2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina, Dec 06 - 08

[renault rs26]

I think the penalty just makes it all but McLarens WCC title now. I think they deserve it been very consistent since Miami - not saying the quickest always but most consistent as a team since then with very few down weeks.

Their car was the most consisten but their drivers were least consistent.
It's possible, althouhg unlikely, to repeat Brazil and Ferrari WCC.

[BanMeToo]

I've been watching F1 for years, decades actually, I am watching this session on mute & intend to do so for the entire session.
As far as I can remember it's the first time I have ever done so and I highly recommend it

They seriously need to give us the option of a no-commentary audio track

[venkyhere]

A rear wing with as high frontal area ratio for (flap : mainplane) for DRS delta in sector2, and suspension that is softened enough for sector3, will be key.
Traditionally, this would mean Ferrari has the advantage. However, any of Ferrari/Mclaren could ace it. Redbull/Mercedes less so, as there are just too many slow turns in sector3 to suit their inherently stiff suspension.

On evidence of FP2, seems like this is the case, except Ferrari struggling with tyre temps.

[ScuderiaLeo]

Performance is probably going to be really close. Ferrari have been pretty hot recently and unusually lucky. This track is really even, but I think the softer tyres and low pressures will really help Ferrari with their quali pace here. The lack of many true high-speed corners should really be bad for McLaren as well, but there aren't exactly a lot of the slow, twisty corners that the Ferraris like either.

So you're the one who jinxed it!

[bananapeel23]

Performance is probably going to be really close. Ferrari have been pretty hot recently and unusually lucky. This track is really even, but I think the softer tyres and low pressures will really help Ferrari with their quali pace here. The lack of many true high-speed corners should really be bad for McLaren as well, but there aren't exactly a lot of the slow, twisty corners that the Ferraris like either.

So you're the one who jinxed it!

Here I was assuming Leclerc would have only slightly below-average luck for a season. What a stupid assumption for me to make! Leclerc is permanently cursed.

[venkyhere]

A rear wing with as high frontal area ratio for (flap : mainplane) for DRS delta in sector2, and suspension that is softened enough for sector3, will be key.
Traditionally, this would mean Ferrari has the advantage. However, any of Ferrari/Mclaren could ace it. Redbull/Mercedes less so, as there are just too many slow turns in sector3 to suit their inherently stiff suspension.

On evidence of FP2, seems like this is the case, except Ferrari struggling with tyre temps.

spent some time looking at FP2 laps (long run and Q) :
- McLaren is simply one level above others when it comes to T5 hairpin and T6-T7 chicane, the car is rotating brilliantly. I expected the Ferrari to also have rotated similarly, but they don't (irrespective of fuel) so I can only think this is tyre temp related.
- Redbull is particularly painful through T5 hairpin & T12-13-14-15 slow complex
- Mercedes is the best through T12-12-14-15 slow complex, in fact its' brilliant through this stretch.
- Ferrari aren't particularly slow or particularly fast anywhere, they 'fit' in between Mclaren and the other two
- Mclaren are sandbagging, their real pace is much much faster. Expecting a Mclaren pole in Q3 with 1:20.xx

[Farnborough]

A rear wing with as high frontal area ratio for (flap : mainplane) for DRS delta in sector2, and suspension that is softened enough for sector3, will be key.
Traditionally, this would mean Ferrari has the advantage. However, any of Ferrari/Mclaren could ace it. Redbull/Mercedes less so, as there are just too many slow turns in sector3 to suit their inherently stiff suspension.

On evidence of FP2, seems like this is the case, except Ferrari struggling with tyre temps.

spent some time looking at FP2 laps (long run and Q) :
- McLaren is simply one level above others when it comes to T5 hairpin and T6-T7 chicane, the car is rotating brilliantly. I expected the Ferrari to also have rotated similarly, but they don't (irrespective of fuel) so I can only think this is tyre temp related.
- Redbull is particularly painful through T5 hairpin & T12-13-14-15 slow complex
- Mercedes is the best through T12-12-14-15 slow complex, in fact its' brilliant through this stretch.
- Ferrari aren't particularly slow or particularly fast anywhere, they 'fit' in between Mclaren and the other two
- Mclaren are sandbagging, their real pace is much much faster. Expecting a Mclaren pole in Q3 with 1:20.xx

Good detail synopsis. I like to see how they evolve setup in trying to enhance various aspect, whilst simultaneously trying to maintain the high performing bits.

[f1isgood]

- Mclaren are sandbagging, their real pace is much much faster. Expecting a Mclaren pole in Q3 with 1:20.xx

I think it will be optimistically early 1.22s and realistically mid 1.22s. The development from 22 to 23 was only 4 tenths although that was with the floor edge change. The cars seem to have gained much more lap time than 23 this year and so I will expect something like mid-1.22s for qualifying. Would be interesting if these cars can get close to 21 pole which was a 22.1. I have huge doubts given the track layout however.

[search]

Tires left before Qualifying:

[Matt2725]

I've been watching F1 for years, decades actually, I am watching this session on mute & intend to do so for the entire session.
As far as I can remember it's the first time I have ever done so and I highly recommend it

They seriously need to give us the option of a no-commentary audio track

There is one on F1TV.

[matt_b]

Mercedes with their classic lets go out last and get a load of traffic when we're in the drop zone strategy

[RonMexico]

Ooft

[Luscion]

Ham out in Q1, Merc screwed over his timing

[DGP123]

Magnussen hit the bollard, which got stuck under Hamilton. Awful luck

[bananapeel23]

Man I feel so bad for Hamilton, even if it's his fault.

Edit: not his fault

Also Bottas going out with a bang