2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina, Dec 10 - 12

[holeindalip]

Hamilton stated on his long runs was trying to follow the car ahead.

Yep he was experimenting with Perez. To perez's and RB's annoyance as perez wanted him to pass. Lewis was experimenting with lines into the last corner and drs points.

Wow. They must be confident if that’s what they are working in.

They were suppose to evaluate the engine change after seeing verstappens pace today, no engine change needed but Hamilton is evaluating overtaking…. Bunch of games going on

[Jolle]

Yep he was experimenting with Perez. To perez's and RB's annoyance as perez wanted him to pass. Lewis was experimenting with lines into the last corner and drs points.

Wow. They must be confident if that’s what they are working in.

They were suppose to evaluate the engine change after seeing verstappens pace today, no engine change needed but Hamilton is evaluating overtaking…. Bunch of games going on

Don’t forget, it’s holding your cards as close as you can + diversion going on. Neither RedBull nor Mercedes got their race drivetrain in the car yet. The first real insight what they are going to do n Sunday is what tires they run in Q2.

[Stu]

Can McLaren ask for the new Merc Engine to make sure Lando Beat LeClerc?

Nah! They tested it in the Williams and want it back for the factory team…

[djones]

There is talk that Mercedes did not run the Brazil engine last week and it has been saved for this race.

Not sure I believe it though.

[NathanOlder]

There is talk that Mercedes did not run the Brazil engine last week and it has been saved for this race.

Not sure I believe it though.

I wouldn't expect so. Where did you read this "talk"?

[djones]

It’s started from an interview with Shovlin. He may have just been teasing, but basically said they may not have used it at the last race.

[siskue2005]

It’s started from an interview with Shovlin. He may have just been teasing, but basically said they may not have used it at the last race.

Link for the video please

[bonjon1979]

Oh they’re just trying to mess with red bulls head.

[mkay]

These mind games are ridiculous. At the end of the day, your pace is whatever it is. You're simply delaying the inevitable. There isn't much Merc can do if it turns out Red Bull has a 0.5s/lap (race pace) advantage as today's running suggests.

[MV8]

I think it's done, if that gap of 0.5 is real... Only hope for Lewis is that the real gap is 0.2-3 and trying to defend in the straights, but really hard to do that all the race with the stop.

[rogazilla]

Agree with mkay. It doesn't matter if they used it in SA or not. I am sure RBR is preparing as if Merc has pace like Brazil in hand. Suggesting that they didn't use it, is not really going to change the way RBR prepare for this race. This is also the last race, it is not like anyone will try to save the PU for another race at this point regardless what other team is doing.

At the same time... I don't think the speed today represent anything. We will see tomorrow.

[f1jcw]

I’m seeing a lot news story/posts that seem to think Redbull have a pace advantage. I’m not sure I’ve seen anything that would point towards that being a definite

[F1Krof]

Seems like RBR focused more on the long runs.

[west52keep64]

Seems like a lot of people in this thread don't understand how to use the word "narrative" correctly!

Anyway, interesting how mixed the assessment of FP1 & 2 has been. This very site is running a "Mercedes Untouchable" headline, whereas others are saying the Red Bull was quicker in the long runs. Other people seem to be countering that by saying Mercedes didn't run the race engine, had the engine turned down, or are sand bagging etc. Meanwhile, Red Bull are being accused of doing the same... or only focusing on qualifying pace....

Essentially, nobody has a clue, and we won't find out until Saturday & Sunday. This definitely doesn't look like a foregone conclusion. Anything could happen and it's all to play for.

[LM10]

There is talk that Mercedes did not run the Brazil engine last week and it has been saved for this race.

Not sure I believe it though.

Doesn’t make sense not to use that engine on a 80% full throttle track when everything counts.