Mercedes can’t get the tyres working again, very odd.
F1 2021 Season
- Thread starter pauldyson1uk
- Start date
Mazepin spinning and hitting a wall ... again, luckily never damaged the car this time.
At what point do Haas cut their losses here with this guy, been a disaster so far with the stuff that happened before the season even started and then his errr actual racing
At what point do Haas cut their losses here with this guy, been a disaster so far with the stuff that happened before the season even started and then his errr actual racing
Azerbaijan GP Practice Two Timesheet
| Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1) Sergio Perez | Red Bull | 1:42.115 |
| 2) Max Verstappen | Red Bull | +0.101 |
| 3) Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | +0.128 |
| 4) Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.321 |
| 5) Pierre Gasly | AlphaTauri | +0.419 |
| 6) Fernando Alonso | Alpine | +0.578 |
| 7) Antonio Giovinazzi | Alfa Romeo | +0.826 |
| 8) Lando Norris | McLaren | +0.903 |
| 9) Esteban Ocon | Alpine | +0.905 |
| 10) Yuki Tsunoda | AlphaTauri | +1.015 |
| 11) Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | +1.041 |
| 12) Kimi Raikkonen | Alfa Romeo | +1.105 |
| 13) Daniel Ricciardo | McLaren | +1.183 |
| 14) Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | +1.697 |
| 15) Sebastian Vettel | Aston Martin | +1.766 |
| 16) Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | +2.069 |
| 17) George Russell | Williams | +2.442 |
| 18) Nikita Mazepin | Haas | +3.448 |
| 19) Mick Schumacher | Haas | +3.980 |
| 20) Nicholas Latifi | Williams | +4.868 |
Mercedes again with a mare. you dont expect to see them 11th and 16th even in FP and over a second for Lewis behind.
Mercedes having problem, giving Red Bull an easy time.
Mercedes having problem, giving Red Bull an easy time.
Dont really think HAAS are that bothered about how the season pans out, all their effort is on 2022.
He is a accident waiting to happen and a big one at that.
They took his money/sponsorship, they made their bed.
This year's Singapore Grand Prix has reportedly been cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions, with Formula 1 now weighing up its replacement options.
According to a report from the BBC, for the second year running, the event's organisers and F1 agreed that it would not be possible for the Marina Bay venue to host the early October race as entry restrictions to the sovereign island will still be in place in approximately four months' time
Formula 1 is expected to confirm Singapore's cancellation imminently.
"We continue to work with all promoters during this fluid time and have plenty of options to adapt if needed," said a spokesman for the sports' commercial rights holder.
One potential venue seen as a viable replacement is Istanbul Park, which was initially scheduled to host the Turkish Grand Prix this month – in place of the Canadian Grand Prix - before the race was scrapped due to travel restrictions between the UK and Turkey.
But Shanghai in China is also an option for F1 while the Circuit of the Americas in Austin has reportedly put itself on the ranks to stage a double header, with a first race taking place a week before the US Grand Prix, scheduled on October 24.
Despite the latest news, Formula 1 remains confident of seeing the 2021 campaign unfold over 23 race weekends.
But the whisper in the paddock suggests that Brazil and Japan are also in jeopardy.
Unless Turkey is added to the green list, not a chance of a race there.
According to a report from the BBC, for the second year running, the event's organisers and F1 agreed that it would not be possible for the Marina Bay venue to host the early October race as entry restrictions to the sovereign island will still be in place in approximately four months' time
Formula 1 is expected to confirm Singapore's cancellation imminently.
"We continue to work with all promoters during this fluid time and have plenty of options to adapt if needed," said a spokesman for the sports' commercial rights holder.
One potential venue seen as a viable replacement is Istanbul Park, which was initially scheduled to host the Turkish Grand Prix this month – in place of the Canadian Grand Prix - before the race was scrapped due to travel restrictions between the UK and Turkey.
But Shanghai in China is also an option for F1 while the Circuit of the Americas in Austin has reportedly put itself on the ranks to stage a double header, with a first race taking place a week before the US Grand Prix, scheduled on October 24.
Despite the latest news, Formula 1 remains confident of seeing the 2021 campaign unfold over 23 race weekends.
But the whisper in the paddock suggests that Brazil and Japan are also in jeopardy.
Unless Turkey is added to the green list, not a chance of a race there.
This is true, but there must come a time when the driver becomes a liability
When the Mazepin family credit card is declined for a lack of funds. Until then, he'll be there for every race this year.
Sadly money is king in F1 not talent.
I thought the season was over 
Mercedes lack of single lap pace is down to not being able to get the Softs into the right window over a single hot lap according to BBC. Longer race pace is up there with the Red Bulls.
Not a suprise that the teams with the illegal flexible rear wings had the top 4 spots covered. Bloody slow FIA, why not have the new load tests for Baku where there is a definite advantage of a flexible rear wing rather than delay it till french GP.
Not a suprise that the teams with the illegal flexible rear wings had the top 4 spots covered. Bloody slow FIA, why not have the new load tests for Baku where there is a definite advantage of a flexible rear wing rather than delay it till french GP.
Not yet convinced that the wing is illegal, could be that they have just used a loophole, but if they have it will soon be closed, but even so you dont expect this !
A day to forget for Mercedes
Session one
A day to forget for Mercedes
Session one
- 7. Lewis Hamilton +0.709
- 10. Valtteri Bottas +1.707
- 11. Lewis Hamilton +1.041
- 16. Valtteri Bottas +2.069
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Lets see what happens in FP3. Track temperature could affect the cars as well. Mercs will figure it out.
I doubt Haas would even be in F1 any more without the Mazepin money. While he's obviously not the best driver he's keeping the team afloat. Maybe after the cost caps they'll be able to negotiate a better deal, but there was rumours of Mazepin buying the whole team.
FP3 has started ,
Ted Kravitz reports that Mercedes will run their higher-downforce rear wing from this session, as they bid to cure their single-lap ails of yesterday.
It was the twisty middle sector where they were especially losing out.
Ted Kravitz reports that Mercedes will run their higher-downforce rear wing from this session, as they bid to cure their single-lap ails of yesterday.
It was the twisty middle sector where they were especially losing out.
Max has crashed the RB. Minor crash. Red Flag. Mercedes looks like they have gone too far with the changes anx made the car worse.
Max has gone in at Turn 15 - where Charles Leclerc also crashed yesterday.
He's lost half his front wing, and is struggling to reverse at the moment.
RED FLAG
He's lost half his front wing, and is struggling to reverse at the moment.
RED FLAG
FP3 is back on.
Mercedes need this track time
Mercedes need this track time
Mercs still a way of pace.
Merc struggles make me feel warm and fuzzy.
Bottas saying that the changes have made no difference.
Mazepin , has brushed the wall , damaged his car. 
Bottas out on softs.
Turn 15 is causing a few problems in FP3
Russell leaking fluid, VSC
Russell has no power and with a new engine for this race.
Lewis find some speed, ends FP3 in 3rd
Commentators suggesting Mercs will have to tow each other to quali well
Yeah but they are talking bollocks, they have problems, Lewis did get a tow at the end of FP3.Commentators suggesting Mercs will have to tow each other to quali well
Cant see anything but a Red Bull/ Ferrari win and at a track Merc should be flying round.
Never known Mercedes to be genuinely struggling so badly before, maybe the DAS system removal has really effected them worse than we all expected?
It seems they've set the car up to be really 'tyre friendly' which is great for looking after the tyres in the race, but they just can't get them fired up in short runs. I suspect they'll make up plenty of ground in the race but qualfying could end up being a bit of an embarrasment for them. I wonder if Bottas will decide to be a team player today?
It seems they've set the car up to be really 'tyre friendly' which is great for looking after the tyres in the race, but they just can't get them fired up in short runs. I suspect they'll make up plenty of ground in the race but qualfying could end up being a bit of an embarrasment for them. I wonder if Bottas will decide to be a team player today?
Azerbaijan GP Practice Three Timesheet
| Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1) Pierre Gasly | AlphaTauri | 1:42.251 |
| 2) Sergio Perez | Red Bull | +0.344 |
| 3) Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | +0.446 |
| 4) Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.527 |
| 5) Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | +0.755 |
| 6) Lando Norris | McLaren | +0.760 |
| 7) Fernando Alonso | Alpine | +0.829 |
| 8) Yuki Tsunoda | AlphaTauri | +0.993 |
| 9) Esteban Ocon | Alpine | +1.043 |
| 10) Daniel Ricciardo | McLaren | +1.306 |
| 11) Sebastian Vettel | Aston Martin | +1.334 |
| 12) Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | +1.431 |
| 13) Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | +1.494 |
| 14) Kimi Raikkonen | Alfa Romeo | +1.575 |
| 15) Max Verstappen | Red Bull | +1.733 |
| 16) Nicholas Latifi | Williams | +1.803 |
| 17) Antonio Giovinazzi | Alfa Romeo | +1.862 |
| 18) George Russell | Williams | +2.183 |
| 19) Mick Schumacher | Haas | +3.031 |
| 20) Nikita Mazepin | Haas | +3.460 |
after watching FP , there is a very real chance that one or both of the Mercs might not make Q3 !!!
The time Lewis got in FP3 was aided by a huge tow from Perez.
Its not a case of sandbags, thats just daft.
The time Lewis got in FP3 was aided by a huge tow from Perez.
Its not a case of sandbags, thats just daft.
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This isn't sandbagging at all.
While Merc are probably not using full engine power, they are NEVER this low in FP times. I expect they'll be scrapping for a top 6/7 position today.
Its the rule change for this season which was done to curtail Mercedes dominance. The rear downforce loss Mercedes haven't clawed back entirely. Therefore less downforce, the harder it is to push the tyres to generate heat and grip. No-one foresaw that a higher rake would be an advantage this season. Though there will be no high rake cars next season, as the return of ground effect means thats any sort of rake will be a huge disadvantage for the aero.
Not sure that's completely the issue as they aren't getting the fronts switched on either. They don't lack grip once heated up, in race conditions they'll still be flying so downforce isn't the issue IMO.
They had a similar issue on the car last year but the DAS system helped them over come it. Look at Races like Portimao where they struggled massively for the first few laps.
It seems because of the nature of this circuit with lots of long straights and not many load bearing corners, they just aren't putting the heat through the tyres like they would in other proper tracks. Monaco is the same as it's slow corners or quick twitch corners, so unless your tyres are already heated they won't build it up through corners naturally.
I think Mercedes have simply made the cars too tyre friendly for street circuits, but could prove dividends in other tracks like Spain where we saw Verstappen kill his tyres much earlier.
Monaco has always been a problem track for them , but Baku is a good track, high speed straights, winners the last 2 races run, they should not be struggling here.
Russell has to change power unit due to a water pump leak.