2018 United States Grand PrixFormula 1 

  • Thread starter Thread starter SVT Cobra GT
  • 263 comments
  • 12,098 views
This is one time where Ferrari will get slated for poor strategy where they don't deserve it.

Kimi was in a no win situation with that virtual safety car.

If he pitted and Lewis stayed out, Kimi would be stuck behind Bottas in the other Mercedes as Lewis streaked away.

If he didn't pit and Lewis pitted his Merc, Lewis would come out back in the same position on much fresher tires. (which is what happened).

That's why Lewis was instructed to do the opposite of what Kimi did... and why Kimi did that little wiggle to fake a pit entry. The only thing Ferrari could do was try to trick Lewis into staying out. Which obviously didn't work.

-

Now Kimi is a sitting duck. C'est la vie. And he pits.
 
Hamilton doesn't need to be that close to Kimi does he? He just needs to wait him out until Kimi pits.

EDIT: There we go, now Hamilton needs to push to get far enough away from Max.
 
Jezza819
COTA might want to look at putting some sort of smaller sausage kerbs further down the side of the track at that corner so that cars have to really slow down before returning to the track.
Click to expand...
Seeing the replay I don't understand the penalty.
 
niky
This is one time where Ferrari will get slated for poor strategy where they don't deserve it.

Kimi was in a no win situation with that virtual safety car.

If he pitted and Lewis stayed out, Kimi would be stuck behind Bottas in the other Mercedes as Lewis streaked away.

If he didn't pit and Lewis pitted his Merc, Lewis would come out back in the same position on much fresher tires. (which is what happened).

That's why Lewis was instructed to do the opposite of what Kimi did... and why Kimi did that little wiggle to fake a pit entry. The only thing Ferrari could do was try to trick Lewis into staying out. Which obviously didn't work.

-

Now Kimi is a sitting duck. C'est la vie. And he pits.
Click to expand...
It was still a discounted pit stop that would've bought him a ton of time versus Hamilton. It was the right call to pit Kimi and they fumbled it. If you have that opportunity to pit first under a VSC, you damn well take it. Otherwise, they just let Kimi become a sitting duck, rather than trying to create their own situation. Ferrari consistently show that cannot fight strategy with Mercedes. It's unbelievable and they deserve all the criticism that's fired at them. Another race win thrown away.
 
I'm sorry but all this weekend every time I've seen the Toro Rosso cars I've thought of this.



MzLMslRC
 
Conquerer
It was still a discounted pit stop that would've bought him a ton of time versus Hamilton. It was the right call to pit Kimi and they fumbled it. If you have that opportunity to pit first under a VSC, you damn well take it. Otherwise, they just let Kimi become a sitting duck, rather than trying to create their own situation. Ferrari consistently show that cannot fight strategy with Mercedes. It's unbelievable and they deserve all the criticism that's fired at them. Another race win thrown away.
Click to expand...

Lewis would have stayed out if Kimi pitted. He was preserving tires behind him. I think Ferrari was cognizant of the fact that Mercedes would do the opposite of whatever they did. And Mercedes had that second car to play defense.

Even the commentators are split on whether it was the right call.
 
niky
Lewis would have stayed out if Kimi pitted. He was preserving tires behind him. I think Ferrari was cognizant of the fact that Mercedes would do the opposite of whatever they did.

Even the commentators are split on whether it was the right call.
Click to expand...
I'm aware, I heard the radio call and so did Ferrari. It's clear they knew and that's why it's even more of a mistake. They had the opportunity and didn't take it. Yes, Hamilton would've done the opposite but so? Kimi gets a discounted stop which buys him a ton of time (Hamilton came out of the pits just a few seconds behind Kimi, not the 20+ from racing speed) and keeps him in the driver's seat for the race, rather than essentially giving Hamilton a free stop and fresher tires.

And I'm not sure we're watching the same broadcast... The Sky announcers, particularly Brundle, seemed pretty clear about Ferrari fumbling the call. Under the VSC, you take that opportunity and pit. To not do so and pit later under racing speed is a mistake and it's pretty damn clear Hamilton has won the race now. Tbqh he did as soon as he pitted and Kimi didn't. The overcut could've worked as well for them, but getting the near free pit stop was a slam dunk.
 
BrainsBush
yep blisters on lewis rear right
Click to expand...

Here's where we start to see which strategy was the right one...

Either way... Vettel is way too far behind to stay in the championship now.

Conquerer
I'm aware, I heard the radio call and so did Ferrari. It's clear they knew and that's why it's even more of a mistake. They had the opportunity and didn't take it. Yes, Hamilton would've done the opposite but so? Kimi gets a discounted stop which buys him a ton of time (Hamilton came out of the pits just a few seconds behind Kimi, not the 20+ from racing speed) and keeps him in the driver's seat for the race, rather than essentially giving Hamilton a free stop and fresher tires.

And I'm not sure we're watching the same broadcast... The Sky announcers, particularly Brundle, seemed pretty clear about Ferrari fumbling the call. Under the VSC, you take that opportunity and pit. To not do so and pit later under racing speed is a mistake and it's pretty damn clear Hamilton has won the race now. Tbqh he did as soon as he pitted and Kimi didn't.
Click to expand...

"I'd like to shake that Ferrari strategist's hand."

Lewis is now going way too slowly to stay ahead of Kimi... and maaaaybe Vettel... without pitting.

Lewis needs to pit soon.
 
Last edited:
niky
Here's where we start to see which strategy was the right one...

Either way... Vettel is way too far behind to stay in the championship now.
Click to expand...

If Vettel stays 5th, Hamilton can’t be any lower than 2nd if he is to be champion.
 
Merc, have definitely fudged the strategy. Ferrari got it right.

5-10 mins ago I was thinking Lewis could do a couple of hammertime laps and get out in front of Max. Too late for that now.

*edit*
And they pit now. Wayyyy too late. Lots for Lewis to do now.
 
I was smiling when the Ferrari engineer over the boardradio said that Lewis was on a two stopper. Now I understand why I'msitting at home on a couch and the engineer is at COTA :dopey:. Mea Culpa!
 
niky
Here's where we start to see which strategy was the right one...

Either way... Vettel is way too far behind to stay in the championship now.



"I'd like to shake that Ferrari strategist's hand."

Lewis is now going way too slowly to stay ahead of Kimi... and maaaaybe Vettel... without pitting.

Lewis needs to pit soon.
Click to expand...
True, it isn't looking great now, I suppose. And now he's pitting to cover Vettel. Didn't look good at all in the moment. I wouldn't at all rule out Hamilton still being able to win though. Especially since current Kimi is a pushover in all honesty and his tires may be similar to Hamilton's in 10 or so laps' time.
 
Conquerer
True, it isn't looking great now, I suppose. And now he's pitting to cover Vettel. Didn't look good at all in the moment. I wouldn't at all rule out Hamilton still being able to win though. Especially since current Kimi is a pushover in all honesty and his tires may be similar to Hamilton's in 10 or so laps' time.
Click to expand...

Carbon_6
Kinda misjudged that comment when I made it.

Now let’s see how far he can go.
Click to expand...

Nine seconds, fifteen laps.

This will be interesting.

Will all depend on how hard a time Verstappen gives Lewis.
 
niky
Nine seconds, fifteen laps.

This will be interesting.

Will all depend on how hard a time Verstappen gives Lewis.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I think Hamilton has the pace to win no problem without Verstappen being in the way. But with him there... it's his only real obstacle imo. If he clears him quickly, I'd say he's won. But it should be a good fight.
 
Vettel may take Bottas down soon.

Lewis still far off Verstappen.

This is a bit more exciting than I expected after that first lap.
 

Latest Posts

Back