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

[oT v1]

Interesting! Bottas and Tsunoda to cover on mediums as well as Ham.

Tsunoda will be nothing to pass (no disrespect) but that still leaves Bottas in the mix on mediums.

[west52keep64]

I would say it is now imperative Merc get a 1-2 in qualifying, they need to put distance between Verstappen and Hamilton going in to T1, and use Bottas as a shield.

[BlueCheetah66]

Penalty or not, Hamilton will win this race easily.
FP3 gap of 2 tenths is misleading, Hamilton had a big oversteer moment in S3 on his 1.23.2, costing him probably around 2 tenths. Real difference is around 4 tenths.

edit. typos

If you believe Max is only 2 tenths faster than tsunoda on the same tires, I have a bridge to sell you.

Thats the kind of marker I've used throughout the season when you see Max not as close to Merc but then a AT or an Alpine very high up

[Unc1eM0nty]

Interesting, I think its advantage Mercedes though even if Max does get the jump on Lewis at the start.

Redbull were kind of forced into this though with both cars, one due to a flat spot, the other just too slow.

[wogx]

Lockup intentional?

Yeah, he intentionally --- up his tires.

Geez, man.

[El Scorchio]

I would say it is now imperative Merc get a 1-2 in qualifying, they need to put distance between Verstappen and Hamilton going in to T1, and use Bottas as a shield.

Trouble is any first corner incident will be as clear as day to the stewards. Hamilton will jump out of the way like a scalded cat if Verstappen goes anywhere near him so if there is contact it’ll be obvious what’s happened.

[west52keep64]

Lockup intentional?

Yeah, he intentionally --- up his tires.

Geez, man.

Agreed, that makes zero sense. If they wanted to start on the softs, they can just run on the softs. There's nothing to be gained from locking up and wrecking a set of tyres.

[InsaneX_Badger]

How durable is that soft as a race tyre?

[Unc1eM0nty]

Horner just said on sky that it was due to the flat spot, but that it was a close call either way

[west52keep64]

Horner just said on sky that it was due to the flat spot, but that it was a close call either way

He also just said the soft gives them the advantage off the start...

[InsaneX_Badger]

Wonder if Perez will give Max a tow

[jz11]

I wonder if the changed layout somehow favors undercut, or the 2stopper has come closer to 1stop for overall time

[proteus]

I would say it is now imperative Merc get a 1-2 in qualifying, they need to put distance between Verstappen and Hamilton going in to T1, and use Bottas as a shield.

Trouble is any first corner incident will be as clear as day to the stewards. Hamilton will jump out of the way like a scalded cat if Verstappen goes anywhere near him so if there is contact it’ll be obvious what’s happened.

Imaginary scenarios allready coming out.

[InsaneX_Badger]

Wonder if Perez will give Max a tow

Well the team radio says something different

[west52keep64]

Wonder if Perez will give Max a tow

Well the team radio says something different

He was literally just being instructed to "let him catch you in S3"...