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[spankyham]

Thought I'd post some of my thoughts on Silverstone GP. We can be really happy and optimistic about our performance and our first win. But, in reality, the Red Bull is still the car to beat and will remain competitive all season as will the McLaren.

Also, there is no way of knowing how much of our gains will be lost when all teams go back to their overrun exhausts. But, whatever the others gain, we will also gain something as well.

But, for me, there are also reasons to be very optimistic. Firstly, we introduced a huge swathe of upgrades, which, with very little dry testing, proved very advantageous. Our performance on the Hards compared to Barcelona was amazing. Our new rear suspension definitely helped with our tyre preservation, in fact, we might now be the best in terms of tyre preservation.

We are going to get a lot more out of these upgrades and, we have even more for Germany.

Here's what I'm most excited about though. Of course we can't tell how much difference the return of the off-throttle will bring, but, if we look at sector-2 at Silverstone, which is really the showcase for aero (it includes Copse, Maggotts and Becketts) these are all "on-throttle" corners, and guess who had the fastest two cars here during the race - Nando and Felipe! A very very good sign that all the aero upgrades (and there were a lot brought) were working very well.

As I mentioned earlier, I don't think the season is going to turned on its head, but, I'm sure we will have a chance to compete for wins for the most of the races left this season

[vaptin]

I'm hoping Ferrari won't have agreed to scrapping the limitations on the overruns unless they reckoned that they won't really be disadvantaged.

[myownalias]

I'm hoping Ferrari won't have agreed to scrapping the limitations on the overruns unless they reckoned that they won't really be disadvantaged.

Ferrari have been very very very quiet on the subject; we haven't even heard LDM running his mouth recently... what's going on?

[What's Burning?]

I'm hoping Ferrari won't have agreed to scrapping the limitations on the overruns unless they reckoned that they won't really be disadvantaged.

Ferrari have been very very very quiet on the subject; we haven't even heard LDM running his mouth recently... what's going on?

They've been quietly getting to the top of the podium.

[f1ea]

I'm hoping Ferrari won't have agreed to scrapping the limitations on the overruns unless they reckoned that they won't really be disadvantaged.

Ferrari have been very very very quiet on the subject; we haven't even heard LDM running his mouth recently... what's going on?

More work! less talk

[spankyham]

I'm hoping Ferrari won't have agreed to scrapping the limitations on the overruns unless they reckoned that they won't really be disadvantaged.

Ferrari have been very very very quiet on the subject; we haven't even heard LDM running his mouth recently... what's going on?

I think SF have genuinely been too busy and focused on the massive catch-up task they had from the start of the year. Perhaps they also didn't want to allow this to become a distraction for the team. In any case I was really happy to see them stay out of it.

As to signing it, I think they did the right thing by the sport as the ridiculous behavior of the FiA created something that had the potential to do real damage to the sport. But, I also think they might have surmised that, although agreeing to it would help others more than themselves, they probably saw, like all of us, that the team really hurt was McLaren. If Ferrari are harboring any slight hopes of stealing a championship this year, it won't happen by them just winning. They need to keep RB, and particularly Seb off the podium. A strong McLaren actually helps that scenario.

I guess it's like a peloton, for now, there's an unspoken partnership between SF and McLaren.

[What's Burning?]

If Ferrari are harboring any slight hopes of stealing a championship this year, it won't happen by them just winning. They need to keep RB, and particularly Seb off the podium. A strong McLaren actually helps that scenario.

I guess it's like a peloton, for now, there's an unspoken partnership between SF and McLaren.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

[smokin]

Our performance on the Hards compared to Barcelona was amazing. Our new rear suspension definitely helped with our tyre preservation, in fact, we might now be the best in terms of tyre preservation.

I didn't think Ferrari used the hards?

[bud]

In the race they didn't.

[spankyham]

Our performance on the Hards compared to Barcelona was amazing. Our new rear suspension definitely helped with our tyre preservation, in fact, we might now be the best in terms of tyre preservation.

I didn't think Ferrari used the hards?

As Bud said, not in the race, because they started on inters, but the testing they were doing and the differences they got (soft to hard) on Friday and Saturday showed they have overcome this problem. In essence we know the hards problem is from lack of heat and that stems from lack of down-force. They clearly have dramatically improved their down-force - see my comments above on sector2 times.

[vaptin]

Thinking about it, Sliverstone showed that with the limitations on the overruns (as will be the case for the 2012 season) Ferrari have the best car on race pace.

Perhaps it would be sensible (considering just how far away Redbull are) to simply focus on upgrading parts that aren't about the rear blown diffuser?

I think that's the only aspect of the regulations next year that is going to really change?

This way, Ferrari have a good shot at starting 2012 with the best car, and fighting for second best team this year.

[bud]

Thinking about it, Sliverstone showed that with the limitations on the overruns (as will be the case for the 2012 season) Ferrari have the best car on race pace.

I think thats a big call... If not for the pit lane stuff up Im pretty sure Vettel would have won on pace alone. But that then getting stuck behind Lewis which helped Alonso build the race winning gap is where he lost the race.
And I wouldnt worry Newey would be working on it already. Taking the EBD away mid season is not ideal nor a level playing field when you designed the car around it.

[vaptin]

Thinking about it, Sliverstone showed that with the limitations on the overruns (as will be the case for the 2012 season) Ferrari have the best car on race pace.

I think thats a big call... If not for the pit lane stuff up Im pretty sure Vettel would have won on pace alone. But that then getting stuck behind Lewis which helped Alonso build the race winning gap is where he lost the race.
And I wouldnt worry Newey would be working on it already. Taking the EBD away mid season is not ideal nor a level playing field when you designed the car around it.

They were still the most competitive they've been all season (although I feel Alonso would have won regardless of the pitstop, Horner admitted as much), I guess the grand prix's too far gone to really get into it.

But my point is, weighing up all the options, that's the one I think is most likely for success. Sure all the teams will be prepared to redesign their cars, but Redbull are still going to push developments for the blown diffuser, presumably, whereas I'm suggesting Ferrari don't and give themselves a good chance of getting ahead.

By pushing development for the rear blown diffuser this season, Ferrari are almost wasting their time I think, Redbull are too far gone for both championships, and Ferrari don't care that much if they finish second or third.

[bud]

Yeah when a major piece of their competitors package was taken away from them. I wouldn't get too excited by this one race, And I feel Vettel had him covered but I am a McLaren fan and youre a Alonso fan.
Youre slightly biased
Youre forgetting the talents of Newey in developing a car with new regulations. He always seems to get it right! Working around a blown diffuser will not be a challenge for RedBull. But by all means you can get all excited and think Ferrari will be the team to beat next season if you like.

[Mr Alcatraz]

Thinking about it, Sliverstone showed that with the limitations on the overruns (as will be the case for the 2012 season) Ferrari have the best car on race pace.

I think thats a big call... If not for the pit lane stuff up Im pretty sure Vettel would have won on pace alone. But that then getting stuck behind Lewis which helped Alonso build the race winning gap is where he lost the race.

Well the race is the race and I have a feeling Alonso will return the favor to Lewis before the season is over. Judging by his last stint Alonso was ungodly fast, and given the opportunity would have gotten Vettel. Alonso is not one to be underrated. At any rate the race was simply what it was. That is the way the chips fell, and is now ancient history.