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

[AR3-GP]

Given how close the gap was, Charles could have outqualified Checo if Carlos gave Charles a slip stream.

[RonMexico]

tyre sets left for the race:

https://i.imgur.com/wz1y0Bz.png

Alpha Tauri the only team without three sets of M/H. Sainz could have saved a set of softs in Q2 (his time on used ones was quick enough), but I guess they'd be unlikely to use it anyway.

Will be interesting to see if keeping 2xH or 2xM turns out to be the better choice.

Has there been any explanation for AMR scrubbing the tyres?

I know it's a bit of a black art but why only them? They are using the same gearbox and rear suspension as the works team?

[Shal_Leg16]

Given how close the gap was, Charles could have outqualified Checo if Carlos gave Charles a slip stream.

forget it man,

even if Charles had the pole ....RB would ensure they get the better of him on Sunday. we have seen this happening whole season.

If they fail Ferrari are there to help .

[atanatizante]

I think that this is the actual RB18 2022 spec we are seeing after the qualy times and teams position, isn't it? In the last three races they were just testing parts for 2023 car, don't you think?

Now back to the race there are 2 questions: 1. we are gonna see a 1 or a 2 stop race tomorrow and 2. are Merc drivers gonna finish the race in front of the Ferrari drivers but not have enough points to take the second slot in the WCC?

[dans79]

I think that this is the actual RB18 2022 spec we are seeing after the qualy times and teams position, isn't it? In the last three races they were just testing parts for 2023 car, don't you think?

That would be a really bad idea, because you would be paying for them this year then.

[AR3-GP]

I think that this is the actual RB18 2022 spec we are seeing after the qualy times and teams position, isn't it? In the last three races they were just testing parts for 2023 car, don't you think?

That would be a really bad idea, because you would be paying for them this year then.

You can't carry over budget that you do not use to next season and RB didn't need to develop their '22 car anymore since Spa so it does make sense to spend budget for the '23 car in '22. Everyone is doing it, but at different points in the season. Ferrari and RB stopped working on '22 since Spa. The battle was over. Ferrari had to reckon with the Toto directive and their power unit.

[dans79]

Well if they did, then they wasted it, because none of the updates seemed to work.

[AR3-GP]

Well if they did, then they wasted it, because none of the updates seemed to work.

The '23 cars are slower because of the raised floor edge. Have you seen that news already about the regulation change to reduce downforce?

[chrisc90]

Well if they did, then they wasted it, because none of the updates seemed to work.

How do you know none of the updates 'worked'?

[dans79]

Well if they did, then they wasted it, because none of the updates seemed to work.

The '23 cars are slower because of the raised floor edge. Have you seen that news already about the regulation change to reduce downforce?

I'm well aware of all the changes, but none of them are massive changes.

[Sieper]

The Merc has the most downforce but at normal atmosphere they pay too much of cost in drag for that. Plus, RBR got the set up wrong in Brazil. Merc is 6 tenths behind, which they have been many times this year. I was expecting this. Unless they have a mega set-up for race the weekend is going as expected imho. I do think they can catch Ferrari tomorrow.

[caddy]

The Merc has the most downforce but at normal atmosphere they pay too much of cost in drag for that. Plus, RBR got the set up wrong in Brazil. Merc is 6 tenths behind, which they have been many times this year. I was expecting this. Unless they have a mega set-up for race the weekend is going as expected imho. I do think they can catch Ferrari tomorrow.

It's surprising to see the same gap despite Redbull with no upgrades in recent months and Mercedes with some significant upgrades recently.

[falonso81]

Ferrari was much closer today than the times suggest. Charles did an awful sector 2 on his final run. Lost 2 tenths there compared to Sainz. Wont matter anyway because their race pacer seems abysmal.

[AR3-GP]

Ferrari was much closer today than the times suggest. Charles did an awful sector 2 on his final run. Lost 2 tenths there compared to Sainz. Wont matter anyway because their race pacer seems abysmal.

If they had given him a tow, I'm sure he would have outqualified Perez.

[chrisc90]

19points between Ferrari and Mercedes. Thats quite a job to overhaul given the pace of the Red Bulls are showing. Thats effectively a Ferrari DNF for one car to get close to overturning the gap.