Interesting qualifying analysis on Autosprint:
Hamilton complained bitterly on Twitter about not having the same rear wing as Jenson but what about other teams?
Kobayashi had a great Sector 2 time, this is the section with the long fast corners and that would seem to translate into a higher downforce setup. Indeed, Kamui was only 11th fastest in the speed trap right after Eau Rouge with 303.4 km/h. The fastest through that the trap was Vettel with 310.6 but by the end of the Kemmel uphill straight, Kamui was the fastest with 330.9 and Sebastian the slowest with 316!
How can that be? Going down into Eau Rouge, even in qualifying DRS can't be used but on the following straight is can, so it seems Sauber have found a very efficient way to stall the rear wing. Meanwhile at Red Bull Vettel claimed he did everything right but the car just lacks speed. Seems clear that the RB8 withough the blown exhaust ( and maps and switchable suspension settings and...) is suffering more from setup compromises.
What about Ferrari? They had to choose a low downforce setup to compensate for their lack of top speed. With DRS "closed" Alonso was the fastest behind the two Red Bulls but at the end of Sector 1 he was only 13th. The F2012 is lacking in top speed but Alonso is Able to deal with the lack of downforce. Massa instead could not hold the low grip car enough in Sector 2.
It's a shame Lotus didn't get enough data on the DDRS. And I can tell you it's a thing of beauty from the inside (engineering wise, anyway).
ReplyDeleteQuite surprised Lotusndid not roll the dice with at least one of the cars...
DeleteOne thing you have to remember is that the majority of the teams just let the car sit on the limiter about 1/2 way down straight after Eau Rouge so that on race day they have a 7th gear that can still pull.The Sauber team may have opted for a taller 7th that takes advantage of the DRS system more then others, letting the accelerate to 330kph were as others are sitting at ~315 as they have all year long.
ReplyDeleteButton was certainly banging on the limiter with the DRS open and it worked for him, right compromise I guess
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