[Official] Portuguese Grand Prix 2020: Grand Prix Weekend Thread - Round 12 of 17

[Akrapovic]

There is absolutely no easy answer, but there are some situations where the solutions are ridiculous.

Take Malmedy at Spa, for example. It was a kerb and then gravel. They have since added a green strip of tarmac/astrotruf/texturedroad beyond the kerb between the kerb and gravel. This in theory improves safety as now the gravel is slightly further back.

The reality is the drivers began using that big of green tarmac anyway. So now they're running up against the gravel, but the corner is faster. Safety has not improved. So they've come up with a solution - they've added another strip of tarmac outside the green one, so there is room to the gravel.

The reality is the drivers began using that too. So now the track is 5m wider on exit, the corner is significantly faster (and when corners speed up you have to start talking about whether or not the run off distance to the wall is sufficient) and no safety has been improved. So we've introduced a track limits problem, sped up the corner, and not improved safety.

I am all for tarmac run off for the many reasons discussed. But there does need to be more thought into it than, for example, Spa has done.

I'm also willing to forgive track limits stuff when it comes to GT and sportscar series which have a lot of Ams and less skilled drivers. But when it comes to F1, does nobody find it utterly laughable that the "best drivers in the world" can't drive between 2 white lines? They complain about lack of grip, but the solution there would be slow down.

[Anyopenroad]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

I must still be dreaming, but are people advocating that drivers should actually be pushing harder in practice then they do during the race???

I don't think so? I don't understand this post, sorry.

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by Anyopenroad

I don't think so? I don't understand this post, sorry.

I was responding to the point that practice is where drivers should be discovering the track limits and how that translates to exceeding track limits during the race.

Which i dont agree with because no one (other then max of course) races in anger during practice and they never really use old or dying tires in practice.

The race itself presents a unique challange that creates different scenerios then the practice sessions.

Anyways, i must still be sleeping

[chillibowl]

Sounds really windy out there!

[Greem]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

I am all for tarmac run off for the many reasons discussed. But there does need to be more thought into it than, for example, Spa has done.

...and Spa is actually putting gravel traps back in again!

Anyway: race time

[Greem]

Lap 1. Brilliant.

And raining.

[chillibowl]

So great!

[Greem]

SAINZ LEADS!

[chillibowl]

How did kimi get up in it???

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by Greem

SAINZ LEADS!

Wow.

Have to come back here next year!

[Greem]

DOTR for Kimi? +10 places in two laps!

[bjohnsonsmith]

A bit of a crazy start, with Verstappen hitting Perez. A number of drivers locking up. Initially it was a good start from Hamilton but Bottas got the bit between his teeth and took the lead, only to have Sainz get the better of Bottas.

[Greem]

Interesting tyre observation: those who went forwards on the soft compound in the first 2 laps are now going backwards compared to the medium compound.

Except Verstappen.

Edit: including Verstappen!

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by Greem

Interesting tyre observation: those who went forwards on the soft compound in the first 2 laps are now going backwards compared to the medium compound.

Except Verstappen.

Although relatively I think he’s got a similar problem. Although a Red Bull with those tyres still better than most.

Edit:

Originally Posted by Greem

Edit: including Verstappen!

[chillibowl]

Lets see if Merc let Ham go for the undercut.

[Greem]

Verstappen's fronts wouldn't pass an MOT at the moment.

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

Lets see if Merc let Ham go for the undercut.

Of course we know how Merc operate in this situation. Leader chooses.

Lewis might be leading soon anyway. So I suppose that will be because Merc are favoring him.

[Greem]

Oof. That Norris/Perez prang could have been utterly horrible.

[edit] ta to ascarracinguk for pointing out that it was Stroll

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by Adam43

Of course we know how Merc operate in this situation. Leader chooses.

Lewis might be leading soon anyway. So I suppose that will be because Merc are favoring him.

Indeed lol.

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by Greem

Verstappen's fronts wouldn't pass an MOT at the moment.

You’ve set yourself up for the Internet point chasers there.

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by Greem

Verstappen's fronts wouldn't pass an MOT at the moment.

Originally Posted by chillibowl

Indeed lol.

I think it is clear Merc favor Lewis - they allow him to use his superior speed in qualifying and the races.

[ascarracinguk]

Originally Posted by Greem

Oof. That Norris/Perez prang could have been utterly horrible.

Stroll......

[Greem]

Originally Posted by ascarracinguk

Stroll......

Doh. Of course.

If it had been Perez then it would already have been really bad!

[ascarracinguk]

gonna say it again.....Hamilton doing his usual trick of sitting behind, letting bottas burn out his tyres and pouncing

[Adam43]

Stupid tyre graphic! I believed it in Microprose GP, but not here.