![]() In terms of dry wear, Pirelli believe the quickest strategy will be to start on medium tyres and move to the hard compound. Although Wolff’s points about Red Bull’s competitiveness should sometimes be taken with a pinch of salt, AlphaTauri’s performance so far shows that Honda have delivered a power unit which is not struggling to compete with Hamilton’s “spicy” fresher internal combustion unit. Mercedes haven’t been as quick as expected in JeddahIf Verstappen avoids a penalty and starts third he will be in the same position as in Mexico City, when he easily claimed the lead on the first lap and went on to a dominant win. ![]() “It’s between understeer, snapping, checking, rolling, you name it.” “The drivers are not at all happy with the car,” he added. “I think we are pretty equal on the straights, but we’ve been losing in the high speed but then also in qualifying in some of the low speed.” “It changes throughout the sessions,” Wolff explained. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says there are clear areas where the RB16B is superior. “If the gearbox has damage or glimpses of that, then we will change it.” “We are so fast that we don’t take any risks,” motorsport director Helmut Marko told Servus TV. Red Bull may be emboldened to take the grid hit because, against expectations, they appear to have much stronger pace than their rivals. They’re not likely to put up much of a fight. It would also be a cheaper trade than it may seem: Although Verstappen would move back to eighth, consider some of the drivers he’d fall behind: team mate Sergio Perez and the AlphaTauri duo. Starting lower down the order, but with reliability assured, would be better for the championship. Perhaps more significantly, Red Bull also cannot risk him retiring from the race. Leclerc kept his gearbox despite smashing up his Ferrari Charles Leclerc smashed up his Ferrari in a much more forceful rear-on collision during second practice, yet did not need a replacement. The driveshaft appeared to take a strong hit, which is often a tell-tale sign the shock of the impact has been transmitted to places the team don’t want it to go. The first question is whether Verstappen will require a replacement gearbox following his crash, which would mean an automatic five-place grid penalty. Further surprises may be in store, and even if there isn’t, the race looks likely to serve up another tense contest between the title rivals. Indeed, if they were to finish where they start, the Mercedes driver would go into the final race ahead.īut the teams are still learning the secrets of the extreme and unusual Jeddah Corniche Circuit. While Red Bull was frustrated that Verstappen’s error cost it a shot of pole position and has left him third on the grid, Marko said he could not complain about his driver’s attacking style.His crash at the end of championship handed Lewis Hamilton an opportunity to win his third race in a row and further reduce Verstappen’s points lead. Photo by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing after his crash It's difficult to overtake here, but still.” ![]() If the gearbox has damage or glimpses of that, then we will change it. “We are so fast that we don't take any risks. “They decided not to change and then bang, on the warm-up lap, the consequences became clear. Speaking about Red Bull’s thoughts on the matter, Red Bull’s Helmut Marko told Servus TV: “We have to take it apart and look at it. Red Bull will not know just yet whether or not Verstappen’s gearbox has escaped unscathed, but the team is clear that if there is the slightest risk of it being compromised then it will elect to replace it – which would mean a five-place grid drop. The nature of the impact with the concrete barrier – with his right rear hitting it side on – is the type of incident that can result in critical gearbox damage. ![]() But he made a slight mistake under braking for the final hairpin, when he locked up and ran in slightly too deep, before clouting the wall on the way out. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |