snowy
Champion Elect
We need a race strategy thread to discuss this subject.
Not that well, but unfortunately we can't really make direct comparisons because Lewis used his new set of prime tyres for his third stint and Button his fourth. Lewis was unable to get his second set of primes (used) to work because he was being pressured by Mark Webber and they basically never switched on. Jenson's primes switched on and his team did everything in their power to scupper his race fearing that he was going to wear them out, which in 18 laps he never managed to do.
Considering there was supposed to be a 1 second a lap difference between the two compounds Lewis and Jenson's lap times during the third stint were interesting:
http://cliptheapex.com/threads/is-pitting-first-the-new-way-to-get-track-position.2410/#post-41943
Not that well, but unfortunately we can't really make direct comparisons because Lewis used his new set of prime tyres for his third stint and Button his fourth. Lewis was unable to get his second set of primes (used) to work because he was being pressured by Mark Webber and they basically never switched on. Jenson's primes switched on and his team did everything in their power to scupper his race fearing that he was going to wear them out, which in 18 laps he never managed to do.
Considering there was supposed to be a 1 second a lap difference between the two compounds Lewis and Jenson's lap times during the third stint were interesting:
http://cliptheapex.com/threads/is-pitting-first-the-new-way-to-get-track-position.2410/#post-41943
They were, but am I right in thinking that Jenson's softs had been used in qualifying, whereas Lewis' hards were completely new? That may explain part of the difference (possibly not all of it though).
The Macca pit crew took care of that one!
After they botched Lewis' pitstop, was there any doubt that by bringing Jenson in the next lap he would jump him.
Also, Jenson drove a great race but I don't think there was any chance that he could have caught Vettel. Seb cruised for the final laps and killed a bunch of time before finally crossing the Finish Line.
Oh yeah, I forgot to reply to the original question. To pit, or not to pit?
Part of the reason these opening races are so great and hectic is that the teams still don't know exactly what to expect from the Pirelli's. With the Bridgestones they could pretty much just plan an optimum strategy back at the factory and not worry about degradation whatsoever.
We'll see what happens once they figure these tires out. I'm not sure that's going to happen very soon though, as they seem to vary drastically in performance from circuit to circuit and at different temperatures.
Part of the reason these opening races are so great and hectic is that the teams still don't know exactly what to expect from the Pirelli's. With the Bridgestones they could pretty much just plan an optimum strategy back at the factory and not worry about degradation whatsoever.
We'll see what happens once they figure these tires out. I'm not sure that's going to happen very soon though, as they seem to vary drastically in performance from circuit to circuit and at different temperatures.
J
johnnoble1990
Guest
Yes. This circuit to circuit difference could keep us guessing all season. Bravo Pirelli. It can't really be said enough.
I still can't help thinking that Pirelli have got it slightly wrong, and the FIA have also been blind to their error.
Instead of making all the tyre compounds wear more and lose performance relative to the previous supplier's tyres, I thought they would introduce a bigger step between the Prime and Option compounds, but still keep the Primes relatively durable. That way the teams would have had a real choice: either to go for the longer lasting Prime tyres with fewer stops or the quicker but less durable Options with more stops. That way we might have seen some real alternative strategies playing out, rather than each driver basically having to make a number of tyre stops because even the Primes will only last about a third distance at best (unless you're Perez of course). Did anyone make fewer than three stops at Sepang?
In terms of whether pitting first gets track position or not, it didn't help Hamilton at Sepang although it might have been different if he'd had another set of options left. But it might have helped at Melbourne, where pitting later than Vettel definitely seemed to hurt his chances.
Instead of making all the tyre compounds wear more and lose performance relative to the previous supplier's tyres, I thought they would introduce a bigger step between the Prime and Option compounds, but still keep the Primes relatively durable. That way the teams would have had a real choice: either to go for the longer lasting Prime tyres with fewer stops or the quicker but less durable Options with more stops. That way we might have seen some real alternative strategies playing out, rather than each driver basically having to make a number of tyre stops because even the Primes will only last about a third distance at best (unless you're Perez of course). Did anyone make fewer than three stops at Sepang?
In terms of whether pitting first gets track position or not, it didn't help Hamilton at Sepang although it might have been different if he'd had another set of options left. But it might have helped at Melbourne, where pitting later than Vettel definitely seemed to hurt his chances.
I agree Chad, I think the soft tyre is probably ok, but the harder tyre may not be hard enough.
Some of the problem may be anxiety on the part of the teams, though. There is less degradation in the races than in practice sessions; Kovalainen only made 2 stops and did the final 22 laps on the harder tyre. Kobayashi likewise made two stops and his final stint was 20. And yet McLaren were telling Jenson to take it very easy to the end on tyres that were 2 laps younger than Kobayashi's were.
Some of the problem may be anxiety on the part of the teams, though. There is less degradation in the races than in practice sessions; Kovalainen only made 2 stops and did the final 22 laps on the harder tyre. Kobayashi likewise made two stops and his final stint was 20. And yet McLaren were telling Jenson to take it very easy to the end on tyres that were 2 laps younger than Kobayashi's were.
Incubus
Champion Elect
To me the biggest concern isn't the effect of varying degrees of tyre degradation we have seen on diffent cars as races progress, because it's all part of frivers and teams' challenge to produce thhe greatest possible pace with the minimum tyre degradation rates.
To me the biggest concern is botched pit-stops, stuck wheels here and there... By thesimple laws of probability we are likely to see a hell of a lot more of those.
I just hope the final outcome in tehis year's championship isn't determined by botched pit-stops in the last few races, which unfortunately is looking like a real possibility...
To me the biggest concern is botched pit-stops, stuck wheels here and there... By thesimple laws of probability we are likely to see a hell of a lot more of those.
I just hope the final outcome in tehis year's championship isn't determined by botched pit-stops in the last few races, which unfortunately is looking like a real possibility...
Did Sutil not do 21 laps on options?
No, he did 23! I hadn't realised that. That gives me an idea...
This should be good
RevMaxPower
Banned
To answer the original question posed by Johnoble - the whole flippin' race revolves around the Pit strategies.
Too bad.
Not right, you know...
Too bad.
Not right, you know...
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