on his PB lap in S3 by a force india. Over the whole session though, they were consistently slower though yes.

True, they are definitely closer to Merc as it seems right now.

Closer, but not close enough. PRobably still ~3 tenths difference.

[F1NAC]

what a mess Ferrari.........

[Sierra117]

Uff that practice start onboard ... these cars are nuts, the way they launch like an arrow.

Did Kimi just go "dafu---"

[MtthsMlw]

Closer, but not close enough. PRobably still ~3 tenths difference.

So the average difference between Hamilton and Bottas Vettel might get P2 which puts him in a good position tomorrow.

[atanatizante]

If it`s a Merc front row lock tomorrow I could see a similar France race start with Lewis and Bottas working together into blocking Vettel ... And even harder time could be had he ends up 4th after Q3 ...

[Juzh]

FP3

[Phil]

Too me, it looks rather simple: Ferrari fastest on the straights (quickest in S1, but not that much over Mercedes), S2 slightly in Mercedes favor (again, not that much, possibly balanced out by the straight that is in Ferraris favor, but corners in Mercedes), then S3 which is technical, is aced by RedBull/Max and both Mercedes.

A repeat of Monza and Singapore. Ferrari on the straights, Mercedes in the slower corners?

[Bill_Kar]

Could someone post fastest sectors of each driver? Thank youu

[atanatizante]

Herbert said on Sky that Merc were removing the rear tyre blankets 2 min. prior to releasing the cars out on the track.
They are doing this just in order to have a better balance - from temp point of view - between the rears and fronts and not overheating them in S3 like Ferrari seems it`s doing for loosing almost 5 tenths in that sector ...

[Juzh]

Could someone post fastest sectors of each driver? Thank youu

Literally 2 posts above.

[NathanOlder]

Herbert said on Sky that Merc were removing the rear tyre blankets 2 min. prior to releasing the cars out on the track.
They are doing this just in order to have a better balance - from temp point of view - between the rears and fronts and not overheating them in S3 like Ferrari seems it`s doing for loosing almost 5 tenths in that sector ...

With the tyre blankets, why remove blankets early on the rear, why not just set the blankets to a lower temperature?

What am I missing.

[Bill_Kar]

Could someone post fastest sectors of each driver? Thank youu

Literally 2 posts above.

Oh thanks. i'm blind

[atanatizante]

On Sky, after the first stint in FP3 they were showing Ferrari changing something at the rear suspension, presumably, drivers were not too happy about the changes they did overnight ... but after that later in the session, they could only improve by 2 tenths - Vettel case - and 7 tenths (Kimi) ... then, when the session was finished they showed us a Vettel who was not particularly keen to take a picture with a fan ...

[F1Krof]

On Sky, after the first stint in FP3 they were showing Ferrari changing something at the rear suspension, presumably, drivers were not too happy about the changes they did overnight ... but after that later in the session, they could only improve by 2 tenths - Vettel case - and 7 tenths (Kimi) ... then, when the session was finished they showed us a Vettel who was not particularly keen to take a picture with a fan ...

They might be having a bit of a bad weekend, but I wouldn't count them out in any way.

[F1Krof]

I still don't understand why Pirelli didn't bring the Super Softs?