Istanbul - TURKEY Grand Prix 2009 - Race 7/17

[Glaucus]

He was never going to stay ahead. Button had two more laps. 99% chance button was going to lead after the first round of stops

[divine]

That would have depended on the paces of the two cars, which could quite feasibly have been different had things played out differently at the start - Button might have been getting hassled by Webber whilst tucked up behind Vettel for example, Vettel may have retained more confidence and pulled out a lead, loads of things could have played out differently.

Ultimately I don't think 3 stopping was doomed to failure before the race even began, only with the benefit of hindsight can you make such sweeping and definite statements.

[kaiowas]

Originally Posted by divine

I don't think you can say three stops was never going to win - it would have perhaps worked much better had he kept Button behind him, then his second stint may have been more about extending a lead rather than eating into one

He'd have had no lead to extend. During that first stint Button left him for dead, if Vettel had been in front he'd have ended the stint with Button right behind him and then Button would have jumped him in the first round of stops. 3 Stops only works if you've got the pace to pull it off (and a clear track) and Vettel only showed the required pace in 1 of his 4 stints.

[divine]

If Button was behind Vettel though, there is a good change Webber would have been right up Button's behind too, which could well have changed things far more than is worth discussing, as the possible ifs and buts are almost endless.

[Glaucus]

I don't think it is hindsight at all. He was filled for a 2stop strategy on the grid. With that fuel he was never going to break away from JB. I just can't see how that tactic would of worked without something crazy going on. It just didn't make sense, which every way you looked at it. I was not expecting him to do a 3 stopper.