Interesting that both Red Bull teams have no changes! Suggests that they run a very low drag all the time, maybe as floor generates so much downforce.
It looks like this track somehow doesn't induce bouncing! Merc and Ferrari seem not to be bouncing so either both found solutions or it's track specific?
Well looks a little closer than we thought with Merc looking handier. George’s set up looked better suited than Lewis’. It’s a proper street circuit in places- there are parts that are Monaco esque! Tricky one to nail this is- low drag is good but will hurt tyres in those spindly sections!
Something with that car behaviour is catching him out here. He’s on the pace so this is not a guy struggling - it’s something else.
Even if Ferrari and Red Bull turn it up tomorrow with something in their pocket, this strikes me as a significant first step in the right direction for Merc this weekend.
It does but Ferrari don't seem to be bouncing either so I'm not sure it's upgrades/setup that's working or something about the track. I do hope they have a handle on the bouncing as we will be in with a great season with 3 maybe even 4 teams battling it out.
Monaco could be a hell of a pole fight based on these closer matched teams here in the Miami streets. On another note, do we lose all the time that ticks away during a red flag in practice sessions? Feel a bit robbed!!
Red flags during practice clock keeps ticking! While I don't like less track time to watch, I do like as it gives teams less setup time. Just spotted a bit of bouncing on Mercs.
Merc just lucking out with the nature of this track or really beginning to get to grips with the car, or both? Would love to see a three way tussle (or more) for this championship emerge.
I had been pondering the same but I concluded it is a consequence of the floor flexing, with talk of understeer as a result. I am guessing the bouncing on the Ferrari is perhaps the only issue. Merc were still bouncing today but less so. Their front wing change seems to be intended to alter the outwash and maybe is succeeding. Tomorrow will be interesting.
How much do we think that surface will improve over the weekend? Watching some of the practice starts, the cars seems to be carrying quite a lot of it on their tyres. With drivers complaining about how tricky going off line is, it could be a train or a safety car nightmare.
It's low downforce track. Like jeddah. Mercs did alright there. They have a new front wing. That is the biggest help as it's the start of all the air flow under the floor and round the front tyre and that wake also affects the side vortices. The new rear wing is had to judge as they all run light here bit let's see if it helps at high down force track. It should improve drs where they were lacking due to the specific redesign according to the experts. The most significant is the beam wing under the rear wing which may be most responsible for improving the diffuser below it. This could be adding the stability while reducing drag We will see though when the big engines come out to play. In theory this track should suit red bull totally bit they are now on back foot
