Weather makes DRS decision tough for teams

15 comments on “Weather makes DRS decision tough for teams”

1. 

   Icthyes (@icthyes)
   26th August 2011, 18:26

   Speaking as a layman, might it not be best to try and get away with some extra downforce and have long gear ratios, with 7th as a DRS “over-run”? Or would this lose too much time on the straights, I wonder?

   Whitmarsh was saying about wanting them to run as low as possible, but he didn’t have to drive it through Eau Rouge so he would leave it up to the drivers! I think that will be the essence of the McLaren philosophy tomorrow though.
   1. 

      BasCB (@bascb)
      26th August 2011, 19:04

      But its interesting to see Red Bull go defensive (optimize for the straights). It might indicate that McLaren and Ferrari are really faster in race pace so they are likely to pass the RBR cars.
      1. 

         Icthyes (@icthyes)
         26th August 2011, 20:43

         I think last year too we saw the Red Bulls really cut the downforce because of how draggy their cars were. This year the Red Bull doesn’t seem as draggy and more efficient, but I think the trend will be the same this year.
2. 

   Victor.
   26th August 2011, 18:42

   It all comes down to whether one trusts the weather forecast. If race day is indeed dry then I’d go with Whitmarsh and run less angle. However, if we accept that this is Spa and it might snow on Sunday I’d take downforce over straight line speed – not only would one be able to qualify higher, but if it does drizzle one is better off.

   Having said that, on balance I’d go for less angle. Spa is a track where overtaking is hardly a problem, especially so with a a car set up for top speed.
   1. 

      Icthyes (@icthyes)
      26th August 2011, 20:44

      Being Spa I’d be surprised if Hurricane Irene doesn’t turn up!
3. 

   @HoHum (@hohum)
   26th August 2011, 19:00

   Looking at Red Bull it would appear that Vettel is setting up to win the predicted DRY race and Webber is on plan B to ensure points for the team if it rains during the race.
   1. 

      @HoHum (@hohum)
      26th August 2011, 19:02

      And also, I guess, to keep a Red Bull on the front row in wet qualifying.
      1. 

         @HoHum (@hohum)
         26th August 2011, 19:05

         Would be nice to see Webber make a good start from pole on Sunday. We live in hope.
   2. 

      DVC
      27th August 2011, 0:16

      If there are two potential strategies for the race you can bet Button has chosen the opposite one to Hamilton too.
4. 

   James
   26th August 2011, 20:42

   Could Mercedes have a small advantage then, given they managed to put in a half decent time in the first session then? It’s probably a very tiny advantage, but helpful none-the-less.

   I know that given the sifistication of the simulators nowadays teams will have a rough idea on what to do anyway, but nothing beats raw track data.
   1. 

      AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
      27th August 2011, 0:21

      I doubt Mercedes would have got what they needed from the dry part of the sessions, they would have barely got the installation laps out of the way.
5. 

   sato113 (@sato113)
   26th August 2011, 21:41

   please don’t forget everyone that the SPEED TRAP is located on the exit of eau rogue, not at the end of the kemmel straight. therefore it is useful as a guidline to see who is coming out of eauu rogue fastest, not who has the highest top speed…
   1. 

      @HoHum (@hohum)
      26th August 2011, 21:56

      So do we invert the results ie. Vettel is 6k faster than Webber so must have more downforce through Eau Rouge?
   2. 

      AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
      27th August 2011, 0:25

      I never knew that, why do they put it there? The car won’t be at its fastest through that point. Not far off, but not fastest.
6. 

   @HoHum (@hohum)
   27th August 2011, 4:20

   Well we will all know who is quick and who is not in just a few hours, the video recorder is set just in case I sleep in but also to allow me to speed through the commercials. May I wish good luck to all your favourite drivers, and especially mine.

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