FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

Discuss the sport you love with other motorsport fans

Formula One related discussion.
#212098
Although we cant take into account DNF's to come (hopefully for those damned red bulls :D ) just want to see based on pretty much just track layout, what teams are likely to dominate, or at least be top in the remainin races.

Spa- Mclaren -Much talk of Red Bull dominating the second sector but with two huge straights after Eau Rouge and leading up to Bus stop Mclaren should be all over it, this is not to mention the superior race pace of Mclaren should they qualify just behind Red Bull, AND, Vettel/Webbers poor starts and Hamilton/Buttons good starts.

Monza-Mclaren- Doesnt really need an explanation, the Red Bulls will gain some time in the Lesmos and parabolica but its Mclaren dominace all the way, although i think Ferrari could challenge them this race.

Singapore- Red Bull- they will dominate the constant turns and lack of straights here, Ferrari should get in between them and MClaren

Suzuka- Red Bull- should dominate even more then they did at Singapore, the whole track is high speed corners, there are a few straighty bits Mclaren might be able to use the F-duct on but other then that...

Korea- Red Bull- and unknown track but looking at the layout, the whole of sector 1 is straights, and the other sectors are low-medium speed corners, i dont think Red Bull will dominate but they should win, Mclaren and Ferrari will push them for it though.

Brazil- Mclaren- A huge run up to the Senna S , its not curved enough for Mclaren not to be able to use their F-duct on and they should speed through that part, there is also the straight after turn 3, only one sector is squiggly.

Abu Dhabi- Red Bull/Mclaren/Ferrari- this track literaly suits the characteristics of all three of these cars, for Red Bull there are plenty of corners and a few medium speed ones, for Mclaren, there are three significant straights, two are huge and one is the start straight, then the track is all parallel lines, i can see them winning this race comfortably to be honest, Ferrari are best under braking and theres a lot of it here, they also have a powerful engine and a decent F-duct system.
#212108
Intresting analysis. I agree with the assumptions you have made. I hope not only that McLaren can challenge Red Bull and beat them but also for another team to get a podium as well. In hind's sight however, the top three teams are so far ahead there isn't much of a chance for another team to gain any ground.

It's sure going to be an exciting end to the season!!!

Welcome to the forums by the way!
#212110
I think in some cases you have to look at the deeper characteristics of each car. McLaren are running an extremely stiff car this year. Thats way they were falling into the clutches of mercedes at Monaco. Singapore is arguably the most bumpy track of the year, perhaps along with Interlagos. So don't expect much from them at either race.

Ferrari are extremely good at getting traction out of the slow corners this year. Also has made them pretty quick of the line. See the last two races. No doubt that'll be a massive help at tracks like Monza and Abu Dhabi.

Red Bull are quick everywhere, simple as. The only track they haven't been on pole is canada. Reason being the low downforce set up needed at that track. If history is anything to go by, Monza will be Red Bull's worst track of the year. Spa is also quite a similar track to canada in terms of low downforce set up. Sectors 1 and 3 contain massive straights. Red Bull's performance will depend on how much time they can claw back in the 2nd sector. But judging by their performance in Hockenihm, I doubt that'll be such an issue.


The Red Bull has taken 11 out of 12 poles this year. It's clearly the fastest car lets be honest here. Personally I think a Red Bull driver has to win the championship this year. Really the question right now is, which one?
#212112
The Red Bull has taken 11 out of 12 poles this year. It's clearly the fastest car lets be honest here. Personally I think a Red Bull driver has to win the championship this year. Really the question right now is, which one?

The one with his head on straight.
#212126
I think generally people are overestimating the advantage the F-duct may give to Mclaren in Spa and Monza.
It will give them an advantage for sure, but remember that they were the 3rd fastest car before the break, they weren't levelled with RBR and Ferrari.
So in the tracks where the F-Duct will be an advantage, I would expect McLaren to be closer to RBR than usual (and perhaps levelled with Ferrari), but I wouldn't expect them to see in front of RBR.

That is if levels don't change during the break.
#212132
Is it 12 miles per hour or 12 kmph on the straight that the Mclaren has on anyother car, we're all super-f1 fans here surely youve seen footage of how fast they closed gaps on the straight, not to mention these straights coming up are all really long compared to say Australia's etc.

Theres no denying Red Bull have no weak circuit but that doesnt mean they are the strongest at every circuit, they generally are in every case as explained in my OP, but Mclaren and less and less Ferrari still have a chance, remember with such a short amount of races left one more DNF for say Webber in the same race Hamilton takes a win could see it all over for Webber, everyone has to finish from now on adn thats what i based my analysis on. Red Bull should win Korea, Singapore,Suzuka as Definite wins, Mclaren have a great chance to win at Spa, Monza, Brazil and Abu Dhabi, Ferrari also.
#212136
I think they were 12kmh (or more likely 9-10kmh) only in Germany. In Canada they weren't even on top of the Speed trap rankings.
And actually, in Germany they weren't as quick as RBR or Ferrari.
You can overtake with 9-10kmh more on the straights, but you don't necessairly win the race.
#212143
I agree with the track analysis and - complete shot in the dark - based on these expectations (and no DNFs) come Abu Dhabi the title will be up for grabs with Webber needing to win to beat Hamilton for the title and Alonso out of it.

Of course, in F1 nothing ever goes according to plan... :wink:
#212195
Contrary to common belief, the F-duct is gonna be useless in Monza with all the teams taking it off for the race. It'll probably help a bit more in Spa, but spa is pretty low downforce and all the teams are running f-ducts. McLaren aren't gonna have an advantage there.

McLaren always go well at Monza none the less. Mercedes engine, and good mechanical grip. However I'm thinking based on recent results Ferrari may be the team to beat there. Could be the first Ferrari home victory since Schumacher in 2006.

But lets not forget, the order will probably change race by race as it has done all year. Teams bring different packages to every race, some bigger and better than others. A better question might be which team has the resources to push up until the last race whilst building next years car. Which team will lift off the developments first?
#212198
Contrary to common belief, the F-duct is gonna be useless in Monza with all the teams taking it off for the race. It'll probably help a bit more in Spa, but spa is pretty low downforce and all the teams are running f-ducts. McLaren aren't gonna have an advantage there.

McLaren always go well at Monza none the less. Mercedes engine, and good mechanical grip. However I'm thinking based on recent results Ferrari may be the team to beat there. Could be the first Ferrari home victory since Schumacher in 2006.

But lets not forget, the order will probably change race by race as it has done all year. Teams bring different packages to every race, some bigger and better than others. A better question might be which team has the resources to push up until the last race whilst building next years car. Which team will lift off the developments first?


Why are the teams taking off the F-dcut at the track it helps at most?
#212199
Because it doesn't help at Monza.
On that track you're probably on full throttle for 3/4 of a lap; having the F-Duct gives you no advantage whatsoever, but it gives you a disadvantage because you must work your setup around it.

(The F-Duct gives you an advantage on the speed trap on a track with a good downforce level. The downforce level at Monza is about non-existent.)
#212207
Spa - Ferrari.

Monza - Mclaren/Ferrari.

Singapore - Red Bull.

Suzuka - Red Bull.

Korea - who knows... so Red Bull.

Brazil - Ferrari / Red Bull.

Abu Dhabi - Speed racer.
#212208
Spa - Ferrari.

Monza - Mclaren/Ferrari.

Singapore - Red Bull.

Suzuka - Red Bull.

Korea - who knows... so Red Bull.

Brazil - Ferrari / Red Bull.

Abu Dhabi - Speed racer.


I would say I agree with pretty much everything - with quite a bit of hope - except Monza.
I am not sure McLaren will be fast there.. they don't have the F-Duct advantage.. I don't know..

Also, for Spa I would say Ferrari/Red Bull.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 8

See our F1 related articles too!