2014 Abu Dhabi GP - Yas Marina

[Phil]

I hope I'm not stepping on anyones toes by creating this topic - but... the suspense, is killing me. And it's only 10 days from now till the final showdown at Yas Marina.





Timetable:
Fri 21 November 2014
Practice 1: 13:00 - 14:30 (CET: 10:00)
Practice 2: 17:00 - 18:30 (CET: 14:00)

Sat 22 November 2014
Practice 3: 14:00 - 15:00 (CET: 11:00)
Qualifying: 17:00 (CET: 14:00)

Sun 23 November 2014
Race: 17:00 (CET: 14:00)

Tyres:
2014 - soft, super-soft
2013 - medium, soft
2012 - medium, soft
2011 - medium, soft

Winning Strategies:
Winner 2013 Sebastian Vettel - OPP (Soft 14 laps, Medium 23 laps, Medium 18 laps)
Winner 2012 Kimi Räikkönen - OP (Soft 31 laps, Medium 24 laps)
Winner 2011 Lewis Hamilton - OOP (Soft 16 laps, Soft 24 laps, Medium 15 laps)

Pole Position:
2013 - Mark Webber 1:39.957
2012 - Lewis Hamilton 1:40.630
2011 - Sebastian Vettel 1:38.481

World Drivers Championship standing (in brackets, the gap to next higher):
1. Lewis Hamilton 334 points
2. Nico Rosberg 317 points (-17)
3. Daniel Riccardo 214 points (-103)
4. Sebastian Vettel 159 points (-55)
5. Fernando Alonso 157 points (-2)
6. Valteri Bottas 156 points (-1)
7. Jenson Button 106 points (-50)
8. Felipe Massa 98 points (-8)
9. Nico Hulkenberg 80 points (-18)
10. Kevin Magnussen 55 points (-25)
11. Kimi Raikoennen 53 points (-2)
12. Sergio Perez 47 points (-6)
13. Jean-Eric Vergne 22 points (-25)
14. Romain Grosjean 8 points (-14)
15. Daniil Kvyat 8 points (-0)
16. Pastor Maldonado 2 points (-6)
17. Jules Bianchi 2 points (-0)

WDC possible outcomes:



(Credit goes to one of our members, though unfortunately I couldn't find the chart nor the post(er) anymore, so I created a new one)


Unfortunately, couldn't find the 2013 pole lap as a video. If someone does and posts it, I'll add it to this post.


EDIT:

Team Standings:
1. Mercedes 651 points
2. Red Bull Racing-Renault 373 points (-278)
3. Williams-Mercedes 254 points (-129)
4. Ferrari 210 points (-44)
5. McLaren-Mercedes 161 points (-49)
6. Force India-Mercedes 127 points (-34)
7. STR-Renault 30 points (-93)
8. Lotus-Renault 10 points (-20)
9. Marussia-Ferrari 2 points (-8)
10. Sauber-Ferrari 0 points (-2)
11. Caterham-Renault 0 points (-2)

[Harsha]

I think lap time will be closer to 2012 Pole time of 1:40.6

[turbof1]

Last race so many might be on a thin line with their PUs. Expect them to run very old ones in practice, and expect some of those to break down. A high altruition will also be likely during the race.

Just some crazy idea I'm throwing in: for the sake of reliability, would mercedes put a new PU in both the cars? It'll force both drivers to start from the pitlane, but with mercedes having everything in the bag anyway it would make some fantastic racing, and would reduce the risk of having the championship decided by a malfunction.

[Phil]

That would certainly spice things up... though if I were Rosberg, I'm not sure I'd like my odds starting from the pitlane next to Hamilton, as he can only become WDC if he finishes inside the points. And the point gap between positions becomes higher the further up you finish. In that sense, anything below finishing 6th will default to Lewis winning it. Above 6th, it would be crucial to him that Lewis does not finish behind him.

I also think Mercedes might be more interested in taking their chances to secure their, 12th? 1-2 finish rather then creating an equal playing field for the WDC...

[Harsha]

I think if Mercs start from back of grid they will have even big troubles with the Safety car's , Driving running into others(Pastor), Or even following some other car and overheat the car parts. So its best to leave the situation in reliability at this state

[Richard]

A Japan 89 rinse & repeat would be interesting, especially if it resulted in a Spa 14 repeat.....

[turbof1]

That would certainly spice things up... though if I were Rosberg, I'm not sure I'd like my odds starting from the pitlane next to Hamilton, as he can only become WDC if he finishes inside the points. And the point gap between positions becomes higher the further up you finish. In that sense, anything below finishing 6th will default to Lewis winning it. Above 6th, it would be crucial to him that Lewis does not finish behind him.

I also think Mercedes might be more interested in taking their chances to secure their, 12th? 1-2 finish rather then creating an equal playing field for the WDC...

Since they already have quite a few records in the bag, I doubt if they are bothered about sharping that particular record. I think in that respect they are just more interested in having that 1-2, then the record that comes with it.

However, a smart marketing-person would see the oppertunity here: starting from the back by choice, cutting through the field like it was butter and all the while a championship in the balance. That's a lot of food for mercedes commercials, and the brand's overall prestige.

It's just another way to shine in the spotlights then the normal 1-2 dominance punch, which gets a bit repeating.

Of course it introduces the risk of getting harmed in the traffic, but that's racing, and it'll add something to the one wins the title. For Mercedes this is just a race to draw more attention.

But yeah, I concede the odds of that ever happening is quite low .

[WaikeCU]

A Japan 89 rinse & repeat would be interesting, especially if it resulted in a Spa 14 repeat.....

or Japan 90 also comes in mind with Lewis 'proving a point'. Deja vu Nico!

[astracrazy]

Tbh with the merc advantage Lewis has it so much in the bag the only nail biting bit will be reliability. Unlike other final race conclusions, they aren't really troubled by anyone else. The likelihood is it will be a merc 1 and 2. It's just the reliability.

[MercedesAMGSpy]

Lewis likes this circuit, from his point of view a good circuit to end the season and wrap up the title. In normal circumstances following Nico would be enough.

[astracrazy]

i almost think that as long as mercs have the pace, lewis should go for pole sat but after that let nico get on with whatever he wants.

i don't even think he should fight nico at all, theres no need and i wouldn't trust nico to not wreck my race

edit:


this really shows how much its in hamiltons favour

[turbof1]

i almost think that as long as mercs have the pace, lewis should go for pole sat but after that let nico get on with whatever he wants.

i don't even think he should fight nico at all, theres no need and i wouldn't trust nico to not wreck my race

The question you should ask: is that in Hamilton's nature?

He'll go for the win, there's not a single braincell in his head thinking of aiming at second place. Yes of course the smartest thing he should do is aiming at second place, but he'll never settle for that .

Hamilton will probably dominate sector 3, if the past 4 years are any give-away.

[notsofast]

Lewis hasn't had a mechanical failure in a while. Does he feel lucky? Maybe a first-corner incident is the best way to secure the championship.

But then again, as speculated in the silly season thread, Lewis could walk if he doesn't get the WDC. I'm guessing the team is under pressure to give Lewis a car that's rock solid.

[Juzh]

Hamilton will probably dominate sector 3, if the past 4 years are any give-away.

This is a myth created by brundle and the rest of sky "experts".

[turbof1]

Hamilton will probably dominate sector 3, if the past 4 years are any give-away.

This is a myth created by brundle and the rest of sky "experts".

I actually never heard them speaking about that . It's a personal impression I got from Hamilton, although last year was a bit less if I remember correctly?