The data revealing where Mercedes is really losing out
Ferrari's engine advantage has been talked up throughout 2019, but is it the real difference-maker? Gary Anderson's analysis of the Sochi weekend suggests there's multiple factors in the Ferrari/Mercedes battle
Since the August break, Ferrari has had a clear one-lap pace advantage. Charles Leclerc's fourth consecutive pole position in Russia again showed he has that extra commitment to wringing the car's neck on new tyres.
As we all know, Lewis Hamilton is no slouch on a qualifying lap and if he's beaten it's either because someone else has done a hugely impressive lap, or is driving a chassis/engine combination that's simply better. This is what we've seen of late.
Share Or Save This Story
More from Gary Anderson
Ask Gary: Is there value in crossovers like Hamilton/Rossi?
Gary Anderson: How F1's 'privateers' really fared in 2019
F1's 'big four' teams' real 2019 performance levels revealed
What F1 learned from Ferrari's fuel breach
Ask Gary: Will the 2021 rules mean a Mercedes car concept change?
Where did Red Bull-Honda's pace come from?
Will Wolff's absence affect Mercedes in Brazil?
F1's prescriptive 2021 rules will only cause design convergence
Latest news
FIA: EV, hybrid, ICE power on the table for WRC 2027
Alliance BTCC squad plans to replace Fords for 2026
Colapinto interview: "I know what I can do, I was expecting to be quick"
Rins: Leg injury not the reason for poor results
Autosport Plus
Ranking the real 2025 F1 driver line-up pecking order
Will Sauber's C44 go down as F1's best point-less car, or are there better contenders?
When McLaren conquered F1 and the Indy 500
How Hulkenberg transformed his F1 career with Haas
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.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.