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

[Shrieker]

- A quick analysis of FP2 times tells us that Kimi`s second stint on S tyres was on higher 1:38 and lower 1:39 but more of that he was faster than both Bottas on US and even Lewis on HS tyre!

I love reading through pre race posts.

Surely, this has something to do with fuel load more than anything ?

[TAG]

Ferrari is probably running old engines turned waaaaay down.

- A quick analysis of FP2 times tells us that Kimi`s second stint on S tyres was on higher 1:38 and lower 1:39 but more of that he was faster than both Bottas on US and even Lewis on HS tyre!

I love reading through pre race posts.

Mine was made based on looking at the speeds Raikkonen and Hamilton were getting, but carry on and be smug.

Ha! Nothing smug just observational, there can be only one of you right. It's always thrilling to see who it is come post race Sunday.

[Sevach]

I love reading through pre race posts.

Mine was made based on looking at the speeds Raikkonen and Hamilton were getting, but carry on and be smug.

Ha! Nothing smug just observational, there can be only one of you right. It's always thrilling to see who it is come post race Sunday.

Curious because my post was a technical observation of a lap comparison, what was you "observing"?

[TAG]

Mine was made based on looking at the speeds Raikkonen and Hamilton were getting, but carry on and be smug.

Ha! Nothing smug just observational, there can be only one of you right. It's always thrilling to see who it is come post race Sunday.

Curious because my post was a technical observation of a lap comparison, what was you "observing"?

People and their wildly varying commentary. It's fun.

[LM10]

Ferrari is probably running old engines turned waaaaay down.

- A quick analysis of FP2 times tells us that Kimi`s second stint on S tyres was on higher 1:38 and lower 1:39 but more of that he was faster than both Bottas on US and even Lewis on HS tyre!

I love reading through pre race posts.

Mine was made based on looking at the speeds Raikkonen and Hamilton were getting, but carry on and be smug.

Also noticed it. Räikkönen is 8 km/h down on top speed going into the first chicane and that’s a huge difference. Even more so, if we consider Ferrari has usually been fastest on straights also in practice.

Engine mode, as you’ve told already, might be a reason for that. Set up struggle wouldn’t make them lose such top speed, I assume? But we will find out soon.

[Phil]

Weight impacts acceleration, so would power, drag, grip as well and cornering speed too.

[Sierra117]

Ugh, please someone stop this "loud pedal" vernacular going on these days in the commentary ... doesn't seem like companies worth billions of dollars seem to be able to figure out that a sport that is so technical needs to maintain the technical jargon so that fans coming in get something to learn.

[F1NAC]

Merc looks impressive. Lap after lap on those HS and still improving their time

[Sierra117]

Why's Hamilton losing out in S2? Curious.

[MtthsMlw]

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

[NathanOlder]

Why's Hamilton losing out in S2? Curious.

He's not. His best is a 32.0 same as Bot and Ferraris and max 32.1

[NathanOlder]

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

Yeah, plus those ferrari tyres looked marked a lot more than the others

[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.

[Phil]

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

Considering how low tire deg is here (and the fact pretty much everyone is still doing stormy times on old HS tires), i am doubtful it’s that tire related? Probably more setup?

[MtthsMlw]

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.