2014 Petrobras Brazilian Grand Prix

[Peasantslayer]

They are saying the softs are a one lap tyre but Hamilton must have had 3 or 4 fliers with gaps in between before pitting on a lap on course for P1.

 

[Akmuq]

Is it just me or is a 1:12.1 seriously fast? I think these cars have discovered a couple of seconds as the year has gone on.

 

[GTPorsche]

.7 off the lap record isn't bad for cars that were suppose to be slow.

 

[mikeerfol]

I believe they're already faster than the 2012 pole as well.. Well the new asphalt helps definitely, it's much smoother now.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Is it just me or is a 1:12.1 seriously fast? I think these cars have discovered a couple of seconds as the year has gone on.

It's fast alright, the lap record is 1:11.473 by JPM in the 2004 Williams FW26 V10 3L. As far as I'm aware the layout distance hasn't changed by any significance in that time so yes, they're pretty fast

EDIT: Mostly tree'd by @GTPorsche

 

[NSX_LeMans]

Alonso and his mother were verbally hostilized by some brazilians fans after his car stopped 👎

 

[TenEightyOne]

Alonso and his mother were verbally hostilized by some brazilians fans after his car stopped 👎

Reprehensible behaviour and certainly not representative of most Brazilian fans. Could have been worse though.

 

[Peasantslayer]

The new surface is probably the reason for the fast times and the hot tyres, MotoGP had a similar situation when Phillip Island was resurfaced last year.

 

[Akmuq]

If any UK viewers don't have a sports subscription, quali is on Sky1 live today.👍

 

[Ninners]

Is it just me or is a 1:12.1 seriously fast? I think these cars have discovered a couple of seconds as the year has gone on.

1:10.4 this morning...

 

[Legro]

There was some seriously funny commentary on Finnish Friday practice broadcast. The following is basic translation of it.
"And Alonso's engine is on fire"
"That's not a nice situation, as you know"
"Yes, he should get out of the car"

And about practice 3. They broke the lap record!

 

[Ninners]

Fastest lap in Interlagos is a 1:09.822 by Barrichello 10 years ago. I think we could beat that in quali if it stays dry.


Also imagine how fast they would have been this morning had the overnight rain not washed away the rubber from yesterday.

 

[ukfan758]

Getting close to the lap record is nice but remember that the lap records made 10 years ago were set in cars with just a raw power V10 engine, grooved tyres, and higher downforce. Todays cars are a raw V6 plus a turbo, ERS, DRS, less downforce, and slick tyres. These cars need that much just to be able to get close to lap times set 10 years ago, kind of sad.

 

[TenEightyOne]

...good old days...moan...modern...bah...

But at the end of the day, Mr. Grumpy, you still have to make a car go around the track that fast. They did this with 1.6 litre engines. Whatever the balance of downforce/grip to straightline power... they still did the lap.

On which note; Hamilton is in such a vulnerable position tomorrow. Massa is going to go for glory in Turn One tomorrow for sure... and I'm not sure his aim's so good nowadays.

 

[ukfan758]

But at the end of the day, Mr. Grumpy, you still have to make a car go around the track that fast. They did this with 1.6 litre engines. Whatever the balance of downforce/grip to straightline power... they still did the lap.

On which note; Hamilton is in such a vulnerable position tomorrow. Massa is going to go for glory in Turn One tomorrow for sure... and I'm not sure his aim's so good nowadays.

How am I grumpy, please stop making assumptions. I was just pointing something out. If you read the first sentence of my post you would see that I said it was nice that they were getting close to the lap record, intact I'm elated that they are.
Edit: I put, "Kind of sad" because of the difference when comparing.

 

[TenEightyOne]

How am I grumpy, please stop making assumptions. I was just pointing something out, if you read the first sentence of my post you would see that I said it was nice that they were getting close to the lap record, intact I'm elated that they are.

I apologise; I read a sarcastic tone that consequently seemed grumpish

I'm also pleased to see them near the lap record. I'm certainly surprised by the top speeds, I'd expected them to be gaining much more of a grip advantage but the speed trap numbers also seem very high.

 

[craigatm]

On which note; Hamilton is in such a vulnerable position tomorrow. Massa is going to go for glory in Turn One tomorrow for sure... and I'm not sure his aim's so good nowadays.

I can only hope!

On a serious note though, Rosberg is a gonner already. He scraped his way to pole position this time, and there's no way Hamilton hasn't got more in his pocket. His best shot for the title is to simply let Lewis go tomorrow, look after his car, and hope that Mr. Vainglorious runs into severe problems in Abu Dhabi.

 

[Dodzzz]

I think Hamilton is better in the 2nd position so that he can make sure that his rear tyre are safe tomorrow!
But like TenEightyOne said.. Massa is now a new threat for it.

 

[Legro]

This was quite good qualifying. Q2 almost gave an impression that Williams could challenge Hamilton, but sadly the Mercedes is still too far ahead.

About the race: I hope that Massa can get good result here and that Rosberg gets closer to Hamilton in championship standings.

 

[Jimlaad43]

Getting close to the lap record is nice but remember that the lap records made 10 years ago were set in cars with just a raw power V10 engine, grooved tyres, and higher downforce. Todays cars are a raw V6 plus a turbo, ERS, DRS, less downforce, and slick tyres. These cars need that much just to be able to get close to lap times set 10 years ago, kind of sad.

It's not sad, it's amazing. We've had regulations to make the cars slower and slower since 2004, and these new cars are supposedly even slower than last years cars, but we come to Interlagos and set a new pole lap record (not outright, but you get the point) is nothing short of amazing. Wrong stance there bro...

 

[Ninners]

Only going to get faster next season when the teams understand more about the engines and hopefully take things up a level.

 

[craigatm]

It's not sad, it's amazing. We've had regulations to make the cars slower and slower since 2004, and these new cars are supposedly even slower than last years cars, but we come to Interlagos and set a new pole lap record (not outright, but you get the point) is nothing short of amazing. Wrong stance there bro...

I think the fact we're now able to achieve similar lap times to the three-liter V10 monsters of a decade ago, with these ultra-efficient hybrids that are barely over half the size, is incredible. Mind you with the financial struggle of some teams recently, and the outright collapse of two others, this technical marvel has come at a price.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Only going to get faster next season when the teams understand more about the engines and hopefully take things up a level.

The thing is... they'll be pretty much the same engines unless Renault (and IRBR)/Ferrari can get the unfreeze unfrozen even more. Honda are likely to have a good package given that they've been able to develop through 2014 (a fact that IRBR and Ferrari are presenting as a central part of their case) and we know that the Mercedes PU is already very strong.

Without a further unfreeze the only potential challenger for Mercedes in terms of engine performance alone is (imo) Honda.

 

[Lewis_Hamilton_]

I have to agree that despite all the regulation changes over the years, the fact this year's cars have 30% less downforce and piddly 1.6L engines as well as much less fuel available, and still being as fast as they are is an impressive achievement.

Then imagine how fast the cars would be without all of the restrictive regulations. Lethal monsters no doubt, but mind bogglingly fast.

 

[daan]

Don't forget that the engine unfreeze will allow Mercedes to make improvements too.

 

[Peasantslayer]

I think Hamilton was just saving his race tyre in Q2 but I was still surprised when he went fastest in Q3 after the mistake, clinical driving by Rosberg and although the Williams' were close I don't think they will stand a chance unless Rosberg and Hamilton have issues.

 

[Ninners]

I did see some other stuff from other forums about next years Merc engine and so on but these are just rumours.

Italian Motorsport publication OMNICOURSE.IT, has got hold of some rather worrying news for MERCEDES’ Competition ahead of the 2015 season. And we’re not even finished with the 2014 championship!

The latest rumor is about a collaboration between Mercedes AMG HPP (Brixworth) and German Engineering company BOSCH. Where they’re set to develop a new Direct injection fuel systems which can operate at 500 bar!

Mercedes’ current Power Unit is already the class of the field, however even it has a few short comings according to HPP Managing Director Andy Cowell.

The current unit isn’t even operating at half that pressure, and the set limit by the FIA is 500 bar. If all is true the new more powerful direct injection Power unit.

Given that the engine manufacturers are allowed by the FIA a maximum of 32 modifications that can be made ahead of the February deadline Mercedes aren’t resting on their laurels.

The new engine’s direct injection system is set to increase performance of the 1.6 ltr v6 unit by 40 BHP, and more importantly, a significant reduction in fuel consumption.

THE MERCEDES POWER UNIT IMPROVED TO KEEP UP DOMAINATION
The engine is already in an advanced stage of preparation, thereby enabling the teams equipped by the German power unit to prepare the housing on the chassis of the 2015 V6 and all its major components. Some elements of the power unit will be revised and improved, like ERS, one of the strengths of the German V6 in this season. Ferrari and Renault in recent months are working to reduce and, if possible, fill the existing gap that separates them from the engines still rulers of the current season.

 

[Chris123]

Getting close to the lap record is nice but remember that the lap records made 10 years ago were set in cars with just a raw power V10 engine, grooved tyres, and higher downforce. Todays cars are a raw V6 plus a turbo, ERS, DRS, less downforce, and slick tyres. These cars need that much just to be able to get close to lap times set 10 years ago, kind of sad.

Ye but common, back in the early 2000's F1 was dead as far as racing went. You'd be lucky to see more than a handful of decent battles and overtakes in a single GP. Although the cars were mighty awesome it was all about Schumacher in his Ferrari. This season has been really refreshing considering the last 4 years have been dominated by one team.

 

[mustafur]

Getting close to the lap record is nice but remember that the lap records made 10 years ago were set in cars with just a raw power V10 engine, grooved tyres, and higher downforce. Todays cars are a raw V6 plus a turbo, ERS, DRS, less downforce, and slick tyres. These cars need that much just to be able to get close to lap times set 10 years ago, kind of sad.

2004 and 2005 had less downforce then todays cars.

 

[mustafur]

The thing is... they'll be pretty much the same engines unless Renault (and IRBR)/Ferrari can get the unfreeze unfrozen even more. Honda are likely to have a good package given that they've been able to develop through 2014 (a fact that IRBR and Ferrari are presenting as a central part of their case) and we know that the Mercedes PU is already very strong.

Without a further unfreeze the only potential challenger for Mercedes in terms of engine performance alone is (imo) Honda.

Not exactly, more then half the engines hardware is able to be replaced by next season, even with the rules to stay as they are you will see a noticable improvement over last year, the main issue is Mercedes will very much still be in the box seat with them rules.