2021 Spanish Grand Prix - Catalunya, May 07 - 09

[Shrieker]

Why did Mercedes gift Verstappen the f. lap point by pitting Bottas ? I mean, it wasn't as if he was in tire trouble and threatened by any1 Bottas...

Mercedes strategy was subpar today. They were so hell bent on coming from behind two use both medium sets, they missed out the opportunity of a rare slow stop from Red Bull to seize track position !

In which case, they could've still pulled out a two stopper, but not only they would've been safer doing it, but also could've used the advantage of track position to hold Verstappen and push him towards Bottas.

Very subpar indeed. The only caveat was coming out ahead of Max, but with the slow stop that cost him two extra seconds, I don't think that would've been a problem.

[214270]

Better race pace and better tire deg, if Lewis had got into that first corner ahead I wonder what the gap would have been at the end of the race ?

Consequences of a late change to a bendy wing? I never got the impression they were quite comfortable this weekend.

[grubschumi13]

Mercedes have more pace than RBR. It's clear now.

On sundays yes, not on Saturdays yet

Its debatable on the Saturdays I mean 3 poles in 4 races suggests even Saturdays they are quicker. It's very close on Saturday but Sundays, they just have raw pace and better on the tyres.

[Zynerji]

Meh race.

Congrats to Lewis!

[SiLo]

Why did Mercedes gift Verstappen the f. lap point by pitting Bottas ? I mean, it wasn't as if he was in tire trouble and threatened by any1 Bottas...

Mercedes strategy was subpar today. They were so hell bent on coming from behind two use both medium sets, they missed out the opportunity of a rare slow stop from Red Bull to seize track position.

In which case, they could've still pulled out a 2 stopper, but not only they would've been safer doing it, but also could've used the advantage of track position to hold Verstappen and push him towards Bottas.

Very subpar indeed.

I think it was the opposite, it was great. The only problem was Bottas getting stuck in a bunch of traffic and not closing the 10s gap to verstappen after moving to the softs, which he should have done in 5 laps.

[Mr.S]

Posting after 10 years. YEARS.

Max looks like the fastest driver but Lewis is the most complete & has by far a much better all round team. This was a 2 stop race & Soft-Medium-Medium was the way to (Used Softs is not better than Brand New Mediums even for RBR).

Even @ the cost of Bottas staying out, RBR should have followed Mercedes in. This is the race that they needed Perez up there to take strategic calls & he proved useless. RBR really doesn't look like a championship winning team with too many mistakes & definitely far behind in strategic gambles. Max is dragging them & did everything right with an incredible start & held on to Mercedes. Mercedes' strategy won Lewis the race.

Monaco should favour RBR & the tyres too -

Bahrain/Imola - C2 to C4
Portugal/Spain - C1 to C3

Next 3 Races -
Monaco
Azerbaijan
Canada

All C3 to C5 Tyres

Bahrain/Imola Softs will be Mediums (Where RBR had good speed)
Barhrain/Imola Mediums will be Hards (Where Mercedes were ahead)
The softs will be even more softer than any Softs we have seen.

Monaco will probably give us New Softs (C5 Softs) & Mediums (C4 - Imola Softs). So it would help RBR.

Then we will have 5 races - Britain to Italy with 2 C1 to C3 & 3 C2 to C4. RBR has to try to pip Mercedes in the next 3 races or be in the fight. If Lewis wins 2 out of the next 3 races, it will be very very tough for Max to drag this to the last race !

[NathanOlder]

Mercedes have more pace than RBR. It's clear now.

On sundays yes, not on Saturdays yet

Its debatable on the Saturdays I mean 3 poles in 4 races suggests even Saturdays they are quicker. It's very close on Saturday but Sundays, they just have raw pace and better on the tyres.

Well Red Bull were faster in Portimao , but the deleted lap cost them pole. Imola they were definitely faster but lost pole through driver errors. If Perez was 0.03 off pole, Max should have had it. Still it doesn't matter, Mercedes and Lewis getting the job done on sundays is what matters

[El Scorchio]

One thing to point out.

Exemplary racing between Hamilton and Verstappen on the first lap, and also at the overtake. 100% fair and clean as a whistle.

[El Scorchio]

And lovely to see Wolff and Horner being very cordial in a Sky interview together just then. Mutual respect.

[MKlaus]

And lovely to see Wolff and Horner being very cordial in a Sky interview together just then. Mutual respect.

glad they are not from the forum here.

[Hoffman900]

Why did Mercedes gift Verstappen the f. lap point by pitting Bottas ? I mean, it wasn't as if he was in tire trouble and threatened by any1 Bottas...

Mercedes strategy was subpar today. They were so hell bent on coming from behind two use both medium sets, they missed out the opportunity of a rare slow stop from Red Bull to seize track position !

In which case, they could've still pulled out a two stopper, but not only they would've been safer doing it, but also could've used the advantage of track position to hold Verstappen and push him towards Bottas.

Very subpar indeed. The only caveat was coming out ahead of Max, but with the slow stop that cost him two extra seconds, I don't think that would've been a problem.

Uh, what?

“Toto, some forum expert thinks your strategy is subpar” , “hire him, James you’re fired”



Did anyone confirm if Merc did make the front wing adjustment on the first stop?

[El Scorchio]

And lovely to see Wolff and Horner being very cordial in a Sky interview together just then. Mutual respect.

glad they are not from the forum here.

Ha! Absolutely.

[Tvetovnato]

Only critizism you can give Hamilton today is that he didn’t defend his position at the start by moving to the middle of the track.. He seemed a bit surprised that Verstappen made the attack there, and it was actually close that they touched.

[Hoffman900]

And lovely to see Wolff and Horner being very cordial in a Sky interview together just then. Mutual respect.

glad they are not from the forum here.

Ha! Absolutely.

If the forum posters on F1 Technical got together and ran a car, they would win every pole, race, fastest lap, and championship. That’s pretty clear.

[maxxer]

Better race pace and better tire deg, if Lewis had got into that first corner ahead I wonder what the gap would have been at the end of the race ?

strange Lewis didnt close the door when he could