With track position being so vital at this track, I bet this restart gets dicey. Anything can happen with the top 5, maybe even 6 cars.
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With track position being so vital at this track, I bet this restart gets dicey. Anything can happen with the top 5, maybe even 6 cars.
I've lost track of all the questionable pit strategies.
YupQuote:
Originally Posted by Tazio
Well we know Seb won't give up. Maybe now is when he takes both Ferrari's out. :)
YupQuote:
Originally Posted by Tazio
Kimi got punked!
This race was once again thrown away by mercedes. If they had pit hamilton first he would have undercut vettel and leclerc. It was the obvious thing to do but as usual the pit strategist s overthink the obvious and put themselves in an unnecessary predicament. Frustrating.
Also the decision to put both mercedes cars on hards when they could have run the mediums (which work better on their cars) is also baffling. Just a shambolic day for mercedes stratrgy
I would love to understand the ferrar stratrgy as well. Leclerc has been clearly been done a disservice by his team. I don't get it
Congrat's to Seb, although McLerc got freakin' robbed!
I wish the sky team would stop praising vettel. He literally did nothing at all to get p1 and maintaining it isn't something to regale. Its alnost like they are praising him for not crashing. Lol
What weird strategies by Mercedes and Ferrari. The dumb Mercedes strategist is back; the Mercedes strategist is a jackyl and Hyde character, isn't he. I think they are overdue a change in that department.
Leclerc is rightly hard done by the Ferrari strategy. Talk about having your race win taken away from you. But l understand why Ferrari did what they did. They knew Mercedes was planning something based on Leclerc and they shuffled things by doing something out of Mercedes focus. It was the old fashioned double shuffle. It was brilliant but at the expense of Leclerc.
Wolff on sky talking gibberish. They just effed up in myvopinion. Poor strategy wrong tire. Blown opprtunity. Shaite weekend. There is a smack of arrogance from the mercedes side. Always trying to show everyone on the grid how clever they are and simply making strategy blunders left and right. Once again if the correct strategy is obvious to me, how is it not for them? They even left hamilton out several laps after leclerc losing 2 seconds a lap while they just sat there with bewildered looks on their face. To the point that they hadvto enact team orders to keep hamilton ahead which i absolutely did not agree with that
It is clear, Mercedes is slipping backwards now. Hamilton with fresher tyres could not pass Verstapenn in the Redbull. Which means that Redbull are well within 2 seconds of Mercedes outright pace. If Ferrari can be faster than everyone here in Singapore, they would be just as quick at all the other six races. They would be mighty at Suzuka, Russia, the US GP, Brasil and Abu Dhabi at least.Quote:
Originally Posted by truefan72
This development makes the 2020 season very interesting as it potentially might be the first season that Ferrari clearly surge ahead and win their first championship since 2007.
Quote:
Originally Posted by truefan72
Well, after falling away a bit, Seb needed a strong result to still be relevent and not fall into oblivion.
With Charles on a roll they might have also wanted to clip his wings a bit stop him getting too carried away?
In the end, Ferrari end up taking a 1-2 at a track where everyone expected a podium to be a good result probably. And they managed to use strategy to overcome the qually that had them split by the Mercedes of Hamilton.
As for all the strategy complaints, I really don't see either team as having screwed it up. Ferrari and RB blinked first, and at that point the positions were lost for Mercedes. They played the only card that was left, which was to run longer and hope the race came back to them. Ferrari changed their finishing order, but converted a 1-3 race to a 1-2 race. Since they had no reason to take points from Leclerc they were probably just rolling the dice as well, but it worked for team points. I'm actually surprised they didn't try to reverse the finishing order towards the end, but I think we all know Seb would have just ignored the order anyway. :laugh: But since Leclerc is closer to Bottas in points it might have helped in the hopes that the Merc drivers don't finish 1-2 in the WDC standings. If not for the safety cars being later in the race the pit strategy might well have favored Mercedes. It's easy for us to complain when we have hindsight, but the teams aren't in that position. This time I think both teams made the right decisions as the hand played out.
The DOTD standings being the finishing order was comical IMO. Though none of them really put a tire wrong the entire weekend, I though Norris and Gasly were both more deserving considering the hardware they are driving. Same for Giovinazzi. Ricciardo and Hulk both raced hard but it didn't pan out that great. KMag was doing great and looking to stay in the points until the safety cars had him getting punked left and right on the restarts. Albon had a clean race as well, and considering the Mercs were the only cars between him and Max, that's a good weekend for someone in a new car.
Seb ran a really good race once the strategy went his direction. He got through the traffic better than Leclerc, but the safety cars robbed him of that time later. But he kept his head down and drove hard at the restarts as well.
I think with a few more laps Lewis would have had a real shot at Max. And with fewer safety car laps, possibly a shot at the upper two podium spots. But luck today put the strategy calls into the Ferrari camp, so we will never know for sure.
I don't think Ferrari planned to take the win away from Leclerc. Like everyone, they did not appreciate how powerful the undercut was. I think they were trying to undercut Hamilton but ended up undercutting both Hamilton and Leclerc. It was unfortunate for Leclerc but that is racing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Zico
This is how the drivers championship stacks up with 6 races to go.
Maximum points available - 150 points
Current Point scores:-
LH - 296
VB - 231
MV - 200
CL - 200
Lewis Hamilton needs 86 (92) points if Bottas wins all 6 races remaining to win the championship by one point.
Lewis Hamilton needs 55 (61)points if Verstapenn wins all 6 races remaining to win the championship by one point.
Lewis Hamilton needs 55 (61) points if Leclerc wins all 6 races remaining to win the championship by one point.
When Hamilton scores more than 86 (92) points in the next few races, the 2019 driver championship would be over. Not including 6 fastest lap points also available.
The fastest improver is Leclerc and most likely to finish 2nd in the championship. But it ain't over till the fat lady sings.
This is my belief also - that Mercedes dominance is coming to an end. I think Ferrari did make a good call as Nitrodaze mentioned. It sucks for LeClerc but for Ferrari they get a win and a 1-2. I don't think anything is going to dislodge Merc from winning both titles but I do think this is going to setup Ferrari for a title win next season.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nitrodaze
My guess is that Mercedes have already shifted focus towards 2021. They may very well sacrifice 2020 for a return to dominance in 2021. Mercedes still have the best package but Ferrari have made a massive step. Singapore, apart from last year, has never been spectacular for Mercedes. I still fancy them to win another 3-4 races this year. They only lost today because of strategy not due to lack of pace.Quote:
Originally Posted by N. Jones
The 2021 regs has not been agreed yet. I don't think there is enough info to get any serious work started. I would buy the idea that they have moved their focus to the 2020 engine to try to catchup to Ferrari.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Black Knight
Based on the last six races, l don't think Mercedes have the best package anymore. Ferrari have caught up on the aero front, and Redbull are closing up on the power front. They are now on level terms with both Ferrari and Redbull depending on track of course. But Singapore clearly shows that Ferrari has taken a step ahead of Mercedes and Redbull, both of which have left Singapore scratching their heads with disbelief of the pace shown by the prancing horse today.
The edge that Mercedes had over Ferrari is no longer there. Ferrari have reduced the losses at the corners such that they can now deploy their power to great effect on the straight following the corners.
Not a bad race. Leclerc (or l'Eclair as the Sky commentators would have it) justifiably seemed upset, but I don't think the Ferrari pit wall were trying to disadvantage him, they were just trying to undercut Hamilton and it was a much bigger effect than anybody expected. No idea why Mercedes didn't box Lewis immediately when they had timing data after Vettel's stop. Wouldn't Mercedes strategy team be looking for exactly this sort of data and adjusting as appropriate? Very strange.
Yeah the best part of that for me was Paul DiResta saying Vettel came to Singapore a changed man. Not sure how he figured that one out considering he was out qualified by his teammate for the 8th race in succession and LeClerc was clearly faster than him again. He lucked into this one and that’s it.Quote:
Originally Posted by truefan72
The 2021 regs are pretty much set in stone now. It’s only fine details here and there being altered at this stage but they are pretty much 100% agreed now.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nitrodaze
We would have to see if all the teams sign up in October. If they do, then it is great, we can put this behind us and look forward to a new era of racing. As Hamilton emerged as the head honcho of the Hyrid era, l eagerly await to see if Leclerc can emerge and establish himself and Ferrari as new magic combination of 2021 era.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Black Knight
Actually it was quite a lap that Vettel put out to undercut both Leclerc and Hamilton. Alot of people undermine that effort and forget how quick Vettel can be when he has his head in the right place. It happened at the expense of a more deserving Leclerc but that is racing, you take your opportunities and make the very best of it. And that is what Vettel did. The team aimed for between Hamilton and Leclerc, Vettel took it beyond Leclerc to steal the win. That is dope.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Black Knight
Vettel had brand spanking new tires which enabled him to go that fast. The undercut was massive in Singapore. He wasn’t quicker than LeClerc after LeClerc pitted only one lap later either. There was zero special about what he did and any attempts to explain it as only something Vettel could do is stretching... desperately. He took his opportunity but there was nothing special about it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nitrodaze
If true, I'm looking forward to a merc melt down. I'm hoping Toto has a really nasty,utterly complete,and public one for us all to see! :p These freakin' guys have been on top for too long, and have gotten (imo) more than a little arrogant. This spectacle could be very entertaining; than maybe not!Quote:
Originally Posted by N. Jones
I probably would not go as far as calling it special per se. It was good enough to win the race, which is what counts.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Black Knight
I think Mercedes has earned the right to be arrogant. But l have not seen anything arrogant about Mercedes or anyone in Mercedes. The level of excellence of Mercedes is breathtaking really. They raised the bar so high, Ferrari had to dig real deep to get on level terms. Every good thing comes to an end at some point, ask Redbull and they would tell you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tazio
That said, Mercedes is beginning to face a character testing period. How they deal with it would say much about their resilience. Unlike Redbull, they make their own engines and chassis, so l fail to see them going through a period of dulldrum, winless years. They would be there or thereabout. And would keep Ferrari honest at every opportunity.
But being second best is going to be a very bitter pill for a team that has enjoyed so much success over the last seven years.
I would still give Vettel some credit for not making any mistakes three times in a row during the race restarts.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Black Knight
Well we'll just have to see. I'm not trying to take anything away from Merc. They have earned every thing they have accomplished!Quote:
Originally Posted by Nitrodaze
But if they get whupped in Russia the shouting may well begin!
True, but they are not beat yet!Quote:
Originally Posted by Tazio
Very true, and it is not in any way a sure thing! One thing I do regret is; if Merc goes down, Niki isn't around to see it. That dude would go off like a neutron bomb!:bomb::wave:Quote:
Originally Posted by Nitrodaze
DiResta, Davidson, and Chandhok are useless on Sky.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Black Knight
Yeah to have Matchett and Hobbs again. Those guys were really professionalQuote:
Originally Posted by N. Jones
Yup McLerc is the real goods!!Quote:
Originally Posted by TBK
These guys are in their early stages of their journalism careers. Like rookies, they are likely to have kinks in their performances, but they would grow into their various roles successfully l think. You have to give them the chance to develop their skills. Afterall, they are racers doing journalistic duties. They don't teach journalism in racing school.Quote:
Originally Posted by N. Jones
I actually appreciate their insights on the various scenarios of discussion during the televised weekend. You can tell that their contributions are not quite as grounded as Brundle would deliver even when we disagree with him. But l watch them with interest as these guys embrace their respective roles and take on the challenges of performing that role. In time, we would get to see a more experienced and rounded performance from them. But meanwhile, give them a break and let them develop.
I know, l would rather have a racer give commentary to the racing situations of a race weekend than from a journalist with no racing experience. It may be clunky and unpolished, but it would be delivered with the spirit of a racer and would take you to heart of the emotions of the driver involved.
Of all of these guys, l would definitely say Davidson on the sky pad is brilliant. He picks the highlights very well and talks through the related issue with very good depth of comprehension. And he comes across very unbiased. I tip him for one most likely to evolve into another Brundle.
I wasn't very sure of Karun at first but l could see promise in his approach. He has a big shoe to fill as he takes on Ted Kravitz duties of the pit walk during racing. In time he would find a way to make it his own, but he has a tall job emulating the impressive Ted Kravitz who manufactured this aspect of show.
I love Davidsons analysis of qualifying laps and races to be honest. I think he’s the best member of that team by a massive margin. Brundle, Crofty, Lazenby, DiResta and Herbert can all get lost though. Utterly useless the lot of them.Quote:
Originally Posted by N. Jones
It kind of bothers me when people say the hard work of others is utter useless. I am sure neither one of us would enjoy anyone referring to our work as useless. If you are an artist or performer of any kind, you would probably appreciate this point more than others. You don't like their work just say so. There are thousands of other people who appreciate the show that these guys put out at race weekends. We may not agree with their view sometimes or some aspects of the show, but that is not enough to reduce their work to uselessness. I admit that there are scopes for improvements, but l am certain that they are not useless.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Black Knight
I just think some constructive criticism would be more beneficial than to denegrade them. Just saying !
Been listening to Brundle for years and the man has no guile whatsoever. Bloody hell it took him 6 months to call out Nico for what was instantly and clearly obvious he did in Monaco 2014 qualifying. I can only appreciate the work of someone when they are doing an honest job and not worrying about their paddock passes or little boys club membership for the next race. They all have it too cushy. Lazenby is a Johnny come lately supporter, only knows what he read on wikipedia about the sport. In Hungary this year he stayed Schumacher did four stops to win Hungary 98. He probBly read about Magny Cours 2004 at the same time as it and got mixed up. DiResta wants to return driving to the sport too much so avoids stepping on peoples toes. Don’t get me started on Herbert and Crofty.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nitrodaze