Ferrari really can start making their homework for strategies tomorrow. Being beaten by rookies like Stroll (never driven an F1 in such conditions before) and Ocon, it was pretty embarrassing.... Only because of grid penalties, the RB's will start behind them.
Well that was entertaining! Congrats on becoming the pole GOAT. Great achievement. Congrats to Stroll for showing that he really can drive after all. Rain is the ultimate test of a driver and stroll shone. Totally and utterly unexpected. Well done that man. I'm starting to think that maybe, just maybe, he's worthy of his seat. Ocon once again shows he's one to watch for the future. Solid. Ferrari - surely there is method behind the madness. They know it will be a dry race tomorrow and I expect they optimised the car for that. At least I hope they did..!
Summary: Elton drove fastest car on new tires on last lap, but impressive last lap none the less. Quick. The Red Bull guys where massively impressive, driving very low downforce cars to a fantastic 2-3. Well done to Stroll, I'm surprised how the Williams is in the wet...historically the Williams has been a bad car in the wet so to see the Williams boys and especially Stroll up there is quite something. Ferrari horrendous, only explanation is they are on a dry setup for tomorrow? Really am surprised to see Kimi outqualifying Vettel in the wet.
20 races a season, any dominant car can create records. Elton isn't half the driver Schumacher was.. this forum is getting ridiculous with the elton and Mercedes fans talking bollocks all the time. Hope they hit a wall tomorrow. Forza ferrari
Some said here that Ferrari changed the setup after Q2 for a dry race. If true, that'd be possibly smart. I don't know the rules enough but is that a) even allowed (to make setup changes between Qs) and b) how much can you actually change? Those ten minutes seem hardly enough to change much, but maybe damper settings etc is all electronic these days? Still even if that was their approach, it could cost them by being now bunched together with other midfield cars. I dunno. Of course if they win, they look like heroes. That's the thing I'm puzzled about: Ferrari was right there with MB in Q1 and Q2 and fell off the deep end in Q3 where everybody was faster. Scratching my head.
Yes just can't change after qualifying itself, as that's when parc Ferme rules apply. Most important bits are ride height adjust and (rear) wing settings.
Wing settings are easy, but how do they adjust ride height? Electronically these days? Used to be springs and spacers, but there wouldn't be enough time for that.
I'm thinking about those fancy electro magnetic shock absorbers today's road Ferraris use. They can change from soft (rain) to hard (dry) by switching the manettino. Does F1 use such shocks?
Bas, found this on the F1 website with regards to Parc Ferme rules: "The only exception to this is when there is a "change in climatic conditions", for example a dry qualifying session followed by a wet race, or vice versa. In this case the FIA will give the teams permission to make further appropriate changes to their cars."
The starting grid at Monza, 1966 (I think). You may notice the lack of wings and engine covers, but what I'm noticing is they take off and go straight into Curva Grande unabated. No chicanes! Also, no wall between the track and the pit lane. Image Unavailable, Please Login
True, but even less than ten years before this picture was taken they would turn right into the banked turn (where it says Shell now).
The NBC guys mentioned that as well. So if everybody gets to adjust wings and ride height tomorrow morning and Ferrari did this for Q3 then they truly squandered their grid position. But if Whiting won't allow the setup change they still might come out as genius.
I'm sorry but anytime a Williams with the rookie Stroll in the seat beats Ferrari and it's 2 F1 world champs it's a major FAIL. Rain, no rain, snow-- you name it. They all know the same rules. Completely embarrassing and inexcusesble for your home race.
Just Vettel and Kimi will have to fight the traffic IF it's a safe start and no one eff's up and it's dry.
Those changes are very limited, I think only front wing adjust and tires (i.e. stuff they can change in a pitstop)