sandman1347 wrote:
Badgeronimous wrote:
2014-2016 was the most dominant series of cars in F1 history in terms of raw pace. No team has been that far ahead for that number of races and we may never see that again.
This current version of Mercedes dominance isn't built on a pace advantage, rather it is more akin to Red Bull 10-13. The best car and team but only slightly ahead on pace. However, rarely making mistakes and knowing how to win amplifies the meagre pace advantage, even nullifying a pace deficit.
I have to address the bolded point because I have heard it a couple of times and it is patently false. There have been numerous teams in F1 history with more pace dominance. If you go back to the 50s and look at some of the Mercs that Fangio drove; he often had 4+ seconds on the field. As recently as the early 90s the Williams cars (especially in 92' and 93') were as much as 2+ seconds quicker than the next fastest team. The 2014-2016 period was exceptional and Mercedes should be applauded for what they achieved but it was not the most pace-dominant period in F1 history. Not even close actually.
With regards to the main question in the thread. The Mercedes package is definitely the strongest overall so far in 2019. Speculation about Ferrari performing below-par must be kept in context. For example, in Barcelona, it was clear that Ferrari cost themselves loads of time with their lack of decisiveness. With that said; they were still not really competing with the Mercs on any level. There was no concrete reason to believe that they would have been able to win that race had they gotten the strategy spot on because they couldn't match the performance of the Mercedes.
This year, Ferrari are not as strong as they were last year ( a season where IMO they had the best overall car on the year). They are not as competitive as they were in 2017 either (a year where they were often the fastest on race day but generally a bit behind in qualifying). This year; Mercedes have them beat on both Saturday and Sunday in 4 out of the 5 rounds. I don't think the margin is anywhere near what they had in 2014-2016 and I think it's important to note that Mercedes' pit wall has been rock solid so far this year while Ferrari have been a train wreck. Mercedes drivers have also not put a foot wrong while Ferrari's drivers have crashed, spun and made multiple significant errors on both Saturday and Sunday. Mercedes as a team, top to bottom, have out-performed Ferrari as a team and that is what has led to their dominance this year. The level of dominance that comes from the car alone this year is relatively modest IMO.
That isn't what I am saying. Other cars have been more dominant pace wise. It isn't exceptional for a car to be very dominant and it does happen, usually once or twice a decade.
But....no team has been that far ahead for a duration of 60 odd races.
In ~90% of races over the last 5yrs (and no doubt 6yrs by end of 2019) Mercedes have had best or equal best pace. That is an incredible statistic, but a damning one too. Over 95% of races have had at least 1 Merc on the Podium, and a team win rate around 75% over the hybrid era. Those sort of numbers will never be equaled over a 5-6yr period (and I hope they never are seen again!).
They've done a great job, but performance is locked in by money and regulations in a way, and for a duration, that has never hsppened before (and hopefully never again). It isn't even summer yet and all bets are cancelled as to WDC and WCC,
F1 fans can pretty much list nearly all of the races since 2014 where Mercedes have not had best or equal best car over the weekend - and I think that is telling in itself. I don't think many outwith the hardcore, could do that in 2014 looking back at the Red Bull era, or in 2005 looking back at the Ferrari era. Or in 1998 looking at Williams, or 1992 looking backat McLaren, etc
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