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]

There never has been many positives to take from F1, in terms of the racing. This era is no different to what we've seen before. The only positives of F1, are the technological advancements that directly impact other industries, such as medicine. It's a shame the sport actually over-complicates itself by using this technology & instead of using it as a positive, it actually has a negative impact on the show.

Interesting to see Adrian Newey back in the paddock, now he's back from his American Cup duties. I think with the rules being opened up for next year (2017), more downforce, Mercedes engine power being negated & with RB's chassis, I think they will be the team to beat next year. If anything, the main attraction of the sport is the duel between Ricciardo & Max right now.

I also see Stoffel Vandoorne has been linked with taking Haryanto's seat at Manor, after the summer break.

[dyrewolfe]

Max irritating another driver by moving twice on the straights and braking zone?

Still, the stewards are too busy enforcing important things, like stopping teams telling their drivers if the car has terminal issues.

F1 is a laughing stock at the moment. The rule makers haven't a clue.

I mean giving button a penalty for his team telling him how to rectify faulty breaks isn't a safety issue yet Rosberg setting a purple sector under double yellows is absolutely fine. The drivers are correct in moaning ant the situation.

They seem to be piling rule upon rule in the sport, they need stripping out and going back to basics.

THIS!

[dyrewolfe]

Beyond driving hybrid tech forward, it's hard to think of too many positives around F1 these days.

And since a lot of tech like anti-lock brakes, active suspension, mass dampers etc. are banned, a lot of potential avenues of development have been closed off.

Hybrid tech is a joke in itself. You still need a conventional combustion engine, while the extraction and processing of the materials required for the batteries are just as environmentally unfriendly.

They also make the cars heavier, more expensive and less reliable.

F1 should have looked seriously at either hydrogen / biofuel engines or at least hydrogen fuel cells, if they were serious about gaining "green" credentials.

[dummy_half]

[quote="dyrewolfe"]

Beyond driving hybrid tech forward, it's hard to think of too many positives around F1 these days.

And since a lot of tech like anti-lock brakes, active suspension, mass dampers etc. are banned, a lot of potential avenues of development have been closed off.

Hybrid tech is a joke in itself. You still need a conventional combustion engine, while the extraction and processing of the materials required for the batteries are just as environmentally unfriendly.

They also make the cars heavier, more expensive and less reliable.

F1 should have looked seriously at either hydrogen / biofuel engines or at least hydrogen fuel cells, if they were serious about gaining "green" credentials.[/quote]

Two things at opposite ends of the spectrum: 'green credentials' and 'motor racing'. Cars go fastest by burning fuel (and maximising power from doing so) and by wearing out high performance tyres in about 1 hour

The hybrid thing was to encourage the big engine makers back in, because they can then at least appear to be working on green(ish) technology, but it's more about PR than about the actual tech - your point about hybrid batteries being resource hungry is well made, especially when you take into account the lifetime of such batteries (i.e. loss of efficiency in charge/discharge cycles). Agree that if F1 wants to develop truly environmentally-friendly tech it should be looking at hydrogen fuel cells - let's try to develop the tech of 20 years in the future where there are serious gains to be made, not the current unsatisfactory half-way house of hybrid.

[GSC]

Allison leaves Ferrari, guessing he wants to work closer to home.

Return to Renault?

[Fernando]

Not really a surprise considering his wife died and got to look after the kids so expect will be back to Renailt.

[dyrewolfe]

Not really a surprise considering his wife died and got to look after the kids so expect will be back to Renailt.

Wow - it didn't mention anything about that in the story - just said it was a joint decision, as part of the team's restructuring plans. Condolences to him and his children...


Had a read of the latest article on the new halo devices and I was wondering if anyone has tested them to see if / how much they restrict a driver's ability to extricate themselves from the car, in the event it flips over?

Was just thinking back to Alonso's big crash and remember being amazed at how he was able to get out of the car and walk away with little or no assistance. Would he have been able to do that if his car had had a halo fitted?

[Jermaine2015]

End of the road for the Scuderia, they've lost one of the two key men in their battle to bring back the WDC/WCC to maranello(the other being Sebastian Vettel).

Quick opinion poll:

When Hamilton beats Rosberg to win the WDC, will Rosberg start a chain reaction of driver swaps ahead of the 2017 season?

McLaren Honda have Fernando Alonso tied down for 2017, but the Spanish superstar opted to jettison the Scuderia once he wasn't convinced by James Allison that they could win that third WDC that Alonso craves.

Allison is being heavily linked to McLaren Honda. Considering Alonso didn't believe in Allison a couple of years ago, could he opt to move on? Bearing in mind Allison designed both cars that Alonso won god championships in.

Finally Sebastian Vettel joined Ferrari as obviously his hero Michael Schumacher did before him. But one of the selling points was working with James Allison. Now Allison has gone nothing keeping Vettel at the Scuderia.

So could we see the following

Rosberg - Ferrari
Alonso - Mercedes
Vettel - McLaren Honda

[GSC]

Rosberg signed a new deal at Merc before the last race so probably not.

[Jermaine2015]

Rosberg signed a new deal at Merc before the last race so probably not.

Contracts mean very little in the modern world TBH.

Also would you stay at the same team if you got beaten 4 straight years?

[GSC]

They tend to tie you down for at least the first year.

What are his options? There's only one team winning races and world titles regularly in F1 at the moment.

[Jermaine2015]

They tend to tie you down for at least the first year.

What are his options? There's only one team winning races and world titles regularly in F1 at the moment.

Granted that Mercedes are the front runners between 2014-16, but with the regulation amendments, hypothetically Ferrari could be contenders again in 2017(I actually think Red Bull and McLaren Honda will be the true contenders).

Plus if Rosberg loses again, should be switch to Ferrari he would naturally become team leader as Kimi(despite his recent upturn) has been indifferent for a long time now.

Obviously my original post is hypothetical anyway

[GSC]

Ferrari and Red Bull have been hypothetical challengers the last 2 years

[dyrewolfe]

I actually think most drivers will prefer to wait and see how their teams adapt to the new regs.

It'd be a bit premature to jump ship before you've had a chance to assess the new cars against the opposition.

Doubt anything will happen with the top drivers before 2018.

[GSC]

Don't think anything will happen anyway.

Hamilton and Rosberg are locked in until 2018 when they're fighting for one seat according to Toto.

Vettels committed to ending Ferraris drought over a few cheap WDC in dominant car.

Alonso's retiring if McLaren aren't winners next year, and going to something he actually enjoys like Le Mans or similar.

Ricciardo is the wildcard. Wouldn't surprise me if he ended up partnering Vettel again.

[Guest]

All F1 champions have a stack of cheap WDC on their CV. It's a nothing point. Vettel will either fail to win a WDC at Ferrari or he will win one, when they have the best car & he's up against his clear no.2.

[GSC]

Yes, the point is more he wants to be the guy who turns around Ferrari more than a repeat of his RB era at this stage of his career.

[Guest]

Russian news agency Izvestia reporting that Daniil Kyvat will be axed from Red Bull’s list of contracted drivers at the end of the season

[Fernando]

Despite signing a new contract Sergio Perez says he could leave Force India at end of season.

[Guest]

Unfortunately & depressingly for Perez, the sport as a whole & the fans, the seats at the front of the grid are sewn up. I honestly don't see an alternative seat, seeing as Williams would be a side-ways step. I'm not sure I can bare much more of the Mercedes partnership, it will be so stale next season & also Kimi moping along, doesn't do anyone any favours.

[Guest]

The halo has been ditched for 2017

[Fernando]

The FIA will put it on the car for safety reasons it is then

[Fernando]

And we're back to driver coaching :sarcasticyay:

[Jermaine2015]

Unfortunately & depressingly for Perez, the sport as a whole & the fans, the seats at the front of the grid are sewn up. I honestly don't see an alternative seat, seeing as Williams would be a side-ways step. I'm not sure I can bare much more of the Mercedes partnership, it will be so stale next season & also Kimi moping along, doesn't do anyone any favours.

I wouldn't say all 'the seats at the front of the grid are sewn up' for 2017. With the regulation amendments McLaren-Honda could be a top seat or Renault could pull their finger out and become contenders again. Perhaps Perez is looking for a works team and not just a customer team.

[Fernando]

Mercedes - Nico & Lewis
Ferrari - Seb & Kimi
RB - Ricciardo & Max
Williams - Bottas & ??? - Massa seemingly going
Renault - Magnussen & ??? - Palmer done sh*te with James Allison back could be a good bet
Mclaren - Alonso & one of Vandoorne/Button
Haas - Grosjean & Gutierrez - Could see Esteban making way for Sergio.

[dyrewolfe]

The FIA will put it on the car for safety reasons it is then

Actually they've said "it remains a strong option for 2018", although they will be looking at alternatives.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/36919451

Maybe they're still not sure how effective it will be, or that it makes the cars look too ugly...or perhaps both...

Personally I reckon they would hamper a driver trying to get out of an upturned car...though there has been no comment about this AFAIK.

And we're back to driver coaching :sarcasticyay:

Enlarge this image

Do they not understand the concept of a middle road?

Do they not understand fans don't want drivers to be coached...as will inevitably happen? They simply want them to have access to all safety-critical data and assistance if their cars experience technical problems

[GSC]

Sounds like the rest of the drivers were not happy about Yung Max's defensive "maneuvers" in Hungary. Apparently he had a bit of a strop.

[Guest]

Any news on Hamilton's investigation on an unsafe release, when Grosjean said he had to stop the car? 10 place grid penalty if found guilty & would hand Rosberg this race.

[GSC]

Not watching it tbh

[GSC]

Speaking of Grosjean, he has to take a gearbox change

[Fernando]

Any news on Hamilton's investigation on an unsafe release, when Grosjean said he had to stop the car? 10 place grid penalty if found guilty & would hand Rosberg this race.

He may just get a fine since Ferrari were double stacking the cars so hard to get out.

[GSC]

Summoned to the stewards so a reprimand may be coming. Kvyat got one in Spa last year for similar.

Might be an idea for Merc to replace his engine and skip quali if he gets a reprimand. New set of parts and the 2 reprimands no longer hang over his head.

[GSC]

Rosbergs been faster at this GP so far, so might not be the worst time to eat some of those penalties.

[Guest]

The last unsafe release in practice was Palmer. The team were handed a £1000 fine

[Guest]

No penalty, but Mercedes have been fined

[dyrewolfe]

According to Sky Hamilton also went to see Charlie Whiting after qualifying in Hungary to get some clarification about his and Rosberg's final laps.

Seems the end result is that if anyone has an accident / spin, instead of yellow flags, the session will be red-flagged...thus denying anyone a chance to complete their laps.

Poor Paddy Lowe stuck with explaining this to the press. He looked uncomfortable to say the least.

I swear this sport is getting more ridiculous every year. With any luck it'll last as long as the new quali format they tried.


In somewhat related news I just saw a great interview with Toto Wolff on the subject of qualifying. Totally agree when he says its pathetic to fine  /penalise drivers for exceeding track limits. Instead of a just having white lines that drivers will ignore, put barriers up that will physically prevent them from leaving the track, or as a halfway house measure, just put big kerbs in place that could damage the cars...driver's risk if they decide to go over them. Also has the advantage of allowing cars to go into run-off areas in the event of a major accident / spin.

[GSC]

My opinion is very simple.

If you go outside of the white lines you have exceeded track limits and failed to complete the lap. So take the lap away. Obviously in the race drivers can have more margin for error, but in Quali there should be no exceptions.

Do that everywhere except for 2 or 3 corners every GP.

[dyrewolfe]

My opinion is very simple.

If you go outside of the white lines you have exceeded track limits and failed to complete the lap. So take the lap away. Obviously in the race drivers can have more margin for error, but in Quali there should be no exceptions.

Do that everywhere except for 2 or 3 corners every GP.

Well, it would work in theory. Trouble is getting the rule-makers and the teams to agree to that kind of consistency. In the end you'd get arguments about why it should apply to certain corners on certain circuits and not others and you end up with the current situation.

Whereas if you physically modify the circuits to prevent it (or have the drivers risk damaging their cars) you take away the need for rules about exceeding track limits.

[GSC]

There don't need to be any arguments about certain corners.

The white line is the track limit. Over that and your lap goes.

Having kerbs etc that risk damage to the car just opens up arguments iver safety again.

[Guest]

Rosberg pole, Hamilton locked up & gets second. Ricciardo in third

[dyrewolfe]

There don't need to be any arguments about certain corners.

The white line is the track limit. Over that and your lap goes.

Having kerbs etc that risk damage to the car just opens up arguments iver safety again.

Which would be totally bogus. If Webber was able to survive a full somersault without a scratch and Alonso could walk away from his big smash earlier this season, its hard to argue broken suspension or a damaged floor seriously threatens driver safety.

On that basis you could argue against the continued use of Pirelli tyres.


F1 has become too soft and sanitised IMO. Its about time a bit of jeopardy was brought back. There's also the simple counter-argument that if you don't want to damage your car, don't ride the kerbs...



Anyway, pole for Rosberg by a tenth, so it'll be all about the starts tomorrow.

[GSC]

Give him some credit, no small amount of pressure on the one q3 lap he got. If he can nail the start unlike Hungary hes been the faster Merc driver this weekend.

[Guest]

Won't be about the start tomorrow, like Austria, this track sets up nicely for an overtake down that back bend. Good lap by Nico, definitely deserved pole, but Lewis' race pace through Friday looked better & as the pundits stated, he's now thinking about conserving the engine life, so no surprise to see Nico winning the practice sessions.

[Fernando]

Hulkenburg given a 1 place grip drop...As He used tyres Force India had signed off as returned.

[dyrewolfe]

Give him some credit, no small amount of pressure on the one q3 lap he got. If he can nail the start unlike Hungary hes been the faster Merc driver this weekend.

Aww, alright then...seeing as its you.


Don't remember Hockenheim as being a great overtaking track...hope John is right...

[dyrewolfe]

Lol...I said it would be all about the start...

Hamilton nails his and leads, Rosberg bogs down and ends up 4th.

[Mad for Chelsea]

well that's a bit of a shocker from Rosberg there...

[dyrewolfe]

Rosberg getting "elbows out" again - this time on Max...

[Guest]

Under investigation. Rosberg didn't really turn the wheel, Inwouldnt punish it though

[Guest]

Five second penalty for Rosberg

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