Apologies for getting so far behind with the usual stats. I'll try and get them all done
before too long. I'm proposing to do all remaining races in each category posted in one
thread, so the other Top Speed stats will follow in this thread.

Believe it not, but some people miss these and actually save them for posterity :-)


Top Speed Comparisons #13 - Monza
=================================

I posted these comparisons from 2006 to 2008 to illustrate changes in top speeds as
measured through the speed traps.

These were the top speeds registered by each driver during the event.

Team Driver Sess Speed
===========================================
F India-Mercedes Sutil R 344.8 kph
T Rosso-Ferrari Alguersuari P1 344.1
Red Bull-Renault Webber Q1 343.8
BMW Sauber-BMW Heidfeld R 343.8
Red Bull-Renault Vettel R 343.1
F India-Mercedes Liuzzi R 342.8
T Rosso-Ferrari Buemi R 342.6
Brawn-Mercedes Barrichello R 342.5
Brawn-Mercedes Button R 342.3
McLaren-Mercedes Hamilton Q1 342.3
Toyota Glock R 341.5
BMW Sauber-BMW Kubica Q1 341.0
McLaren-Mercedes Kovalainen R 340.0
Toyota Trulli R 339.4
Ferrari Räikkönen Q1 339.4
Ferrari Fisichella Q2 339.3
Renault Alonso P2 339.1
Williams-Toyota Rosberg R 338.5
Williams-Toyota Nakajima R 338.3
Renault Grosjean P2 337.2


The first table (below) compares the 2008 team/driver combination with the equivalent
2009 team/driver - the same driver if possible, otherwise the 2008 driver is compared
to his 2009 replacement. This comparison is intended as a team comparison, but the first
(driver) table is also of some interest - but should be read with care.

Notes
=====
Honda have been renamed Brawn-Mercedes and Force India have switched from Ferrari to
Mercedes engines.

'S#' Session in which the top speed was recorded (P1/P2/P3/Q1/Q2/Q3/R)
'Diff' difference in top speed (km/hr)
'%Dif' difference in top speed (as percentage of 2008 speed)

Italian GP 2008/2009
====================

2008 2009
Team-Engine Driver S# km/h Driver S# km/h Dif. %Dif.
================================================== =======================
[Honda] Barrichello P2 336.7 Barrichello R 342.5 +5.8 +1.72
[Honda] Button P2 336.7 Button R 342.3 +5.6 +1.66
[F India-Ferrari] Sutil P2 339.3 Sutil R 344.8 +5.5 +1.62
Red Bull-Renault Webber P2 338.9 Webber Q1 343.8 +4.9 +1.45
Williams-Toyota Rosberg P2 333.7 Rosberg R 338.5 +4.8 +1.44
[F India-Ferrari] Fisichella P2 338.1 Liuzzi R 342.8 +4.7 +1.39
T Rosso-Ferrari Bourdais P2 340.3 Alguersuari P1 344.1 +3.8 +1.12
Toyota Glock P2 339.1 Glock R 341.5 +2.4 +0.71
T Rosso-Ferrari Vettel P2 340.4 Buemi R 342.6 +2.2 +0.65
Red Bull-Renault Coulthard P2 341.2 Vettel R 343.1 +1.9 +0.56
Renault Alonso P2 338.4 Alonso P2 339.1 +0.7 +0.21
Williams-Toyota Nakajima P2 337.8 Nakajima R 338.3 +0.5 +0.15
Toyota Trulli P2 339.0 Trulli R 339.4 +0.4 +0.12
BMW Sauber-BMW Heidfeld P2 343.4 Heidfeld R 343.8 +0.4 +0.12

Renault Piquet P2 338.1 Grosjean P2 337.2 -0.9 -0.27
Ferrari Räikkönen P2 341.4 Räikkönen Q1 339.4 -2.0 -0.59
Ferrari Massa P2 341.4 Fisichella Q2 339.3 -2.1 -0.62
BMW Sauber-BMW Kubica P2 344.1 Kubica Q1 341.0 -3.1 -0.90
McLaren-Mercedes Hamilton P2 346.8 Hamilton Q1 342.3 -4.5 -1.30
McLaren-Mercedes Kovalainen P2 344.8 Kovalainen R 340.0 -4.8 -1.39

Fourteen drivers managed better top speeds than in 2008. Note that most of the
2008 event was wet.


The second table compares the top speed achieved by each team (IE the top
speed of both drivers), and as such is a better comparison.

2008 2009
Team-Engine Driver S# km/h Driver S# km/h Diff. %Diff.
================================================== =======================
[Honda] Barrichello P2 336.7 Barrichello R 342.5 +5.8 +1.72
[F India-Ferrari] Sutil P2 339.3 Sutil R 344.8 +5.5 +1.62
T Rosso-Ferrari Vettel P2 340.4 Alguersuari P1 344.1 +3.7 +1.09
Red Bull-Renault Coulthard P2 341.2 Webber Q1 343.8 +2.6 +0.76
Toyota Glock P2 339.1 Glock R 341.5 +2.4 +0.71
Renault Alonso P2 338.4 Alonso P2 339.1 +0.7 +0.21
Williams-Toyota Nakajima P2 337.8 Rosberg R 338.5 +0.7 +0.21

BMW Sauber-BMW Kubica P2 344.1 Heidfeld R 343.8 -0.3 -0.09
Ferrari Räikkönen P2 341.4 Räikkönen Q1 339.4 -2.0 -0.59
McLaren-Mercedes Hamilton P2 346.8 Hamilton Q1 342.3 -4.5 -1.30

Only BMW Sauber, Ferrari & McLaren were unable to improve.


Taking the positions from table 2 at each race (1 is most improved, 10 is
least improved) and averaging them gives a season average position.

Team R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 10 11 R12 R13 Tot Avg.
================================================== ======================
1. F India-Mercedes 3 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 - 3 2 8 2 28 2.33
2. Brawn-Mercedes 2 6 5 4 2 3 5 3 - 2 1 2 1 36 3.00
3. Red Bull-Renault 5 1 2 7 5 4 4 5 - 4 9 6 4 56 4.67
4. Toyota 10 4 6 2 7 8 9 2 - 9 6 3 5 71 5.92
5. Renault 7 3 7 9 3 10 2 7 - 7 7 4 6 72 6.00
6. Williams-Toyota 6 8 8 8 6 6 6 4 - 10 4 5 7 78 6.50
T Rosso-Ferrari 4 7 4 5 9 9 3 9 - 8 8 9 3 78 6.50
8. Ferrari 8 9 1 10 10 2 10 8 - 6 5 1 9 79 6.58
BMW Sauber-BMW 1 5 9 6 8 7 7 6 - 5 10 7 8 79 6.58
10. McLaren-Mercedes 9 10 10 3 4 5 8 10 - 1 3 10 10 83 6.92

All data from www.fia.com or www.formula1.com.

--

Brian W Lawrence
Wantage,
Oxfordshire, UK
Brian_W_Lawrence (AT) msn (DOT) com

Top Speed Comparisons #14 - Singapore
=====================================

I posted these comparisons from 2006 to 2008 to illustrate changes in top speeds as
measured through the speed traps.

These were the top speeds registered by each driver during the event.

Team Driver Sess Speed
===========================================
Ferrari Räikkönen R 292.1 kph
F India-Mercedes Liuzzi R 290.0
McLaren-Mercedes Hamilton Q1 289.7
F India-Mercedes Sutil P2 288.6
McLaren-Mercedes Kovalainen Q1 288.6
Red Bull-Renault Vettel R 287.7
Brawn-Mercedes Barrichello R 287.1
Williams-Toyota Rosberg R 287.0
Brawn-Mercedes Button R 286.8
T Rosso-Ferrari Alguersuari P3 285.9
Renault Alonso Q2 285.9
BMW Sauber-BMW Heidfeld P3 285.4
Red Bull-Renault Webber R 285.4
Renault Grosjean Q1 285.1
Williams-Toyota Nakajima Q1 285.0
Ferrari Fisichella Q1 284.9
T Rosso-Ferrari Buemi P3 284.7
BMW Sauber-BMW Kubica P2 284.2
Toyota Glock P3 283.4
Toyota Trulli P2 281.5


The first table (below) compares the 2008 team/driver combination with the equivalent
2009 team/driver - the same driver if possible, otherwise the 2008 driver is compared
to his 2009 replacement. This comparison is intended as a team comparison, but the first
(driver) table is also of some interest - but should be read with care.

Notes
=====
Honda have been renamed Brawn-Mercedes and Force India have switched from Ferrari to
Mercedes engines.

'S#' Session in which the top speed was recorded (P1/P2/P3/Q1/Q2/Q3/R)
'Diff' difference in top speed (km/hr)
'%Dif' difference in top speed (as percentage of 2008 speed)

Singapore GP 2008/2009
======================

2008 2009
Team-Engine Driver S# km/h Driver S# km/h Dif. %Dif.
================================================== =======================
[F India-Ferrari] Fisichella P3 284.5 Liuzzi R 290.0 +5.5 +1.93
Ferrari Räikkönen P1 286.7 Räikkönen R 292.1 +5.4 +1.88
[F India-Ferrari] Sutil P3 284.4 Sutil P2 288.6 +4.2 +1.48
[Honda] Barrichello Q1 284.0 Barrichello R 287.1 +3.1 +1.09
[Honda] Button P3 285.4 Button R 286.8 +1.4 +0.49

Williams-Toyota Rosberg Q1 287.2 Rosberg R 287.0 -0.2 -0.07
Toyota Trulli Q2 281.7 Trulli P2 281.5 -0.2 -0.07
Red Bull-Renault Coulthard Q2 288.1 Vettel R 287.7 -0.4 -0.14
McLaren-Mercedes Hamilton Q2 291.1 Hamilton Q1 289.7 -1.4 -0.48
McLaren-Mercedes Kovalainen Q2 290.0 Kovalainen Q1 288.6 -1.4 -0.48
Toyota Glock P3 284.9 Glock P3 283.4 -1.5 -0.53
BMW Sauber-BMW Heidfeld Q1 287.1 Heidfeld P3 285.4 -1.7 -0.59
Red Bull-Renault Webber Q2 287.1 Webber R 285.4 -1.7 -0.59
Ferrari Massa Q1 287.5 Fisichella Q1 284.9 -2.6 -0.90
Williams-Toyota Nakajima P1 287.9 Nakajima Q1 285.0 -2.9 -1.01
T Rosso-Ferrari Bourdais Q1 289.1 Alguersuari P3 285.9 -3.2 -1.11
Renault Alonso Q1 289.8 Alonso Q2 285.9 -3.9 -1.35
BMW Sauber-BMW Kubica Q1 288.1 Kubica P2 284.2 -3.9 -1.35
T Rosso-Ferrari Vettel P3 290.5 Buemi P3 284.7 -5.8 -2.00
Renault Piquet P3 291.8 Grosjean Q1 285.1 -6.7 -2.30

Only five drivers were able to improve on the 2008 speeds. Räikkönen is unusual as
one of those, Ferrari have not tended to improve much this year.


The second table compares the top speed achieved by each team (IE the top
speed of both drivers), and as such is a better comparison.

2008 2009
Team-Engine Driver S# km/h Driver S# km/h Diff. %Diff.
================================================== =======================
[F India-Ferrari] Fisichella P3 284.5 Liuzzi R 290.0 +5.5 +1.93
Ferrari Massa Q1 287.5 Räikkönen R 292.1 +4.6 +1.60
[Honda] Button P3 285.4 Barrichello R 287.1 +1.7 +0.60

Red Bull-Renault Coulthard Q2 288.1 Vettel R 287.7 -0.4 -0.14
Williams-Toyota Nakajima P1 287.9 Rosberg R 287.0 -0.9 -0.31
McLaren-Mercedes Hamilton Q2 291.1 Hamilton Q1 289.7 -1.4 -0.48
Toyota Glock P3 284.9 Glock P3 283.4 -1.5 -0.53
BMW Sauber-BMW Kubica Q1 288.1 Heidfeld P3 285.4 -2.7 -0.94
T Rosso-Ferrari Vettel P3 290.5 Alguersuari P3 285.9 -4.6 -1.58
Renault Piquet P3 291.8 Alonso Q2 285.9 -5.9 -2.02

Only Force India, Ferrari & Brawn were able to improve.


Taking the positions from table 2 at each race (1 is most improved, 10 is
least improved) and averaging them gives a season average position.

Team R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 10 11 12 13 14 Tot Avg.
================================================== =======================
1. F India-Mercedes 3 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 - 3 2 8 2 1 29 2.23
2. Brawn-Mercedes 2 6 5 4 2 3 5 3 - 2 1 2 1 3 39 3.00
3. Red Bull-Renault 5 1 2 7 5 4 4 5 - 4 9 6 4 4 60 4.62
4. Toyota 10 4 6 2 7 8 9 2 - 9 6 3 5 7 78 6.00
5. Ferrari 8 9 1 10 10 2 10 8 - 6 5 1 9 2 81 6.23
6. Renault 7 3 7 9 3 10 2 7 - 7 7 4 6 10 82 6.31
7. Williams-Toyota 6 8 8 8 6 6 6 4 - 10 4 5 7 5 83 6.38
8. T Rosso-Ferrari 4 7 4 5 9 9 3 9 - 8 8 9 3 9 87 6.69
BMW Sauber-BMW 1 5 9 6 8 7 7 6 - 5 10 7 8 8 87 6.69
10. McLaren-Mercedes 9 10 10 3 4 5 8 10 - 1 3 10 10 6 89 6.85

All data from www.fia.com or www.formula1.com.

--

Brian W Lawrence
Wantage,
Oxfordshire, UK
Brian_W_Lawrence (AT) msn (DOT) com

Top Speed Comparisons #15 - Suzuka
==================================

I posted these comparisons from 2006 to 2008 to illustrate changes in top speeds as
measured through the speed traps.

These were the top speeds registered by each driver during the event.

Team Driver Sess Speed
===========================================
McLaren-Mercedes Kovalainen R 316.4 kph
Brawn-Mercedes Button R 312.8
F India-Mercedes Sutil R 311.5
McLaren-Mercedes Hamilton Q1 311.0
Renault Grosjean R 311.0
Red Bull-Renault Webber R 310.2
F India-Mercedes Liuzzi R 310.1
T Rosso-Ferrari Buemi P1 309.7
Renault Alonso R 309.3
T Rosso-Ferrari Alguersuari P1 308.5
Toyota Trulli P1 308.1
Brawn-Mercedes Barrichello R 307.9
Red Bull-Renault Vettel P1 307.6
Toyota Glock Q1 307.1
BMW Sauber-BMW Kubica R 306.2
Ferrari Räikkönen P1 305.8
Ferrari Fisichella R 305.0
Williams-Toyota Nakajima R 304.9
Williams-Toyota Rosberg P1 303.6
BMW Sauber-BMW Heidfeld P1 300.5
Toyota Kobayashi P1 277.4

Note: Timo Glock was ill on Friday and was replaced by Kamui Kobayashi for the P1 & P2
sessions. Glock returned for P3 and qualifying, but crashed in Q2 and took no further
part in the event (or in fact the season).


Since the 2008 Japanese GP took place at Fuji direct comparisons are not relevant.

All data from www.fia.com or www.formula1.com.

--

Brian W Lawrence
Wantage,
Oxfordshire, UK
Brian_W_Lawrence (AT) msn (DOT) com

Top Speed Comparisons #16 - Interlagos
======================================

I posted these comparisons from 2006 to 2008 to illustrate changes in top speeds as
measured through the speed traps.

These were the top speeds registered by each driver during the event.

Team Driver Sess Speed
==========================================
BMW Sauber-BMW Kubica R 315.0 kph
BMW Sauber-BMW Heidfeld R 312.4
Ferrari Räikkönen P1 311.0
Brawn-Mercedes Button R 310.4
McLaren-Mercedes Hamilton R 310.4
F India-Mercedes Sutil P1 310.0
Red Bull-Renault Webber R 309.9
Red Bull-Renault Vettel R 309.7
McLaren-Mercedes Kovalainen P1 309.7
Ferrari Fisichella P1 309.1
F India-Mercedes Liuzzi P1 308.0
Renault Grosjean R 307.9
Renault Alonso P2 307.8
Brawn-Mercedes Barrichello R 307.3
T Rosso-Ferrari Buemi R 306.7
T Rosso-Ferrari Alguersuari R 306.6
Toyota Kobayashi P1 305.4
Williams-Toyota Nakajima R 304.1
Williams-Toyota Rosberg R 304.0
Toyota Trulli P1 303.3


The first table (below) compares the 2008 team/driver combination with the equivalent
2009 team/driver - the same driver if possible, otherwise the 2008 driver is compared
to his 2009 replacement. This comparison is intended as a team comparison, but the first
(driver) table is also of some interest - but should be read with care.

Notes
=====
Honda have been renamed Brawn-Mercedes and Force India have switched from Ferrari to
Mercedes engines.

'S#' Session in which the top speed was recorded (P1/P2/P3/Q1/Q2/Q3/R)
'Diff' difference in top speed (km/hr)
'%Dif' difference in top speed (as percentage of 2008 speed)

Brazilian GP 2008/2009
======================

2008 2009
Team-Engine Driver S# km/h Driver S# km/h Dif. %Dif.
================================================== =======================
BMW Sauber-BMW Kubica P1 307.1 Kubica R 315.0 +7.9 +2.57
[Honda] Button P2 306.4 Button R 310.4 +4.0 +1.31
BMW Sauber-BMW Heidfeld R 310.1 Heidfeld R 312.4 +2.3 +0.74
[Honda] Barrichello R 305.6 Barrichello R 307.3 +1.7 +0.56
Renault Alonso P2 306.2 Alonso P2 307.8 +1.6 +0.52
[F India-Ferrari] Sutil P1 308.9 Sutil P1 310.0 +1.1 +0.36
Renault Piquet P1 306.9 Grosjean R 307.9 +1.0 +0.33
Ferrari Räikkönen R 310.8 Räikkönen P1 311.0 +0.2 +0.06
[F India-Ferrari] Fisichella P1 308.0 Liuzzi P1 308.0 +0.0 +0.00

Red Bull-Renault Webber R 310.0 Webber R 309.9 -0.1 -0.03
Red Bull-Renault Coulthard P1 310.7 Vettel R 309.7 -1.0 -0.32
Toyota Glock R 307.6 Kobayashi P1 305.4 -2.2 -0.72
Ferrari Massa R 311.7 Fisichella P1 309.1 -2.6 -0.83
Toyota Trulli R 307.5 Trulli P1 303.3 -4.2 -1.37
Williams-Toyota Rosberg R 308.3 Rosberg R 304.0 -4.3 -1.39
McLaren-Mercedes Hamilton R 315.7 Hamilton R 310.4 -5.3 -1.68
McLaren-Mercedes Kovalainen R 315.0 Kovalainen P1 309.7 -5.3 -1.68
T Rosso-Ferrari Vettel R 313.5 Buemi R 306.7 -6.8 -2.17
Williams-Toyota Nakajima R 310.9 Nakajima R 304.1 -6.8 -2.19
T Rosso-Ferrari Bourdais R 313.5 Alguersuari R 306.6 -6.9 -2.20

Nine drivers managed better top speeds than in 2008 while 11 did not.


The second table compares the top speed achieved by each team (IE the top
speed of both drivers), and as such is a better comparison.

2008 2009
Team-Engine Driver S# km/h Driver S# km/h Diff. %Diff.
================================================== =======================
BMW Sauber-BMW Heidfeld R 310.1 Kubica R 315.0 +4.9 +1.58
[Honda] Button P2 306.4 Button R 310.4 +4.0 +1.31
[F India-Ferrari] Sutil P1 308.9 Sutil P1 310.0 +1.1 +0.36
Renault Piquet P1 306.9 Grosjean R 307.9 +1.0 +0.33

Ferrari Massa R 311.7 Räikkönen P1 311.0 -0.7 -0.22
Red Bull-Renault Coulthard P1 310.7 Webber R 309.9 -0.8 -0.26
Toyota Glock R 307.6 Kobayashi P1 305.4 -2.2 -0.72
McLaren-Mercedes Hamilton R 315.7 Hamilton R 310.4 -5.3 -1.68
T Rosso-Ferrari Vettel R 313.5 Buemi R 306.7 -6.8 -2.17
Williams-Toyota Nakajima R 310.9 Nakajima R 304.1 -6.8 -2.19

Only BMW Sauber, Brawn, Force India & Renault were able to improve.


Taking the positions from table 2 at each race (1 is most improved, 10 is
least improved) and averaging them gives a season average position.

Team R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Tot Avg.
================================================== =============================
1. F India-Mercedes 3 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 - 3 2 8 2 1 - 3 32 2.29
2. Brawn-Mercedes 2 6 5 4 2 3 5 3 - 2 1 2 1 3 - 2 41 2.93
3. Red Bull-Renault 5 1 2 7 5 4 4 5 - 4 9 6 4 4 - 6 66 4.71
4. Toyota 10 4 6 2 7 8 9 2 - 9 6 3 5 7 - 7 85 6.07
5. Ferrari 8 9 1 10 10 2 10 8 - 6 5 1 9 2 - 5 86 6.14
Renault 7 3 7 9 3 10 2 7 - 7 7 4 6 10 - 4 86 6.14
7. BMW Sauber-BMW 1 5 9 6 8 7 7 6 - 5 10 7 8 8 - 1 88 6.29
8. Williams-Toyota 6 8 8 8 6 6 6 4 - 10 4 5 7 5 - 10 93 6.64
9. T Rosso-Ferrari 4 7 4 5 9 9 3 9 - 8 8 9 3 9 - 9 96 6.86
10. McLaren-Mercedes 9 10 10 3 4 5 8 10 - 1 3 10 10 6 - 8 97 6.93

All data from www.fia.com or www.formula1.com.

--

Brian W Lawrence
Wantage,
Oxfordshire, UK
Brian_W_Lawrence (AT) msn (DOT) com

Top Speed Comparisons #17 - Yas Marina
======================================

I posted these comparisons from 2006 to 2008 to illustrate changes in top speeds as
measured through the speed traps.

These were the top speeds registered by each driver during the event.

Team Driver Sess Speed
=======================================
McLaren-Mercedes Kovalainen R 322.0 kph
F India-Mercedes Liuzzi R 320.6
F India-Mercedes Sutil R 320.6
Brawn-Mercedes Barrichello R 320.0
Brawn-Mercedes Button R 319.7
Ferrari Fisichella R 317.7
McLaren-Mercedes Hamilton P3 316.4
Toyota Trulli R 315.4
Red Bull-Renault Webber R 314.3
Red Bull-Renault Vettel R 314.2
Williams-Toyota Nakajima R 314.0
Ferrari Räikkönen R 313.9
Williams-Toyota Rosberg R 313.9
Toyota Kobayashi R 313.6
BMW Sauber-BMW Heidfeld R 313.0
Renault Alonso R 312.7
T Rosso-Ferrari Buemi R 312.6
T Rosso-Ferrari Alguersuari R 312.6
BMW Sauber-BMW Kubica R 312.6
Renault Grosjean R 312.5


Note: Every driver (except Hamilton) achieved their top speed during the race. Perhaps
not unexpected at a new venue (Lewis didn't last very long in the race).


Since this event had not been held before there is no 2008 data for comparison.

All data from www.fia.com or www.formula1.com.

--

Brian W Lawrence
Wantage,
Oxfordshire, UK
Brian_W_Lawrence (AT) msn (DOT) com

Brian Lawrence wrote:
I wonder if that is indicative of Fisi maybe running a test setup with less
downforce. 4kph seems like a 'significant' difference based on the other
times and in all the other race tables you just posted Fisi is behind Kimi
in top speed.

--
Chad

"Chad" <cbstun (AT) safemail (DOT) com> wrote:

I don't think that it really helps, but ...

Fisi's best was at 18:24:41 local time & Kimi's at 17:44:04. The race started at
about 17:05, so Kimi's best was after 39m & Fisi's after 1h 19m - about 15m
before the flag.

That puts Kimi's lap at about lap 21 of a 29 lap stint, while Fisi's was about
lap 47, seven laps from the end of his race. Incidentally, Fisi's fastest lap was
on his 54th and last lap - something that Kimi has often achieved. So they
were both carrying about the same amount of fuel when they set their top speeds,
Kimi was running 6th about 1s behind Rubens, while Fisi was 17th about 1.5s
behind Grosjean.