Mercedes & Honda unsure why Ferrari engine slower in US
Mercedes and Honda have stopped short of joining Max Verstappen in accusing Ferrari of "cheating" with its 2019 power unit.
In Austin, amid suspicions about Ferrari's huge power advantage, Red Bull-Honda requested a clarification from the FIA about fuel flow measurements.
Suddenly, and coincidentally, Ferrari's major engine advantage seemed to vanish.
"I have already discussed the data," Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said. "Ferrari's top speed was completely different to the several previous races.
"But I don't know if that was due to the FIA directive, or some other problems. We don't know what Ferrari is doing, obviously," he added.
With a similar explanation is Honda's technical director Toyoharu Tanabe.
"If you look purely at the speed, the gap to Ferrari was smaller than in previous races. That is clear," the Japanese is quoted by Formel1.de.
"But we do not know if that is only because of the engine or also because of the chassis," he added.
Tanabe thinks the situation will become clearer in the next few weeks.
"We need the data from Brazil and Abu Dhabi," he said. "Then we will know more."
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For me, the season is baked. The LEC/VET/VER squabble over 3-5 is all that is left undecided. I think that it would be VERY entertaining if Ferrari goes to Brazil and kicks ass. Just imagine the click clatter.
Depending on circumstances (crashes etc) if VER manages to close the gap to LEC in the WDC by year-end then RB's protests may well have been worth while.
The US bookies are as confused as we are. Here are the payouts based on a $100 US wager.
HAM +160
VER +350
LEC +375
BOT +500
VET +500
I am clueless on this one. Got any advice?
That's easy. Hamilton won the most races this year!
My advice would be £100 on Bottas. He still has something to prove and is in the best car
In my opinion Bottas should stay at 500 (or whatever), taking into account that he was forced since joining Mercedes to play the "wingman" role to Hamilton and still he did very well. I so wish for 2020 the too humble Bottas will have the balls to "question" pit instructions and be allowed to race Hamilton...
Never a wingman just someone who couldn't keep.
In last year's WDC he'd have had to do more than question pit instructions to close the whooping 161 points deficit to Hamilton's total for the year.
"My advice would be £100 on Bottas. He still has something to prove and is in the best car"
Yeah, 5:1 seems like a bargain on BOT. He is paired with one of the best ever, but has improved this season and earned his place. Secretly, I'd like to see LEC win the next two on the trot. Not because of Ferrari, but because I think the kid is the future...and I admit to relishing twisting you Brits' tails. Winter is coming and I need some entertainment.
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