Quote:
Originally Posted by wnut
As the Toro Rosso Honda thread does not seem the right place for this discussion. (Maybe a Moderator would consider moving the off thread post relating to Daytona posts from that thread to here?)
Daytona Qualifying 2018
http://results.imsa.com/
http://results.imsa.com/ (Thanks Richard)
Car 37
Robin Frijns 1:37.697
Juncadella 1:37.971
Rosenquvist 1:37.995
Stroll 1:38.423
Car 23
Fernando Alonso 1:37.515
Lando Norris 1:38.079
Phil Hanson 1:39.138
Not Mr Stroll's best day at the office.
Class from Alonso. |
If we're going to be overly analytical, then you have to be sure you know what you're analysing.
So firstly, this wasn't Daytona 24 Hour qualifying - it was Roar Before the 24 Qualifying, which is to decide garage slots and encourage teams to stick around on the final day for fans. It's in absolutely no way a proper qualifying session, and is more of a test session. The only people it really effects are the bottom set of GTD teams, who will get given the old wet and windy garages.
Secondly, only 1 driver qualified each car. Senna and Alonso qualified the United Autosports cars. What you've quoted is testing times, nothing more.
Thirdly, for the European teams the Roar was more about understanding the Continental Tyres. None of the Euros have run on these tyres before, and they're absolutely completely different to the Michelins and Dunlops in Europe. On top of that, they have special compounds for Daytona, and don't like the cold weather. So testing times aren't that significant, especially for United Autosports and Jackie Chan DC Racing Jota. Laptimes are meaningless, because of traffic, conditions and setup. You're after time over a stint.
The next bit is a bit of self promotion, so the mods can decide if this is a bit much. However one of my big problems with Sportscar and Endurance Racing is it isn't very welcoming to new fans, as it's quite different to a lot of other series. So I've produced a Beginners Guide to the Daytona 24 Hours. That'll go live on the 22nd of January, a few days before the race. But if you want to more about the Roar Before the 24 Test, and what the sessions actually mean then -
http://theracingline.net/2018/imsa/w...rn-prototypes/
http://theracingline.net/2018/imsa/w...-24-learn-gts/
I do think a lot more people would enjoy sportscars if they understood it. It's just not well explained at times. And a lot don't realise they can watch it for free.