2015 Formula 1 Shell Belgian Grand Prix

[hellrotm]

LOL, Merc 1.3+ sec clear of the field. Ferrari...what?

[solstice]

Sounds like McLaren is now on the breaking point from that interview with JB. The "we are so happy" mantra seem to finally fade away. Time to realize they are the biggest cluster in F1 history and take action if that means dumping Honda and maybe withdraw from the field, they are just wasting money and reputation. Sign up with Benz again asap and prepare for next year.

[NickyC]

Wow, what a blowout qualifying session from Merc. Unless there are the usual weather conditions at Spa tomorrow, this is going to be one boring race. At least the scenery is nice.

Kimi continuing his great luck of course, good grief.

[DC-T]

Originally Posted by solstice

Sounds like McLaren is now on the breaking point from that interview with JB. The "we are so happy" mantra seem to finally fade away. Time to realize they are the biggest cluster in F1 history and take action if that means dumping Honda and maybe withdraw from the field, they are just wasting money and reputation. Sign up with Benz again asap and prepare for next year.

I couldn't say it better. Am actually believing the Honda Type R they were driving around ON Thursday would have done better. It's really sad.

[DC-T]

http://m.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/120431/red-bull-considers-early-renault-split

Seems it's all going to be Mercedes from front to back. Yawn.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by NickyC

Wow, what a blowout qualifying session from Merc. Unless there are the usual weather conditions at Spa tomorrow, this is going to be one boring race. At least the scenery is nice.

Kimi continuing his great luck of course, good grief.

Weather prediction for tomorrow (race day) in Belgium is sunny with 26° Celsius .

[Mtxzptlk]

Just happy that McLaren met the 107% performance requirement.

Gotta have something to cheer for! LOL

[ashtaron14]

Stupid Strategy by Ferrari. Good Mid-Pack racing as usual.

[EdM5]

Ballsy overtaking from Max (outside Blanchimont) in an otherwise boring race.

[M_Six]

According to Matchett, Vettel's blowout "could not have happened at a worse time." I think about 2 seconds earlier would have been far worse.

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by M_Six

According to Matchett, Vettel's blowout "could not have happened at a worse time." I think about 2 seconds earlier would have been far worse.

No kidding!! Scary stuff indeed. Quite the boring race, but at least it was quick and the scenery was fantastic. I'll watch a boring race set in a historical setting anytime over a good race set in an concrete ashtray.

Oh and Vettel is "furious".

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/3...plier-pirelli/

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by NickyC

No kidding!! Scary stuff indeed. Quite the boring race, but at least it was quick and the scenery was fantastic. I'll watch a boring race set in a historical setting anytime over a good race set in an concrete ashtray.

Oh and Vettel is "furious".

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/3...plier-pirelli/

Didn't find it boring at all. There was a lot of action and passing. Spa never disappoints.

Very happy for Grosjean, pushing Vettel on his old tires and taking third.

[solstice]

Yawn, happy for Grosjean though.

[thebishman]

Originally Posted by NickyC

No kidding!! Scary stuff indeed. Quite the boring race, but at least it was quick and the scenery was fantastic. I'll watch a boring race set in a historical setting anytime over a good race set in an concrete ashtray.

Oh and Vettel is "furious".

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/3...plier-pirelli/

How the hell could he be furious?

Ferrari gambled on a one-stop strategy due to them not having much pace over the weekend; Grosjean was pushing Vettel extremely hard on the latter's well worn tyres, and Vettel was using lots of the curbs. Frankly he's damn lucky the tyres lasted that long.

[DC-T]

Originally Posted by thebishman

How the hell could he be furious?

Ferrari gambled on a one-stop strategy due to them not having much pace over the weekend; Grosjean was pushing Vettel extremely hard on the latter's well worn tyres, and Vettel was using lots of the curbs. Frankly he's damn lucky the tyres lasted that long.

Pirelli said the tyres were good for 40 laps depending on conditions. Those wheels had done 28 laps, and they weren't at extreme conditions in heat or pace sp they should have held. Pirelli just trying to cover themselves.

[ashtaron14]

The same tires on Rosberg's car lasted a mere 4 laps in Free Practice.

Don't forget Pirelli is now a Chinese owned Italian Brand, perhaps one of them is a counterfeit tire?

And how about Bottas's car on different tires? It was funny to see on TV but I didn't think top tier teams can make such a silly mistake.

[M_Six]

Agreed. Tires should degrade noticeably, not be usable one minute and explode the next. If that tire had blown during the compression phase of Eau Rouge, he'd have needed a new racing suit at a minimum.

[DC-T]

I have nothing but utter respect for Paul Hembery. He is a motorsport fan above all else, and has worked tirelessly to get tyres to work which make racing spectacular for years. He has been at Pirelli for over twenty years, and both WSBK, F1, and Rally fans have to admit that he is good at what he does.The events of the F1 weekend at Spa will do little to tarnish a reputation which has gathered distance and height over the years.*


Sebastian Vettel, on work tyres, was in prime position to take a strong third place behind Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, when his rear right tyre blew and took him out of contention. Many said that Ferrari rode their luck, and the tire blew because it was worn. The other camps said the tyre wasn't up to scratch, comparing it to Rosberg hair raising moment on Friday. Pirelli and Hembery said the incidents were not related, while Rosberg's wheel has a structure issue, Vettel's was just sheer wear.*


Pirelli have a tyre data technician in each pit box who gathers data and is part of the decision making process when it comes to strategy. This individual is therefore privy to every detail of data around the car, as well as information about the tyre structure, tyre life, and dependability. The information given by Pirelli to all the teams was therefore that the tyre would last up to four to laps depending of race conditions. To quote Paul:


"The wear life was indicated at around 40 laps, but it's an indication. You don't guarantee because it's variable car-to-car, on the race conditions, race situation. Sometimes it's not a precise data."


The wheel blew after it had done 28 laps. It is then safe to assume that in ideal conditions, on a normal pace as the tyre is expected to perform, the tyre would last. Vettel wasn't breaking lap records, and the lesser fuel load would have also made the car slightly easier to handle. Even if he was holding station for an onrushing Roman Grosjean.*


Why do Pirelli then have a margin of dependability if the data is not precise? Why do they have a technician on the puts who will advise and agree and disagree on the strategy? Why are Pirelli trying to blame Ferrari when they were working on the advice they were given? Had the wheel blown on the thirty-fifth lap there was a *good reason to apportion blame to the team, but surely not with another 13 laps "to the good".


Brand Management is important, and as in many companies there is a tine to take a hit and a time to fight band. BIC and their Woman's month ad. Marie Claire and their women's month ad. Blaming Ferrari for the wrong information, the silence of their data technician, and hide behind the fact that everyone else stopped, and those who didn't have an accident erred on the side of caution were safe is not the way. This is racing?*


Sadly, the points are gone, as so is the title hunt for Sebastian Vettel.*


http://m.crash.net/f1/news/222296/1/pirelli-f1-ignored-our-request-to-limit-laps.html

http://m.crash.net/f1/news/222301/1/arrivabene-onestop-strategy-was-always-plan-a.html

http://m.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/120456/pirelli-surprised-at-ferrari-tactics

[SenorFunkyPants]

Pirelli construct the tyres to degrade quickly to force multiple pit stops JUST AS THEY WERE ASKED TO DO.
They could easily make them much more durable and safer if thats is what is wanted.

[DC-T]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

Pirelli construct the tyres to degrade quickly to force multiple pit stops JUST AS THEY WERE ASKED TO DO.
They could easily make them much more durable and safer if thats is what is wanted.

If the margin of error is presented, then it must carry it's weight until that time or there about surely?

[hellrotm]

Like how Vettel was constantly exceeding track limits all weekend and he didn't even get a warning.

[DC-T]

Thought kerbs were allowed?