2011 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
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RTSolvalou
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2011 is a non-season, forget about any records set by vettel.
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- MattyTheDog
Mclarens very close on pace, Vettel great as usual. Hopefully not a boring race tomorrow, but as overtaking looks limited, I fear for my sanity.
dhandeh
Premium
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- dhandes
Not really, just complete domination by man and machine.
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Aherm... that was me.
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Slow Webber down? How? Simply just let him drive. The man just doesn't have the qualifying pace of his team-mate. Button's time was incredibly close to Hamilton's though... that was a fantastically clean lap.
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- Hammerhead Garage
Definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
The fact that Vettel is on pole doesn't make the session any less exciting. He is, after all, less than two-tenths ahead of the McLarens. It's not like they spent an hour fighting among themselves for provisional pole, only to have Vettel emerge right at the end of the session, do a single lap and beat them all by a second.
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Ditto. Give credit where credit was due... Vettel pulled that lap out of thin air. In fact, I already had him written off after the first set of laps in Q3, considering the track was getting cooler and cooler.
Lord knows how he finds that extra three or four tenths, always at the last moment.
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Still... Lewis had the fastest lap in qualifying... in Q2... but seeing as how Vettel managed a faster lap in the colder Q3 bodes well for his race pace.
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I still expect a McLaren to win.
Lord knows how he finds that extra three or four tenths, always at the last moment.
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Still... Lewis had the fastest lap in qualifying... in Q2... but seeing as how Vettel managed a faster lap in the colder Q3 bodes well for his race pace.
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I still expect a McLaren to win.
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- AlexGibbo27
Any other driver does the exact same celebration and every penny I own says you say nothing.
Yeah sure, I'll completely forget about any 100% legitimate records set this season because Vettel had the best car. In fact, if you like we can all forget about any record ever set by someone in the best car.
I thought we got rid of the 'it's the car' brigade?
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- Hammerhead Garage
- 87,110
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- GTP_Famine
Otherwise, that's exactly what he's doing - although a couple of times this season, he's stamped out an unbeatable lap straight away and we've spent 7 minutes watching everyone fail to get near it.
If Vettel was erased from history, this season - which has had two of the best races of all time - would be the most exciting... ever. Four top drivers pegging each other the whole way, three top teams trading blows, anyone's guess qualifying and one of the tightest finishes over the longest season ever.
As it is, people are turned off by always seeing the same result - Vettel on pole, Vettel wins. No-one's being drawn into watching F1. People who don't watch the races (and who don't remember the Schumacher years) think that this is the dullest season ever...
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- Sohvakettu
It was a great effort from Vettel. The fact that Hamilton actually had the fastest lap of all the sessions promises a potentially good race for the actual win and not just the second place after Vettel. 
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Alonso was the only driver to drive on the limit of his car on Q2 and Q3, both laps were exactly 1:39.058 
. Vettel managed to beat his Q2 time marginally and Lewis lost nearly 2 tenths on his Q3 lap. His last sector saved himself a few times and the first two was were he was losing mainly in both Q2 and Q3.
First few laps should tell the story of the race at the front. I will find it interesting to see if Vettel can get that 1 second gap as he might be vulnerable if he can't pull away as I think he has lower top speed. If that is the case then if he gets overtaken then he and Webber might find it hard to overtake the McLaren's. The shorter gearing might make him pull away though, I hope it does not as it will be interesting to have a 4-5 way fight for victory.
. Vettel managed to beat his Q2 time marginally and Lewis lost nearly 2 tenths on his Q3 lap. His last sector saved himself a few times and the first two was were he was losing mainly in both Q2 and Q3.First few laps should tell the story of the race at the front. I will find it interesting to see if Vettel can get that 1 second gap as he might be vulnerable if he can't pull away as I think he has lower top speed. If that is the case then if he gets overtaken then he and Webber might find it hard to overtake the McLaren's. The shorter gearing might make him pull away though, I hope it does not as it will be interesting to have a 4-5 way fight for victory.
- 963
- Toronto, Canada
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I can't believe there are still people pondering on the idea of how fantastic the F1 season would have been without Vettels dominance. Shame on you, he's already world champion... so give him credit and don't hate him for every pole position he achieves. It's basically the classic human behaviour of jealousy we're seeing from those against Vettel, ya'll just have a hard time seeing somebody do something special. Why don't you people imagine yourselves in Vettels position and being talked about as if you brought down the excitement of the entire season? I know I'd laugh in the haters face, and I'm sure that's exactly what he's doing (well obviously, it's Vettel)
What you want him to do? Back off the throttle before the line? Or mechanics thowing off his camber at pit stops?
The only way I would agree with this season having been a bit of a let down, is if both RedBulls were majorly outpacing the others every time, but since that's not the case I'm more than glad to be clearly watching an amazing new driver in the sport, as well as being entertained with all the great action behind him.
As far as I'm concerned Vettels performance can be compared to Alonso's over Massas's or Nico's over Schumie's, it's just happens that he's lucky enough to be in the best possible position. I think it should only be applauded, and surely he will be an exciting part of Formula 1 over the next several years at least. I don't think he'll pull off the same fortune next season.
I think the main reason people dislike him, is the way he maybe overly celebrates and gives us that #1 finger every darn weekend, well I think he's simply taking it all in pride and just doing his best to show people that he's proud of himself (which yes, is showing off). And ya, some would say "grow up kid", but honestly, does every man have to be the same breed? Of course his personality will ripen a bit as he goes on in the future and he'll maybe be more "manly" when celebrating and shouting through the onboard mic. I really think his constant smiling is not liked by a lot of people, but like I said he will be adapting as time goes on, hopefully not much, because I'd much rather listen the great positive things he says, than the "regular old talk".
All I know is I'm happy that the McLaren team have really closed in on RedBull which should still give us a good race anyway, and Vettel has to really be on top of his game with the pressure this time around at Abu Dhabi.
What you want him to do? Back off the throttle before the line? Or mechanics thowing off his camber at pit stops?
The only way I would agree with this season having been a bit of a let down, is if both RedBulls were majorly outpacing the others every time, but since that's not the case I'm more than glad to be clearly watching an amazing new driver in the sport, as well as being entertained with all the great action behind him.
As far as I'm concerned Vettels performance can be compared to Alonso's over Massas's or Nico's over Schumie's, it's just happens that he's lucky enough to be in the best possible position. I think it should only be applauded, and surely he will be an exciting part of Formula 1 over the next several years at least. I don't think he'll pull off the same fortune next season.
I think the main reason people dislike him, is the way he maybe overly celebrates and gives us that #1 finger every darn weekend, well I think he's simply taking it all in pride and just doing his best to show people that he's proud of himself (which yes, is showing off). And ya, some would say "grow up kid", but honestly, does every man have to be the same breed? Of course his personality will ripen a bit as he goes on in the future and he'll maybe be more "manly" when celebrating and shouting through the onboard mic. I really think his constant smiling is not liked by a lot of people, but like I said he will be adapting as time goes on, hopefully not much, because I'd much rather listen the great positive things he says, than the "regular old talk".
All I know is I'm happy that the McLaren team have really closed in on RedBull which should still give us a good race anyway, and Vettel has to really be on top of his game with the pressure this time around at Abu Dhabi.
noisiaturismo
(Banned)
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It is a season, there is a champion, a official game, 12 teams and a new track.
He's not a kid anymore and very mature.
Sadly, Hamilton isn't a kid anymore, altrough he acts like he is one.
Grow up immature kid, he's just the best driver there, deal with it and don't cry over it. 👎
C Ronaldo 7
(Banned)
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- mu675
I beg to differ! Alonso is the best driver out there making the most out of the 3rd best car on the grid. A lot of people oversee Alonso but that's just my opinion.
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- GTP_ty00123
C Ronaldo 7I beg to differ! Alonso is the best driver out there making the most out of the 3rd best car on the grid. A lot of people oversee Alonso but that's just my opinion.
You could make a case for Vettel, Alonso, or Button being the best on the grid this year.
Vettel-Pretty obvious. Absolute domination from him this year.
Alonso-Third fastest car, but you wouldn't be able to tell. Definitely faster than what the car us capable of (and this is coming from someone who loathes Alonso).
Button-Best at making tires work for him, especially in drying/dampening scenarios (i.e. Canada).
We've seen some great drives from the midfield, too. Renaults on the podium early in the season, Toro Rossos nipping at Mercedes' heels, di Resta putting on a great show in his rookie season... Yeah, one could say it's been an interesting year.
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I beg to differ! Alonso is the best driver out there making the most out of the 3rd best car on the grid. A lot of people oversee Alonso but that's just my opinion.
Hmm, just like Webber is making the worst out of what you would call the "1st best car". If it wasn't for Vettel, RedBull would be chasing McLaren.
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Whut? How is it "hating" Vettel to point out that non-F1 fans look at the results and don't bother tuning in to see how exciting the races actually are? How is it "jealousy" to point out that the season has been the best F1 season in history from 2nd place and backwards?
You don't have to "hate" something to point out something negative about it.
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You'll need to downgrade it further than that - it doesn't make any sense.
F1 doesn't get new viewers if they think that the same thing happens every race. Since they only look at who wins, the same thing does happen every race - Vettel gets pole on Saturday and wins on Sunday. Non-F1 fans think this season has been the dullest season of all time - but the reality is that the actual racing has been almost the best of all time, with two of the greatest individual races ever seen. Thus Vettel's success this season has detracted from the excitement of F1 - without him, the racing would have still been as spectacular and without the inevitable results, F1 may have expanded its audience significantly.
Why does this mean I hate/am jealous of/have "less than full acceptance of" Sebastian Vettel?
F1 doesn't get new viewers if they think that the same thing happens every race. Since they only look at who wins, the same thing does happen every race - Vettel gets pole on Saturday and wins on Sunday. Non-F1 fans think this season has been the dullest season of all time - but the reality is that the actual racing has been almost the best of all time, with two of the greatest individual races ever seen. Thus Vettel's success this season has detracted from the excitement of F1 - without him, the racing would have still been as spectacular and without the inevitable results, F1 may have expanded its audience significantly.
Why does this mean I hate/am jealous of/have "less than full acceptance of" Sebastian Vettel?
Hamilton: “Last year I started second but braked early into turn one and let Sebastian have the corner,” said Hamilton. “I’ve just told him that’s not going to happen tomorrow, though.”
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2011/11/12/hamilton-vows-fight-vettel-corner/
He recently told BBC that he celebrate the way he does because it could be his last pole/win. In my opinion, it's pretty smart to think about it like that. He doesn't take anything granted and I really respect that.
Agree. Alonso is definitely, in my opinion, the best driver currently on the grid.
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2011/11/12/hamilton-vows-fight-vettel-corner/
He recently told BBC that he celebrate the way he does because it could be his last pole/win. In my opinion, it's pretty smart to think about it like that. He doesn't take anything granted and I really respect that.
I beg to differ! Alonso is the best driver out there making the most out of the 3rd best car on the grid. A lot of people oversee Alonso but that's just my opinion.
Agree. Alonso is definitely, in my opinion, the best driver currently on the grid.
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How was anyone supposed to know about the complete Vettel domination at the start of this season? I remember I was thinking this will be a great season like the 2010, but I guess his brilliant lap times have spoiled the fight for the championship at Brazil. F1 management will try and make changes if the races become sterile, but the problem is this: Vettel has caught everyone by surprise this year.
To argue his repetive wins have cost F1, in that it hasn't expanded interest in the sport is probably not true, and they certainly haven't lost any either. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a slight rise in TV viewers because of Vettel (especially in Germany), just because people like the idea of new superstar and watching their progression/decline in their carrer. Vettels true performance will be tested in the years to come.
The biggest problem is Webber's performance, so until Vettel has a new team mate stacking up to his skill level, we won't see too much of a change in his confidence. Your points would be totally valid if it was RedBull as a whole being ahead every weekend. Most of this season has been soo damn close, so this isn't like F1 has become pointless to watch. As far as those non-F1 fans not bothering to tune into the races because they keep seeing the "Vettel Wins" headlines, well it their loss. This is something happens from year to year, fans will always come and go, motorsport will always be this sport that will only be appreciated by a relatively small fraction of people in this world.
My point here is, concerning the enetertainment factor of this season, is that it's not Vettels fault, it's not RedBulls fault and also not F1's fault. It's simply how it played this time around due to an amazingly consistant talent at the wheel. He deserves the beautiful collection of trophies he won. Of course I wish to see him having to fight a LOT more in the future. Anyway I'm looking forward to Abu Dhabi to see if wonderboy can hang on because I have a feeling he will be closely chased all race long.
