AERO SETUP INFO FROM QUALIFYING (cannot be changed for the race)

Red Bull ran the least drag, Sauber the most
McL was quickest through excellent aero efficiency (low drag with high downforce)

What's your prediction for the race?

Absolutely!

The team claims it’s focused on 2026, but so are most others... and that shouldn’t make them SLOWER than last year

Underpowered engine, poor low-speed performance… they’ve only scored points at four tracks so far (mainly those demanding high aero efficiency: Bahrain, Catalunya, Silverstone, Spa).

I performed a nonlinear regression using a simplified model of longitudinal dynamics:

P = m*v*a + 0.5*CxA*ρ^v^3
So:
P = (m*a+k*v2)*v
P = m*v*a + k^v^3
Engine power P and car mass m don’t change with DRS
I estimated k twice: first using instants without DRS, then with DRS (in quali→no tow)

In Austin? Same trend! (lower values due to less loaded wings):
🔵RBR 29.3%✅
🟢Merc 26.7%
🔴Ferrari 21.9%❌
🟠McL 21.5%❌

McL’s deficit makes it harder for its drivers to battle on track, which favours VER

Read on 👇

Gap to race winner through the laps: notice how close PIA was to the driver in front throughout the race!

⚪️BEA had the 2nd-best pace in his final stint, behind only PIA (though NOR, LEC, and VER had much more worn tyres by then)

PIA's was indeed slower than NOR, but his potential pace was way closer than it looked like 😉

LEC was 2nd fastest on mediums, with excellent wear; his wear was instead severe on softs

Soft-Medium
1)NOR quickest
2)VER +0.30s/lap
3)LEC +0.38

Soft-Medium-Soft
1)PIA +0.15s/lap vs NOR
2-3)BEA/HAM +0.19
4)ANT +0.23
5)RUS +0.30