[M3WC]

The "new" floor was only new floor edges. It had nothing to do with whats under the car. Upgrade was planned well before TD. New rear wing end plates and floor edges, that is it.

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

I'm not sure about that . We'll see it soon enough next week at Suzuka .

The FIA came with new regulations , and suddenly the RB19 is 1.5 sec. slower.
This is no coincidence ...

I think it's a combination of both. We already knew from RB that Singapore would be a track that they wouldn't be as strong as on some other tracks, but seeing the RB19 just sliding all over the place, that is not something we've seen on similar tracks.
Something is off. And I think there's something they're not telling.

Whether or not it'll be this bad in the race, I don't know as the car is then much heavier etc.
But as on this track it's very hard to overtake, my guess is Max may get a top 5 if he's lucky and doesn't crash.
Lets hope for as little crashes as possible on this dangerous track.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Actually, rejoice for the race tomorrow ! It promises to be no snoozefest.

On paper Verstappen's RB19 is about a second slower than the Ferrari and Mercedes car. He will start from P11. His RB19 is struggling with balance - tinkering with set-up was to no avail, the car is nervous on this track.

Overtaking is difficult on this bumpy street circuit. Ferrari and Mercedes are lusting after a race win. No daylight and heat/humidity strains drivers. Throw some rain and yellow/red flags drama in the mix and it could become interesting to see how Verstappen performs. Passing Ferrari and Mercedes will be sheer impossible for him. This race is a golden chance for both Ferrari and Mercedes to get the race win. Norris is capable of raining on the parade of Ferrari and Mercedes. As all drivers know that track position is key on this circuit, we can expect Sainz, Russell and Leclerc to fiercely fight for P1 (high risk of a collision). Not excluded that Hamilton wins the race.

If Verstappen manages to stay out of trouble during the race start, he will patiently move forward to P7 or P6. On paper, finishing in the top 5 will normally be unlikely, except if safety cars bring all cars together again.

It's up to Verstappen to show everyone what he's capable of. I expect him to take 'all or nothing' risks, elbows out, with a risk of DNF.

With all the cars in 'parc ferme' and only certain adjustments allowed I admit it does seem like mission impossible for RBR and really anyone can win today.
The will to win will be extra strong between SAI and RUS and as you say there will be sparks flying or even contact with advantage taking HAM lying in wait.
I'm all for an exciting race so all there is to say is let the sport begin! The points are today.

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

I'm all for an exciting race so all there is to say is let the sport begin! The points are today.

The fight for 2nd place has been really exciting all season with constructors making miraculous advantages and then being surpassed by yet other constructors making even more sudden progress, but indeed as that is for 2nd place it doesn't get that much attention.
But today....that is for 1st place
Lets hope for some intense battles between a lot of drivers that want to grab that chance, as finishing 1st is way more luring than finishing 2nd.

[M5Rick]

News just in is that STR won't be starting the race due to the heavy crash with too much damage on the 18 car and Lance though uninjured feeling groggy, gone are the days of having a spare car at someones disposal.
That leaves ALO having a piece of work defending his 3rd place in the championship from HAM, if anyone can, Fernie can.
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ewis-hamilton/

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

The fight for 2nd place has been really exciting all season with constructors making miraculous advantages and then being surpassed by yet other constructors making even more sudden progress, but indeed as that is for 2nd place it doesn't get that much attention.
But today....that is for 1st place
Lets hope for some intense battles between a lot of drivers that want to grab that chance, as finishing 1st is way more luring than finishing 2nd.

With whatever is the definite reason for RB's low grid start position I'm hoping for rain to spice things up to get ALO,VER and PER up the order, anything is possible with rain.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

Yep, not including Ferrari in my predictions seems to be the most effective way to get them a good result.

For tomorrow I predict RUS to win the race.
Definately not a Ferrari!

Nah not a chance for Ferrari!

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Mr Pete

I’m curious about this as well. These cars all behave differently dependent on how they were engineered, and the humidity and heat has to play a big role.

Quali pace and race pace are so different, so we’ll see how tomorrow turns out. But this stupid circuit has maybe 1-2 spots for passing, so any points scored for Red Bull will be a positive.

Lando, go for the win mate!!

I can see Norris doing well here especially in the rain, even challenging HAM as he is saying it's the hardest car he's driven and difficult to set up with just a narrow window to make it drivable.
Link
https://racingnews365.com/hamilton-c...car-ive-driven

[lens]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

I think it's a combination of both. We already knew from RB that Singapore would be a track that they wouldn't be as strong as on some other tracks, but seeing the RB19 just sliding all over the place, that is not something we've seen on similar tracks.
Something is off. And I think there's something they're not telling.

Whether or not it'll be this bad in the race, I don't know as the car is then much heavier etc.
But as on this track it's very hard to overtake, my guess is Max may get a top 5 if he's lucky and doesn't crash.
Lets hope for as little crashes as possible on this dangerous track.

Singapore is not similar to other tracks.

It is completely different and has caused Mercedes in 2015 issues before, there's too much tin foil hat conspiracy going on lol.

They have been saying all year Singapore is where they will struggle, and with the upgrades their competitors brought, it made the car seems alot worst.

They can't test their upgrades here because it hasn't been working for them and you can't test upgrades at a street circuit.


Wait until suzuka before saying it's something wrong, but I bet they'll go back to winning by 20-30 seconds again.

[Car-Addicted]

Seems to me that in the days of Merc/Hamiltion dominance they had a race like this where both cars qualified mid pack and they were shocked. As I recall it was all good the next race. In a game of inches some times you miss the set up by a mile. I think pinning this on FIA rules is misplaced. There is testing equipment for testing the deflection on wings but to my knowledge there is not testing standards for the under tray. When the FIA changes the rules it is never with out notice and time to comply. If you're in the RB haters camp enjoy the day because next week is likely to disappoint.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by a5m

Where are the Max worshipping nut swingers at? So nice to see his whinging spoiled ass humbled. Still want him to win but, this was refreshing and needed. Seeing him get pipped in Q2 by Tsunoda who he impeded was icing on the cake.

Well mate . As you can see , here 'WE are ...

This isn't over yet , Singapore means "YELLOW" flags at any moment .

MAX will fight for it as usual , you what that means ..
BTW : MAX has nothing to lose . MAX is already the 2023 World Champion !

#UnLeashTheLion !

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

I think it's a combination of both. We already knew from RB that Singapore would be a track that they wouldn't be as strong as on some other tracks, but seeing the RB19 just sliding all over the place, that is not something we've seen on similar tracks.
Something is off. And I think there's something they're not telling.

Whether or not it'll be this bad in the race, I don't know as the car is then much heavier etc.
But as on this track it's very hard to overtake, my guess is Max may get a top 5 if he's lucky and doesn't crash.
Lets hope for as little crashes as possible on this dangerous track.

Yes . I couldn't agree more . Something is really OFF .

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by Car-Addicted

When the FIA changes the rules it is never with out notice and time to comply.

But not time to test. Only windtunneltesting, but real tracktime is different. The race is the test.
I don't know if the front wing is new, but the rear wing sure is.

But how it behaves in the race is again something different than how it behaves in qualifying, as so many factors play huge role in qualifying but not in the race.

Lets see in a few minutes
It's gonna be an interesting race whatever the outcome.

[GuidoK]

Interesting tyre choices for RB

[///M Power-Belgium]

Formation lap !!!

[Fliplegend]

Loving the Williams livery!

[///M Power-Belgium]

LEW ran off track and took P3 . Penalty ?!?!

[Fliplegend]

Is Merc gonna do a switcheroo?

[G30M]

never seen anything like that start

[///M Power-Belgium]

YUKI = DNF

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by Fliplegend

Loving the Williams livery!

yeah I also think it's looking really cool

[GuidoK]

Max' racepace looks pretty good now.
But Kmag is a difficult one to pass.

Did Max and LAW had contact?