Grand Prix thread ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX 2021

Like I said to MITO I so hope you are correct !

 

They were overheating with low fuel. Put full fuel load in and that's a big big ask imo

 

Full fuel and sunshine. Sunset is mid race isn't it?

 

Race start same time as quali today so I guess sunset before start. Looks dark by end of quali so that would be mid race time?

 

Imo I dont see verstappen scampering off here. I can see him getting hauled in after about 5 laps of pace as a training occurs. He might then match to about 15 laps then fall off.

It's all about sainz in 5th of soft tyres ahead of bottas. Verstappen has to get out around this or ahead of this to have a hope as hamilton will take track position and stretch the run out.

Verstappen will have to pass norris as well.

Best route for hamilton is good pace for a long stint and find clear air while verstappen will be chasing gaps all day.

 

Itll be under lights and fireworks party. The f1 champion will look awesome under it.

 

At least horner is actually praising Perez. Pity max forgot about his help.

 

In fairness to Max, it didn't actually make an awful lot of difference. They just did the side by side analysis, and he maybe got 8 hundredths from the tow. It was all about Max's brilliance in the third sector.

He's a bellend, no doubt, but a brilliant one.

 

Yes you are right, after the analysis it's clear Max did a great lap 1 and his second was great too without the help. He did gloss over Perez help in press interview, bottom line is Perez did his job to help his team mate as best he can no matter what it does to his own position.

 

Absolutely. But bellend's gonna bellend.

 

It's all going to wind up with (barring any chaos) where Max lands in the pack when he has to pit. But no telling if a safety car or red flag may play a part.

Honestly...it could go either way.

 

Yep, just hoping for a clean, fair race.

Fingers crossed for Lewis

 

Well turn 9 has been a mess in F2. Lets see what the big boys make of it tomorrow.

 

Max will lead from the front , and because of RBR better strategist people WILL win the race .

Not saying i want that to happen , it’s what I think will happen .

 

So many factors could come in to play... But this could be a good spot for Merc. With an okay start they can stay out of a potential take out. Sit back and wait for Max to have to fall in to the pack. After that it could be over.

But..... Cautions and red flags could throw the cat among the pigeons.

 

Should be an interesting race. Depending on the state of the front left Max locked up he could have limited strategy options for the race.

Hamilton has the better starting strategy but Max has the better track position. Let us see tomorrow, and let us hope we get past the first lap.

 

Feels a bit like a rerun of Saudi Arabia to me.

Max's ability to show astonishing qualifying pace is unquestionable, but he has to hold off Lewis over a race distance with a worse tyre strategy and I still expect Merc to have the pace advantage.

 

I think you are right. Max made a mistake and flat spotted his Mediums, same as he made a mistake and crashed when on his fastest quali lap last time. I wonder if the pressure is actually getting to Max and making him make mistakes?
I am a little concerned by Red Bulls low downforce setup that they have managed to get to work here, I feel that Merc's top speed advantage has been mitigated and Red Bull could be on a great setup. The only fly in the ointment is they are not starting on Mediums.

It's going to be close I think but Mercs have just edged forward in my opinion.
What a great build up to the final race. If we can have a clean race it could be epic.

 

I always wonder, when someone puts in a screamer during Q2, how much did they take out of their tyres doing that?

 

Pretty much my view at the moment, but let's wait and see.

Was initially annoyed at Lewis only getting P2 but I think it's potentially better to be P2 on the mediums than P1 on those softs.

Hoping for a clean race tomorrow, and a Lewis win. Come on Lewis!