Engineers predict grid shake up
The Formula 1 grid could be mixed up even more than was the case in Australia a fortnight ago, according to two of the leading engineers in grand prix racing, according to this week's AUTOSPORT magazine
Speaking ahead of this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix, both Renault technical director Mike Gascoyne and WilliamsF1's chief operations engineer Sam Michael say that mid-order teams now know what it takes to get an artificially high starting position.
"You may find that teams start using more extreme strategies," said Gascoyne. "If we thought we could qualify third or fourth with a sensible fuel load, we should do that. But we may choose to drop some fuel, get our car on pole and then deal with it from there. It might mean we have to do an extra pit stop, but it might just be worth it."
Michael added: "For the top teams it doesn't make sense, but for a team that normally qualified 15th it means they can get track position for 10 laps or so. Then, if there is a safety car, they can come in and out of the pits a lot better off than they were."
Share Or Save This Story
What were the chances of Hamilton winning in Barcelona without the virtual safety car?
Why Vasseur believes Hamilton didn't need the VSC to win F1's Barcelona GP
Wolff's take on Hamilton's Ferrari resurgence: "Maybe the girlfriend helps"
Can Hamilton now fight for the F1 world title with Ferrari? Our writers have their say
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments