Rally Wrc Monte Carlo 2017

[Mirek]

you run gearbox ratios based on the event, not based on the engine power. that's why they use different gearboxes throughout the season.

That's irrelevant point because we speak about the same event. And it's also wrong. Both the event the engine characteristics are very important for setting the right gear ratios. Think about why all S2000/R5 cars use a lot shorter gear ratios than Škoda (using an example where the reality is all well documented) on the very same events.

there's no point in having a gearbox that makes your car go 220km/h, if you know you will never exceed 190 on the event. and vice versa, if you know you will be at very high speeds often, there's no point in being on the limiter all the time.

Sorry but that's again irrelevant here because we speak about the same event.

and as you said, without knowing the drag coefficient there's absolutely no way you can determine the difference in engine power based on top speed.

That's the only important contributor we don't know here. At least we can see what they can reach on the same event, i.e. who can benefit from long straights.