[Official] Chinese Grand Prix 2019: Grand Prix Weekend Thread - Round 3 of 21

[VIVA GT]

With all this talk about pole position not being the best place to start the race, do we think that Lewis deliberately sandbagged in qualifying so he would start on the stickier side?

[old man]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

With all this talk about pole position not being the best place to start the race, do we think that Lewis deliberately sandbagged in qualifying so he would start on the stickier side?

Interesting thought but given the margins looks unlikely, maybe Lewis is the guy who could judge it so finely but, really???, methinks you jest

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

With all this talk about pole position not being the best place to start the race, do we think that Lewis deliberately sandbagged in qualifying so he would start on the stickier side?

It’s always possible! The suggestion from C4 commentary was that the extra rubber was from previous support races, so more ammunition for a conspiracy theory.....

As for why pole man can’t chose which side he wants, my understanding is that the grid layout always has pole on the inside, but not sure without research if that’s related to the first corner or whether the circuit is driven clockwise or anti-clockwise.....

[Mike Harte]

To the best of my recollection, pole has always been on the inside position regardless of whether clockwise or not.

However, something in the back of my mind tells me that, sometime in the not too distant past, the drivers of a particular major race (probably F1) persuaded the Race Director/CoC at the drivers' briefing, held before practice/qualifying, to change pole to the outside as that side had always proved to give an advantage at that circuit.

[crmalcolm]

The formation of the grid may be changing soon...

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f...95024/1386318/

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

With all this talk about pole position not being the best place to start the race, do we think that Lewis deliberately sandbagged in qualifying so he would start on the stickier side?

im a big fan of LH but if he had done that intentionally then he would have been talking it big time.

and so should he as that would have been a brilliant piece of tactical driving.

[ApexTurtle]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

With all this talk about pole position not being the best place to start the race, do we think that Lewis deliberately sandbagged in qualifying so he would start on the stickier side?

[S griffin]

I think it’s a shame this race was a bit of a damp squib

[djinvicta]

I must admit, socially I am not an LH fan, but I was at Magny Cour, must have been year 2000 plus for a Grand Prix. LH started last in what must have been an F2 or F3 race and "did" the lot. Won it and overtook everyone. I said then.."A kid with a future". I was hugely impressed!
Yes..in great machinery he can do the Business.
As has been said over the generations.. put him in a Minardi/Arrows/Torro Rosso.
How would he end up?
I enjoy watching his up front racing action. But, if he is 3rd/4th/5th..he gives up. Winges and bloody moans..
But then, I think most "winners" do. Fine when out front, and the man has huge talent.. but so would Leclerc/Hulkenberg/Verstappen etc if you stuck them in a Mercedes..

[djinvicta]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

To the best of my recollection, pole has always been on the inside position regardless of whether clockwise or not.

However, something in the back of my mind tells me that, sometime in the not too distant past, the drivers of a particular major race (probably F1) persuaded the Race Director/CoC at the drivers' briefing, held before practice/qualifying, to change pole to the outside as that side had always proved to give an advantage at that circuit.

Be great wouldn't it if a driver got pole and then said, "yes, Ill start in 3rd place please not pole..".............. and won the GP..

[Peter Mallett]

Deej, I take your point and agree except I do think he grew up in 2018. He didn't need to get into his team mates face so was much more relaxed. I'm hoping Bottas will provide a decent challenge this year so we can see him handling things in an adult manner. I won't mind if he wins as long as he keeps being sensible.

[wnut]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

The formation of the grid may be changing soon...

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f...95024/1386318/

Perhaps they could pick up a telephone and speak to Sir Jackie Stewart, he would be able to tell them why 3 abreast grid formations were discontinued, no simulation necessary!
Also bear in mind that the older cars were not as aero sensitive as the modern cars.

What could possibly go wrong?

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

The formation of the grid may be changing soon...

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f...95024/1386318/

How is this going? I remember it being suggested ages ago (that article is over a year old).

[E.B]

Originally Posted by Adam43

How is this going? I remember it being suggested ages ago (that article is over a year old).

Linked to changes to qualifying and how the grid is contested, I know the more recently proposed 'Q4 for 2020' ( four drivers eliminated in Q1, Q2 and Q3, leaving eight to compete for pole position in a 10-minute shoot-out at the end) is likely to be rejected as the teams have universally voted against it. (9/10 teams rejected it)

https://www.racefans.net/2019/04/16/...o-be-rejected/

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Adam43

How is this going? I remember it being suggested ages ago (that article is over a year old).

Jan 19 update - https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-bespoke-sim-trial-grid-changes/4323615/amp/

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by djinvicta

As has been said over the generations.. put him in a Minardi/Arrows/Torro Rosso.
How would he end up?

Significantly better than most, I'd guess..... It's all to easy to put him down with the typical 'he's in the best car, what do you expect?' comments that we've heard about most great champions over goodness knows how many years, but I still believe that on an equal day in equal machinery, he would beat most of the current crop.

[S griffin]

Well he would do alright, but won’t set fireworks. He’s doing well because he has the best and won’t set the world on fire in a mid distance car, but might do a little better than expected

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Well he would do alright, but won’t set fireworks. He’s doing well because he has the best and won’t set the world on fire in a mid distance car, but might do a little better than expected

I have to say, I find that comment close to absurd. I'm going to have to ask you to justify that..... Tell me who would be beating him? So who would be setting the fireworks, in your view?

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

I have to say, I find that comment close to absurd. I'm going to have to ask you to justify that..... Tell me who would be beating him? So who would be setting the fireworks, in your view?

Mark Webber, but only in a Renault...

[Born Racer]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Well he would do alright, but won’t set fireworks. He’s doing well because he has the best and won’t set the world on fire in a mid distance car, but might do a little better than expected

Might do a little better than who expects? Not yourself apparently as you seem to think he would do worse than most expect.

[S griffin]

Well it's the classic how long is a piece of string? He wouldn't start winning races, but it would help reassess drivers in the midfield by his performance

[Aysedasi]

But your comment suggested that in a lesser car he would be pretty average.... That's how I read it? I don't think anyone would necessarily suggest he would start winning races in a current Toro Rosso or a Renault, I was merely postulating that he would show his undoubted ability in a lesser car. So if his performance would allow a reassessment of the midfield drivers, that suggests that you don't think he'd be fairly average then?

[Richard C]

I think this is a difficult discussion. I am not sure if everyone has the same understanding as to what success would be. Does the driver outpace his teammate (success?) or does the driver race through the field and outpace everyone (success?)

IMHO the main issue with midfield and lower cars is not the drivers, but the cars and teams themselves. So dropping a proven top level driver into a midfield team is likely to show "something", but they are not going to drive through the field.

Another issue is that drivers like Lewis, while being able to drive around car issues, may initially be frustrated with car limitations. So assuming they are not eventually crushed from a frustration perspective (why am I in this bad of a car?) and given some time to adapt to the native limitations of a given car/team, I expect they would shine (within reason).

Richard

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

I think this is a difficult discussion. I am not sure if everyone has the same understanding as to what success would be. Does the driver outpace his teammate (success?) or does the driver race through the field and outpace everyone (success?)

IMHO the main issue with midfield and lower cars is not the drivers, but the cars and teams themselves. So dropping a proven top level driver into a midfield team is likely to show "something", but they are not going to drive through the field.

Another issue is that drivers like Lewis, while being able to drive around car issues, may initially be frustrated with car limitations. So assuming they are not eventually crushed from a frustration perspective (why am I in this bad of a car?) and given some time to adapt to the native limitations of a given car/team, I expect they would shine (within reason).

Richard

A bit like Kimmi does in the Sauber Romeo?

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

A bit like Kimmi does in the Sauber Romeo?

I haven't really been paying attention to Kimi much this season yet, but looking at results, probably yes.

Richard