2021 Spanish Grand Prix - Catalunya, May 07 - 09

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zibby43
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Re: 2021 Spanish Grand Prix - Catalunya, May 07 - 09

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godlameroso wrote:
04 May 2021, 19:19
Bahrain showed us Mercedes lost 2 seconds, and RBR 1.3. If we compare 2020 qualifying and add those numbers we get 17.5 pole. Just interesting to see. I have a feeling Verstappen will knock this one out of the park though.
It doesn’t work like this, for a number of reasons.

In Portimao, Red Bull lost 1.677s, whereas Mercedes only lost 1.502s.

The track itself makes a difference, and teams’ understanding of cars and how to set them up with the new rules/tires has changed since Bahrain.

Bahrain was historically one of Merc’s worst track in the hybrid era because of the rear-limited nature, whereas Barcelona has historically been their strongest because of its propensity to award aero efficiency and not peaky downforce/a particular type of corner.

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Sieper
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Re: 2021 Spanish Grand Prix - Catalunya, May 07 - 09

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It will be hard to make a prediction. Q1 last year was quite close. This was in the party mode days. Race was a comfortable win though. Mercedes has always been strong here in the hybrid age.

zibby43
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Re: 2021 Spanish Grand Prix - Catalunya, May 07 - 09

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Sieper wrote:
04 May 2021, 20:54
It will be hard to make a prediction. Q1 last year was quite close. This was in the party mode days. Race was a comfortable win though. Mercedes has always been strong here in the hybrid age.
I miss the party mode days. Was fun seeing the PUs get cranked up to 11.

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godlameroso
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Re: 2021 Spanish Grand Prix - Catalunya, May 07 - 09

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PlatinumZealot wrote:
04 May 2021, 19:39
What's the weather saying? Track temp expected?
Balmy 19-20c ambient, partly cloudy on Sunday, Track temp in the mid to high 30's low 40's.
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godlameroso
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Re: 2021 Spanish Grand Prix - Catalunya, May 07 - 09

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zibby43 wrote:
04 May 2021, 20:34
godlameroso wrote:
04 May 2021, 19:19
Bahrain showed us Mercedes lost 2 seconds, and RBR 1.3. If we compare 2020 qualifying and add those numbers we get 17.5 pole. Just interesting to see. I have a feeling Verstappen will knock this one out of the park though.
It doesn’t work like this, for a number of reasons.

In Portimao, Red Bull lost 1.677s, whereas Mercedes only lost 1.502s.

The track itself makes a difference, and teams’ understanding of cars and how to set them up with the new rules/tires has changed since Bahrain.

Bahrain was historically one of Merc’s worst track in the hybrid era because of the rear-limited nature, whereas Barcelona has historically been their strongest because of its propensity to award aero efficiency and not peaky downforce/a particular type of corner.
With engine parity it comes down to aero efficiency, remember that RB tacked on their update, and it takes a bit to dial in properly and for the drivers to get used to it. I agree though, Portimao was a low grip surface, and Mercedes had a better time of getting the tires to work for them.

In any case, as long as there's no track limit violations I can't see any reason why Verstappen can't put it comfortably on pole. There are fewer low speed corners in Barcelona now, and sector 3 has never really been a traction sector, it's a carry speed through the chicanes kind of sector.

There weren't many corners like this in Portimao, as most of the high speed ones were either brief lifts or easy flat.

If Mercedes were losing .1 in the high speed corners, and gaining .3 for a net pace gain of .05 seconds per lap? Bottas was .06 slower than Verstappen and might have been just as fast had he not had that sensor issue that cost him 3 seconds.
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NathanOlder
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Joined: 02 Mar 2012, 10:05
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Re: 2021 Spanish Grand Prix - Catalunya, May 07 - 09

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godlameroso wrote:
04 May 2021, 21:27
zibby43 wrote:
04 May 2021, 20:34
godlameroso wrote:
04 May 2021, 19:19
Bahrain showed us Mercedes lost 2 seconds, and RBR 1.3. If we compare 2020 qualifying and add those numbers we get 17.5 pole. Just interesting to see. I have a feeling Verstappen will knock this one out of the park though.
It doesn’t work like this, for a number of reasons.

In Portimao, Red Bull lost 1.677s, whereas Mercedes only lost 1.502s.

The track itself makes a difference, and teams’ understanding of cars and how to set them up with the new rules/tires has changed since Bahrain.

Bahrain was historically one of Merc’s worst track in the hybrid era because of the rear-limited nature, whereas Barcelona has historically been their strongest because of its propensity to award aero efficiency and not peaky downforce/a particular type of corner.
With engine parity it comes down to aero efficiency, remember that RB tacked on their update, and it takes a bit to dial in properly and for the drivers to get used to it. I agree though, Portimao was a low grip surface, and Mercedes had a better time of getting the tires to work for them.

In any case, as long as there's no track limit violations I can't see any reason why Verstappen can't put it comfortably on pole. There are fewer low speed corners in Barcelona now, and sector 3 has never really been a traction sector, it's a carry speed through the chicanes kind of sector.

There weren't many corners like this in Portimao, as most of the high speed ones were either brief lifts or easy flat.

If Mercedes were losing .1 in the high speed corners, and gaining .3 for a net pace gain of .05 seconds per lap? Bottas was .06 slower than Verstappen and might have been just as fast had he not had that sensor issue that cost him 3 seconds.
Where are you getting Bottas being slower than Max ? when the sensor failed Bottas just reeled Max in to about 1 second.
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Sieper
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Re: 2021 Spanish Grand Prix - Catalunya, May 07 - 09

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This is last race talk. There is a thread for that.

JPower
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Joined: 23 Feb 2021, 05:06

Re: 2021 Spanish Grand Prix - Catalunya, May 07 - 09

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My constructors prediction(total points/position) for this race:

1. Mercedes
2. Red Bull
3. McLaren
4. Ferrari
5. Alpine
6. Aston
7. Alpha Tauri
8. Alfa
9. Williams
10. Haas

Not much different than the real rankings.

Ferrari might stick a car or two higher than expected in quali. Same with Alpha Tauri. I expect both will want to recover from their strategy mistakes last race.

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Wouter
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Joined: 16 Dec 2017, 13:02

Re: 2021 Spanish Grand Prix - Catalunya, May 07 - 09

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The Power of Dreams!

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Herr_Koos
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Joined: 26 Feb 2010, 15:41

Re: 2021 Spanish Grand Prix - Catalunya, May 07 - 09

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Mazepin and Perez... That should be a fun one!

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Wouter
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Joined: 16 Dec 2017, 13:02

Re: 2021 Spanish Grand Prix - Catalunya, May 07 - 09

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Herr_Koos wrote:
05 May 2021, 16:00
Mazepin and Perez... That should be a fun one!
Don't think that's going to be a problem. Nikita immediately apologized to Perez in the car over the board radio. Very correct !! You can say whatever you want about Nikita, but he is just decent in his answers off the track. However, his driving skills .......
The Power of Dreams!

erudite450
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Joined: 14 Mar 2019, 13:50

Re: 2021 Spanish Grand Prix - Catalunya, May 07 - 09

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... leave a lot to be desired.

radosav
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Joined: 05 Feb 2012, 20:46

Re: 2021 Spanish Grand Prix - Catalunya, May 07 - 09

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are there track limits at this track?

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Wouter
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Re: 2021 Spanish Grand Prix - Catalunya, May 07 - 09

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radosav wrote:
05 May 2021, 17:34
are there track limits at this track?

Ssssssssstttt! :)
The Power of Dreams!

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dans79
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Joined: 03 Mar 2013, 19:33
Location: USA

Re: 2021 Spanish Grand Prix - Catalunya, May 07 - 09

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radosav wrote:
05 May 2021, 17:34
are there track limits at this track?
Nothing has been released officially yet, but when it is you will be able to find it here.

https://www.fia.com/events/fia-formula- ... nformation
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