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~* 2011 Belgium Grand Prix *~


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#51 Nacho

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Posted 29 August 2011 - 10:14 PM

:werd:

They weren't trying to gap anyone before the first round of pits...their first stints were both about getting past the slower cars.

The thing is that McLaren and the like typically aren't trying to 'gap' anyone, but rather keep up with the Red Bulls.

And, as we've seen, a car on the hards is basically a sitting duck to anyone on even remotely good softs. Why not use the softs late, when everyone else is in 'cruise' mode and pick them off one by one? We keep seeing these cars on the faster tires later in the race chew through the field seemingly outta nowhere and always seem to end up much higher than the same-ol strategy bunch. And it makes sense. Track is more rubbered in, cars are lighter and therefore more able to take advantage of the extra grip, and the tires themselves have less stress put on them so they'll theoretically last longer.

If no one else, Mercedes should put this into practice, if not just to see what happens.

#52 Redliner

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Posted 29 August 2011 - 10:52 PM

The thing is that McLaren and the like typically aren't trying to 'gap' anyone, but rather keep up with the Red Bulls.

And, as we've seen, a car on the hards is basically a sitting duck to anyone on even remotely good softs. Why not use the softs late, when everyone else is in 'cruise' mode and pick them off one by one? We keep seeing these cars on the faster tires later in the race chew through the field seemingly outta nowhere and always seem to end up much higher than the same-ol strategy bunch. And it makes sense. Track is more rubbered in, cars are lighter and therefore more able to take advantage of the extra grip, and the tires themselves have less stress put on them so they'll theoretically last longer.

If no one else, Mercedes should put this into practice, if not just to see what happens.


Go tell JB this strategy on twitter @ http://twitter.com/#!/JensonButton...hurry, before Monza! :vuvu:

#53 kngrsll

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Posted 29 August 2011 - 11:28 PM

Button just keeps getting more and more impressive. And it helps his team mate keeps making bone head move after bone head move :mamoru:

#54 Nacho

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Posted 30 August 2011 - 02:49 PM

Go tell JB this strategy on twitter @ http://twitter.com/#!/JensonButton...hurry, before Monza! :vuvu:

It's too long for twitter!

#55 Dr. Jimmmah!

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Posted 30 August 2011 - 02:55 PM

You also have to consider that starting on prime tires means you have to qualify on prime tires too (unless you didn't make it into Q3 in the first place).

#56 Redliner

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Posted 30 August 2011 - 03:29 PM

You also have to consider that starting on prime tires means you have to qualify on prime tires too (unless you didn't make it into Q3 in the first place).


I'd run a soft/hard/soft combo if it were me...you'd pump in mighty fast times at the end of the race, but it's def. a bit of a gamble. The soft/soft/hard combo has less risk for sure. But it's also circuit dependent - some tracks are just impossible to pass at and you'd have to take that into considerations.

#57 Nacho

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Posted 30 August 2011 - 06:31 PM

You also have to consider that starting on prime tires means you have to qualify on prime tires too (unless you didn't make it into Q3 in the first place).

Indeed, but let's be honest, Mercedes isn't exactly challenging for pole.

#58 Nacho

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Posted 30 August 2011 - 06:32 PM

I'd run a soft/hard/soft combo if it were me...you'd pump in mighty fast times at the end of the race, but it's def. a bit of a gamble. The soft/soft/hard combo has less risk for sure. But it's also circuit dependent - some tracks are just impossible to pass at and you'd have to take that into considerations.

We've seen passes even in places like Valencia and Monaco when the overtaker was on softs (vs hards) in the closing laps of the race.

#59 Redliner

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Posted 30 August 2011 - 06:54 PM

Valencia? Are you sure? I fell asleep for that one :o That circuit is so much worse than Monaco...it needs to be axed.

#60 Nacho

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Posted 30 August 2011 - 10:02 PM

Valencia? Are you sure? I fell asleep for that one :o That circuit is so much worse than Monaco...it needs to be axed.

It might have been last year.

I distinctly being shocked that something happened. :o




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