Abu Dhabi GP Thread - Contains Spoilers

[Fernando]

With it being the title finale i will be more lenient on debating but if turns into abuse then BAM! Naughty step



Track: Yas Marina Circuit. Permanent Circuit.

Race start time: 1pm UK time Sunday (5pm local).

Laps: 55.

Track length: 5.554 km.

Tyre allocation: Soft (yellow) and supersoft (red).

DRS Zones: Two with separate detection points – between turns seven and eight and between turns ten and 11.

Driver steward: TBA.

Lap record: Sebastian Vettel - 1:40.279 (Red Bull; 2009).

2013 pole: Sebastian Vettel - 1:39.957 (Red Bull)

Form guide
Sebastian Vettel is the most successful driver in Abu Dhabi having taken victory at three of the five previous grands prix in the emirate. Lewis Hamilton (2011) and Kimi Raikkonen (2012) are the only other drivers to have stood atop the F1 podium at the Yas Marina Circuit.

2013 result: 1. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull); 2. Mark Webber (Red Bull); 3. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes); 4. Romain Grosjean (Lotus); 5. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari); 6. Paul Di Resta (Force India); 7. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes); 8. Felipe Massa (Ferrari); 9. Sergio Perez (McLaren); 10. Adrian Sutil (Force India).

Last five winers in Abu Dhabi: 2013: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull); 2012: Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus); 2011: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren); 2010:  Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull); 2009: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull).

Pirelli will bring the two softest compounds in their range to Abu Dhabi – the yellow-marked soft and red-banded supersoft.

The Italian firm says that “Abu Dhabi is one of the smoothest tracks of the year, and well-known territory for Pirelli, with a lot of the company’s testing carried out there prior to its arrival in Formula 1.

“The race takes place into the evening, with ambient and track temperatures dropping, The most suitable tyre choice is the P Zero Yellow soft and P Zero Red supersoft, which will put the accent on strategy.”

Motorsport Director Paul Hembery added: “The strategy is normally greatly affected by the unusual track evolution, due to the falling temperatures caused by the late afternoon start.

“This was the case in Bahrain as well, which turned out to be one of the most exciting and unpredictable races of the season earlier this year.

“As a result, the free practice sessions will be particularly crucial, as the teams try to gather as much information as possible about how the car will perform on both compounds: not just with different fuel loads, but also with different track temperatures.

“As so many points are on offer, there is a big opportunity for teams that have less to lose to try an unexpected strategy, in order to make some potentially significant gains.”

Lewis Hamilton is favourite for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with Sky Bet with Brazil victor Nico Rosberg second favourite

---------

[Guest]

This is it, the moment of truth.

[liverbnz]

Rosberg railroads Hamilton into the first corner. Hamilton scrambles to the pits for repairs and finally finishes 3rd. Rosberg wins the race. F1 implodes.

[liverbnz]

.

[Fernando]

Formula 1 driver Jules Bianchi is no longer in an artificial coma and is breathing unaided, his parents have said in a statement.

The Marussia driver, 25, was seriously injured when he crashed in wet conditions into a recovery vehicle at the Japanese Grand Prix on 5 October.

The Frenchman has been flown from hospital in Yokkaichi to intensive care in Nice, where he arrived earlier.

However his condition is still "critical" and he remains unconscious.
"Almost seven weeks after Jules' accident at Suzuka Circuit, and following a challenging period of neurological intensive care, we are able to announce Jules has made an important step," his parents Philippe and Christine said in the statement.
"His treatment now enters a new phase concerned with the improvement of his brain function.

[GSC]

Good to hear, can't imagine he'll race at a high level again but some things are more important.

Caterham bringing a shadow crew to this race is a joke frankly. I'd hope the FIA are more stringent that ever with their safety checks.

[CaledonianCraig]

Formula 1 driver Jules Bianchi is no longer in an artificial coma and is breathing unaided, his parents have said in a statement.

The Marussia driver, 25, was seriously injured when he crashed in wet conditions into a recovery vehicle at the Japanese Grand Prix on 5 October.

The Frenchman has been flown from hospital in Yokkaichi to intensive care in Nice, where he arrived earlier.

However his condition is still "critical" and he remains unconscious.
"Almost seven weeks after Jules' accident at Suzuka Circuit, and following a challenging period of neurological intensive care, we are able to announce Jules has made an important step," his parents Philippe and Christine said in the statement.
"His treatment now enters a new phase concerned with the improvement of his brain function.

That is encouraging news. Best of luck to him.

[liverbnz]

Awesome news on Bianchi!

[Gerry SA]

Great news about Jules!

Also good news for another Frenchman, Grosjean, renewing his deal with Lotus.

[CaledonianCraig]

Great news about Jules!

Also good news for another Frenchman, Grosjean, renewing his deal with Lotus.

Yes indeed on both fronts. Grosjean has settled down since his early tribulations and hopefully Lotus can rediscover some pace next year. As for Jules well he is far from out of the woods as he is still in a coma but at least that is some improvement that he is breathing unaided.

[TightHEAD]

Good to hear some positive news on Bianchi.

As for this weekend it would be a travesty if Hamilton doesn't win the title, to be honest the double points rule should be dropped for this race if it is not being used next season.

[GSC]

Vettel and Kimi confirmed at Ferrari

Almost last years RB partnership

[Guest]

Remember last year when the Alonso/Kimi partnership was announced & it had people throffing at the mouth. Unfortunately, for Ferrari fans, I fear this new patnership will probably still be fighting mid-grid, like this years one.

[GSC]

If the car is a dog again sure

[Gerry SA]

After all Fernando Alonso put in during his 5 years at Maranello, it's a shame he didn't get the third WDC he so craves. Team orders aside, Massa Germany 2010, none of the other 10 wins his team mate was no where to be seen. 

I don't see the masterful Spaniard winning another championship.

[Gerry SA]

Sebastian Vettel has time on his side, 27, so in reality he can bide his time for 2/3 years for the Scuderia to get their act together. 

If Vettel wins a championship with Ferrari, it will be his greatest ever achievement

[dyrewolfe]

Fantastic news about Jules...continue to wish him all the best for a full and speedy recovery.

I'm guessing Grosjean only re-signed with Renault as there were no other option open to him. He must be praying next season's car is an improvement on this one.


Anyway, never mind the race for the driver's title. What about the race to end up on Nando's Naughty Step?

Fernando - 200/1
CaledonianCraig - 50/1
John - 25/1
GSC - 10/1

Place your bets now!  

[GSC]

Nando cant afford to put me on the naughty step.

Even money on John If Rosberg wins

[Fernando]

Gerry - 1/10 fav
Liam - Evens
Mysti - 2/1
John - 3/1
GSC - 4/1
CC - 5/1
DW - 6/1

[CaledonianCraig]

Well for Alonso I think it is a good move. Things have been stale at Ferrari for a few years now and they seem rudderless and listing. At least McLaren are making changes in a bid to shake themselves out of a lean spell. Who knows how good the Honda engine package will be.

[Bull]

 
Gerry - 1/10 fav
Liam - Evens
Mysti - 2/1
John - 3/1
GSC - 4/1
CC - 5/1
DW - 6/1

Why aren't I included? =(

[Guest]

Abuse someone, preferably Gerry & we'll enter you @ 7/1

[Bull]

Alright xD

Anyone seen the awkward question that was given to Fernando at the press conference where he was asked "if he wanted Jenson as his team mate?"

[Guest]

Yeah, classic moment. Alonso's had quite a few funny moments in this years press conferences. Had to laugh at Rosberg's, 'hopefully Lewis keeps it clean' comment. Should of seen Jenson's eyes at that moment

[GSC]

Grosjean gets a 20 place grid penalty for new engine parts.

Great rule

[Guest]

You should probably cut the FIA some slack, in terms of the call they made on engine units & parts. It's the first season of a new technology & nobody really knew what state reliability would be in, so they had to make a call, giving some leeway, but also trying to cut costs. All in all, the teams have coped well. Only Vettel, Grosjean & Kyvat have been effected massively, so it shows the grid, overall, dealt with the five units maximum pretty well. A large blame should really go to Renault

[dyrewolfe]

Yeah, classic moment. Alonso's had quite a few funny moments in this years press conferences. Had to laugh at Rosberg's, 'hopefully Lewis keeps it clean' comment. Should of seen Jenson's eyes at that moment

Nearly choked on my coffee when I saw that.

Although...Lewis has repeatedly stated he aspires to be like Ayrton Senna. Wonder how much like Senna he means?


On a serious note I think Hamilton is too much of a racer to try anything dodgy. He fights hard but fair.

Equally I doubt Nico will try anything rash after the heat he got following the Spa race.

[GSC]

Its a situation where he just needs to drive clever.

Pride aside, why battle Nico. The 1.7 second gap to Alonso in third says it all.

Unfortunately, driving clever and Lewis Hamilton don't tend to go side by side.

[Guest]

If the car is a dog again sure

I heard rumours on the internet a few weeks back & then Ted Kravitz said it today, that Ferrari's engine progress for 2015 is apparently a shambles, hence, why they've recently appointed some 'engine combustion' expert to the team. Alonso obviously was privy to how the 2015 car was unfolding & must of known it was in a mess. He also dislikes Vettel, so to leave, knowing that Vettel was heading into that mess, must of been some small payback for all those runner-up positions behind Vettel over the four years of domination.

I'm going for it to be another dog. With all the technical staff changes & James Allison only really starting to slowly turn things around, I expect more tough times ahead & so does Alonso, hence the decision to up ship to McLaren.

[Gerry SA]

For all sense and purpose the race will be pretty straightforward. The Mercedes pair are miles faster than everyone else. Therefore Hamilton is already WDC(lap it up John..). Just to say Rosberg will probably win the race with a wild lunge in the early stages. Vettel third would be a decent Red Bull leaving gift...

[Guest]

Nothing is guaranteed or in the bag. We haven't even had qualifying, we could see a repeat of Hockenheim or Hungary.

If Lewis does become World Champion, I will indeed 'lap it up' & I hope you will come & join me, in celebrating such a wonderful achievement.

[Guest]

If Lewis does become World Champion, I will indeed 'lap it up'

and if he doesn't become champion, Fernando better hire some extra moderators for assistance. It could get messy on here.

[Gerry SA]

Nothing is guaranteed or in the bag. We haven't even had qualifying, we could see a repeat of Hockenheim or Hungary.

If Lewis does become World Champion, I will indeed 'lap it up' & I hope you will come & join me, in celebrating such a wonderful achievement.

Hamilton seems to have Rosberg covered TBH. I can see Hamilton banging a supreme pole position time, say 0.5sec faster than Rosberg.

and for the second part - I'll congratulate Hamilton(maybe via a tweet)

[Fernando]

If Lewis does become World Champion, I will indeed 'lap it up'

and if he doesn't become champion, Fernando better hire some extra moderators for assistance. It could get messy on here.

It won't get messy, If it turns into abuse = naughty step on that Gerry your comment on the other thread is your 1st warning of the naughty step

[Gerry SA]

If Lewis does become World Champion, I will indeed 'lap it up'

and if he doesn't become champion, Fernando better hire some extra moderators for assistance. It could get messy on here.

It won't get messy, If it turns into abuse = naughty step on that Gerry your comment on the other thread is your 1st warning of the naughty step

Fair enough

[CaledonianCraig]

I cannot see any reason for Gerry not to recognize the achievement. After all it is a mirror image (nearly) of Vettel's titles as in won driving a totally dominant car.

[Gerry SA]

[quote="CaledonianCraig"]I cannot see any reason for Gerry not to recognize the achievement. After all it is a mirror image (nearly) of Vettel's titles as in won driving a totally dominant car.[/quote
Craig gotta a question:

Considering that Jochen Rindt was considered the best driver in F1 at the time of his death, does it mean your hero Jackie Stewart's second and third WDCs are less impressive?

[Fernando]

With it being the title finale i will be more lenient on debating but if turns into abuse then BAM! Naughty step

Well i think we can all see where this heading as usual Vettel arguments do.

So considering this your pre-warning guys

[GSC]

I cannot see any reason for Gerry not to recognize the achievement. After all it is a mirror image (nearly) of Vettel's titles as in won driving a totally dominant car.

So I take it you will be not be celebrating a Hamilton title win then?

[CaledonianCraig]

I cannot see any reason for Gerry not to recognize the achievement. After all it is a mirror image (nearly) of Vettel's titles as in won driving a totally dominant car.

So I take it you will be not be celebrating a Hamilton title win then?

Why would I celebrate? I will leave stuff such as celebrations to his staunch fans. I will be pleased for him but as world titles go it is nowhere near as impressive as his first.

[Guest]

I will be celebrating out of just sheer relief that he's won it through difficult circumstances. Agree, it won't be an astonishing achievement, as he was expected to beat a second tier driver like Rosberg, but it's still gone to the wire & has been nowhere near as easy as one & a half of Vettel's four titles.

[Gerry SA]

Surprisingly strong effort by Nico Rosberg in FP3. I thought Lewis Hamilton had him covered but Rosberg was fastest by 0.3 secs. 

No one else anyway near.

[sportform]

If Hamilton does win, because of the double points rule, then the sports become even more of a laughing stock considering he's won twice as many races as Rosberg.

It would be good to see Hamilton actually win the race this time rather than have the championship gifted to him by slowing cars though.

I think Williams may look back on this season with a little bit of disappointment in that they haven't won a race.

[Gerry SA]

Broken floor on Rosberg's car.

[Guest]

Anyone see the Ron Dennis interview on Sky. Basically saying contracts aren't decided as of yet & that things could change completely after tomorrow's outcome. #HamiltonbacktoMcLaren

[Gerry SA]

Ferrari have rolled the dice in the quest of regaining the once lost glories. 

Ross Brawn back to Ferrari.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ross Brawn rumoured to be returning to Ferrari for next season. That would be a good move but he has apparently said it is not true.

[Gerry SA]

[list=0CB0Q_xc]
[*]Marco Mattiacci Will step down as ferrari boss after Abu Dhabi GP

[/list]

[Guest]

That was poor from Lewis, just overdrives q3's. Great job from Nico. Question is, what does Nico do in the race?

[CaledonianCraig]

One thing in Hamilton's favour is he has slightly fresher set of tyres. Still advantage Hamilton as Rosberg needs help from a third party.

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