2014 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

[Robin]

Nico on the radio "What the hell does that mean!"

 

[miata13B]

If it was the other way, I expect your attitude would be different.

Would not matter which way it ended. I wanted a good fight for the finish, not to be determined by mechanical failure ;-)

 

[Legro]

"Just drive flat out"

 

[PsuPepperoni]

"What the hell does that mean?" - Nico Rosberg

 

[craigatm]

Crikey Nico! Don't get your knickers in a twist!

 

[niky]

Indeed, from the radio chatter, Lewis is driving to a target time rather than to pass Massa.

He can go a lot faster, but in no way does he want to court an ERS failure like Nico's... so he wants to go as fast as needed while pushing as little as possible.

 

[Chris123]

I think Nico needs one of these at this point.

 

[sems4arsenal]

I feel for Nico to be honest.

 

[Kenocar]

Vettel dogging that Merc.

 

[dhandeh]

Would not matter which way it ended. I wanted a good fight for the finish, not to be determined by mechanical failure ;-)

Well, if it wasn't determined by mechanical failure, Lewis would have had it wrapped up already.

 

[Oni91]

I like how the Lotus garage was laughing at Maldonado's fire. I bet one of them's looking for Graham crackers and marshmallows and making a night of it.

 

[20832]

Massa going for the win?

Or Hamilton confident with championship lead?

He just needs to drive his race and finish, why risking everything by driving way too aggressive?

 

[Kenocar]

I'm pretty sure Maldonado was laughing too.

 

[JC_Dude]

There's your Caterham @Robin.

 

[craigatm]

Nico on the radio "What the hell does that mean!"

I understand Nico's frustration and I want him to win the title but at the end of the day, it's his own fault that he's in this situation in the first place. Had he upped his game earlier in the season, he wouldn't be in dire straits right now.

 

[niky]

I think Nico needs one of these at this point.

Why do you think Lewis is hanging back from Massa? He's expecting it.

 

[Kenocar]

I feel bad for Nico really, his car basically squished his hopes.

 

[Nooboogering]

I understand Nico's frustration and I want him to win the title but at the end of the day, it's his own fault that he's in this situation in the first place. Had he upped his game earlier in the season, he wouldn't be in dire straits right now.

Was never going to be easy having an opponent as Hamiltron

 

[dhandeh]

I had a feeling what is happening to Rosberg, was going to be happening to Lewis.

 

[20832]

And Rosberg almost stopped

 

[JC_Dude]

I had a feeling what is happening to Rosberg, was going to be happening to Lewis.

At this point it doesn't matter. Even if HAM did retire now, ROS won't be able to get 5th.

 

[craigatm]

Hamilton closing the gap to Massa? I really hope Felipe can respond.

 

[MHPALA]

"I'm not racing Massa". Fastest lap.

 

[mustafur]

Hamilton flying now, he knows he can't lose it now.

 

[niky]

I understand Nico's frustration and I want him to win the title but at the end of the day, it's his own fault that he's in this situation in the first place. Had he upped his game earlier in the season, he wouldn't be in dire straits right now.

Nah, That's a bit unfair.

From early on in the season, it seemed like Nico was pushing very hard in qualifying. I even commented on it as a sign of how much smoother Lewis was at speed than Nico... that Nico had to drive to the ragged edge to get within a tenth of Lewis.

But at the end of the season, with Nico demolishing Lewis in terms of poles, it seems like pushing 120% versus 110% has paid off. He's caused Lewis to push harder in qualifying, forcing him to make mistakes himself. Nico has raised the level of his driving in qualifying to a point where might just become WDC in 2015 if Lewis doesn't dig deeper.

He'll have to find a way to match Lewis' full race pace, though. Winning more poles won't get it done if he doesn't beat Lewis on Sunday, as well.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Hamilton flying now, he knows he can't lose it now.

F1 is "IF" backwards, remember?

 

[Roo]

Go on Williams, bolt some super softs on and have a go at Hamilton.

Edit: Go Felipe go!

 

[PsuPepperoni]

Ooh, I just thought of something. Red Bull gives you flexible wings.

 

[Chris123]

Why do you think Lewis is hanging back from Massa? He's expecting it.

Well, moment of truth time.

 

[MHPALA]

Massa hit the fastest first sector.