[otheloComRole]

the Red Bull rear wing is steeper also so gets a greater advantage from using the DRS, which is unliimited in Qually, so gain more. In the race when its use is limited (and they are usually in front) that advantage is negated. The McLaren has the opposite philosophy, meaning that it is quicker in race trim without the need for the DRS, but the gain is less when opened.

Red Bull also have a less effective KERS system (when its even working) which is less use for them in the races, but enough over the one lap in qually

add in the off throttle diffuser blowing being better and the fact that their higher downforce configuration actually shortens the life of the Pirellis in the faster corners, and you have a car that is devastating over one lap, but slightly compromised over a race distance, alowing the field to be closer (by field i mean McLaren and occasionally one ferrari and/or one Merc)

You forgot to mention how RBR uses it tyres:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/form...e/13514134.stm

The suggestion is that the RB7 has too much high-speed downforce for the fragile Pirelli to be able to deal with for very long and therefore has to be nursed more than on the McLaren.

During the tyre war of the early 2000s - and even to an extent with the tough control tyre Bridgestones of the last few years - it used to be that the more you could load up the car with downforce, the faster your stint time would be.

That is not necessarily the case any longer - although it still allows you to be devastatingly fast in qualifying.

...So take your pick: the Red Bull has too much downforce for the Pirellis to be able to use; it derives more drag reduction from its DRS; it has better hot-blown diffuser mapping and loses Kers performance. Or some sort of combination therein.