Been to the Indy 500, nice

Ricciardo looking good with engine upgrade in pratice session 2 topping times but Mercs are obviously sandbagging, expect them to eke out extra 1 second (at least) from their times when it comes to qualifying (which will break qualifying track record set by Schumacher).

Tyre strategy will be very interesting, reckon we might see a few at the back start on softs (hardest compound) to stay out longer than others that will be on ultra/super and pit later on ultra.

comment by Chelseamf™®© (U1677)
posted 36 seconds ago
Ricciardo looking good with engine upgrade in pratice session 2 topping times but Mercs are obviously sandbagging, expect them to eke out extra 1 second (at least) from their times when it comes to qualifying (which will break qualifying track record set by Schumacher).

Tyre strategy will be very interesting, reckon we might see a few at the back start on softs (hardest compound) to stay out longer than others that will be on ultra/super and pit later on ultra.


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Hopefully it rains, makes it even better.

comment by Chelseamf™®© (U1677)
posted 1 second ago
comment by Chelseamf™®© (U1677)
posted 36 seconds ago
Ricciardo looking good with engine upgrade in pratice session 2 topping times but Mercs are obviously sandbagging, expect them to eke out extra 1 second (at least) from their times when it comes to qualifying (which will break qualifying track record set by Schumacher).

Tyre strategy will be very interesting, reckon we might see a few at the back start on softs (hardest compound) to stay out longer than others that will be on ultra/super and pit later on ultra.


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Hopefully it rains, makes it even better.
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Red Bull will have a chance of challenging Mercedes If it rains. Best car in the rain.

Actually on second thoughts If supersofts can last 55-60 laps in dry race, backs will go with that.

Why are you having a conversation with yourself?

The RedBull looked mighty, there is no way they are 6 tenths ahead of the mercs at Monaco though

This might be a replay of Singapore, in the sense that now tyre pressures are more heavily regulated by the FIA, the Mercs will be back with the pack on a street circuit.

Even if Mercedes are a touch faster, their subpar pit wall and the rivalry between HAM and ROS could well cost them.

comment by King 'arry (U7920)
posted 11 minutes ago
This might be a replay of Singapore, in the sense that now tyre pressures are more heavily regulated by the FIA, the Mercs will be back with the pack on a street circuit.

Even if Mercedes are a touch faster, their subpar pit wall and the rivalry between HAM and ROS could well cost them.
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Then we would have seen evidence of deficiency in pratice session 2(and 3), as we did in Singapore when they were 4th - 7th on the softest compound struggling.
Fact that they are still 2nd and 3rd suggests they have a lot more speed to eck out.

*eke out

What I will see is Ferrari are now under serious threat from Red Bulls now for second row.

*say

Having a mare with spelling. Out

I agree, it won't be that dramatic. But I've felt for a long time that should another car get within a few tenths of the Mercedes that Toto Wolff et al won't be able to cope. Whether it's forcing both cars on to the same strategy, or simply making a bad call (Malaysia and Monaco last year come to mind), I don't think the Red Bull needs to be on equal terms with the Mercedes to win at a track where strategy and track position are all important.

RedBull are bridging that gap. Funny, Lewis welcomed the challenge and Nico was more apprehensive

This circuit has always suited Red Bull's high down
force set up, corners and virtually no straights.
So might be a bit of a false dawn in terms of where they are relative to Mercs.


Canada (low downforce circuit) will be the true test/challenge to see how close (or not) they are to Mercedes.
Low downforce with straights Red Bull Renault achilles heel.

Morning all

Three different teams winning each of the three Practice Sessions, with the top four in FP3 separated by less than 0.2 seconds.

Even if Mercedes turn up the wick, it looks like we're in for a close fight between Vettel and Ricciardo in qualifying.

Lewis in traffic and Nico mistakes, Vettel had clear run.

Temporary passengers on the Verstappen bandwagon may alight here...

Good 'ol Mercedes. Hamilton has no power!

Stonking lap from Ricciardo

RedBull have got this sorted, starting on supersofts as well which will enable him go further in the race

King arry

Make this the race thread

Great lap from Ric but something tells me Mercs could have still beaten the time, If they had it all nailed (without issues).

Lewis in particular purple sector 1 & 2.
Lost a lot of time in last sector (which usually Mercs are best at, Bulls better in middle sector).

verstappen pos 21, he's got to make up a lot of ground tomorrow

I'm not surprised Vettel would prefer Kimi signs extension at Ferrari, doesn't want any pressure.