2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina, 24-26 November

[matt_b]

Bottas had good strategy. Hamilton quite poor.

Yeah Lewis was 4 tenths faster the lap before he boxed, I was surprised he came in because he would've caught those back markers in sector 2 and probably gained more time. Mercedes were probably just being fair and not doing a Ferrari in Monaco.

[Schuttelberg]

Liberty media are trying to add more races to F1. They'd do just fine if they subtract tracks like Abu Dhabi.

[Fulcrum]

Liberty media are trying to add more races to F1. They'd do just fine if they subtract tracks like Abu Dhabi.

I agree with you.

Unfortunately Liberty Media love money as much as Bernie did, so that seems unlikely while the emirs are willing to pay.

[Sierra117]

Liberty media are trying to add more races to F1. They'd do just fine if they subtract tracks like Abu Dhabi.

I dunno, it's not really the fault of tracks (except maybe Monaco lel) - it's pretty much all to do with the complexity of the wings. Make them simpler -> cleaner air for following cars -> more overtaking.

[PlatinumZealot]

And we officially have a deserving reigning F1 champion again. Good times.
Bottas had good strategy. Hamilton quite poor.
Bottas pitted when Hamilton had to clear a back-marker and couldn't make up time.
Hamilton pitted too early or too late. And then pressed too early and used up his tires. Also Bottas doesn't get bored driving at first place. It's the only thing that seems to motivate him. Hamilton had no pressure from Vettel, he should have pitted half a dozen laps later and caught up Bottas only in the end for one big effort. Attacking several times just ruins tires. So does staying less than 2 seconds behind. Different strategy of pits and driving would have given him a slim chance at least.

Yeah i felt he should have pitted much later. Lewis revealed after the race that the overtaking delta is 1.4 seconds so he really had no chance of overtaking Bottas without a mistake. The dirty air effect is also big in Abu dhabi.. You can't get closer than 1.2 seconds with equal tyres.

[Sierra117]

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[GPR-A duplicate2]

Liberty media are trying to add more races to F1. They'd do just fine if they subtract tracks like Abu Dhabi.

From economy and attendance perspective, this track is doing far better than most other circuits on the calendar. All it needs is a little rework of the third sector to make it more flowing, instead of showering cold water for chasing cars.

[Just_a_fan]

alonso vs bottas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdJQIFNZRi8

Interesting that Alonso's P11 this year would have got him pole last year by a good margin.

[Just_a_fan]

alonso vs bottas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdJQIFNZRi8

Alonso doesn't get in to 8th gear before T1 or in the run after T1 where Bottas does both times. Both do on the long straights though. The Mercedes is just so much quicker out of the corners so Bottas needs 8th and Alonso never gets fast enough before braking to need 8th. That Honda lump is really struggling.

[Edax]

Liberty media are trying to add more races to F1. They'd do just fine if they subtract tracks like Abu Dhabi.

From economy and attendance perspective, this track is doing far better than most other circuits on the calendar. All it needs is a little rework of the third sector to make it more flowing, instead of showering cold water for chasing cars.

The first DRS zone also needs some rethink. It seems very difficult to get within 1 second at the sensor line. The only way is to take so much speed through the chicane that it compromises the hairpin leading up to the straight.

[Artur Craft]

It would be a miracle if Mercedes didn't win the GP.

The miracle did not happen and they trashed Ferrari and RB. The worst part is that I'm afraid that 2018 will be, yet, another year of Mercedes being the fastest car by a big amount.....

Liberty media are trying to add more races to F1. They'd do just fine if they subtract tracks like Abu Dhabi.

Sir, you're a good member!

I got it wrong with my prediction for a Hamilton pole but the prophecy for the race was spot on.

Curious that the cornering speeds are pretty much identical ( bar mistakes as Alonso on the hairpin ) but Mercedes is so much faster on the straights...

Was also curious watching Bottas pole compared to Hamilton's Q3 laps. You can see where he gained over Lewis. I hope Valtteri enjoyed having a car his way again, as on the begining of the year, because next year it will be back to this year's car on Canada-Austin

[Mamba]

It would be a miracle if Mercedes didn't win the GP.

The miracle did not happen and they trashed Ferrari and RB. The worst part is that I'm afraid that 2018 will be, yet, another year of Mercedes being the fastest car by a big amount.....

Personally, I think the lack of sheer grunt forced Red Bull and Ferrari into a sub optimal set-up to their liking in order to not be a McLaren on the straights. That said I think that Seb had his engine turned down after they realised that there was not a chance of fighting for the win.

Just hoping the Merc era will end sooner rather than later. Everyone is playing catch-up since '14. Luckily we had a proper fight this year but that stopped after Singapore really.

MAMBA

[SectorOne]

Liberty media are trying to add more races to F1. They'd do just fine if they subtract tracks like Abu Dhabi.

From economy and attendance perspective, this track is doing far better than most other circuits on the calendar. All it needs is a little rework of the third sector to make it more flowing, instead of showering cold water for chasing cars.

They should just skip the chicane between the straights as well.

[Just_a_fan]

Listening to the drivers in the podium room, they all agreed that the track needs changing to enable following/overtaking.

Interesting to see Bottas and Hamilton (especially Hamilton) were hot and sweaty. Hamilton seemed particularly tired. Vettel looked like he had been for a Sunday drive to his mother's house. I guess driving around in third counting the laps is easier than attacking/defending. Quite noticeable difference in expended effort.

[Phil]

It was nice seeing Hamilton pushing until 3 laps to go. Kept the race interesting enough, though it was pretty clear bar a mistake by Bottas, they’d be no overtaking.

Bottas did show very good pace on the first stint though. Also very nice race again by Hulkenberg.