[myavu]

MERCEDES AMG F1 just Tweeted

TECH UPDATE: @LewisHamilton is running a fresh PU in #FP2 . So, ICE 5, MGU-K 5, MGU-H 7 and TC 7. This means a further 15 place penalty #F1

So former McLaren team-mates will be lining alongside at the back of the grid. Hope for some fireworks

Cheers!

[ecenandu]

Originally Posted by jfxavier

Alonso will probably revert to the old spec PU for Fp2 as Honda analyses the cause of water leak in his new MGU-H.

Honda has confirmed the new system is the same updated specification as the power unit used in first practice.

It seems it is the updated power unit.

Source

[jfxavier]

Originally Posted by ecenandu

It seems it is the updated power unit.

Source

That's correct. Honda seems to have taken a step ahead with the upgrade here and they went for a new PU with upgraded elements. After taking another set of PU elements, Fernando with 35 grid places & Lewis with 30 grid places penalties so far will line up on the last row, come what may.
Interesting start, it is going to be.




RBR topping a session on a power hungry track sounds good for the second half of 2016. Looks like Mercs were not trying for outright pace, but busy with race simulations.

FIA announced the token spent by the manufacturers so far. Mercedes spent 5 tokens on the latest PU and Honda spent 7 here.

Ferrari 29 (3 remaining)

Honda 29 (3 remaining)

Mercedes 26 (6 remaining)

Renault 11 (21 remaining)

[sgiitk]

What exactly are the Experimental tyres labelled at T. Are all teams give access to them.

Quite frankly I think Pirelli could have gone a grade softer across the board.

[jfxavier]

Originally Posted by sgiitk

What exactly are the Experimental tyres labelled at T. Are all teams give access to them.

Quite frankly I think Pirelli could have gone a grade softer across the board.

Pirelli intent to change the tyre construction to withstand the new rumble strips kind of kerbs that are being used increasingly.
All teams were given the tyres & its upto them whether they want to test them. If all teams agree, the new tyres will be used from the Malaysian GP.
The grip levels will be the same as the existing tyres.

[fiat_tarun]

Looks like Star has already moved F1 to Star Sports Select HD. Qualifying is playing on SS Select HD2 and even the race is only listed on this channel.

[jfxavier]

Nico claimed another pole finally to make it look like business as usual at the sharp end.



Turn1 should be intersting tomorrow, given the less than quick Mercedes start, and with Verstappen on the SuperSofts which could be quick but good for as many laps as you can count on one hand. Should Max get ahead of Rosberg at the start, it will create no small headache for Mercedes.
Lewis coming from the back is always going to be fun as there will be plenty of midfield melees to keep it slightly less boring. Strategy battle between the Red Bulls as well to look for.

And there’s always the consistently inconsistent weather to consider….

Honda has brought a decent upgrade here, albeit with a bit of questionable reliability.
But I would prefer to make a fast car reliable, than the other way around.
1.3 seconds from pole in Hungary
1.370 seconds from pole in SPA where Mercedes also brought their upgrade.

[Chetan_Rao]

Originally Posted by fiat_tarun

Looks like Star has already moved F1 to Star Sports Select HD. Qualifying is playing on SS Select HD2 and even the race is only listed on this channel.

I saw an advert that said the race will be live on both Select HD2 and Star Sports 2, but given they skipped qualifying on SD it may be the same tomorrow.

[jfxavier]

Pirelli announced how many sets of tyres different teams saved up for today’s Belgian GP.

Mercedes have high number of mediums and softs while Red Bull and Ferrari are on the edge with the harder compounds if tyre degradation remains high in the race due to the unexpected high temperatures. I hope it rains halfway through the race.

Mercedes drivers saved up one more set of mediums and softs to Red Bull and Ferrari drivers.

If today’s race demands three stops, the RBR & Ferrari drivers have to use supersofts in one of their stints.
Max Verstappen will complete one stint on supersofts anyway since he is set to start the race on that compound.

[Hatari]

Originally Posted by jfxavier

Honda has brought a decent upgrade here, albeit with a bit of questionable reliability.
But I would prefer to make a fast car reliable, than the other way around.
1.3 seconds from pole in Hungary
1.370 seconds from pole in SPA where Mercedes also brought their upgrade.

Yes impressive from Honda, but I think Nico still had half a second in hand on the super softs, and he did abort his last run.
The test will be on the long straights, if Button manages to stay ahead and if Alonso can overtake slower cars.

Must chase down Force India in the standings!

[mayankk]

Well, Belgium doesn't disappoint. So much has happened, and it's not even halfway done.
Great opportunity for Hammy buay!!

[shibujp]

Originally Posted by mayankk

Well, Belgium doesn't disappoint. So much has happened, and it's not even halfway done.

What a race and it sure did throw up some interesting possibilities for the season forward.

Max Vestappen reminds me of another youngster who came up showing a flair for some hard racing and a keen understanding of the rules often ending up in the grey areas. Today's moves on Raikonnen and Vettel revealed this more than anything. This guy is gonna be a future champion whether we like it on not.

It might be interesting to see Rosberg be able to claw back some advantage during the races when Hamilton serves out his engine penalties? Today Hamilton was helped by what has now become a trade mark Ferrari act this season - lock out the second row during qualifying, then spend your time during the race exploring the rows "behind." Must be some strategy worked out by that corporate Fiat buffoon Sergio Marchionne. Anyway if Rosberg can get back the lead, it's going to be a glorious end to the championship what with Red Bull coming aive this season too. Can't wait to see how it goes...

Alonso was able to hold his own. A decent boost in the Honda engine's performance must push McLaren back into the game.

Drive on,
Shibu.

[ecenandu]

Originally Posted by shibujp

It might be interesting to see Rosberg be able to claw back some advantage during the races when Hamilton serves out his engine penalties?

He got enough engine in the pool, 3, in fact he got an advantage over his teammate Nico. No more engine penalty for Lewis, if everything goes normal for the rest of the season.

[aim120]

Mark webber drinking champagne from Daniel Riccardio shoes, was so funny.

[shibujp]

Originally Posted by ecenandu

He got enough engine in the pool, 3, in fact he got an advantage over his teammate Nico. No more engine penalty for Lewis, if everything goes normal for the rest of the season.

Ah yes, I get it. I see that carry over penalties are not longer applicable. Only risk is if Mercedes introduces an engine upgrade and Hamilton will not be able to take that up without a penalty.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/37204040

Drive on,
Shibu.