"Cato Batista" 20/04/2012 23:35:18 ID #151
Ladies and Gentlemen:
After 3 events we clearly know what the critical factor is to win or lose comes race day: managing tire temperature.
This is Pirelli’s first visit to this track, their choice of compounds –same as China- has shown to be very aggressive after the first day of testing. The softer yellows are 1 sec per lap quicker than the white ones, but no one can make them last more than 8 laps before they hit the dreaded ‘cliff’. The control tire is lasting at least 12 to 14 laps and it’s consistent. In a circuit with limited overtaking, grid position becomes a priority and that’s making the teams to desperately work on a compromise between QF and race strategy for Sunday.
P1- HAM (1.33.532) VET DIR ROS BUT HUL SCH WEB RAI GRO
P2- ROS (1.32.816) WEB VET HAM SCH BUT KOB ALO GRO PER
In less than a week’s time we are witnessing changes in the status quo: Mercedes still the fastest in single lap form (Rosberg almost half a second a in P2) but they are struggling on both tire compounds, particularly the rears. Red Bull is now looking strong, their simulation long-runs stints were the fastest of the lot and a of everybody in QF trim except the Mercs, their customary traction in the low-gear acceleration zones working wonders around here. For the first time McLaren is not looking so optimistic, they can’t find balance under braking causing lock-ups, a serious tire-destruction problem. Lotus is confident this could be their best track of the year so far, Kimi already talking podium finishes, and is not a surprise anymore to find Sauber as the best 5th team, and probably the most tire-friendly chassis in the entire field. Ferrari? in damage-limitation mode and waiting for Barcelona to find out if there’s still any hope left for the season.
Of course all the teams are struggling with the high track temperatures. It’s going to be a long hard-working night finding set-up solutions. It will be a exciting QF session tomorrow.
QF Picks- Cato – ROS SCH HAM
Enjoy!