The Official 2018 Spanish Grand Prix Thread **SPOILERS**

[Leroy902]

LDN said:

RichB said:

sparta6 said:

... My personal theory is this could be Hamilton's final season, and the FIA will want their Golden Boy to exit on a high.
I would not be surprised if he does depart with 5 WDC's

Of course despite your personal theory, the truth is that Hamilton is one of, if not the, fastest drivers in F1 today and together with a very good car there's every likelihood that he will indeed finish the season with 5 WDCs. You will no doubt say that proves your point that he was assisted by the FIA. You will have based your conspiracy theory on an safe bet.

As far as conspiracy theories go... the FIA aiding Hamilton has got to be up there with the zaniest. I’m not sure what proof Sparta has of Hamilton ever being the FIA golden boy. If you go back long enough; it’s quite the opposite.

Surely for someone retiring, the powers that be will want them to retire after LOSING to fellow drivers!?

[hairyben]

LDN said:

RichB said:

sparta6 said:

... My personal theory is this could be Hamilton's final season, and the FIA will want their Golden Boy to exit on a high.
I would not be surprised if he does depart with 5 WDC's

Of course despite your personal theory, the truth is that Hamilton is one of, if not the, fastest drivers in F1 today and together with a very good car there's every likelihood that he will indeed finish the season with 5 WDCs. You will no doubt say that proves your point that he was assisted by the FIA. You will have based your conspiracy theory on an safe bet.

As far as conspiracy theories go... the FIA aiding Hamilton has got to be up there with the zaniest. I’m not sure what proof Sparta has of Hamilton ever being the FIA golden boy. If you go back long enough; it’s quite the opposite.

I think I'd have more time for an adult who believes Santa still exists than dribble that the fia favour Hamilton.

[anonymous-user]

ELUSIVEJIM said:

37chevy said:

I’m just gonna leave this here. Maybe Jim and Sparta can go n have a cuddle in a corner and share a whole new conspiracy theory. https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/136052/vettel-no...

Funny enough I posted that before you.

Actually, that doesn’t settle the argument. It’s quite possible that the change could have helped Mercedes more than it did Ferrari. That would fit the outcome.

Not that it matters either way. Time will tell.

[Kraken]

LDN said:

As I said before... the real reason for the new gap Mercedes have on Ferrari is that the Ferrari has lost some vital bits upon enquiry...

Not had a chance to look into this, but was told the exhaust is no longer blowing and their batteries may have enjoyed more juice than their rivals.

Will look later when I get a chance.

Where did you read that? The National Enquirer?

[Dr Z]

REALIST123 said:

ELUSIVEJIM said:

37chevy said:

I’m just gonna leave this here. Maybe Jim and Sparta can go n have a cuddle in a corner and share a whole new conspiracy theory. https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/136052/vettel-no...

Funny enough I posted that before you.

Actually, that doesn’t settle the argument. It’s quite possible that the change could have helped Mercedes more than it did Ferrari. That would fit the outcome.

Not that it matters either way. Time will tell.

Some further observations:

The Merc looked to be the fastest car at this track during the pre-season tests on the older spec tyres. From looking at the race sims I estimated the deficit to be 0.3-0.4s/lap for Ferrari/RB.

However during the actual race, Hamilton was driving about 0.6s/lap quicker than Vettel in the period after the SC and Vettel pitting.

Hamilton's first stint lap times were averaging around 1m21.5s, which is identical to his friday long run lap times. Interestingly, both Ferrari and RB were able to do those lap times on the same tyres on Friday, but as we saw, couldn't do that on Sunday.

The difference is the conditions...and Merc was the only car out of the big three able to switch on the tyres immediately after the pit stop/VSC/SC periods.

In contrast to Baku when the Ferrari was able to do that better and Merc couldn't.

[Dr Z]

Kraken said:

LDN said:

As I said before... the real reason for the new gap Mercedes have on Ferrari is that the Ferrari has lost some vital bits upon enquiry...

Not had a chance to look into this, but was told the exhaust is no longer blowing and their batteries may have enjoyed more juice than their rivals.

Will look later when I get a chance.

Where did you read that? The National Enquirer?

Been reported in a few places, but the FIA have looked at Ferrari's car and haven't found anything that contravenes the rules, yet, so the car wasn't hobbled at this race. However, there's been some murmurings of a protest at Monaco.

IMO exhaust blowing is not the big advantage, but the rumours about deploying more than allowed would be an offence and not playing in the grey area...could result in a DSQ if found to be true.

[Dr Z]

Day 2 of the test:

https://www.f1today.net/en/live/f1/238615/follow-l...

[Mr Pointy]

There's a possibility othere teams will protest the Ferrari battery system at Monaco:

https://www.gpguide.com/News.aspx?articleId=MXwwNS...

With any luck it wil be declared as cheating & Ferrari will lose all their WC points accrued so far.

[slipstream 1985]

slipstream 1985 said:

Dare I say ferrari have the faster engine? They have been better at the straight line tracks?

Based on the above battery comments this would match up from the the faster on power tracks.

[wolfie1978]

Mr Pointy said:

There's a possibility othere teams will protest the Ferrari battery system at Monaco:

https://www.gpguide.com/News.aspx?articleId=MXwwNS...

With any luck it wil be declared as cheating & Ferrari will lose all their WC points accrued so far.

Surely if this is the case they will be removing and replacing the parts for compliant ones before they get to Monaco? Or is this too deeply embedded in the cars?

[numtumfutunch]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Thanks, I enjoyed that and he seems like a nice chap

He's passed me by but some Wiki'ing suggests he's done well from once being pit crew

[geeks]

FourWheelDrift said:

ELUSIVEJIM said:

New lights.

Brake lights for Red Bull?

Now all we need are some headlights and it's off to Le Man for F1

[numtumfutunch]

geeks said:

Now all we need are some headlights and it's off to Le Man for F1

And hazard warning lights for a select few

[cuprabob]

geeks said:

FourWheelDrift said:

ELUSIVEJIM said:

New lights.

Brake lights for Red Bull?

Now all we need are some headlights and it's off to Le Man for F1

Something like this
https://youtu.be/kZJeex4YnQ0

[London424]

I saw a pic of the tyres from the test yesterday and the rear left one was ruined. Down to the canvas type hole. I can't find it now though!

[Deesee]

Quick question for anyone in the know in the testing,

Are the engines (appreciate there are lots of parts mgu h etc) part of the 3 allocated for the season or are these a separate allocation?

[Derek Smith]

Dr Z said:

Some further observations:

The Merc looked to be the fastest car at this track during the pre-season tests on the older spec tyres. From looking at the race sims I estimated the deficit to be 0.3-0.4s/lap for Ferrari/RB.

However during the actual race, Hamilton was driving about 0.6s/lap quicker than Vettel in the period after the SC and Vettel pitting.

Hamilton's first stint lap times were averaging around 1m21.5s, which is identical to his friday long run lap times. Interestingly, both Ferrari and RB were able to do those lap times on the same tyres on Friday, but as we saw, couldn't do that on Sunday.

The difference is the conditions...and Merc was the only car out of the big three able to switch on the tyres immediately after the pit stop/VSC/SC periods.

In contrast to Baku when the Ferrari was able to do that better and Merc couldn't.

Can one take much notice of the lap times? There must be many factors at play here. I assumed Ferrari were concerned about tyre wear (the early stop for Vettel) and so rapid lapping was not an option early on.

[rdjohn]

Deesee said:

Quick question for anyone in the know in the testing,

Are the engines (appreciate there are lots of parts mgu h etc) part of the 3 allocated for the season or are these a separate allocation?

No, it’s logical that they are actually testing PU upgrades.

[Deesee]

rdjohn said:

Deesee said:

Quick question for anyone in the know in the testing,

Are the engines (appreciate there are lots of parts mgu h etc) part of the 3 allocated for the season or are these a separate allocation?

No, it’s logical that they are actually testing PU upgrades.

Thank you, that would make sense in terms of real use, I understand that they test on dynos and previously thought that would be enough, I assumed it was more an aero/tyres environment for the test.

Thanks for your insight

[Jabbah]

London424 said:

I saw a pic of the tyres from the test yesterday and the rear left one was ruined. Down to the canvas type hole. I can't find it now though!