2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina, Nov 18 - 20

[Spacepace]

Generally speaking, Mercedes must be thrilled that they seem to be much more competitive here compared to Spa, despite somewhat similar circuit characteristics. RB's aero efficiency should be the name of the game here.

I know the circuit modifications were made prior to last year's race but I'll say it again here, the rounding of those few corners has made an incredible difference for the positive. The track looks and seems to feel much less "point and shooty", and the new cars should help that even further keeping a close gap around turns 5 and 9.

I know it's an unpopular opinion but I liked the "point and shoot" aspect of it. Especially how 5 use to go into a high entry speed chicane into the hairpin. Cars looked so alive flying into that corner

[Tvetovnato]

Generally speaking, Mercedes must be thrilled that they seem to be much more competitive here compared to Spa, despite somewhat similar circuit characteristics. RB's aero efficiency should be the name of the game here.

I know the circuit modifications were made prior to last year's race but I'll say it again here, the rounding of those few corners has made an incredible difference for the positive. The track looks and seems to feel much less "point and shooty", and the new cars should help that even further keeping a close gap around turns 5 and 9.

I know it's an unpopular opinion but I liked the "point and shoot" aspect of it. Especially how 5 use to go into a high entry speed chicane into the hairpin. Cars looked so alive flying into that corner

I agree it looked cool, but for the sake of racing, that corner combination was no good. I quite like the changes made overall, especially the fast sweeping entry into turn 8. Brings some natural flow to it!

[AR3-GP]

seems like saving two sets of hards instead of wasting them in FP1 could turn into a good decision by Red Bull*, Ferrari and Alpine. Tyre deg on mediums looked much higher than usual

*edit: Perez only, missed that Lawson used H in FP1

Soft-Medium 1 stopper incoming.

It doesn't make sense to me that rookie driver should use up a main drivers's tire allocation. In fact, if the FIA had a separate allocation for rookies, we would see more rookies in FP1 which would be a positive for giving young drivers experience.

[AR3-GP]

Amus said that Mercedes told them that they had engine turned up more than RB in FP2

[101FlyingDutchman]

Amus said that Mercedes told them that they had engine turned up more than RB in FP2

Crikey that RB produces efficient downforce. Might not be as peaky as some but it is on average such a balanced car, operates on the vast majority of F1 tracks

[chrisc90]

Russell was complaining of a lot of de-rates aswell wasnt he?

[Big Tea]

seems like saving two sets of hards instead of wasting them in FP1 could turn into a good decision by Red Bull*, Ferrari and Alpine. Tyre deg on mediums looked much higher than usual

*edit: Perez only, missed that Lawson used H in FP1

Soft-Medium 1 stopper incoming.

It doesn't make sense to me that rookie driver should use up a main drivers's tire allocation. In fact, if the FIA had a separate allocation for rookies, we would see more rookies in FP1 which would be a positive for giving young drivers experience.

If tyres are used or not in FP1 probably does not matter as there will not be time to run them anyway.
It does mean that they can keep the 'best option' for the race and qualli and return the used set of which ever are not wanted. They have to return tyres after FP1 if they use any or not.

[search]

speaking about it, here's the list of available tyres left, btw

[Wouter]

All 20 F1 drivers had a farewell diner for Seb at the Cantonese Restaurant Hakkasan in Abu Dhabi.
It is said that Lewis paid the bill of 140 000 pounds sterling. That is a very nice gesture of him!

[chrisc90]

Nice gesture and a lovely send off for Seb!

£7,000 a head though! What on earth were they eating/drinking!

[CMSMJ1]

The class of 2022 !

Nice picture taken last night during a farewell diner from Seb.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhzAvdOXwAE ... name=large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fhy00XnXwAI ... name=large

Apparently arranged, and paid for, by Lewis. I guess that's why he's front and centre and Max is skulking in the back.

Form is temporary, class is permanent.

That was a nice gesture. Good lad. I think they'll miss Seb.

[Wouter]

All 20 F1 drivers had a farewell diner for Seb at the Cantonese Restaurant Hakkasan in Abu Dhabi.
It is said that Lewis paid the bill of 140 000 pounds sterling. That is a very nice gesture of him!

https://www.instagram.com/p/ClGlixnNSch/

.

Confirming the event was Hamilton's brainchild, GPDA chairman and former F1 driver Alex Wurz posted: "Thanks Lewis Hamilton to initiate, and thanks all GPDA members to turn up to show respect to one of the greatest, to one of our directors, and ultimately to our sport [which Sebastian Vettel loves so much]."

Hamilton picked up the bill, although an alleged £140,000 receipt doing the rounds on social media has been confirmed as fake,
with the poster of the picture declaring it as "a joke".

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/96334 ... fake-bill/

[search]

so, "loyal team mate" time for Verstappen today?! Tow Perez to pole position

[DDopey]

so, "loyal team mate" time for Verstappen today?! Tow Perez to pole position

Nah, Max is going to brake check Leclerc. …
I am wondering, how much help by Max is allowed in the public eye ?

[search]

so, "loyal team mate" time for Verstappen today?! Tow Perez to pole position

Nah, Max is going to brake check Leclerc. …
I am wondering, how much help by Max is allowed in the public eye ?

Marko basically confirmed that they are going to try a tow yesterday at Sky Germany already - but somehow only the part of no interest (Ricciardo to become a Red Bull show driver) made the news

Last year they did it the other way around, and Verstappen gained three tenths by it. Should imo be the easiest way to help Perez, and for Verstappen to regain respect without losing the chance to go for the win himself