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[CookinFlat6]

I disagree it's like Hamilton's tyre problem, since in that race there were a few safety cars and similar problems for other drivers ahead of Hamilton, in this case, the driver was let down by their team.

If you asked Nico what he would prefer, what do you think he'd say to;

Being 11th at the start of the race

or

being last on lap 10 during the race

[vaptin]

I disagree it's like Hamilton's tyre problem, since in that race there were a few safety cars and similar problems for other drivers ahead of Hamilton, in this case, the driver was let down by their team.

If you asked Nico what he would prefer, what do you think he'd say to;

Being 11th at the start of the race

or

being last on lap 10 during the race

Well, those are at different laps on the race, it's hardly a fair choice, I mean, I could say Nico Would prefer being at P1 at the end of the race to P3.

My point was, the reasons are a lot different, reliability problem to a pretty basic team error, the emphasise for blame for Hamilton's was on Perelli, and since it happened to many other drivers too, this time it was the team.

Also, like I said, how easy it might be to overtake, is dependent on many other conditions, than just the lap and the current race position, safety cars, nature of circuit, relative pace of the car, etc. etc.

[CookinFlat6]

hmmmmn, as far as just pure bad luck for both drivers I suspect Nico would take starting 11th over having a tyre blow out almost the whole lap from the pit in the middle of the race.

Anyway Lewis came 4th, Nico will know he has to be on the podium, assuming ofcourse that Merc can abuse the tyres like everyone else now

[vaptin]

hmmmmn, as far as just pure bad luck for both drivers I suspect Nico would take starting 11th over having a tyre blow out almost the whole lap from the pit in the middle of the race.

Anyway Lewis came 4th, Nico will know he has to be on the podium, assuming ofcourse that Merc can abuse the tyres like everyone else now

No, the situations aren't really comparable, the tyre blow out doesn't trump everything else, I mean, you ignore all the other factors in Lewis's favour in that race, which Nico may not have. And of course, well, they are different races, the cars will behave differently in any event.

[CookinFlat6]

Nico starts the race out of position due to an unfortunate turn of events, he must make as good as possible out of what he has (lap was not good enough, team were complacent)
Lewis dealt with the cards he was served by luck, Nico now has a chance to do the same

but it must be said that Nico has a much better hand to deal with than Lewis had, end off

[spankyham]

Weird decision by Ferrari I think too, their tyre wear is good, why not just qualify as high as possible? It clearly shows they aren't going for the win, I mean, they'll be too far back being held up at the start.

Make no mistake about it, Ferrari are going for a win, and, it's also clear they are thinking both cars on the podium.

[andrew]

I recall seeing Redbull driver's doing that, when the car's were on pole position too (a Redbull car on pole).

Pretty much all drivers do it. Looking at a competitors car is not unique to RBR drivers.

[Ferrari man 009]

Weird decision by Ferrari I think too, their tyre wear is good, why not just qualify as high as possible? It clearly shows they aren't going for the win, I mean, they'll be too far back being held up at the start.

Make no mistake about it, Ferrari are going for a win, and, it's also clear they are thinking both cars on the podium.

Agree - I believe Ferrari have done this as it enables them to 2 stop, whereas I think Mercedes and Red Bull will have to 3 stop.

Ferrari can probably get 22/23 laps out of the mediums, as this was done in FP2. This then leaves 14/15 laps on low fuel on fresh softs (they only used 2 sets of softs in Q - they also have 2 fresh sets of mediums) and get to the end.

Mercedes/RBR - probably have to pit around lap 6/7. 53 laps on just 1 more stop is probably too much and will have to do 2 additional stops.

Its an interesting strategy from Ferrari, will it work? We'll have to find out

[Hammer278]

Lap 6/7? No way...these compounds are not the same as what we had before, and Nurburgring isn't a tyre breaker. Mostly slow corners and front limited corners. I predict these guys will pit around lap 14/15 earliest.

[spankyham]

Lap 6/7? No way...these compounds are not the same as what we had before, and Nurburgring isn't a tyre breaker. Mostly slow corners and front limited corners. I predict these guys will pit around lap 14/15 earliest.

I think you're going to be disappointed.

But I don't think when they pit is anywhere near as important as when the crossover occurs between softs and mediums. If that happens early then the advantage is with the Ferrari's and Nico who I suspect will start on the prime tire. If the drop off happens fast and the first round of pit stops are early then that would suit Kimi.

[Hammer278]

We shall see. If they do indeed pit around lap 6/7, they guys on the options have made a huge mistake. There will be no gap at all in the midfield who'll mostly be running primes/brand new options and they give the Ferraris a free ride to the front of the field in clear air. I can't see Redbull and Mercedes being so silly. But who knows.

[Nin-Chin]

We had the same situation in China and it wasn't a massive gain by starting on primes

[racechick]

im getting very nervous for this race

[LiamCatterson]

WHOSE TYRES ARE GONNA BLOW :O

[LiamCatterson]

Oh jesus, Lewis in the wars again....