Hello Data Gurus,
Here's my Qatar FP1 quick analysis. And since I forgot the tyre rules for sprint qualifying, I went ahead and reminded myself below 😅
FP1 was kind of a chaos session with a new track surface, loads of wind, and insane levels of sand flying around. Keep in mind this is the only practice session teams will get before qualifying, and after qualifying - the car setup is fixed (maybe they'll revisit this rule for sprint weekends next year).
The best way to read this report is actually over on www.buymeacoffee.com/brrrake/posts - and there's a lot more that Members get access to as well 👍
I'll be live on YouTube in about 20 minutes to watch the qualifying session. You can totally watch along if you use https://multiviewer.app/ for F1 with F1TV Pro (requires a paid subscription, but this is the only way to watch F1). Also, if you're looking for a VPN so that you can use F1TV Pro when you go on vacation, you can use https://www.nordvpn.com/brrrakef1 (they sponsored my last YouTube video, but I've been using them for over a year because I go on vacation a lot).
Here's the YouTube link for the Quali stream:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXJSsiqzLWA
Heck, I might even do a Qualifying Analysis stream tonight 👀👀 - I'll let you know on Twitter later.
Enjoy!
Cheers,
Blake
Summary
Relevant lap times going into qualifying
2021 Pole 1:23.196 VER
2023 FP1 1:27.428 VER
2021 Qualifying saw just over 1s of track evolution from Q1 to Q3
Some teams running HRD MED and some running HRD SFT
Backmarker cars ran MED SFT
Some teams running high fuel on their second stint, but difficult to gauge fuel loads, and degradation, as track pace was improving quickly
Track improved massively through session (first run to final run about 6s) - the new surface was likely a very strong factor in this
High winds some corners very tricky. Additionally with high winds, lots of sand being blown onto circuit
Top 5 fastest teams pace order is… strange - indicative of chaotic session
ALO and PIA perfect sectors would have moved them ahead of Ferrari and ahead of Alpha Tauri
Not much between Verstappen and Sainz - will be about who gets the better lap together
Hamilton running higher downforce than RUS on their fastest lap, it appears. Honestly, it looks good, except he didn't quite put T13/14 together (see bottom of report for teammates compares)
Sprint Weekend Tyre Rules
12 sets instead of 13 as a normal weekend (12 dry, 4 inter, 3 wet)
Sprint weekend: 2 HRD, 4 MED, 6 SFT (Normal Weekend: 2 HRD, 3 MED (-1), 8 SFT (+2))
After P1, 1 tyre set must be returned
After sprint, 1 tyre set with highest lap must be returned
In SQ1 and SQ2, may use 1 set of new MED tyres per session
SQ3, must use a SFT tyre (it is allowed to be a previously used set)
If any of the SQ sessions are declared wet, tyre selection free for remainder of SQ
Free tyre choice for sprint race and grand prix
Wet Weather Rules
For sprint weekend, if P1 or qualifying are wet, drivers who used an inter will get a fresh inter. Must return 1 intermediate set if so.
If neither P1 or qualifying are wet, but the sprint race is LIKELY to be wet, FIA may allow 1 set of inters.
If inter or wet tyres are used during sprint, all drivers get a new set of inters
Run Plans
Many teams running repeated laps at higher fuel in middle of session - then back down to low fuel to check soft tyre balance end of session
Performance
Speeds and Lap Times
Most cars around 314-316
Red Bull, Aston and Ferrari 318+ - not a major difference
Telemetry Analysis
Source: www.formula1.com
“High Fuel” Running
“negative deg” as the grip was so low to start, track was gripping up at a faster rate than the tyres were dropping off
It’s always difficult to tell what fuel load people are running, but Merc clearly running less fuel than others
Top Teams
VER vs SAI
Similar straight line performance
Some differences in approach to low speed corners or issue with data sync (drivers running shorter or longer lines?)
T12-14 - VER goes fast into T12, but loses time on the exit (net minor advantage to SAI)
Minor, but not systematic differences in HS MS and LS corner performance - really difficult to say - probably very similar performance between FER and RB
VER vs ALO
VER better traction T1/T2, better overall grip T4/5
ALO reasonable rest of lap
Drivers with different approaches to T12-14 (one long sustained set of 3 corners, lifting off at the apex to keep on track and rotate the car)
ALO strong T15-16
VER vs TSU
TSU running much more drag than VER
TSU similar approach to T12-14 - but the higher drag level means he loses time relative to VER
VER vs NOR
NOR really only faster T10, everywhere else similar or slower
NOR running more drag than VER
VER vs RUS
Similar straight line performance
RUS strong T1, but losing out in S2 and final two corners