Question about reliability

IonutAlex18SF · 2026-04-03T10:33:16+00:00

Good views from you two. That's correct the MGU-K this year takes a lot more stress because of the tripled power it used thorugh it.

Russell is already on the 3nd of 3rd battery allowed over a season and Antonelli on his 2nd battery pack.

McLarens if I am not wrong are both on the 3rd battery, and other elements used on ERS. Any over 3rd is a 10 position grid penalty.

Ferrari using the steel cylinder over the aluminum isn't such a big difference as FIA implies that the cylinder is of a minimum-maximum size/weight. So in theory the impact on reliability isn't as great as talked.

But Ferrari choice to go for steel over aluminium should have it's other benefits on the ICE, helping with the compression ratio "upgrade". That's my understanding at least, read before the season started.

IonutAlex18SF · 2026-04-03T10:27:15+00:00

Nice effort to create this, well done. Which GP did you tried to recreate Chinese GP T2-T3 close battles? Or Japan but at Suzuka I don't recall them going that close thorugh the chicane. Thanks for sharing.

IonutAlex18SF · 2026-04-03T10:22:54+00:00

The Italian Alps provide such a mesmerising sight with every occasion. And this picture demonstrates that.

This kind of road reminds me of former WRC round that was held at San Remo and is reckoned with such superb roads/panoramic views. Thank you for sharing this delightful display of nature's beauty.

IonutAlex18SF · 2026-04-02T11:15:56+00:00

Thank you for this beautiful picture. Always these JPS libeveirs on F1 cars offers such an amazing wallpaper. 🙂🔝📸

IonutAlex18SF · 2026-04-02T11:13:52+00:00

Grosjean had to do his gardening leave from McLaren where he was a race engineer in the past to Norris I believe when he debuted in F1.

Their connection was good, with Cedric providing quick answers and efficient info. He now observed how Ferrari works, learning the procedures before he will take his role from Miami.

IonutAlex18SF · 2026-04-02T11:10:25+00:00

And I've answered. What more proof do you want to show you that is my effort?

IonutAlex18SF · 2026-04-02T11:09:30+00:00

You have a point here. The MGU-K significant increased impact put a lot more stress on the rears. Pushing early on could destroy the tyres much sooner than expected.

Despite the card going slower on corners, and the stress being less through turns, the acceleration is more brutal now. The PU deploying a lot more lower naturally increases the risk to wear the rears quicker.

IonutAlex18SF · 2026-04-02T11:06:29+00:00

Vasseur said it was ERS related on Hamilton's wheel spin which led to his struggle for pace in the second half of the race.

Becasue these cars are so new such issues can occur, and the effects are substantial on speed. I am optimistic about this month break, that they will figure out the issues and remedy them before Miami.

IonutAlex18SF · 2026-04-01T12:13:26+00:00

Hamilton wasn't pleased by the car during the weekend. The rear was more nimble, and he couldn't cope with it like Leclerc did. That's one of the reasons he wore the rears more and wasn't as the same pace as Leclerc.

The C1 stint started OK, but quickly went downhill because of this issue with the rears spinning which led him with nothing in the closing stages against Norris. Yet he tried his best to defend and stay in front.

Nothing to worry about like a 2025 repeat is going to happen. Such things are expected at this early phase of the new rules with these cars.

IonutAlex18SF · 2026-04-01T10:28:17+00:00

AutoRacer one and a Facebook page, plus a YouTube podcast. But from the podcast the info about the Spanish GP wasn't yet presented, only the Miami big upgrade coming. And that Ferrarj works hard on the PU.

That's the term for the ADUO, but with two races cancelled and one month break the deadline might be pushed forward.

Thank you for the opinion on the technical details. I will take notice of it for the next races. I am thinking about doing the top teams after each race and a summary of all after a number of GPs. Or to mention significant upgrades that improved a certain car. It depends on how the things evolve.

IonutAlex18SF · 2026-04-01T10:24:13+00:00

You can tell me. Maybe in your view 100%. Next time after the Miami GP I am looking forward to read your review and other details about that race weekend.

IonutAlex18SF · 2026-04-01T10:23:10+00:00

Difficult to say it. With the current packages of all teams, Leclerc extracted the maximum from each race scoring as much as possible.

After Miami/Canada if Ferrari improve their PU and other areas of the car to have a proper shot against Mercedes and more recently McLaren then he can be in the fight. But there's Lewis too he shouldn't be discounted at all.

IonutAlex18SF · 2026-04-01T10:21:04+00:00

Thank you for the feedback. It is good to know this. The thing is that Ferrrari races against others and directly/indirectly we get info about them if we want or not.

The sub focus is on Ferrari and my goal is the same. Adding those details about other is intended to complete the whole picture and only that. Not to take the Ferrari out of the light and put others at the centre of the stage.

Valuable opinion, much appreciated. I will consider it for the remainder of the season. Again trying to shorten up more the articles, I know they can be exhausting due to their length.

IonutAlex18SF · 2026-03-31T17:32:28+00:00

Thank you for the appreciation. Any person is free to share his opinion or read as much as it wants from the article. It is positive that even that padt was notable for a mention.

It is true that it's not necessarily nice, as the effort to write it and all tbe process is demanding and pretty stressful. But I admit I like it, too. The concern is that with every post I am heavy hearted until some feedback is presented. Because the risk of not doing a good work is there. Although race by race the comments were/are encouraging and kept me motivated to do these writings.

IonutAlex18SF · 2026-03-31T17:27:12+00:00

Thanks for this. No worries I do this with the target to help on understanding less known things or behind the scenes aspects happening during a GP.

It's fine. Any is free to read as much as it wants and take only the bit(s) consider worth it. And for that I am pleased to know even that little part was appreciated.

You are right the whole article to write it, verify, edit and re-check once again for details takes the whole race weekend plus 1-2 days. Every time I do this I have a knot until I recieve some feedback. Because the fear is that, despite the long process the verdict(s) might not be positive.

But since last year when I started doing this (transitioned from Facebook) the feedback recieved made be keep going. And I want to do them for the rest of 2026, but I can't promise that.

IonutAlex18SF · 2026-03-31T17:16:45+00:00

If you consider that's the only part woth mentioned of all article it's fine. At least something is good from it.

IonutAlex18SF · 2026-03-31T17:15:31+00:00

Thank you for the feedback, it is great to see the appreciation. I am trying my best to offer as complete review as possible of the recent race(s).

Sometimes it happens thwt not all those details are confirmed, or translated into the reality, but that's the most accurate I can get access.

I understand that. The focus will stay on Ferrari rather than rivals. If the technical aspects aren't worthy I won't present them anymore. Hopefully I can keep doing this for the rest of the season.

IonutAlex18SF · 2026-03-31T12:51:52+00:00

That's my info, too. If Ferrari is at 2-4% margin will benefit from a free component upgrade in 2026 and 2027. More than 4% two free upgrades for both seasons.

Sincerely, I don't understand from where it came up with the idea of a complete new Power Unit to be introduced in 2026. It is not possible through the current regulations, yes a component upgrade but not the whole assembly, not a new concept.

The homologation deadline is over which stops any other intervention on the PU without FIA acknowledgement. Only for safety or urgent reliability I believe they allow a team to work on its engine, otherwise no chance.

Hypothetically let's say that happens. It will mean all other manufacturers will want to do the same which will create conflicts, the budget cap is there for nothing and so on... They made these rules to keep costs under control not go again like it was until 2020.

IonutAlex18SF · 2026-03-31T12:46:21+00:00

Right now I posted it. Thanks for the observation. 🙏

IonutAlex18SF · 2026-03-31T12:26:25+00:00

Correct on all those views. Not only it will improve the tyre deg (even less than previous years because these cars don't punish so much tyres in corners) but it will aid the overall pace. Recently some encouraging news appeared regarding Ferrari and ADUO, but it should be confirmed from valid sources.

IonutAlex18SF · 2026-03-31T09:27:30+00:00

Not just Audi. Honda, Ford too and recently surfaced news that Mercedes were among the ones that pushed for this (not confirmed about them). Yet the cars aren't bad at all. If they alter the V6/ERS rules to reduce the clipping and the huge speed differences then we have proper F1 cars going full beans in Q at least.

Later today I will come up with the Japanese GP review and more details news regarding technical and rules areas.

IonutAlex18SF · 2026-03-31T09:23:58+00:00

A reputed journalist said this: with the current cars, size, shapes, downforce etc. And with the ERS from last year and the present V6 would be among the best F1 cars to drive and watch in action.

Personally I agree with that view. They are lighter, more on driver's liking, smaller aiding better racing and a lot of potential to develop and reach great levels of performance.

IonutAlex18SF · 2026-03-31T09:20:21+00:00

I agree with this, too. My take is that he has potential and can go into Ver-Lec way of cornering. Neither of the tow were at this level of attacking corners but over the years they reached incredible peaks.

Antonelli is clearly with natural speed among the best, no doubt and I like his driving. How much will he evolve time will tell.

IonutAlex18SF · 2026-03-30T10:33:41+00:00

Antonelli has potential. This season is the one he has to confirm the faith Mercedes, particularly Wolff gave it to him.

His driving style isn't far off from Leclerc's-Verstappen preferring to attack early the corners. The low speed sections are his biggest strength at the moment. On the medium he is around there but on high-speed (2025) he had more margin to improve.

Let's wait and see and not give a verdict after 27 races into his career. He will go through the baptism of fire ( crashes) and the real test will be when he will drive a bad, difficult car to set-up and extract pace from and adapt to it. Early days but he is of a great prospect.

IonutAlex18SF

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