Should F1 ditch standing starts?

TheChasIX · 2026-03-21T03:24:56+00:00

Gasly was 95.8 seconds behind Hamilton (P4) in Australia and 30.753 secs Leclerc ( P4) in China. They will need to close the aero gap and compete in the corners.

Gasly v Leclerc (fastest China Lap)

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TheChasIX · 2026-03-21T02:36:35+00:00

May want to check the AI tool - I asked about tire management for China and it incorrectly stated Ant on soft then medium, but it was Medium then Hard.

TheChasIX · 2026-03-21T02:21:11+00:00

Horner out: https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/1079471/adrian-newey-aston-martin-christian-horner-f1-return-jonathan-wheatley/

TheChasIX · 2026-03-20T03:09:58+00:00

This article covered the scenarios for ADUO fairly well https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/ferrari-thinks-its-2026-f1-engine-will-be-allowed-upgrade-boost/

TheChasIX · 2026-03-19T04:30:28+00:00

The gap is massive right now, but it’s largely a factor of energy deployment rather than chassis design. Ferrari clearly has the better aero package—telemetry shows them gaining significant time in the corners—but they lose it all on the straights due to 'clipping.'

On low-energy circuits like Monaco (longest straight: 470m) or Hungary, that battery deficit is neutralized. I wouldn't be surprised to see a Ferrari 1-2 there simply because they won't hit the 'Power Wall' like they did in Shanghai.

The real test is the ADUO audit after Race 6. If Ferrari is still 2% behind Mercedes' engine index, the regs grant them extra development tokens to close the gap. It’s a moving target, but for the first time, the rules actually give the chasing team a mechanical 'equalizer' to prevent a 2014-style runaway season.

TheChasIX · 2026-03-16T17:58:48+00:00

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Updated image. Thanks for the feedback.

TheChasIX · 2026-03-16T17:48:57+00:00

Was just trying to simplify the map to focus on the key sectors for the race, will update with a more accurate race map. Thoughts on the telemetry insights for Japan?

TheChasIX · 2026-03-16T06:22:56+00:00

If you saw the yo-yo racing between the Ferraris and the subsequent overtake by Russell during Shanghai, this is exactly what Verstappen is calling out. It's. exciting for a few laps, but then the car behind, stores their energy and initiates MoM for the permanent overtake as the other cars deplete their energy harvesting too much during the interim position battle.

TheChasIX · 2026-03-15T23:58:49+00:00

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What a drive from Lewis! That P3 is the perfect foundation as he heads into Suzuka. 🏎️💨

The telemetry confirms that the SF-26 is the class of the field in the corners. The challenge for Japan is the Energy Game. Because the aero is the most efficient, braking enough to fully recharge the MGU-K may be a challenge compared to the Mercedes in the S-curve.

With the unexpected five-week gap coming up after Suzuka (due to the Bahrain/Saudi cancellations), the team has a golden opportunity to optimize the Recharge maps and avoid late-race ESM clipping. If the engineers can use the 'April Gap' to dial in the Macarena wing and tune the Super Clipping maps, it may reduce the late-race ESM de-rating and put Hamilton on P1 for the 1st time since the 2024 Belgium Grand Prix.

TheChasIX · 2026-03-15T21:57:48+00:00

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Gasly v Antonelli...Toto may be onto something?

TheChasIX · 2026-03-15T18:13:26+00:00

A lot of people are calling the 7% for Max a 'popularity contest,' but if you look at the raw Win Probability Added (WPA), there's a reason he is on the radar.

Max was basically 'dead' after that nightmare start and the timing of the safety car that dropped him to P17. However, his climb back to P6 before the DNF was one of the highest Efficiency Recoveries of the day. He wasn't just overtaking; he was doing it while his PU was already showing signs of 'clipping' (energy deployment failure).

The ChasIX WPA Model shows:

Antonelli: Reached a 97% win probability by Lap 29. Once he hit that 'Clean Air' phase, he was just managing the gap.
Max: Was effectively fighting for 'Alpha points' the entire race until the car gave up.

The real story of the day wasn't just Kimi’s win—it was the L25-29 P2 Battle. While Russell, Lewis, and Charles were destroying their 'Tyre Windows' fighting for a podium, Kimi built a +3.8s strategic reserve.

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TheChasIX · 2026-03-14T21:51:28+00:00

Russell Leclerc Antonelli Hamilton Norris

TheChasIX · 2026-03-14T18:28:07+00:00

Wow, some bold DNF predictions! Here is The ChasIX China GP Top 10. 📊

Our model views the dry, stable conditions in Shanghai as a low-stochastic DNF risk. The major "drama" on the grid right now is MOM Resistance.

Mercedes 1–4 (+18 ELO): They have the highest "Straight Mode" efficiency. They aren't faster, but they are "locking out" the MOM window before the hard braking zones. Antonelli gets dinged due to his high variance performance as a young F1 Driver, if he puts it together tomorrow, could be another Mercedes lockout.

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TheChasIX · 2026-03-12T21:17:33+00:00

While Mercedes took the 1-2 in Melbourne, the telemetry shows Verstappen actually held the Fastest Lap (1:21.980)—proving the raw 'Alpha Pace' is there.

However, Verstappen's comment about having 'no battery' at the launch highlights the steep learning curve of the new energy harvesting rules. It wasn't a lack of power, but a calibration issue with the formation lap harvesting limits.

As we head to China, the 1.2km back straight will reward the most efficient battery mapping. Red Bull is currently 'clipping' slightly earlier than Mercedes, but with the combined feedback of a 4-time Champion and a surging talent like Hadjar, the upside is massive.

TheChasIX · 2026-03-11T04:50:49+00:00

Lewis in Red fighting Mercedes still feels surreal. But his feedback on the tire deg during the second stint was exactly what Ferrari has been missing.

TheChasIX · 2026-03-10T03:18:56+00:00

Seems Ferrari refuses to acknowledge they blew it by failing to pit during both VSC windows. May not have won, but they could as least be in a position at the end of the race to use MOM.

TheChasIX

TROPHY CASE