OT: Racing 2011 (Spoiler Alert)

[Rodster]

No surprise as it's a RBR front row followed by Hammy and Capt. Morgan. Very impressive that Capt. Morgan's only flying lap got him 4th and three thousandth off of Hammy's tail and that's without the now banned Ferrari rear wing.

Should be interesting to see if Lotus, Williams or HRT file a protest and disqualify everyone from tomorrows race for the disputed off throttle blown diffuser which the FIA wants to ban but hasn't ruled on it yet. Charlie Whitting said it's a possibility and it would be considered if any team not using them decides to lodge a protest.

[toonarmy]

Hate to say it, but unless there are some equipment difficulties tomorrow's race looks to be a snoozer. Front row almost always wins this race and the top 5 were the same top 5 as last year. Maybe the new regs will spice things up, but I doubt it will do much to the cars at the top. The start could very well mean everything tomorrow.

[Zeppo]

It's interesting how the pirelli tires have essentially destroyed qualifying, at least Q3. Whether it's because grid position is much less critical due to the huge pace difference between the primes and options, or it's the desire to save as many fresh sets of options as possible, Q3 now has none of the excitement and tension build up towards the end that I've become used to over the years. Is it time for them to go back to the one-lap style of years past? Surely the Mercedes team's sponsors can't be too happy that Schumi didn't even go out on track for Q3.

I do expect, however, that between the new tires and the new DRS regs there should be a lot more scrambling around of places during the race than we are used to at Barcelona, at least behnd the Red Bulls. I heard in the 5 Live podcast that the difference between these hardest tires and the options is something like 2 seconds a lap, plus the drivers really don't like them at all. That's nuts!

[GB_Simo]

It's interesting how the pirelli tires have essentially destroyed qualifying, at least Q3. Whether it's because grid position is much less critical due to the huge pace difference between the primes and options, or it's the desire to save as many fresh sets of options as possible, Q3 now has none of the excitement and tension build up towards the end that I've become used to over the years. Is it time for them to go back to the one-lap style of years past? Surely the Mercedes team's sponsors can't be too happy that Schumi didn't even go out on track for Q3.

Certain journalists and media outlets seem to be perpetuating this idea that Schumi didn't go on track. He did. He was even very briefly on camera, in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it way. His failure to post a time was because of a KERS problem, but it so happens that his choices for tomorrow are exactly the ones he'd have had if he'd stayed in the pits. He ran an installation lap on hard tyres, just in case drivers like Maldonado and Petrov chose to save a set of softs. When it became clear that they hadn't chosen to do so and Michael would be starting 10th irrespective of whether he set a flyer or not, he pitted at the end of the out lap, so he has free call on which tyres to use and an extra fresh set of softs.

None of which changes your central point, Zep, or indeed my agreement with it. A suggestion was made in BBC commentary earlier which might be worth considering. Give those in the top 10 shootout an extra set of tyres, for use in the last 5 minutes of the session only. Then, you have that build up towards the end of Q3 that's been missing so far this year, but you've made no changes to the construction of the tyre so you still get the wear and the variable strategies on a Sunday. What do you think?

I do expect, however, that between the new tires and the new DRS regs there should be a lot more scrambling around of places during the race than we are used to at Barcelona, at least behnd the Red Bulls. I heard in the 5 Live podcast that the difference between these hardest tires and the options is something like 2 seconds a lap, plus the drivers really don't like them at all. That's nuts!

I saw some stats earlier which suggested that most of this season's passing has been down to tyres rather than DRS. I totally agree that there should be a much bigger shuffle than we generally get at Barcelona, but it's going to be really interesting to see how the shuffle happens and where the passing takes place. If they've got the DRS placement right, the first chicane is quick so it's still a gutsy move on the brakes, but the tyres might start to open up passing opportunities going through turns 4, 5 and 10 at least.

[Zeppo]

A suggestion was made in BBC commentary earlier which might be worth considering. Give those in the top 10 shootout an extra set of tyres, for use in the last 5 minutes of the session only. Then, you have that build up towards the end of Q3 that's been missing so far this year, but you've made no changes to the construction of the tyre so you still get the wear and the variable strategies on a Sunday. What do you think?

But I think another element that takes away from Q3 is that these tires aren't rubbering in the track very well at all, but seem to just crumble away into marbles instead. With the Bridgestones, you could clearly see a discernible difference as the sessions wore one, to the extent that the car that drove the last possible fast lap in Q3 had a real advantage. So because that played into cars waiting until just the right time to go out you had that extra 'umph' in the session where that last-second lap was the one that counted. After last race, when Vettel and Webber went out early and logged the one lap and then got out of their cars with some five minutes to go in the session, it was very clear to me that the rubbering-in factor is now negligible at best.

I do believe that the tires have a much greater impact on the crazy passing we are seeing than the DRS, but the DRS does have some impact as well. For me the question is, what is more important? Lots of passing on track during the race; strategy on the pit wall about how many stops, when to come in, etc.; some drivers taking better care of their tires than others having a major impact on the finishing order? Or exciting qualifying sessions that come down to that last lap under the checkered flag? But then, in the old days was the race won in Q3 or at worst the first corner?

I like the new racing, and of course I'd prefer exciting and unpredictable racing over exciting qualifying, if I can get only one, but I've heard Webber for one complain that the tires have made the racing too dependent on strategy and not dependent enough on driver skill. I do think this qualifying format is not well suited to the way these tires behave and something needs to change or soon we will see no cars at all go out on track in Q3. What then, determine the top 10 grid spots by lottery? Will the teams and drivers care, because will it really make a difference over the course of the race?

[GB_Simo]

But I think another element that takes away from Q3 is that these tires aren't rubbering in the track very well at all, but seem to just crumble away into marbles instead. With the Bridgestones, you could clearly see a discernible difference as the sessions wore one, to the extent that the car that drove the last possible fast lap in Q3 had a real advantage. So because that played into cars waiting until just the right time to go out you had that extra 'umph' in the session where that last-second lap was the one that counted. After last race, when Vettel and Webber went out early and logged the one lap and then got out of their cars with some five minutes to go in the session, it was very clear to me that the rubbering-in factor is now negligible at best.

True, though Vettel and Webber have the advantage of being able to judge after one lap whether anyone else will get within a calendar week of them, which must influence their thoughts on whether to burn another set of slicks or not. Rubbering in and marbling need not be independent of each other and the situation seems a bit better now we've got support races running on Pirellis too, but there's definitely nothing like the track evolution we've grown used to seeing.

I like the new racing, and of course I'd prefer exciting and unpredictable racing over exciting qualifying, if I can get only one, but I've heard Webber for one complain that the tires have made the racing too dependent on strategy and not dependent enough on driver skill.

When the subject of driver skill came up, I wonder if anyone mentioned to Webber that the bloke taking him to pieces in the other Red Bull has the same tyres? Not all of these overtaking moves are slam dunks, and it happens to be the case that the RB7 is comfortably the class of the field, so I've not put huge amounts of stock into Webber's comments just yet. What I would be very interested to hear is more opinion from those who are always surrounded by cars of similar pace. Alonso, for example, seems to be absolutely loving his sport at the minute.

[Rodster]

Kyle Busch promoted Kimi to the Nationwide race next week at Charlotte. He was told that he drove a really good race for someone with no oval experience. Kimi said he didn't think the racing would be so fun, though he rues all of the cautions in the race.

[Dave]

What a great and dramatic Pole Day at Indy, fantastic performance by Sam Schmidt Motorsports. Tagliani on the pole, Townsend Bell (someone give this guy a full-time ride!) lining up right behind him in row two.

Very rare to see IndyCar's DeathStar (Ganassi/Penske) have an off day, especially at Indy. What a complete F up by the Ganassi team, how do you not put enough fuel in the cars? Penske's day started out poorly with Briscoe wadding up his primary car and then they only put Power in the top 9 shootout.

I can't wait for the race next weekend.

[GB_Simo]

Rod, that must have been in the works for a little while, given that Kyle doesn't have a car entered in Nationwide and is linking up with NEMCO for Kimi's race next weekend. The Iceman did a very, very solid job yesterday and by the end, I'd come out from behind the couch and settled for watching through gaps in my fingers instead.

My, um, 'television' 'broke' as Tag started his second lap, so apologies if this was covered - was Dixon's drop off on his final timed lap a fuel issue too? I thought it hiccuped a tiny bit coming off 4 prior to running out but it might just have been a problem with my, um, 'aerial'. I can't even fathom how it's possible to run out as far from home as Dario did.

[toonarmy]

I watched bits and pieces of the race while also watching hockey. I thought Kimi looked pretty darn good considering it was his first race. The main thing is he looked like he belonged out there.

[Rodster]

Adam you're right the deal was in the works but it was on the condition that he finished the race and got experience but basically if he sucked and looked lost then there would be no deal. His practice and qualifying had me a bit thinking he's not going to be good at this.

Then the came the race and he looked capable, finishes on the lead lap, battled with other trucks and avoided wrecks. I thought Piquet Jr. looked good to and has been doing a nice job.

[Rodster]

Alonso, for example, seems to be absolutely loving his sport at the minute.

I dislike that POS but I gotta admit he is one helluva driver. That Ferrari still doesn't look like a 4th place qualifier.

[EZSnappin]

Anybody else watching WRC? I just got to see last week's Sardinia race and man, watching Loeb is a privilege. Started from the front all weekend, and even sweeping the road for his competitors didn't slow him down. To watch him take a hairpin is something special.

[Dave]

My, um, 'television' 'broke' as Tag started his second lap, so apologies if this was covered - was Dixon's drop off on his final timed lap a fuel issue too? I thought it hiccuped a tiny bit coming off 4 prior to running out but it might just have been a problem with my, um, 'aerial'. I can't even fathom how it's possible to run out as far from home as Dario did.

Yep, you got it, Dixon lost a lot of time because of it. Still can't believe the Ganassi team f*cked up qualifying like they did.

Man, Charlotte just doesn't work well with the current NASCAR car. One of the Waltrips, not realizing it was an indictment on the racing, said "there aren't any cars side-by-side" when there were a few laps to go in the All Star race.

[toonarmy]

Pretty good F1 race today -- at least much better than the usual snoozefest at Barcelona. Alonso made an incredible start, but in the end it was Lewis and Sebastian being the clear class of the field. McLaren looks to have made some ground on the Red Bulls.

[miget33]

Wow, what an intense final hour of bump day.

[Gurantsu]

So I'm finally getting around to watching some of the Indy qualifying on DVR (was away for the weekend practicing with the band). I have a question for PK or anyone else. Why is it when the drivers come down the front straight they all seem to veer to the inside of the track, then go back to the outside to enter turn one? Is it just a momentum thing coming out of turn 4, or is there a difference on the track that makes them do it. I would think that staying towards the outside would make you faster.

[Dave]

So I'm finally getting around to watching some of the Indy qualifying on DVR (was away for the weekend practicing with the band). I have a question for PK or anyone else. Why is it when the drivers come down the front straight they all seem to veer to the inside of the track, then go back to the outside to enter turn one? Is it just a momentum thing coming out of turn 4, or is there a difference on the track that makes them do it. I would think that staying towards the outside would make you faster.

I've read/heard a couple different things.

1. Getting away from the wall keeps the car in completely clean air. If a car is right against the wall, there will be some turbulence from the airflow around the car.

2. The cars have a natural pull to the left, so allowing it to go left part of the way down the straight allows the car to move without any steering inputs that could scrub off speed.

[GB_Simo]

I've heard both of those too, the first more than the second, but I've never really known the answer. The time gain must be minuscule, surely? Enough to make it worthwhile, whatever it is.

Alonso, for example, seems to be absolutely loving his sport at the minute.

I dislike that POS but I gotta admit he is one helluva driver. That Ferrari still doesn't look like a 4th place qualifier.

I've finally had a chance to watch the race. His qualifying lap was absolutely stunning, his start was just sensational, he led the first 20 laps of the Grand Prix and an hour later, he came home a lap behind the winner in a car that was still perfectly healthy. Whichever way I look at it, the end result was very, very unfair on Fernando after such a stellar weekend. If you stuck me in charge of driver contracts at Team DSP, the first thing I'd do is find out exactly how watertight that Ferrari extension is.

[Smurfy]

I think it's fantastic that this season Alonso, Vettel and Hamilton are all driving at the top of their game. It's a crying shame Kubica isn't in that Renault. After the great job he did last year, perhaps even Kovalainen is at the top of his game right now.

Regarding the line down the straight at Indy, I was always under the impression that the dirt/marbles tends to accumulate near the wall. I'm not saying this with confidence - just throwing it out there since I think I heard it mentioned once.

[Rodster]

I read on Autosport that HRT I believe will file a protest at Monaco for the off throttle blown diffusers. Can't figure Ferrari, in the wind tunnel the car said it was fast. On the race track it wasn't as fast as the others. I think they have been moving in the right direction but for some reason they can't generate the downforce the other top two i.e. McLaren and Red Bull are generating.

They'll probably figure it all out but it will be a little to late. I don't know if it's the tires, downforce or both. But when you look at the pace of Capt. Morgan with his car and you compare it to Massa you can't help but realize what kind of driver the Capt is.

[pk500]

So I'm finally getting around to watching some of the Indy qualifying on DVR (was away for the weekend practicing with the band). I have a question for PK or anyone else. Why is it when the drivers come down the front straight they all seem to veer to the inside of the track, then go back to the outside to enter turn one? Is it just a momentum thing coming out of turn 4, or is there a difference on the track that makes them do it. I would think that staying towards the outside would make you faster.

Dave is correct. One other reason that's hard to overlook, too: The lap is a shorter distance moving to the inside of the track.

[pk500]

Had the pleasure of meeting and talking with David Hobbs today during an Indy 500 media tour in Milwaukee. A grand chap -- just as jovial, funny and cool as he appears on SPEED.

We talked about how Vettel-Hammy over the final laps at Barcelona was somewhat reminiscent of Alonso-Schumi in 2005 at Imola and about the various spots that DRS would and wouldn't work at Monaco. Hobbo also said the rubber buildup would be insane at Monaco, especially in the tunnel, because Pirelli is bringing soft and super-soft compounds to The Principality.

Very enjoyable five minutes of conversation. Nice man.

[GB_Simo]

I'm not jealous, you bastard.

Where did David reckon DRS would work, mate? Looks like the start/finish straight is where it's going, a ban is in place through the tunnel and the only other straight worth the name, going up Beau Rivage, has some corners in it.

Dave is correct. One other reason that's hard to overlook, too: The lap is a shorter distance moving to the inside of the track.

If you're holding it down low from the middle of turns 2 and 4. If you're high off those turns and then drift down to the inside, you're going to have a blast getting that one past Pythagoras.

[pk500]

David said the main straight would be about the only option, but he's not keen higher speeds entering Sainte Devote. He thought maybe from the exit of the Tunnel to the Nouvelle Chicane, but we both agreed that was too short of a zone. We talked about and quickly dismissed Beau Rivage.

And we both laughed about the thought of DRS in the Tunnel!