'Ferrari denies it has been knocked back by FIA technical directive'
We should not be surprised if the Ferrari's will be a lot closer to the RB18's of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez in terms of speed on Sunday's race. The Maranello-based team is said to have put a lot of effort into its race set-up. It could explain the big gap to Max Verstappen in qualifying. Or is it because, since this weekend, a new technical directive has been enforced by the FIA?
According to Car, Motor und Sport Ferrari already knew that Red Bull would be the superior team on Saturday afternoon. For that reason Ferrari took the gamble to drive with more downforce. That should play into their hands in the race, especially since Red Bull had problems with tyre wear in the free practice with a setup with less downforce.
Rest at Ferrari
At Ferrari, they are not panicking. The fact that Verstappen managed a 1:43.665 is, according to the Italians, mainly due to the fact that the Dutchman outperformed his material. For the more 'realistic' speed of the RB18, they point to Sergio Perez and Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz. The real difference between the RB18 and F1-75 is certainly not six-tenths, they think at Ferrari.
Moreover, Ferrari say that Spa is simply a Red Bull track. The RB18 is the more efficient car, generates more downforce under the car and so can easily be competitive with smaller wings and thus less downforce.
Or is there more to it?
However, according to the aforementioned German medium, there is also a theory that Ferrari has been thrown back by the new technical guidelines and that this is where the gap with Red Bull comes from. Since this week the FIA checks whether F1 cars do not bounce too much. Ferrari might have had to adjust the car higher because it bounced too much at first. Ferrari itself however says that this is not true.
Of course, here we go ? I have to wonder, did Mercedes also get kicked back by the TD? They were a lot closer to RB and Ferrari before. Or maybe, it’s just that Ferrari put more downforce on Charles’ car for the race and Merc doesn’t function as well in low temps, and this talk of the TD by the media is pure BS.
We will see in the coming races who it affected, making conclusions after 1 qualifying/race is too early. I do think it will affect Ferrari though, since I read an article that Ferrari has been using this for long already and Red Bull only found out just before Silverstone. If it does affect MB I think it is quite ironic though.
You make a very good point here. The temperature is a big factor for Merc. RB was not going to be affected by the TD as they said, but were just against the principle of changing the rules (during the season to clarify for Jeroentje) And Ferrari has too much drag here.
"but were just against the principle of changing the rules." Rule changes are part of the sport and Red Bull is not against that per se. They were against this because safety is not the reason like MB tries to claim. And that it is done mid season once again. If there is really a safety issue or something like that no one will be against an immediate rule change. Otherwise, change the rule for a next season. But since MB said they fixed it, there is no reason for the FIA to follow MB in those rule changes mid season and this very late for the 2023 season. That is why Ferrari and Red Bull are against in my opinion. I won't be surprised if in 2023 MB will be one of the fastest since they wanted those 2023 changes as well. Something's a bit fishy..
That is what I mean, they are changing the rules during the season, which RB principally is against. Changing the rules foe next seasons is part of the sport, provided they know in time.
Why do i suspect checo trying to over take sainz in the first corner and end up in the gravel trap!!!!I am not at all confident in him.. I would hate to see that happen and let any of the merc's benifit because of that..Any predictions GUYS!!!
It's nothing special. Our car was fat and heavy. We put her on a diet during the summer break which gave us 6 tenths. Nothing to see here...
No Mercedes had to run higher engine modes to win races as Lewis was not good enough to beat max in race skill, Mercedes had the best car all season in 2021, yet there driver could not get the most out the car, facts remain Lewis is not on the same level
This isn't an argument about skill. Can you stick to the theme of the conversation or take a seat young one.
Both Mercedes and Ferrari have been hurt by the TD. TD was not pushed by Mercedes what some would make you to beleive. Red Bull had a strong car/engine in 2021, Ferrari and Merc are just catching up. Puts into perspective what effort Lewis put into 2021 season. Max lost race starts though winning pole by large margins and Masi gifted the championship to him at the end.
TD WAS pushed by Mercedes. The strongest/Fastest car of 2021 was the Mercedes. Max only lost racestarts after Mercedes took a few new engines and turned these up. Get your facts straight.
We where the faster car since the last race of 2020 my friend. The TD benefits the high rake cars in 2021. Enjoy our victory with honor and stop the bullying. Or we ban you
Clarification : Ferrari opposed the ride-height raising TD. Merc pushed for the flexi-ban TD, not the ride-height TD which was pushed by FIA in the name of safety. I am not as incompetent as most max fans. The-race discussed whom it would affect the most and named Ferrari and Merc like 3 months ago.
You may nit be completely incompetent but you are arrogant and dismissive towards other users AND have very, shall we say… niche opinions? I call paid troll.
"not the ride-height TD" Try again. MB wanted porpoising intervention because of safety which only the MB teams agreed to and others were against. So please accept the truth. And yes, MB also pushed the 'flexi floor' TD.
You actually believe the BS you arevtrying to sell? I hope so, because no one else does. They have their own eyes and do not live in an alternate reality. But hey, whatever rocks your boat....
You are an absolute disgrace to the Nickname you chose. The Witcher is brilliant and quirky - can’t Say ANY of the same for you. TL;DR: Masi did not gift anybody anything. BAKU, anyone? “Magic” button…? :) We are done here
Ah listen MB and the fia worked together to solely help themselves! It failed ! Hamiltons race pace was 1 second a lap off the race pace over a 5 lap stent ! The fia will do no more for them this year . Mercedes biggest problem is Verstappen!
And Mercedes was allready happy because the cheaters Red Bull and Ferrari should be slower now ! MercedeS again getting what it deserves.
Spa is an interesting track that rewards mechanical grip, usually associated with slower circuits. But several of its corners are quite challenging and require precision and a well handling car. But Spa is also the longest circuit, which amplifies the time gap and it has several high speed sections. If you dial out the downforce for speed on the straights you require mechanical grip for the corners. It is clear that the Red Bull has the best balance of both and that has ben apparent all year. And Max was clearly very precise with his driving today.
Its the fast corners that are giving the RB an edge. In the 1st sector, there are no slow corners except turn 1, but the RB's lead over Ferrari and others was close to 0.4 seconds in a 30 second sector 1.
The next 3 races will give a clearer picture of where everyone stands on the grid. The championship is also likely to be pretty clear by then!
Zandvoort should be a Ferrari track, but if Max takes a pole and win there it's game over for Ferrari. Redbull will easily win at Monza.
Perfectly said. RB made a good update but this is a pure RB track. Zand will have lots of slow corners which should suit the Ferrari but if the RB updates work well and if they can match Ferrari or beat them there, then the season is decided.........
How many win dose max need to win the championship before no one can make up the points
4 more and it would be difficult for anyone to make up unless he DNF's the others, 5 wins and it's sealed. That will also equal the season win record of 13 held by Vettel and Schumacher.
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