The Official 2018 British Grand Prix Thread **SPOILERS**
Discussion
Date(s): Friday 06 July 2018 - Sunday 08 July 2018
UK Broadcast Timings
All sessions are live on Sky F1 and Channel 4.
Silverstone
Live timing for all sessions available here:
https://www.formula1.com/en/f1-live.html
Lap times, PU component use, technical reports and Stewards' decisions for the weekend will appear here:
https://www.fia.com/events/fia-formula-one-world-c...
Weather forecast:
http://www.myweather2.com/Motor-Racing/United-King...
The tyre choices:
2017 Qualifying
2017 Race
Three races in three weeks, one Mercedes win (potentially a 1-2), a Mercedes double DNF, and now? A Mercedes 1-2? The crowd would love it of course, and Hamilton will also hope to have his 50th career pole with the Mercedes team in style at his home race. Michael Schumacher has the most pole positions with one team, claiming 58 with Ferrari.
On paper, this looks to be one of the strongest tracks in the calendar for Mercedes with this being one of the most if not the most fuel hungry race in the calendar, and a particularly high emphasis on aero efficiency. Just as well that Pirelli are bringing the thinner tread tyre that their car seems to have a particular liking to. That will be it then, or can RBR and Ferrari give them a good fight? Quite a few teams will be bringing substantial update packages to their cars, and Ferrari will be hoping to close that gap as Mercedes showed a clear improvement in Austria.
I would be betting more on Ferrari than RBR on giving Merc a good run for their money, however I wouldn’t discount RBR entirely. Verstappen is particularly strong in fast tracks like this one, and he will be riding a wave after winning RBR’s home race, and his first win of the year.
Curiously, Raikkonen is also very strong at this track, out qualifying Vettel for all three times they have raced here as teammates. And he has just jumped up to 3rd position in the WDC table, becoming the 3rd driver to go past the 100 points mark this year after a couple of good races in France and Austria.
The track surface has been re-laid since last year’s GP, and a more dramatic increase in cornering speeds and lap times are expected this weekend, similar to what we saw in Barcelona. This has led Pirelli to bring the thinner tread tyres to this track and for the last time this year. We have a new ‘hard’ tyre compound making its debut here. This tyre has a similar working range to the soft, with the medium tyre being the only high working range tyre this weekend. Judging by the number of sets teams have ordered of the hard tyre, we probably won’t see much of it in the race, or will some quirk of the track surface temps make it a viable option? Friday should give an indication. Due to the high loads expected, Pirelli have imposed ridiculously high tyre pressures (24psi fronts and 22psi rears).
A third DRS zone (with three detection points again) has been added to the track, reports suggesting that this zone will extend well in to Farm for an overtaking opportunity into the slow infield section. This also gives drivers the option of taking Abbey flat with the rear wing open. However, the official track map does not reflect this. Not sure what is happening here.
Forecast suggests some good ol’ British weather will be around.
Are you going? Post photos!
UK Broadcast Timings
All sessions are live on Sky F1 and Channel 4.
| Session | Day | Sky F1 | Channel 4 | Session Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practice 1 | Fri | 0945 | 0955 | 1000 |
| Practice 2 | Fri | 1345 | 1355 | 1400 |
| Practice 3 | Sat | 1045 | 1055 | 1100 |
| Qualifying | Sat | 1300 | 1255 | 1400 |
| Race | Sun | 1230 | 1300 | 1410 |
Silverstone
Live timing for all sessions available here:
https://www.formula1.com/en/f1-live.html
Lap times, PU component use, technical reports and Stewards' decisions for the weekend will appear here:
https://www.fia.com/events/fia-formula-one-world-c...
Weather forecast:
http://www.myweather2.com/Motor-Racing/United-King...
The tyre choices:
2017 Qualifying
2017 Race
Three races in three weeks, one Mercedes win (potentially a 1-2), a Mercedes double DNF, and now? A Mercedes 1-2? The crowd would love it of course, and Hamilton will also hope to have his 50th career pole with the Mercedes team in style at his home race. Michael Schumacher has the most pole positions with one team, claiming 58 with Ferrari.
On paper, this looks to be one of the strongest tracks in the calendar for Mercedes with this being one of the most if not the most fuel hungry race in the calendar, and a particularly high emphasis on aero efficiency. Just as well that Pirelli are bringing the thinner tread tyre that their car seems to have a particular liking to. That will be it then, or can RBR and Ferrari give them a good fight? Quite a few teams will be bringing substantial update packages to their cars, and Ferrari will be hoping to close that gap as Mercedes showed a clear improvement in Austria.
I would be betting more on Ferrari than RBR on giving Merc a good run for their money, however I wouldn’t discount RBR entirely. Verstappen is particularly strong in fast tracks like this one, and he will be riding a wave after winning RBR’s home race, and his first win of the year.
Curiously, Raikkonen is also very strong at this track, out qualifying Vettel for all three times they have raced here as teammates. And he has just jumped up to 3rd position in the WDC table, becoming the 3rd driver to go past the 100 points mark this year after a couple of good races in France and Austria.
The track surface has been re-laid since last year’s GP, and a more dramatic increase in cornering speeds and lap times are expected this weekend, similar to what we saw in Barcelona. This has led Pirelli to bring the thinner tread tyres to this track and for the last time this year. We have a new ‘hard’ tyre compound making its debut here. This tyre has a similar working range to the soft, with the medium tyre being the only high working range tyre this weekend. Judging by the number of sets teams have ordered of the hard tyre, we probably won’t see much of it in the race, or will some quirk of the track surface temps make it a viable option? Friday should give an indication. Due to the high loads expected, Pirelli have imposed ridiculously high tyre pressures (24psi fronts and 22psi rears).
A third DRS zone (with three detection points again) has been added to the track, reports suggesting that this zone will extend well in to Farm for an overtaking opportunity into the slow infield section. This also gives drivers the option of taking Abbey flat with the rear wing open. However, the official track map does not reflect this. Not sure what is happening here.
Forecast suggests some good ol’ British weather will be around.
Are you going? Post photos!
Edited by Dr Z on Tuesday 3rd July 12:50
Dr Z said:
...
A third DRS zone (with three detection points again) has been added to the track, reports suggesting that this zone will extend well in to Farm for an overtaking opportunity into the slow infield section. This also gives drivers the option of taking Abbey flat with the rear wing open. However, the official track map does not reflect this. Not sure what is happening here.
...
That could make the pit exit interestingA third DRS zone (with three detection points again) has been added to the track, reports suggesting that this zone will extend well in to Farm for an overtaking opportunity into the slow infield section. This also gives drivers the option of taking Abbey flat with the rear wing open. However, the official track map does not reflect this. Not sure what is happening here.
...
Great opening post, but I fear another great qualifying followed the next day by another procession of fuel and tyre management.
I know, I know, don't watch it if you feel like that. But something needs to be done. When you have Gunther Steiner admitting to Sky from the pitwall that they're not pushing because they are managing tyres and fuel, then it's not a race.
Reckon I'll record it and skip through the race. It'll be decided on pit stop strategy and over/undercut and who can manage their blistering tyres the best.
Merc 1-2 Fez 3-4 RB 5-6....
I know, I know, don't watch it if you feel like that. But something needs to be done. When you have Gunther Steiner admitting to Sky from the pitwall that they're not pushing because they are managing tyres and fuel, then it's not a race.
Reckon I'll record it and skip through the race. It'll be decided on pit stop strategy and over/undercut and who can manage their blistering tyres the best.
Merc 1-2 Fez 3-4 RB 5-6....
sandman77 said:
Another great opening post dr Z, Thank you for taking the time to do it.
I can’t see anything other than total Mercedes domination at this track so I am expecting an easy 1-2 for the team with Vettel taking the 3rd podium position.
Aye. Suits the car and suits the man - anything but a Hamilton win would be a surprise. I can’t see anything other than total Mercedes domination at this track so I am expecting an easy 1-2 for the team with Vettel taking the 3rd podium position.
Tiny little question mark on tyre wear I guess - but I think thats more in hope of competition than expectation
sandman77 said:
Another great opening post dr Z, Thank you for taking the time to do it.
I can’t see anything other than total Mercedes domination at this track so I am expecting an easy 1-2 for the team with Vettel taking the 3rd podium position.
I can’t see anything other than total Mercedes domination at this track so I am expecting an easy 1-2 for the team with Vettel taking the 3rd podium position.
Tyre Smoke said:
Great opening post, but I fear another great qualifying followed the next day by another procession of fuel and tyre management.
I know, I know, don't watch it if you feel like that. But something needs to be done. When you have Gunther Steiner admitting to Sky from the pitwall that they're not pushing because they are managing tyres and fuel, then it's not a race.
Reckon I'll record it and skip through the race. It'll be decided on pit stop strategy and over/undercut and who can manage their blistering tyres the best.
Merc 1-2 Fez 3-4 RB 5-6....
Thank you, I think we are entitled to have a moan every now and then, however...I know, I know, don't watch it if you feel like that. But something needs to be done. When you have Gunther Steiner admitting to Sky from the pitwall that they're not pushing because they are managing tyres and fuel, then it's not a race.
Reckon I'll record it and skip through the race. It'll be decided on pit stop strategy and over/undercut and who can manage their blistering tyres the best.
Merc 1-2 Fez 3-4 RB 5-6....
..the thinner tread tyres are a solution to prevent blistering which is caused by inconsistent heating of the surface vs core of the tyre, which can happen when the tarmac surface is very smooth + high speed corners. By product of thinner tread is less movement of the tread rubber under load, which makes it easier to heat the surface and core of the tyre uniformly...
I doubt there is going to be much tyre management here, Barcelona is a very fast track and that was a flat out race, albeit it was a flat out procession and a Merc 1-2.
Not to worry, they'll still be averaging 140 mph here on Sunday.
OK, Merc, Ferrari and RB in Noah's Ark formation. Now predict the rest of the order.
Tyre Smoke said:
Great opening post, but I fear another great qualifying followed the next day by another procession of fuel and tyre management.
I know, I know, don't watch it if you feel like that. But something needs to be done. When you have Gunther Steiner admitting to Sky from the pitwall that they're not pushing because they are managing tyres and fuel, then it's not a race.
Reckon I'll record it and skip through the race. It'll be decided on pit stop strategy and over/undercut and who can manage their blistering tyres the best.
Merc 1-2 Fez 3-4 RB 5-6....
This is a product of current cars' aero. If it was easier for them to overtake they could gamble doing more stops because they wouldn't risk getting stuck behind the car in front for laps on end after their fresh tyres lose the initial edge.I know, I know, don't watch it if you feel like that. But something needs to be done. When you have Gunther Steiner admitting to Sky from the pitwall that they're not pushing because they are managing tyres and fuel, then it's not a race.
Reckon I'll record it and skip through the race. It'll be decided on pit stop strategy and over/undercut and who can manage their blistering tyres the best.
Merc 1-2 Fez 3-4 RB 5-6....
Dr Z said:
A third DRS zone (with three detection points again) has been added to the track, reports suggesting that this zone will extend well in to Farm for an overtaking opportunity into the slow infield section. This also gives drivers the option of taking Abbey flat with the rear wing open. However, the official track map does not reflect this. Not sure what is happening here.
My understanding is that once the DRS is open it stays open until the driver brakes -- presumably the driver has the option to close it manually too. So if the driver doesn't brake going into Abbey or Farm there is the option to leave the DRS open. carl_w said:
Dr Z said:
A third DRS zone (with three detection points again) has been added to the track, reports suggesting that this zone will extend well in to Farm for an overtaking opportunity into the slow infield section. This also gives drivers the option of taking Abbey flat with the rear wing open. However, the official track map does not reflect this. Not sure what is happening here.
My understanding is that once the DRS is open it stays open until the driver brakes -- presumably the driver has the option to close it manually too. So if the driver doesn't brake going into Abbey or Farm there is the option to leave the DRS open. Edited by Dr Z on Tuesday 3rd July 13:56
Well I'll be there on Saturday but we couldn't afford to stretch for Race Day tickets as well!
Looking at the tyre selection I am predicting another snoozefest of a race though (please, please, please let me wrong
) we had a one stop last year using softer compounds, I am not sure how harder compounds will make for a better race, yeah you can push harder on them but changing them still isn't worth the time gained is it?
Ah well, onward to Silverstone
Looking at the tyre selection I am predicting another snoozefest of a race though (please, please, please let me wrong
) we had a one stop last year using softer compounds, I am not sure how harder compounds will make for a better race, yeah you can push harder on them but changing them still isn't worth the time gained is it? Ah well, onward to Silverstone
Angpozzuto said:
Am I the only one wondering why they've got the hard tyre? Last year it was med, soft and super soft. Wouldn't tyres last longer on new Tarmac? As it seems to be the way on other freshly resurfaced tracks
The tyre compounds themselves are softer this year than last year and the actual naming of the tyre compounds re-adjusted so this year's hard tyre would be last year's medium and so forth.Dr Z said:
carl_w said:
Dr Z said:
A third DRS zone (with three detection points again) has been added to the track, reports suggesting that this zone will extend well in to Farm for an overtaking opportunity into the slow infield section. This also gives drivers the option of taking Abbey flat with the rear wing open. However, the official track map does not reflect this. Not sure what is happening here.
My understanding is that once the DRS is open it stays open until the driver brakes -- presumably the driver has the option to close it manually too. So if the driver doesn't brake going into Abbey or Farm there is the option to leave the DRS open. 
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