Abu DhabiGP/Fernando Collects £800 & can pass go Thread - Contains Quali & Race spoilers

[Fernando]

First topic message reminder :

Yas Marina wants for nothing in terms of facilities. If only the same could be said of its track.

Track data: Yas Marina

Lap length 5.554km (3.451 miles)
Grand prix distance 305.355km (189.739 miles)
Lap record (race) 1’40.279 (Sebastian Vettel, 2009)
Fastest lap (any session) 1’38.434 (Lewis Hamilton, 2011, qualifying two)
Tyre compounds See drivers’ choices
2015 Rate the Race 5.25 out of 10
2015 Driver of the Weekend Sergio Perez
Yas Marina track data in full

But the circuit which has the honour of holding this year’s title-deciding race leaves everything to be desired when it comes to challenging the world’s best drivers and cars.

It’s wide, smooth, flat and – aside from a pair of lengthy straights – slow. Whatever brief the track designer was given, showcasing F1 at its best was not it.

“It’s not the most thrilling of tracks,” says master of understatement Daniil Kvyat, “as many of the corners are very similar”. Other drivers have been similarly dismissive of its untaxing, stop-start nature.

The track has produced few riveting races since it first appeared on the calendar in 2009. The surprise outcome of the 2010 title-decider and Sebastian Vettel’s race through the field two years later stick in the mind. But last year’s forgettable finale was more typical of what we’ve come to expect from this venue.

Abu Dhabi’s stable climate means we can discount the possibility of surprising weather changes playing a role in Sunday’s championship finale. But Pirelli’s decision to bring its most aggressive tyre selection could offer the drivers new strategic options this year.

A lap of Yas Marina


From the start line the drivers arrive quickly at turn one. This is the first of many 90-degree corners but is quicker than the rest, typically taken in fourth gear. Accelerating out of the left-hander the drivers approach what passes for the most interesting section on the track – the flat-out sweep through turns two, three and four.
The pit lane entrance joins the track at this point and we have seen some near-misses as drivers blend in with traffic. Fernando Alonso took a punishing ride over the kerbs here in 2013.

As the drivers leave turn four at speed they are quickly upon the next sequence of corners: a slow chicane followed by a hairpin. “You go down the hill, braking into six – very tricky braking turning into six, then straight away into seven,” explains Romain Grosjean. “You need to be well positioned for the hairpin going down the back straight. It’s tricky to get the car to turn.”

Two long straights separated by the turn eight/nine chicane follow. “Again you need to be well positioned between the left and right-hand side corners,” says Grosjean. “Then it’s another straight line on to 11, 12 and 13. It’s a triple chicane and as soon as you exit that part you go flat out then brake for turn 14, which is a 90-degree left-hand side corner.”


Following the tricky curved approach to turn 17 the final sector of the lap involves a sequence of slow bends, most of which are right-angles. “As soon as you go out of 17 you have to brake again for 18,” says Grosjean. Two left-handers lead them beneath the Yas Viceroy hotel, with a “tricky exit” as the cars straighten up ahead of the final pair of bends.
“The second to last corner is good,” comments Grosjean. “It’s high speed in fourth or fifth gear.”

After that the run-off area at the final corner invites drivers to run wide. “The last corner is very tricky,” Grosjean explains. “It’s very wide on the entry phase with the pit lane on the right-hand side. It’s not easy to find a line.”

[Guest]

although German Media suggesting Hamilton has said it's his fault.

He's just been interviewed & he didn't admit any sort of blame, said he went for the gap & Nico closed it. Hardly surprising German media are going to lie about such a story.

[CaledonianCraig]

No penalties for either Mercedes driver

As I thought.

[Guest]

The after race comments from Hamilton and Rosberg has changed my view.  Rosberg accepts he switched to a wrong engine setting and was down on power and speed and said he closed the inside line off as was his "right".  Hamilton said he was aware of Rosberg's engine setting mistake and it was just a question of whether to overtake Rosberg on the inside or outside.  A gap opened up on the inside and he took it, then Rosberg closed the gap forcing Hamilton onto the grass.

[Guest]

Exactly, if anything more blame can be apportioned to Nico, although Lewis was still aggressive, although understandably, given the fact he saw an opportunity, as Nico was harvesting through the corner & actually dangerously slow because of the wrong setting.

Didn't help Lauda shooting his mouth off to the media & everyone jumping on the anti-Hamilton stuff. Mercedes, as a team, took their time & analysed the situation & it's now clear what unfolded. The stewards see it clear cut & as a racing incident, it really should be closed now & to move on.

As for Hamilton though, another poor start, it's becoming embarrassing now, his failure to master this transition to the single clutch. Rosberg is the winner out of the weekend, it's another race down & his lead remains intact.

[GSC]

Verstappen the right guy at the right time. Ricciardo and Vettel probably focussed on each other too much, both going on a 3 stop that was ultimately slower due to traffic. Kimi couldn't close up in the 3rd sector enough to use DRS and obviously the Mercs are 1-2 on pace. Feel for Kvyat a tad, the hype machine for Verstappen will go into overdrive, and rightly so, but this was a victory he could've taken.

[dyrewolfe]

Verstappen the right guy at the right time. Ricciardo and Vettel probably focussed on each other too much, both going on a 3 stop that was ultimately slower due to traffic. Kimi couldn't close up in the 3rd sector enough to use DRS and obviously the Mercs are 1-2 on pace. Feel for Kvyat a tad, the hype machine for Verstappen will go into overdrive, and rightly so, but this was a victory he could've taken.

That would depend on whether he was put on the 3-stop strategy instead of Ricciardo.

Was gutted for Daniel. He was pushing hard and chasing Vettel down - only to get another bloody puncture on the penultimate lap. Reckon he would have been on the podium but for that.

Also really annoyed with Pirelli and still think their tyres are not fit for purpose. Too many of these incidents happening.

Back to Mercedes, I see the stewards' verdict was more or less what I expected. Basically, if either driver had been willing to back off a tad, the crash could have been avoided. Personally still think Rosberg was reckless to run Hamilton right off the track on a stretch that had artificial grass and no run-off. Hopefully he'll think twice next time.

[dyrewolfe]

Im so proud of you guys it's taken 4 years but debating without insults

Not convinced Hamilton would of made the corner even if Nico left room personally calling it 50-50 although German Media suggesting Hamilton has said it's his fault.

You've taught us well, Dad!

(Though it may have taken a while to sink in)

[GSC]

Rosberg should've done what he did here, 2 years ago in Bahrain. About time he got his elbows out.

Too many times hes yielded. Schumacher, Vettel, Alonso, even Hamilton himself would not have hesitated to slam that door shut.

[GSC]

Schumacher probably would've pushed him to be honest

[dyrewolfe]

Rosberg should've done what he did here, 2 years ago in Bahrain. About time he got his elbows out.

Too many times hes yielded. Schumacher, Vettel, Alonso, even Hamilton himself would not have hesitated to slam that door shut.

And then you get what happened to Red Bull in Turkey and McLaren in Canada (Hamilton tried to pass Button and ended up in the wall).

Its all very well saying "get your elbows out" and be aggressive, but you're not going to do yourself or the team any favours if  one or both drivers end up with a DNF against their names.

There is being aggressive and then there is being reckless. The real art of F1 is to pull off those moves without causing an incident.

Incidentally Schumacher was in another league when it comes to that sort of thing. Deliberately rammed Damon Hill off the track and tried to do the same to Jaques Villeneuve. More recently squeezed Massa into the pit lane wall in Hungary. As brilliant as he was, he could also be a right dirty bugger.

[GSC]

That was Reubens he tried to stick in the wall wasn't it?

The desired message has been sent by Rosberg, Hamilton isnt going to try and throw it up his inside praying Rosberg lets him through. He'll have also been told in no uncertain terms by Lauda and Wolff not to try that again on the first lap of a GP.

Id also argue that its passing the responsibility to the driver behind to back out the move. That's why Hamilton likely got a ticking off and Nico got his wrist slapped internally.

The other 2 incidents you named were purely driver error, not sure they're all that relevant. A better example would be Nico-Lewis at Belgium. Suspect we'll see another ban on early laps racing between the Mercs, as followed that.

[dyrewolfe]

My bad - it was Rubinho, not Massa. Getting my Brazilians mixed up!


I suppose if any good does come out of this, it will be that Nico and Lewis will be sure to give each other a bit more space in future. They want to rack up championship points and we want to see them racing wheel to wheel (as opposed to wheel ON wheel).

Was also happy to hear Toto Wolff say it wouldn't affect the team's policy with regard to allowing them to race. Its the first incident they've had since Spa last year - lets hope thats it for the season.

[GSC]

I trust Toto Wolff about as far as I can throw him.

They implemented team orders for the early laps after Spa, bet they do again.

[Guest]

Pretty much guaranteed a cooling off period. Monaco is pretty much the perfect race coming up for two reasons. 1 - slow speed track & an incident is unlikely & 2 - whoever leads into turn 1, will have the race sewn up by team orders, barring some kind of pit-stop/SC foul up, like last year. I also imagine that Mercedes will gag Lauda too for a while, after those post-incident comments.

Further down the line though, it will be impossible to keep them apart. Mercedes will implement strategy, trying to manoeuvre them apart, but it's inevitable another incident is around the corner. Hamilton too is playing catch-up in the championship, so telling him to be careful or too not take risks, when in close proximity of Rosberg, is pretty much pointless.

[dyrewolfe]

[1]Id also argue that its passing the responsibility to the driver behind to back out the move. That's why Hamilton likely got a ticking off and Nico got his wrist slapped internally.

[2]The other 2 incidents you named were purely driver error, not sure they're all that relevant. A better example would be Nico-Lewis at Belgium. Suspect we'll see another ban on early laps racing between the Mercs, as followed that.

1. The regulations state that once the passing driver has got a significant part of his car alongside, the leading driver has to leave room. Lewis had his front wing level with Nico's rear wheel before he was forced off track.

2. If you want to take that to its logical conclusion all those type of incidents are down to driver error, whether errors in judgement about when to make a move, or executing it. All 3 are examples of drivers attempting to overtake team mates and ending up out of the race because neither they or their team mates would yield. Specifics are different, but generally the same kind of actions with the same end results.

[GSC]

In reality he barely got it alongside his rear wheel at 170mph. Expecting drivers to judge that, especially the driver in front, is entirely unreasonable, and pure insanity

[Guest]

The boss of Mercedes AMG has just confirmed on German television that Nico Rosberg has signed a new contract for 2017.

It's on the table, but it isn't signed

[dyrewolfe]

In reality he barely got it alongside his rear wheel at 170mph. Expecting drivers to judge that, especially the driver in front, is entirely unreasonable, and pure insanity

Disagree. Nico swerved his car pretty violently across nearly half the track. If anything its unreasonable to assume there wouldn't be some sort of contact with that drastic a manouevre.

[Guest]

Running someone deliberately into a wall or onto a slippery surface at 200 mph is akin to attempted murder in my book.  People talk about fitting a halo around the cockpit and then we have one driver running another into a wall deliberately.  There is a bigger picture in this somewhere.   Rosberg admitted he saw him, admitted he had made a mistake in the engine setting, then declared it was his right to make that move.  He left a gap then aggressively closed it off no matter where Hamilton was.  Hamilton was the one that took the avoiding action rather than holding his line, but then he lost it on the slippery surface while breaking and trying to avoid the wall.  Rosberg got away with it because it all happened so quickly, but Hamilton was already in the space, taking advantage of a slower car ahead.

In the past there has many instances when one car overtakes another car in one corner only to have his place taken back in the next corner or a few corners further down the lap. Rosberg has given notice that once he is in the lead he will take out Hamilton if he tries to pass him. And that is all that is needed for Rosberg to now finish ahead of Hamilton in the Championship given his enormous points lead.

[Guest]

Rosberg has given notice that once he is in the lead he will take out Hamilton if he tries to pass him.  And that is all that is needed for Rosberg to now finish ahead of Hamilton in the Championship given his enormous points lead.

You actually delusionally make it sound legal, to do this. Rosberg has done no such thing, it was a one-off incident, whereby numerous factors, led to a incident which spiralled quickly out of control. It's been put to bed & I think you should be too.

[Guest]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nYyvYNvdq0 - happened today

Maybe, Rosberg can do this to Hamilton

[GSC]

Realistically, Hamilton should just back out, whether you want to argue over inches at 170mph etc. Hes done similar to Rosberg at Bahrain at few years ago where he deliberately cut across him to prevent an overtake. Difference was Nico backed out, and many felt he lost the mental battle with Lewis permanently after that by having a moan on the radio.

2 years too late, but he's served notice to Hamilton that he's willing to get his elbows out in this title fight

[Guest]

Looks like it will be wet in Monaco, this Sunday

[Fernando]

Daniel Ricciardo to get the updated Renault engine tested at Barcelona
Fernando Alonso to get a revised Honda Engine.

[Guest]

The BBC having called Hamilton awesome for posting a single lap time of 1:15.537 in first practice were rather befuddled as to what adjective to use for Ricciardo's second practice time of 1:14.607. They eventually settle for superb.

Awesome Hamilton: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/36386903

versus

Daniel Ricciardo sets superb practice pace: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/36390221

[Guest]

[Guest]

I am putting you on my ignore list because you are stalking me and calling me delusional on multiple threads.  Communication between you and me is impossible because I don't take kindly to on-line bullies and stalkers.  Enjoy your love in with Hamilton.

Anyway the BBC have changed the wording from awesome to incredible although the link to the article still contains awesome.  This is my last comment on this thread - I just can't take the hastle from LiamB. Good thread from Fernando.

[Jermaine2015]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/36393472

Looks like Jenson Button's luck has finally run out. McLaren will make the logical decision of partnering double world champion Fernando Alonso with the brilliant Stoffel Vandoorne for 2017.

McLaren really should've promoted Vandoorne in 2016, aside from Button fairytail effort in 2009, he's really not worth much column space in F1's magnificent history.

[Fernando]

[dyrewolfe]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/36393472

Looks like Jenson Button's luck has finally run out. McLaren will make the logical decision of partnering double world champion Fernando Alonso with the brilliant Stoffel Vandoorne for 2017.

McLaren really should've promoted Vandoorne in 2016, aside from Button fairytail effort in 2009, he's really not worth much column space in F1's magnificent history.

Bit premature - calling Vandoorne "brilliant" on the back of one good performance. How about we wait and see how he does over a full season? The lad clearly has ability, but translating that into regular race performances / results is another matter.

It also makes more sense to promote him NEXT season when the regs change and he can make a fresh start along with everyone else. No sense in him getting used to this season's car, only to have to learn a totally different car next season.

Re your Button comments - very poor trolling. 2/10 - must try harder.

[Guest]

Inevitable JB would be moved on. I think Mercedes will take one look at RB's manoeuvre of keeping Max & they will pretty much make sure they keep Stoffel for 2017. Button to Williams could be on. I see Rosberg has also got Gerhard Berger representing him during the contact negotiations with Mercedes. Rumour is, Nico was unhappy with the original contract offer, so Gerhard was approached. Nico wants parallel money to Lewis, seeing as he's outperformed Lewis since USA last year. Nico is also linked with Ferrari in 2017, so Mercedes are being told to improve the deal or Nico is off. Interesting stuff.

[GSC]

Its all posturing. Merc and Nico both know Merc have the best package. Would imagine Ferrari would be looking for someone younger and better than Rosberg anyway. He'll re sign at some point.

For Button, cashed in his lottery ticket with Brawn and got a McLaren drive off the back of that. Overachieved in his career to win a World title so imagine he can walk away happy. Makes more sense for him to do that than go to Williams for both sides.

Halo is in for 2017

[Jermaine2015]

Jolyon Palmer is truly woeful, infant he's actually worst than Pastor Maldonado...if Renault have any serious ideas of being front runners again they need to ditch deadwood like Palmer ASAP.

[GSC]

Still hoping Vergne gets another shot tbh

[Guest]

Max has crashed out of Q1

[GSC]

Safety car out at turn 1 tomorrow then.

[GSC]

Alonso makes Q3, Button 13th

[GSC]

Ricciardo and Vettel will both start on the Supersofts, Mercs on the Ultra Soft

[GSC]

Hamilton has an engine problem in the pit lane, fortunately they can roll him back and try and jump start it

[GSC]

If he had actually crossed the white line to exit, that would be session over.

Ricciardo flying

[Guest]

Ricciardo pole, Rosberg second & Hamilton pole. Ridiculous that Hamilton had more issues leading into that q3 session. Fantastic by Ricciardo though, that last sector was astonishing

[GSC]

Mega mega lap from Ricciardo to take pole, 2 tenths up on Rosberg, Hamilton 3rd.

Going to be interesting tomorrow, Hamilton has to get a good start with Vettel lurking in 4th.

[GSC]

Someone must've rang the factory and been told to switch it on and off

[GSC]

Ricciardos clearly been stewing after RB cost him a win in Spain

[Jermaine2015]

Ricciardo starts on super soft whereas Rosberg, Hamilton and Vettel start on ultra soft. Should any of them get a great start they should win.

[GSC]

Rosbergs car didn't start for the same reason Lewis' stopped for - high fuel temp.

[Guest]

Yep, unbelievable lap from Ricciardo, taking away the inside curb has just made it so quick around turn 15, he was blisteringly quick. Mercedes issue messed Hamilton's prep up & his tyres were shot at the end of his final run, after he aborted about two or three laps with them. Not surprised Max binned it in the wall in all honesty, he likes smashing into barriers around here. Still all too play for tomorrow, especially given the weather forecast. We also don't know the reliability on a full race-run, for that upgraded Renault engine.

[dyrewolfe]

Brilliant pole by Ricciardo - have to fancy him for the win tomorrow, even with both Merc behind him. Shame about Verstappen - could have been a RB front row lockout.

Just shows Monaco favours a good chassis over brute horsepower...though Daniel's "pole or bust" mindset may have had a bit to do with it.

Be interesting to see how Nico and Lewis take the start - I think they may be too distracted by each other to pose a serious threat to Ricciardo. Will also be interesting to see how the team manages their pit stops. Will they try to separate them if things get too dicey?

Sky commentators mentioned that rain was forecast for tomorrow, which could make things (a lot more) interesting. Could give opportunities for the Ferraris. If not, expect a procession.

[Guest]

Safety car starts just take all the fun out of it

[GSC]

No choice but to really

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