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]

Blimey! That looks one hell of a long circuit. Probably looking at 1.45 lap times

Helmut Marko has stated that simulations have shown RB could lose around 1.2 seconds per lap at Baku, thanks to the track layout & long straights. Hopefully Vettel can get in amongst the Mercedes duo again this weekend & forecast is, for it to be very hot.

[GSC]

I'd like to point out it's actually the European GP, come on Nando

Video on F1s site showing a lap of the track on the new game, looks a lot like Russia track, with some very tight sections that are more Singapore esque.

Does look an interesting street circuit in fairness.

[Fernando]

[Guest]

Red bull have taken up the extension on Ricciardo's contract, now expires at the end of 2018

[GSC]

Nico and Jenson aren't happy at the lack of run off.

Frankly its a street circle, pushing on the limit is supposed to be the challenge.

[Guest]

Not surprised, neither driver has ever been a risk taker.

[GSC]

Bet we see a safety car though. Probably a given near the castle

[Guest]

Hamilton had said the track reminds him of a motorway & pretty boring

[dyrewolfe]

Blimey! That looks one hell of a long circuit. Probably looking at 1.45 lap times

Helmut Marko has stated that simulations have shown RB could lose around 1.2 seconds per lap at Baku, thanks to the track layout & long straights. Hopefully Vettel can get in amongst the Mercedes duo again this weekend & forecast is, for it to be very hot.

Jesus - thats a hell of a lot! I would have thought the tight twisty bits would allow them to claw some of that back.

Looking at the track layout, it reminds me of a spatula made by a schoolkid in woodwork class...or possibly an ice cream scoop

[dyrewolfe]

Hamilton had said the track reminds him of a motorway & pretty boring

If that track video is anything to go by, I'd say I have to agree with him.

Looking at the layout, the best (only?) overtaking opportunities are going to be the straights between turns 2 & 3 and 20 & 1.

The rest of the lap is going to be pretty processional due to lack of space and the fact there are very few run-off areas means drivers will be less inclined to take risks (one of the main reasons I don't like street circuits in the first place).

[Guest]

Saw FP1 & I don't really like it. The middle sector is just single file really. Essentially, turn 16 will probably be the most important to get right, otherwise you're a sitting duck, for the following use of DRS down the long motorway section, which is full throttle for around 25 seconds.

[GSC]

Kerbs causing cuts in the rear tyres again.

[Guest]

Great chance for Williams & Force India on the podium this weekend. Mercedes look in another league

[dyrewolfe]

Another thing strikes me as odd about the circuit design. They've got a huge main straight...yet choose to put the end of the pit lane round the corner of Turn 1. They've also put the start / finish line rather close to the first corner.

WTF is up with that?

Not only does it increase pit stop times, but drivers don't get much chance to wave at their teams, fans etc. as they finish the race.

[Guest]

Just watched the GP2 race, the start finish line being near the first corner actually works a treat, with the drag effect & we saw third overtaking second on the last lap, on the line. The GP2 race was brilliant at Baku. Ten cars did not finish, bodywork everywhere & a safety car period, which culminated in the race turning into a two lap quick-fire race at the end, with everyone attacking all over the place. If that's anything to go by, the F1 race should be exciting. Whoever leads at Baku is very vulnerable.

[dyrewolfe]

Thats surprising, as usually a good long run down to the first corner ensures the guys behind the pole-sitter have a chance to attack.

Lets hope you're right and the GP2 action translates into the main event.

[dummy_half]

Dyre

First corner in the GP 2 race was carnage, although that was in part caused by the pole and 3rd cars both bogging off the line and guys having to swerve all over the place. 3 of the front runners pus two from behind ended up in the wall after someone got nudged into a spin. There really isn't much space to take avoiding action, especially if you're on the outside.

First couple of laps though, the main straight was like watching MotoGP from Monza, with so much slipstreaming that the cars were going three wide into turn one braking. Obviously, F1 will be slightly less crazy as there is more performance difference between the cars, but there should be plenty of overtaking even for cars that are well matched..

[Guest]

Button out in Q1

[GSC]

Slow and steady Jenson beaten by a Manor in Q1

[Guest]

That was a mess of a qualifying. Hamilton hits wall & is 8th, while Rosberg gets pole

[Guest]

Rosberg glanced the wall too. I can see Vettel leading into turn 1. Hamilton can easily get back to the front, with this track.

[Jermaine2015]

Stunning lap by Nico Rosberg but star of Q3 was Checo Perez. Awesome performance by the young Mexican.

Wonder what the fast starting Ferraris can do from 2 and 3 on the grid.

[GSC]

He'll be 10th by the end.

Supremely stupid, the Mercs have had the pace on every car here by a mile. Hes either binned it or outbraked himself 3 flying laps in a row

[GSC]

Don't get the point in marking out white lines if every car is going to run outside them on one corner. Should be disqualifying lap times.

[GSC]

Ricciardo 3rd as he and Vettel set identical times. Perez 2nd but will serve a 5 place penalty for changing his gearbox

[GSC]

A safety car is a virtual guarantee.

But have to have confidence under brakes to make moves

[GSC]

Verstappen having a moan about Bottas overtaking him at T1. First one looked fine to me, looked like he was letting him through, didn't see the 2nd

[GSC]

Hamilton will get a set of tyres with identical mileage to the ones he used in Q2 since he wrecked all his tyres.

[dyrewolfe]

He'll be 10th by the end.

Supremely stupid, the Mercs have had the pace on every car here by a mile. Hes either binned it or outbraked himself 3 flying laps in a row

I'd hardly call it "supremely stupid".

Hamilton's obviously had issues / not been comfortable with the car all through quali...and its not like he's been the only driver doing it.

Rosberg glanced the wall too. I can see Vettel leading into turn 1. Hamilton can easily get back to the front, with this track.

A lot will depend on what mental state Lewis is in after yesterday and whether he can figure out a solution to whatever was causing him problems in quali. Not to mention the fact the Merc is compromised when it has to follow other cars. Massive main straight should help, but I don't think it will be easy for him. Think he may struggle to get on the podium.

[GSC]

At worst he had P2 if he put in a banker lap before pushing to the limit. Nobody else was in the same postcode as Merc

[GSC]

Last thing Hamilton will want is to see Bottas ahead of him. Williams will be mighty in a straight line but cost him time in the middle sector

[GSC]

Kvyat must have a problem

[GSC]

Vettel up to P2. Ricciardo's RB fading on the straights badly.

Verstappen pits early for softs.

[GSC]

Yep Kvyat retires. Looked like he was down on power

[GSC]

5 second penalty for Raikonnen crossing the white line.

[GSC]

Looks like tyre wear is pretty severe. Verstappen now on the medium tyre

[GSC]

Hamilton must have some kind of problem, Perez is dropping him.

Suspect Kimi is about to be told Sebastian is faster than him.

[GSC]

Fun of a new race is nobody really has any clue of the optimum strategy.

Seb and Nico taking the super softs 20 laps, others binning them after 7. RB using the medium, Hulkenburg trying to do 30 laps on a supersoft

[GSC]

Most common strategy seems to be a 2 stop.

Hamilton's engine has an issue collecting electrical energy. Gonna cost him on the straights

[GSC]

Merc can't tell Lewis what's wrong as it's related to an engine mode.

[GSC]

Sainz has a brake issue and retires but can pull down a slip road

[GSC]

Perez looks good for a 2nd podium here.

[GSC]

This radio comms between Lewis and Merc is hilarious. Threatening to change everything.

[GSC]

Can't wait for the controversy over the radio rules after this race.

[GSC]

Now they can't tell Kimi.

Great stuff

[GSC]

Amazing there's been no safety car

[GSC]

On a side note, Hulkenburgs done 30 laps on a super soft, Kimis done 40 on softs.

These tyres are way too hard

[GSC]

Rosberg wins at a canter, Vettel 2nd and Perez 3rd

Promised some carnage, delivered little.

[Guest]

Worst race of the season. Disappointing anti-climax in the end, no action, no SC & just a load of easy DRS aided overtaking. Hamilton threw the race away in Saturday, once again that Mercedes shows its vulnerability in dirty air. As for the radio ban, I had no real issue with it before, Hamilton fiddling around for half a race just denied us any chance of seeing him or Kimi actually fight fairly, just penalises the driver & the viewers. Excellent from Perez, once more. Went to McLaren too early, but now seems to of developed into a real consistent force. I see no real reason why he could not replace Kimi.

[dyrewolfe]

Well, that was a boring crock of crap.

I actually switched over after lap 28 and watched Murray vs Raonic...much more entertaining. First time I've stopped watching mid-race for some time.

So much for the excitement of GP2 translating to F1.

Quite apart from the fact Hamilton's race was compromised yet again due to car issues, I think a 3km main straight just makes overtaking ridiculously easy. No challenge or skill involved. Far too clinical. Rest of the lap was basically a procession. Just like Monaco, the main challenge is making sure you don't end up in a wall / barrier.

Only noteworthy event of the whole race was Perez overcoming his penalty to get on the podium. Also pleased he overtook Kimi on track, even though he didn't need to.

Is it just me or does it seem every time Hamilton is on a charge and potentially in a position to chase down Rosberg, his car suddenly develops technical problems? First "water pressure issues" now his hybrid system isn't recharging properly.

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