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Author Topic: Abu Dhabi - closer for 2016  (Read 11386 times)

Offline J.Clark

Abu Dhabi - closer for 2016
« on: November 22, 2016, 01:37:19 PM »
Well, here we are, heading into the final race of 2016, with almost everything just about decided ~ except the Driver's Championship.  It is nearly settled, barring some ill conceived fate befalling Rosberg.

I don't know if I would want to attend this race, or not.  Here is the location (I haven't tried to link google maps to the wizzard before): https://www.google.com/maps/@24.471713,54.6043216,11z  It is right across the road basically from the airport.

The circuit has 21 turns in 5.5 km, most of which are fairly tight, with a lot of flat out running, mostly in sector two, which has both DRS zones.  It is a circuit that has had some interesting racing with overtaking.  One of the most interesting features of the circuit for me is the pit-out, which passes under the circuit at turn 1.  I remain completely amazed that no one has crashed in the tunnel as of yet, but I am also relieved.  I found this interesting informative video on the circuit

The track's lap record of 1:40.279 was set by Vettel seven years ago in 2009.  I can't believe this will be the eighth time we have been to this circuit.
Previous winners:
Vettel (3), Hamilton (2), Raikkonen,  Rosberg
From a driver's standpoint, Ferrari and Mercedes have an obvious advantage since every race held here has been won by their drivers.  Red Bull may have something to say about it though, as they have been cutting time out of the deficit between them and the other two, and with this being the closing race of the season, they could put a little extra into it.  Teams who have won: Mercedes (3), Red Bull (3), and Lotus took one with Kimi.

This race is always interesting for a reason that makes it unique.  It begins near dusk and then transitions to night.  The reason, if I recall correctly, was to make live coverage happen at a time when Europe (still seen as more or less the seat of Formula 1) would be awake.  It also puts the USA in that category, instead of it having middle of the night coverage.

Here are some highlights from a few of the races.


Life is short - live each day to the fullest.

Offline Steve A.

Re: Abu Dhabi - closer for 2016
« Reply #1 on: November 22, 2016, 01:58:51 PM »
More of a visual spectacle than a racing one but as this is the decider it could have a bit of extra spice.  M. V. could really affect the outcome.  Looking forward to it,  I hope it's not sorted by a convenient crash at the start.

Offline cosworth151

Re: Abu Dhabi - closer for 2016
« Reply #2 on: November 25, 2016, 01:31:24 PM »
Lewis out front in FP1:

1   Lewis Hamilton   Mercedes   1:42.869              28
2   Nico Rosberg   Mercedes   1:43.243   0.374   31
3   Max Verstappen   Red Bull   1:43.297   0.428   26
4   Daniel Ricciardo   Red Bull   1:43.362   0.493   27
5   Sebastian Vettel   Ferrari   1:44.005   1.136   27
6   Sergio Perez   Force India   1:44.155   1.286   23
7   Kimi Raikkonen   Ferrari   1:44.556   1.687   27
8   Carlos Sainz   Toro Rosso   1:44.685   1.816   21
9   Felipe Massa   Williams   1:45.039   2.170   27
10   Marcus Ericsson   Sauber   1:45.168   2.299   20
11   A. Celis          Force India   1:45.476   2.607   26
12   Romain Grosjean   Haas           1:45.600   2.731   13
13   Felipe Nasr           Sauber     1:45.778   2.909   17
14   Esteban GutierrezHaas   1:45.925   3.056   20
15   Valtteri Bottas   Williams   1:45.940   3.071    31
16   Jolyon Palmer   Renault   1:46.219   3.350   33
17   Kevin MagnussenRenault   1:46.372   3.503   21
18   Fernando Alonso   McLaren   1:46.379   3.510   21
19   Pascal Wehrlein   Manor   1:46.458   3.589   29
20   Jenson Button   McLaren   1:47.127   4.258   10
21   J King           Manor   1:47.558   4.689   27
22   Daniil Kvyat   Toro Rosso   2:01:989   19.120   04
“You can search the world over for the finer things, but you won't find a match for the American road and the creatures that live on it.”
― Bob Dylan

Offline cosworth151

Re: Abu Dhabi - closer for 2016
« Reply #3 on: November 25, 2016, 03:01:29 PM »
The two STR drivers had a combined total of only 9 FP2 laps. They seem to be having problems with something rubbing on the left rear.

Vettel lost a gearbox during the session. Since most teams use an older box for Friday running it shouldn't result in a grid penalty.

Here are the FP2 results:

1   Lewis Hamilton   Mercedes   1:40.861   36
2   Nico Rosberg   Mercedes   1:40.940   38
3   Sebastian Vettel   Ferrari   1:41.130   31
4   Max Verstappen   Red Bull   1:41.389   24
5   Daniel Ricciardo   Red Bull   1:41.390   33
6   Kimi Raikkonen   Ferrari   1:41.464   34
7   Valtteri Bottas   Williams   1:41.959   35
8   Sergio Perez   Force India   1:42.041   35
9   Nico Hulkenberg   Force India   1:42.264   36
10   Felipe Massa   Williams   1:42.268   36
11   Fernando Alonso   McLaren   1:42.366   33
12   Jenson Button   McLaren   1:42.823   24
13   Esteban Gutierrez Haas   1:43.012   35
14   Romain Grosjean     Haas   1:43.108   17
15   Jolyon Palmer   Renault   1:43.272   33
16   Esteban Ocon   Manor   1:43.600   35
17   Pascal Wehrlein   Manor   1:43.754   33
18   Felipe Nasr           Sauber   1:43.903   36
19   Marcus Ericsson   Sauber   1:44.045   34
20   Kevin MagnussenRenault   1:44.117   25
21   Carlos Sainz   Toro Rosso   1:44.478   5
22   Daniil Kvyat   Toro Rosso   1:45.948   4
“You can search the world over for the finer things, but you won't find a match for the American road and the creatures that live on it.”
― Bob Dylan

Offline J.Clark

Re: Abu Dhabi - closer for 2016
« Reply #4 on: November 26, 2016, 03:26:14 PM »
I'm not posting Saturday FP.
The grid for tomorrow:
1.  Hamilton      Mercedes   1m 38.755
2.  Rosberg      Mercedes   1m 39.058
3.  Ricciardo      Red Bull   1m399.589
4.  Raikkonen      Ferrari   1m 39.604
5.  Vettel      Ferrari   1m 39.661
6.  Verstappen    Red Bull   1m 39.818
7.  Hulkenberg      Force India   1m 40.501
8.  Perez      Force India   1m 40.519
9.  Alonso      McLaren   1m 41.106
10. Massa      Williams   1m 41.213

11. Bottas      Williams   1m 41.064
12. Button      McLaren    1m 41.272
13. Gutierrez    Haas   1m 41.480
14. Grosjean    Haas   1m 41.564 
15. Wehrlein    MRT     1m 41.820
16. Palmer      Renault   1m 41.995
17. Kvyat      Toro Rosso   1m 42.003
18. Magnussen    Renault   1m 42.142
19. Nasr      Sauber   1m 42.247
20. Ocon      MRT     1m 42.286
21. Sainz       Toro Rosso   1m 42.393
22. Ericsson      Sauber   1m 42.637

Well, the final qualifying for 2016 is a matter of record, and not much of a suprise.

Ricciardo had better get off the line quicker this race.
Vettel and Raikkonen both have been performing extremely well on the starts.
Verstappen too, has been quick to turn one.

Massa and Alonso are back in P-9 and 10, but are notorious for great starts and huge gains on the first lap.

I think we could be in for a parade however, as this circuit is not known for overtaking, and the times seem rather straight forward.
Life is short - live each day to the fullest.

Offline Dare

Re: Abu Dhabi - closer for 2016
« Reply #5 on: November 26, 2016, 05:02:58 PM »
Max's mad dash to T1 might be the most interesting part of the race.
Mark Twain once opined, "it's easier to con someone than to convince them they've been conned."

Offline Scott

Re: Abu Dhabi - closer for 2016
« Reply #6 on: November 26, 2016, 05:28:04 PM »
I'm not posting Saturday FP.
The grid for tomorrow:
1.  Hamilton      Mercedes   1m 38.755
2.  Rosberg      Mercedes   1m 39.058
3.  Ricciardo      Red Bull   1m399.589
4.  Raikkonen      Ferrari   1m 39.604
5.  Vettel      Ferrari   1m 39.661
6.  Verstappen    Red Bull   1m 39.818
7.  Hulkenberg      Force India   1m 40.501
8.  Perez      Force India   1m 40.519
9.  Alonso      McLaren   1m 41.106

Wow, except for Hulk in there, that is pretty much my picks if I recall correctly (had Kimi ahead of DR and Alonso ahead of Perez...but whatever).  Let's hope it's a procession  :tease: :tease: :P :P
The Honey Badger doesn't give a...

Offline Irisado

Re: Abu Dhabi - closer for 2016
« Reply #7 on: November 27, 2016, 09:10:56 PM »
That was pretty dull overall, as per usual for this bland and lifeless venue.  It was only Hamilton's questionable tactics which brought it alive in the closing stages, and while I understand why he did it, I don't like this backing your rival up tactic which drivers sometimes use.  I think that it looks cheap and is very artificial.  Hamilton would have done better just to drive into the distance and lay down a marker for next year in my opinion.

Also, Hamilton's post race comments referring to Rosberg as 'dude', and his dismissive comments about Rosberg's performances this year were rather unsporting.  He may not believe Rosberg is good enough to be world champion, but the fact is that Nico has been more consistent this year and deserves to win on merit.  Hamilton had worse reliability, but also had too many poor starts and a couple of races where he was bizarrely off the pace at crucial moments, such as qualifying in Baku, and the whole race in Singapore.

For once, Ferrari got their strategy right, making Vettel a threat late in the race, but I never felt he would be able to pass either Mercedes, despite Hamilton's tactics.  Force India did really well to secure fourth in the constructors' championship, the competition between the Manors was intense and they outperformed Sauber, which just goes to show how vital Nasr's finish in Brazil was.

Massa's final radio message was wonderful to listen to, a real positive on which to end after so many antagonistic radio messages from other drivers in recent races, while I felt for Button, he was very unlucky today, and it was a shame that he couldn't finish.

Hopefully, 2017 will offer more dynamic and unpredictable racing.

Soñando con una playa donde brilla el sol, un arco iris ilumina el cielo, y el mar espejea iridescentemente

Offline Dare

Re: Abu Dhabi - closer for 2016
« Reply #8 on: November 27, 2016, 09:19:49 PM »
I agree with Irisado,a boring race made exciting by Lewis
not following orders and behaving like a childish prat.Most
people don't like Rosberg I'd reckon beause f his cold personality
but Lewis is a disgrace to behold.Good on you Nico whatever is
said you deserve it.
Mark Twain once opined, "it's easier to con someone than to convince them they've been conned."

Offline John S

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Re: Abu Dhabi - closer for 2016
« Reply #9 on: November 27, 2016, 10:17:05 PM »
I agree with Irisado,a boring race made exciting by Lewis
not following orders and behaving like a childish prat.Most
people don't like Rosberg I'd reckon beause f his cold personality
but Lewis is a disgrace to behold.Good on you Nico whatever is
said you deserve it.

We'll have to differ on this one Dare. What were the team thinking relaying such pathetic messages for Hammy to speed up.  ::) The constructors title was sewn up long ago and Merc has spent the last week saying they are free to race in this last GP, so why oh why were they bothered about the outcome.  :DntKnw:

Most of us wanted to see either Nico man up and take the fight to Lewis as he backed into him, which I think Hammy would have done if the roles were reversed, or a proper bun fight between Ferrari, Red Bull and the Mercs. 

Lewis was not breaking the rules and is just as entitled to reduce the pace to bring a fight on as Nico is entitled to try and boringly sit out the race in 2nd to ensure his WDC.

I'm afraid to say gentlemanly conduct went out in the 70s during Lauda's ascendency, so I was quite surprised Nikki used mealy mouthed management speak on TV after the race rather than just say Rosberg could always have attacked Lewis for the win instead of expecting help from the team when being backed up.

If this fight had been between drivers in different teams would we still find the tactics surprising?  And would we expect the losing rival to be real excited about the other team win?   

   
Racing is Life - everything else is just....waiting. (Steve McQueen)

Offline Scott

Re: Abu Dhabi - closer for 2016
« Reply #10 on: November 28, 2016, 07:15:30 AM »
Yeah, I'm with John on this one.  The WDC was down to these two, so why is any tactic Hamilton (aside from a tap spin or something) used to win it for himself unfair?  The team had no right to ask him to hand the title to Rosberg.  I was frankly surprised Hamilton waited so long in the race to do it.  It was too late obviously.  He should have started it immediately after their last pit stops, as by then there was no other tactic available to win the championship.  And again, like John said, Lewis' slowing down should have been viewed only as a passing opportunity by Rosberg, but he was playing the 'long' game as he said, and he only needed to place on the podium for the win.

The Honey Badger doesn't give a...

Offline Ian

Re: Abu Dhabi - closer for 2016
« Reply #11 on: November 28, 2016, 07:53:11 AM »
I'm with John and Scott on this, Lewis wasn't cheating, if it had been in reverse Lewis would have been snapping at Nico's exhaust pipe, also as Scott said, he left it too late.
An aircraft landing is just a controlled crash.

Offline J.Clark

Re: Abu Dhabi - closer for 2016
« Reply #12 on: November 28, 2016, 11:20:54 AM »
I'm in the boat with Scott and John.
What difference should it make if Hamilton wanted to use some sort of tactic to try and win his championship?

If it was to influence the outcome to give the championship to another driver, regardless of what team, then perhaps there would be something to discuss.  It wasn't.  Rosberg could have used it as an opportunity to overtake Hamilton without worrying about Hamilton trying to take him out since that would be a truly stupid thing to do, scuppering his only shot at the title.

In addition, had Hamilton made it possible for Vettel to get into the mix, Rosberg only needed to come third to win the WDC and could have let Vettel through without incident.  That actually would have been a wise move for Nico.
Life is short - live each day to the fullest.

Offline cosworth151

Re: Abu Dhabi - closer for 2016
« Reply #13 on: November 28, 2016, 01:34:56 PM »
Merc locked up the Manufacturers Championship weeks ago. Both drivers already have contracts for next season. Lewis wasn't hurting his team. It was just racing.

I'll give Lewis points on one thing - He could have claimed that he had radio problems, but he didn't. He came right out and said what he was trying to do.
“You can search the world over for the finer things, but you won't find a match for the American road and the creatures that live on it.”
― Bob Dylan

Offline Dare

Re: Abu Dhabi - closer for 2016
« Reply #14 on: November 28, 2016, 01:58:05 PM »
Okay maybe your all right and my views are I just
don't like Hamilton as a person.To me he's a spoiled
brat anddoesn't care about biting the hand that made
him wealthy.Maybe he better learn from what happened to Juan Pabo
Mark Twain once opined, "it's easier to con someone than to convince them they've been conned."

 


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