Set up nicely for the race. If Nico beats Seb into turn 1 I think Mercedes will control the race like China. Ferrari look strong on race pace but I think Mercedes still have an edge especially on the prime tyres. Has the potential to be a great race but I believe Lewis will win because tyre wear doesn't seem to be a big issue in the cooler conditions. Ferrari will probably hang on to merc until the prime tyres go on. Well done to Alonso too for getting the Macca into q2, showing signs of progress

Or perhaps Ferrari, in not showing their hand until Q3, have saved some tyre life on each set.

 

Hamilton certainly caned his Q2 set - which he has to start the race on.

We shall see. It is possible that even with Hamilton doing that q2 time that his car was set up well enough to avoid undue tyre wear. No-one seemed too concerned about it. I for sure would rather be on pole with that set of tyres than p3 with a set that may or may not be in better condition. Plus ferrari on the dirty side of the grid. Didn't make any difference last year but it is still a factor. Either way it is all set up to be a fascinating race

What I am affraid of is that Nico's side of the garage overdid the strategy by saving tyres in qually... The reason beeing the huge time difference between LH (what a mighty lap!) and NR. The latter wasn't saying anything about mistakes on his Q3 lap? I must admit I had no time to watch aftet the race commentaries - detailing my vRS and SWMBO's car yesterday . Lovely weather

From what I gather LH's lap in q2 was neat and tidy aswell as fast so hopefully no extra wear on his tyres. If he gets a good start and does what Vettel always did in 2010-2013 and build a drs breaking lead on the first lap, he will be able to control the pace like China and the cooler evening conditions should mean that degradation is not as big an issue as it could be. It all gets very interesting if Seb leads out of turn 1.

The key point from yesterday I think is that both LH and SV are upbeat, and Nico is explaining another mistake. If he comes third or worse, this could be the watershed moment in his career, he won't get another such a great crack at a world title than this time with Mercedes. Driving a Sauber near you in 3 years time? I'm extremely impressed with Vettel this year, what a way to silence his critics that claim he can't drive.

SV is doing himself proud, no doubt about that one and you can tell by thecway he's beaming at everybody .

Seb has certainly been re-energised by his move to Ferrari. I bet he is glad not to be in the red bull car this year. Fully agree that both LH and SV are upbeat. Nico has to claw himself back to where he was before Spa last year as the tide between them shifted big time there.

No JB due to damage from his fire yesterday

From what I gather LH's lap in q2 was neat and tidy aswell as fast so hopefully no extra wear on his tyres. If he gets a good start and does what Vettel always did in 2010-2013 and build a drs breaking lead on the first lap, he will be able to control the pace like China and the cooler evening conditions should mean that degradation is not as big an issue as it could be. It all gets very interesting if Seb leads out of turn 1.

 

That is going to be difficult having tyres so much worse (in theory) than Nico - can't wait !

Well, I think that's put my predictions in bits

Yup :(

Well done to LH, KR and NR today. All drove exceptionally well. I thought SV looked a little bit scruffy at times, I think he ran wide at least twice. Good timing for Ricciardos engine too not seen a mechanical failure out of the last corner before

http://hasmaldonadocrashedtoday.com/

I hope Kimi can keep this pace up. I'd so like him to beat SV this year!

 

Lewis looked like he'd got everything under control, but nice to see Nico being a bit racy for a change (he has looked a bit like he'd conceded the drivers championship already).

 

And Alonso/McLaren just outside the points. He did reckon that this would be the last race where they didn't score any points and apparently they (the cars) are getting a new rear end for Barcelona.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/118604. Apparently Vettel was struggling with the back end of his Ferrari, perhaps his biggest driving weakness is when the back end isn't what he wants. He had the same issues last year. Spain will be a true indication of Ferrari's improved pace, if they can give Merc a run there then it shows that they have a decent aero package as-well. I do believe Mercedes will be a bit further ahead in Spain due to their chassis and aero but with the first round of updates who knows. LH must be loving the fact that he keeps winning while the others keep taking points off each other behind him

ben1990, on 19 Apr 2015 - 18:38, said:

Well done to LH, KR and NR today. All drove exceptionally well. I thought SV looked a little bit scruffy at times, I think he ran wide at least twice. Good timing for Ricciardos engine too not seen a mechanical failure out of the last corner before

 

Very nearly. Kovalainen's only win was inherited when Massa's Ferrari went "Kaboom" very late on.  And in the fuel limited turbo years, lots of cars conked out in sight of the finish.  Patrese's Monaco win was possibly the most farcical ever.

Edited 19 April, 201511 yr by camelspyyder

Very nearly. Kovalainen's only win was inherited when Massa's Ferrari went "Kaboom" very late on. And in the fuel limited turbo years, lots of cars conked out in sight of the finish. Patrese's Monaco win was possibly the most farcical ever.

I remember Heikki's win. The previous turbo years are a few years before my time but I do remember Hakkinen at Spain in 2001 handing the win to Schuey with half a lap to go. I can't remember a failure like that literally out of the last corner

Good, race, lots of drama and plenty of race craft on show.

 

Impressed with Nasser - he's got the talent and the fire in his belly to go really far provided he manages his affairs wisely.

 

I wish Kimi changed the tyres 5 laps earlier, he'd have won hands down!

 

Nico woke up a little bit and showed he could make good, edge of the seat moves stick, well done! Pity BBW failed at the end and forced him wide handing the place to Kimi.

 

LH run another perfect weekend, chap is on fire, congrats!

 

 

It was interesting seing Ron loosing his cool and having a public *******ing of Eric on the pit wall.

 

All in all I am really happy Merc has a true contender now,

I wonder if/when Mercedes will consider putting Nico in a supporting role if the Ferrari threat continues

I do not think they ever will...

I wonder if/when Mercedes will consider putting Nico in a supporting role if the Ferrari threat continues

 

Nah, not until theres no mathematical chance.

I suppose more importantly is would Nico play ball? 

Vettel was poor on Sunday, I was disappointed to be honest. Kimis kick up the arse seemed to have worked, but for how long? Interesting article in Car mag this month on Renault. Abiteboul is claiming that the latest mods are close to Mercedes on the dyno testing... Hope so, would be great to see Ricciardo and kyvat making it a 5.5 way fight!

Vettel was poor on Sunday, I was disappointed to be honest. Kimis kick up the arse seemed to have worked, but for how long? Interesting article in Car mag this month on Renault. Abiteboul is claiming that the latest mods are close to Mercedes on the dyno testing... Hope so, would be great to see Ricciardo and kyvat making it a 5.5 way fight!

 

I never read about Kimi needing "Re-motivating".

 

Kyvat has been disappointing all year.  Looking like a bit of a knee-jerk choice by RBR when Vettel quit. They could have had Alonso dead cheap too.