Spanish Grand Prix 2013, Barcelona - Race 5/19

Can I bring your attention to something folks...

I agree with everyone regarding the tyres, but it wasn't this bad last year was it? (I.e. as far as I can remember not many people we're complaining about it?)

Here's last years thread ok?
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=21940308&highlight=tyres#post21940308

Now.. check this...

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/05/13/2012-spanish-grand-prix-tyre-strategies-pit-stops/

The top 7 stopped 4 times last year. Which is worse than this years top 7.

So whats changed? Why have the tyres suddenly come into the lime light more this year, despite a lower number of drivers opting for a 4 stop strategy compared to last year?
 
What surprised me was just how bad it was for Hamilton today. In the first races Hamilton was still able to get on the podium or high points finishes. Today he just looked so so slow.
 
smr said:
Thinking about the Merc, surely that tyre situation will last for the rest of this season now... They've had how much time to clear this issue up.

Last year they had the same issue, they brought upgrades to this race, they've had all of pre-season to sort the tyre deg out, long breaks in season so far and they've still got a car that eats it's tyres up.

If they haven't sorted it by now, why not? With all that said, I can't see how they think they're going to resolve it anytime soon. There's a fundamental design flaw with that car affecting the tyre deg.
Click to expand...

Doubt they will fix the issue. Seems to be the general design of the car, not one particular part. Hopefully there will be some cooler races that will favour them a little more.
 
Why don't Mercedes just go all out at the expense of more pitstops? I can't see them being worse off at the moment by doing that.
 
Seeing as they still haven't fixed it, there's a major design floor in the car, better off just spending all money on next year, but then again wouldn't be surprised if that's what they're doing. One lap pace is good, but they kill tyres.
 
Just a guess here. The Merc was supposedly faster in straight lines which would probably mean its running skinnier wings than the others?

And thus understeering more and placing more emphasis on mechanical grip?
(Just a shot in the dark here really).
 
Lots of things effect it, overall downforce will mean more or less tyre sliding, but that's just one aspect. Another aspect is cooling/heating them with the aero/brakes/exhaust to keep them inside the right temprature range.
 
Suspension setup front and back. Aero. Where you point the exhausts. It all has an effect.

As MB said during the race, the Mercedes speed in qualifying suggests they are switching the tyres on best over 1 lap, which means you are going to be working the tyres harder when you race over a stint, hence the tyre wear.

I imagine you could set the car up with such an aggressive setup you storm qualifying but would need to pit every 5 laps in the race.
 
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