[Phantom_9192]

Higher temps and atmospheric pressure are critical to performance.
Set aside track temp and grip (which have a quantifiable effect). Just looking at the difference in temps and pressures, the M2 had a massive advantage in air temp and a slight advantage in atmospheric pressure.
Even with FI, on a track like the 'ring that could come down a multiple seconds.

It's a big difference.

edit: I looked at the shorter track first where M2 had advantages in both. For the 'ring, M2 was at a slight disadvantage to M2C on pressure, but I doubt it was enough to offset the temperature difference (big advantage to M2).

more edit: as I look at the data (I'm a data dork when I race), note that the OG was 6kph faster on the back straight (Hockenheim) than the M2C. Headwind possibly, but temp was very likely also a factor. S55 should be quicker there I would think (though I have no speed or RPM data for the entry on to that straight). Based on the g reading it might be a lift event which would affect the trap speed but I'm assuming it's flat.