Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021Formula 1

[PeterJB]

Even though Bottas is resigned to being useless tomorrow, Mercedes have at least basically wrapped up the Constructors'. Red Bull need a 1-2 with fastest lap and Merc scoring fewer than 16 points.

 

[PaMu1337]

Even though Bottas is resigned to being useless tomorrow, Mercedes have at least basically wrapped up the Constructors'. Red Bull need a 1-2 with fastest lap and Merc scoring fewer than 16 points.

They effectively got it in Qatar already. From there it was always going to ve hard for RB to catch up. After SA it was done and dusted.

 

[Samus]

Chances of a T1 incident are much lower now I'd say, unless VER has an abysmal start HAM isn't going to risk any moves, he knows his way to win the race is on strategy, not being first on L1T1.

So I see HAM just calmly slottimg in behind VER, no shenanigans.

 

[andrea]

Simpleh Simpleh Lovely

 

[BrainsBush]

Great quali again. Didn't expect that at all. And good for the race that Norris positioned himself between Bottas/Perez and Verstappen/Hamilton.
Very interesting with the different tires strategies.

 

[PaMu1337]

So the championship will probably be decided on pit strategy.
Let's at least hope they end the race close to each other

 

[AshenGraey]

Red Bull pulled a fast one on Mercedes with that move....well done to them because I doubt Max would have made it on pole without that move such was the pace of Lewis.

That sets up the race well. I hoping Lewis will win so I'm looking forward to watch him attack relentlessly and see how Max will defend and with different tire strategy too....I'm tired of waiting for this finale!

 

[PaMu1337]

It's gonna be hard to go back to peace and quiet for the next few months after tomorrow

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

It's an interesting contrast to last week's qualifying. Max's lap seemed completely in control. From what I saw of Lewis's lap, that seemed controlled as well. None of them seemed too much on the edge. Maybe it's just the nature of the circuits.

 

[BrainsBush]

OK:

Alonso, Gasly, Ocon, Ricciardo and Vettel all summoned to the stewards over alleged impeding in final qualifying

 

[Samus]

So the championship will probably be decided on pit strategy.
Let's at least hope they end the race close to each other

Looking forward to it really. Last race and others showed us they can't really race together cleanly so a race of strategy could be our best option for entertainment. At least to me as a neutral anyway. Will VER one stop? If he two stops will be be able to pull a gap? Will traffic play a role when VER stops first? A lot can happen without them banging into each other.

I think on paper I'd still put HAM favourite, its the usual strategy here but with all the tension, all the pressure, as the great Murray Walker said anything can happen in Formula 1 and it usually does.

Can't wait.

 

[BrainsBush]

Looking forward to it really. Last race and others showed us they can't really race together cleanly so a race of strategy could be our best option for entertainment. At least to me as a neutral anyway. Will VER one stop? If he two stops will be be able to pull a gap? Will traffic play a role when VER stops first? A lot can happen without them banging into each other.

I think on paper I'd still put HAM favourite, its the usual strategy here but with all the tension, all the pressure, as the great Murray Walker said anything can happen in Formula 1 and it usually does.

Can't wait.

With a colder track during sunset Max said there is not much difference between reds/yellows on the long run. RBR tested that yesterday during FP. Tactics/strategy. Can't wait either.

 

[AshenGraey]

With a colder track during sunset Max said there is not much difference between reds/yellows on the long run. RBR tested that yesterday during FP. Tactics/strategy. Can't wait either.

But the question is how long will they last if they are being pushed lap after lap defending from Lewis and I'm expecting he will be relentless tomorrow. Theoretically speaking, the soft will likely be gone much sooner plus that definitely sets him up for a guarantee 2 stop strategy.....anyway, I'm so excited for this race I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight. This season has been on of the best F1 seasons I've watched and this race is by far the best finale a fan could ask for, regardless of which driver you support.

 

[GroupB]

The main question is would you rather be running softs at the start or the end?

 

[Dreadmed]

The main question is would you rather be running softs at the start or the end?

Rather, would you want to run them at all?

 

[BrainsBush]

The main question is would you rather be running softs at the start or the end?

red-yellow-red, 2 stopper.

==

This is what counts the most:

 

[andrea]

 

[PeterJB]

Well with qualifying wrapped up for the year, Here's everyone's qualifying averages:

Hamilton: 0.150
Verstappen: 0.190
Bottas: 0.353
Leclerc: 0.733
Perez: 0.733
Gasly: 0.775
Norris: 0.853
Sainz: 0.855
Ricciardo: 1.161
Alonso: 1.333
Ocon: 1.343
Tsunoda: 1.409
Vettel: 1.514
Russell: 1.712
Giovinazzi: 1.713
Stroll: 1.736
Raikkonen: 2.111
Latifi: 2.270
Schumacher: 2.528
Mazepin: 3.263

Kubica: 2.696

 

[pumaATTACK]

I feel like this is actually ideal for Hamilton. Let Max take the pole and get away in turn 1. No need for Lewis to fight him there as Lewis has the most to lose on any incident. With Max on softs he will quickly lose pace and if they two stop it RB will need to find 23 seconds somewhere.

 

[Sum1s2pid]

Wow, nice tow and pole for Max. Not sure about starting on the softs, but then again, I ain't no stratologist.

So torn for tomorrow. I kind of want to see a historic 8th WDC, but a WCC with a Honda powered car seems off the table, so... 😐

Great lap by Lando!

 

[GingerBredMan]

One thing that I’ve never understood is why pole gets the outside line in F1 races. Is that just to even out the competitive advantage? Or is there a reason the outside line would be more ideal for pole?

 

[Famine]

One thing that I’ve never understood is why pole gets the outside line in F1 races. Is that just to even out the competitive advantage? Or is there a reason the outside line would be more ideal for pole?

It depends on the circuit, but pole position should be on the racing line, so that less steering input is needed under the primary acceleration phase to get onto the racing line.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Ocon gets a reprimand for his impeding incident and a 10,000 Euro fine for the team. No further action on the other incidents, and our grid is set provisionally.

 

[pumaATTACK]

I haven’t seen this mentioned anywhere but find it very interesting. Max and Lewis are tied in points but Max has 5 more points from the sprint qualifying sessions than Lewis does.

This title could be decided because of the sprint results…

 

[Jimlaad43]

 

[Fat Tyre]

I feel like this is actually ideal for Hamilton. Let Max take the pole and get away in turn 1. No need for Lewis to fight him there as Lewis has the most to lose on any incident. With Max on softs he will quickly lose pace and if they two stop it RB will need to find 23 seconds somewhere.

If a Safety Car is deployed at the right time they could find those 23 seconds there. I know it's a revamped layout, but does anyone know how often Safety Cars and or Red Flags occur at this track?

 

[Dreadmed]

If a Safety Car is deployed at the right time they could find those 23 seconds there. I know it's a revamped layout, but does anyone know how often Safety Cars and or Red Flags occur at this track?

I couldn't give you an accurate answer without browsing to Wikipedia, simply because most (if not all) of the races here have been very... forgettable.

Having said that I can't recall a red flag, and there was a SC for the freak flip Hulk suffered that one time.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

My most memorable moment(s) from this circuit is the dud championship battle from 2010.

 

[Jimlaad43]

Safety Cars: 2010 (1), 2012 (2), 2018 (2), 2020 (1)

So not many then.

 

[PeterJB]

If a Safety Car is deployed at the right time they could find those 23 seconds there. I know it's a revamped layout, but does anyone know how often Safety Cars and or Red Flags occur at this track?

There have been four safety cars: one in 2010, two in 2012 and one in 2018, and VSC in 2018 as well.