2018 United Arab Emirates Grand Prix - Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi, 23-26 November

[Juzh]

Ferrari losing 1 second in S3. Unbelievable

BuT FeRaRi iS tHe BeSt CaR /s

[seventhsin]

Lewis is already in 2019. Damn.

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[Juzh]

Dang that radio message from Bono - "there's a mode difference" referring to Vettel being probably turned up. Crazy how everybody knows what the other is doing!

Of course they do. Merc's were 20 kmh down on the straights comapred to some of their practice runs. this makes ferrari look good at times and then when mercedes do turn it up everyone is up in the air about how they pulled those laptimes out of thin air.

[Restomaniac]

Moveover. Apart from Hamilton is anyone else really safe on their first US runs?

[NathanOlder]

Damn those Mercedes wheel Rims

Leclerc constantly putting purple sectors in S1 and S2!

But yeah, what a lap from the Mercedes

[Sierra117]

Dang that radio message from Bono - "there's a mode difference" referring to Vettel being probably turned up. Crazy how everybody knows what the other is doing!

Of course they do. Merc's were 20 kmh down on the straights comapred to some of their practice runs. this makes ferrari look good at times and then when mercedes do turn it up everyone is up in the air about how they pulled those laptimes out of thin air.

I'm aware of it all from a technical standpoint, I was merely commenting on the rather "Bond"-sounding overall feel of that exchange is all.

Meanwhile, your argument would be true if Bottas were also topping but the fact is that it's either Ham, Vet or Raikkonen who pip the usual top spots and Bottas usually doesn't seem to do so well lately, so there's definitely more to do with driver skill than car when either Merc or Ferrari top the other.

Also, Vettel was held up in S3 and they haven't really figured out the US due to their allocation (correct me if I'm wrong but they don't have enough sets, do they?)

[NathanOlder]

Max the only one of the top 6 who needed to use the Ultra's. And even then he was half a second behind Hamilton !!!

[NathanOlder]

Alonso 2 seconds off the pace on softer tyres! Oh how Mclaren have fallen! No chance of returning to the top in the coming years!

[Juzh]

Meanwhile, your argument would be true if Bottas were also topping but the fact is that it's either Ham, Vet or Raikkonen who pip the usual top spots and Bottas usually doesn't seem to do so well lately, so there's definitely more to do with driver skill than car when either Merc or Ferrari top the other.

Bottas shuld in no way, shape or form be used as a benchmark for mercedes' performance. He's proven as much with his abysmal performances over the course of season.

[Restomaniac]

This race always reminds me of the stupid decision of doing double points in 2014.

[NathanOlder]

Yeah thats was crazy. Championship should have been over, but the double points kept it going. At least justice prevailed and the right Mercedes had problems

[GrandAxe]

Meanwhile, your argument would be true if Bottas were also topping but the fact is that it's either Ham, Vet or Raikkonen who pip the usual top spots and Bottas usually doesn't seem to do so well lately, so there's definitely more to do with driver skill than car when either Merc or Ferrari top the other.

Bottas shuld in no way, shape or form be used as a benchmark for mercedes' performance. He's proven as much with his abysmal performances over the course of season.

If Lewis is that good, then Bottas is actually the more accurate benchmark.

[Juzh]

I'm just waiting how people will spin this quali as ferrari having the better car.

[matt_b]

1:34.794 Beast Mode from Lewis

[MtthsMlw]

Ha, I knew Hamilton had another half a second in his pocket after his first run