2017 United States Grand Prix - COTA, 20-22 October

[GPR-A duplicate2]

Unlike last few years, for the first time, 1000+ people would be burning mid-night oil at Brackley & Bricksworth with just one goal. To ensure the championship leading car has a bullet proof reliability for the next 4 races. At this point in season, one can't expect any further upgrades (neither is there a dire need either) to the car and the attention would be towards reliability and setup. If anything, there would be more sensors inside the car than at any point in the season so far.

[Manoah2u]

It would mean that Mercedes would be better off to 'turn down the wick' and ensure engine and parts survival, whereas Ferrari needs to give it all they got BUT we have seen how fragile things are at Ferrari under pressure.

[Just_a_fan]

If Vettel tried to mind game and use Kimi etc. Hamilton will just send one up the inside. Vettel will turn in on him - he won't be able to help himself. Result is likely a DNF for both. In that situation, Vettel loses more than Hamilton.

All Vettel can do is drive to his best and hope for Hamilton to have problems. The reality is that Hamilton can afford to finish in third or fourth and still take the title.

Of course, this is prototype racing so anything is possible.

[Steven]

Talk about Pirelli supporting 'think pink' with its ultrasoft tyre marking has been split out to its own topic
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=26754

[Zynerji]

Vettel was the longest shot going into Abu Dhabi in 2010 as well...

[Fulcrum]

Vettel was the longest shot going into Abu Dhabi in 2010 as well...

Yes, and that was one race. He needs two or three races like that now.

[Restomaniac]

Vettel was the longest shot going into Abu Dhabi in 2010 as well...

So was Raikkonen going into the last race at Interlagos in 2007. He didn't need to win pretty much every race and prey for 2 DNF's inside the last 4 races though. Hamilton can happily cruise around picking 4th and 5th places up to win the WDC. Vettel as I have said has to pretty much win all 4.

[Restomaniac]

Vettel was the longest shot going into Abu Dhabi in 2010 as well...

Yes, and that was one race. He needs two or three races like that now.

Plue he also needs Hamilton to stop finishing races.

[Vasconia]

Everybody gets on well with Daniel.

Which is why he'll never be World Champion.

Didn't everyone get on with Mika Hakkinen ? Other than Salo, but who cares about him.

As for Daniel, I'm sure Vettel dislikes him deep down.

He was beaten by him but I can´t recall any negative comment from Sebastian.

[NathanOlder]

No driver likes to be beaten by his team mate. So surely being beaten by a new kid to his team would have been hard to take for the champ. So im sure he wansnt too keen on Daniel, even if he didnt show it.

[TAG]

Vettel was the longest shot going into Abu Dhabi in 2010 as well...

Your memory fails you, there were four drivers in contention Vettel was not the longest odds.

[turbof1]

Vettel was the longest shot going into Abu Dhabi in 2010 as well...

Your memory fails you, there were four drivers in contention Vettel was not the longest odds.

I believe that was Hamilton, no?

Regardless, Hamilton should be able to run conservative. He does not need to take risks. Just go full on attack in qualifying, try to get the top spot. That alone will make any comeback from Vettel near impossible, as Hamilton can afford to loose a few spots from pole position.

Only a DNF of Hamilton can put Vettel back in the game. Never say never to that.

[Restomaniac]

Vettel was the longest shot going into Abu Dhabi in 2010 as well...

Your memory fails you, there were four drivers in contention Vettel was not the longest odds.

I believe that was Hamilton, no?

Regardless, Hamilton should be able to run conservative. He does not need to take risks. Just go full on attack in qualifying, try to get the top spot. That alone will make any comeback from Vettel near impossible, as Hamilton can afford to loose a few spots from pole position.

Only a DNF of Hamilton can put Vettel back in the game. Never say never to that.

Indeed.
Hamilton needed to win and have Alonso score no points points and Webber and Vettel to score no more than 17 and 10 points respectively.

In comparison Vettel's requirements were a whole lot easier. If he won and Alonso was no higher than 6th he was world champion.

[GPR-A duplicate2]

Vettel was the longest shot going into Abu Dhabi in 2010 as well...

Your memory fails you, there were four drivers in contention Vettel was not the longest odds.

Interestingly, the only time Vettel lead the Championship standings in 2010, was in Abu Dhabi when he won the championship! He never lead the standings before that.

[Vasconia]

No driver likes to be beaten by his team mate. So surely being beaten by a new kid to his team would have been hard to take for the champ. So im sure he wansnt too keen on Daniel, even if he didnt show it.

Ok, I make the difference between "I don´t like you, because I simply don´t like you" or "I dont like you because you have beaten me". Every single competitive driver could find himself in the second group if another driver beats him. But on the first? Its difficult to dislike Daniel and I think Seb didn´t dislike him. Drivers like Alonso, Hamilton or even Vettel when he is not happy are just another case.