2021 - Race 22 Abu Dhabi

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Originally Posted by The Black Knight

Second is okay. I think Max pulled an amazing lap out of the bag and I don't think the tow was worth enough today. Tomorrow is where the points get handed out and historically starting on second place in Abu Dhabi is just as good as first as the grid spot yields lots of grip.

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If the tow was worth 0.250sec. it would suggest Verstappen produced the extra 0.5sec from sheer driving. It doesn't add up to me. He is good but not that good.

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Originally Posted by Zico

Re- Point 1. Yep, that did cross my mind at the time, if that is the case, it points to RB not expecting to get pole either but were just able to get closer to perfection while Lewis/Merc just had a mediocre Q3 by their standards.

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I think they were hedging their bets both ways. One to give Max a chance to grab the lead on the first lap with the help of soft.

They knew they couldn't count on the SergioTow strategy to work, but it did and Mercedes didn't have their best session (e.g. with Bottas dropping, and Hamilton not improving).

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If Lewis does try to 'pit' Max at the first corner he had better be very good at it (like Silverstone) and not wreck his own car... but if he does achieve it, maybe Perez will be given a job to do? Could get really dirty but let's hope not..

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Hamilton has been very good at pitting RBR drivers - a couple of times with Albon and Max in Silverstone. He really has nothing to lose.

FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX 2021 - PRACTICE 3
10 12 Dec 2021 Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island

https://www.formula1.com/en/results....ractice-3.html


FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX 2021 - QUALIFYING
10 12 Dec 2021 Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island

https://www.formula1.com/en/results....ualifying.html


AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
11 December 2021

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...gsm5k0s2v.html

Both redbulls had the highest topspeed here, so it seems overtaking them shall be no easy task.

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Originally Posted by Nitrodaze

If the tow was worth 0.250sec. it would suggest Verstappen produced the extra 0.5sec for sheer driving. It doesn't add up to me. He is good but not that good.

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From the looks of it the tow was only worth about a tenth of a second. RBR just had the better qualifying car. We'll see who has the better race car tomorrow in the race. Once they both get out of the blocks well and it's a Verstappen/Hamilton 1-2 in the first corner I fancy Hamilton. Plus you know there's bound to be a safety car with Mazepin or one of the other dunces.

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Originally Posted by F1nKS

I believe I heard the commentators say that in the last 6 races, whoever was on the pole, has won the last 6 races.

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Different track layout tomorrow and remember Hamilton started from 2nd in 2014 to win the title.

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Originally Posted by Zico

Re- Point 1. Yep, that did cross my mind at the time, if that is the case, it points to RB not expecting to get pole either but were just able to get closer to perfection while Lewis/Merc just had a mediocre Q3 by their standards.

If Lewis does try to 'pit' Max at the first corner he had better be very good at it (like Silverstone) and not wreck his own car... but if he does achieve it, maybe Perez will be given a job to do? Could get really dirty but let's hope not..

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I'd be very disappointed if there were tactics like that from either team after the season we've had. Until Jeddah I didn't mind who won. But after Max's driving in Jeddah, well I don't think a world champion should be driving like that so overall I'd rather Lewis won. Either way been an amazing season.

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Originally Posted by The Black Knight

From the looks of it the tow was only worth about a tenth of a second. RBR just had the better qualifying car. We'll see who has the better race car tomorrow in the race. Once they both get out of the blocks well and it's a Verstappen/Hamilton 1-2 in the first corner I fancy Hamilton. Plus you know there's bound to be a safety car with Mazepin or one of the other dunces.

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Yeah. I suppose so. Max did nail that lap though so credit to him.


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Originally Posted by The Black Knight

Different track layout tomorrow and remember Hamilton started from 2nd in 2014 to win the title.

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It could be some Hamilton deja-vu...

Now if Mazespin red flags the race tomorrow...

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Originally Posted by Nitrodaze

I doubt that too. As we would have seen evidence of it in Q2 where they ran the red-walled Super tyres too. The gap of the Super to the Yellow walled Medium tyres was consistent with Mercedes still being faster.

It is going to be a very strategic race tomorrow. Redbull would need the pace demonstrated in quali to nullify the disadvantage of racing a two-stop strategy tomorrow. Mercedes without Bottas in the mix are very disadvantaged, especially with Perez being close enough to have an influence on the effectiveness of Mdercedes' strategy. Right now, it is looking like a Verstappen victory.

But you would be very foolish to discount Hamiton and Mercedes even with this scenario.

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As denkimi says.. Both RB's showing fastest in the speed traps, so either a combination of the new trick floor, low downforce, a great lap by Max and a mediocre one from Lewis... or something dodgy. We really have no way of knowing.. but I'd rather not start pointing fingers at them without at least some evidence, other than they were quicker.

Its only Qualy, if they have that same performance advantage in the race, maybe they have made a big move forward... but if there was anything untoward going on, they had better have been cute about it. Merc will have been paying close attention, if they ask for an investigation, I'll maybe pay a bit more heed to that possibility then.