The Official 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Thread **Spoilers**

[Flooble]

tommunster10 said:

Jasandjules said:

deadslow said:

yes, just as previous iterations of the car have, no doubt, flattered Hamilton, enabling him to extend the gap.

Nope. It wasn't designed for him as he wasn't in the team.

He can however drive around a lot more issues.

This came up in another thread where I said Nico and Micheal helped developed that Merc into the world beater, then Lewis simply came along and knew he was getting into the what would be the best car by a mile in 2014, i got a lot of stick for that.
So i agree with you.
The only issue Lewis has had to drive around is beating Nico.
If you were a very very capable F1 driver told that you will in the best car for at least 3 seasons by a clear margin like a Class A to the class b / c / d 's and your team mate will be Nico Rosburg, you'd think all your Christmas's had come at once... To suggest there is any serious issues to 'drive around' in the current Merc is doing a big disservice to the very hard work of the actual team IMO..

No you got stick for suggesting that the 2010-2013 car (into which Rosberg and Schumacher had direct input) bore any relation to the 2014-2017 car, which was built to a totally different set of regulations. It isn't true to say that "Rosberg developed a world-beating car and Lewis just took advantage" (it would also be doing Rosberg down - as if he'd be stupid enough to design a car to suit someone else).

Different engine - V8 versus V6 Turbo
Different rear axles - 60kW KERS versus 120kW KERS and 30 seconds instead of 6 seconds of deployment
Different braking - brake by wire and electronic braking to handle the new KERS system
Different aerodynamics - Lower noses (185mm instead of 550mm), different rear wings, smaller front wings
Different weight - 690 versus 640kg

Basically, nothing Schumacher did could have had the slightest input into the 2014 car. And Nico's input would have been the same as Hamilton's as they were both there for the 2013 season during which the totally new 2014 car was developed.

However, that's not to say the 2014 car was designed for Hamilton - the underlying design (before the drivers would have been involved, since neither are engineers who would be of any use just looking at CAD drawings) was drawn up during the Schumacher/Rosberg period in 2012-2013. So while there may not have been any direct input from Rosberg over and above the direct input from Hamilton, it would be reasonable to imagine that the data on which the engineers based their initial plans came races run by Schumacher and Rosberg.

The main surprise to me is that the 2014-2015 car suited Hamilton so much more than Rosberg, when both would have had equal input during the driver development year and the original plans would have had to be based on the driving styles of Rosberg and Schumacher.

Anyway, what's this got to do with Abu Dhabi?

[anonymous-user]

Dermot O'Logical said:

One of two things will happen.

1. Mechanical failure or a first corner crash eliminates Nico Rosberg. Lewis Hamilton fanboys spend the entire bloody winter crowing about it and don't shut up until pre-season testing starts next year.

2. Nico Rosberg becomes champion. Lewis Hamilton fanboys spend the entire bloody winter whingeing and whining about it and don't shut up until pre-season testing starts next year.

Either way it's going to be a long winter.

Had to laugh at this one

[Sylvaforever]

GCH said:

thatsprettyshady said:

thegreenhell said:

If he comes back to win it due to a Rosberg reliability issue in the last race then that is how it will be remembered. The headlines will all be about Rosberg leading for most of the year but being cruelly robbed in the last round, gifting the title to Hamilton. The circumstances as to why Hamilton was behind going into the race will be swept aside by all but the most rabid fans. People have short memories, and the tabloids and Hollywood love a good headline. Balance, fairness and a reasoned backstory will be overlooked by the majority.

"NUTS"

[MartG]

[Vaud]

This thread has taken a dive already...

So aside from the WDC, what's the speculation for the rest? Hoping to see a decent RB tussle, I think DR needs to assert himself in the final race but he is up against Max who will be super confident?

[Derek Smith]

Vaud said:

This thread has taken a dive already...

So aside from the WDC, what's the speculation for the rest? Hoping to see a decent RB tussle, I think DR needs to assert himself in the final race but he is up against Max who will be super confident?

Yes. We normally have to wait for the race proper for fanboy to come in.

My bet is that MV will do something stupid. Confidence and youth never worked for me. He might even take off one of the Mercs.

I doubt if there's been any development though in the last week or so. That means there'll be no surprises and it'll be down to to the drivers.

We've had a few 'last day at school' final races in the past. Let's hope this isn't one of them.

I reckon Vettel might keep his mouth shut and then, after the race, sing the praises of the prancing horse.

[Flooble]

Yes, I think this will be a bit of a boring race unfortunately. Track suits the Mercs, nobody else is really bothered as the standings are pretty much finalised (yes, in theory Williams could overtake Force India if everybody else crashes out but lets be realistic).

There aren't even really any "talent" seats up for grabs so not much incentive for any drivers to try to impress.

Probably one to watch on catch-up from about 14:00 and fast-forward ...

[Derek Smith]

Flooble said:

Yes, I think this will be a bit of a boring race unfortunately. Track suits the Mercs, nobody else is really bothered as the standings are pretty much finalised (yes, in theory Williams could overtake Force India if everybody else crashes out but lets be realistic).

There aren't even really any "talent" seats up for grabs so not much incentive for any drivers to try to impress.

Probably one to watch on catch-up from about 14:00 and fast-forward ...

Have you been taking those pro-depression tablets again?

They are working.

Maybe there will be a happening in qually. Perhaps it will rain. Maybe McLaren will be bought by Dennis.

Odder things have happened, just not very often.

My computer crashed this week. Perhaps that's a sign.

[Flooble]

Derek Smith said:

Have you been taking those pro-depression tablets again?

They are working.

Maybe there will be a happening in qually. Perhaps it will rain. Maybe McLaren will be bought by Dennis.

Odder things have happened, just not very often.

My computer crashed this week. Perhaps that's a sign.

Given the size of the run-offs, I reckon you computer is about the only thing that will crash :-)

[bobbo89]

Just watched a couple of starts from previous years and I think the best chance of a bit of a first lap tussle will be if Hamilton puts it in pole and gets an iffy start.

I think the Red Bulls could be the more interesting to watch this weekend though as both drivers will be chasing the last podium of the year, especially Ricciardo!

[Derek Smith]

Flooble said:

Derek Smith said:

Have you been taking those pro-depression tablets again?

They are working.

Maybe there will be a happening in qually. Perhaps it will rain. Maybe McLaren will be bought by Dennis.

Odder things have happened, just not very often.

My computer crashed this week. Perhaps that's a sign.

Given the size of the run-offs, I reckon you computer is about the only thing that will crash :-)

Nice one.

[BrettMRC]

I suspect that one or both of the Mercs will fluff the start due the stresses involved at this late stage, MV will make a dive for the front, clip DR and take both RBs out...Merc will recover with a LH win and NR 2nd.

[ajprice]

Horner saying his drivers will be going for it, knowing that Rosberg has to be tentative and not take risks. First corner could be interesting if the Red Bulls are up there http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/38086172

Also, caption fail - "Max Verstappen passed Nico Rosberg for second place at the Brazilian GP but eventually finished second behind the Mercedes pair after taking a late pit stop"

Edited by ajprice on Thursday 24th November 12:27

[Dusty964]

Well....its as windy as a windy tging at the moment here in Dubai, and currently raining just 10km up the road from me- albeit the different direction from Abu Dhabi. There is also a pretty impressive sandstorm closing in.
Whilst its unlikely to rain for the F1, there is a chance of continued windy spells and the sand that always brings, so might shake things up a little.
Fingers crossed.

[majordad]

I'm hoping there's not a bad streak of Prost or Senna where Nico accidently take out Lewis.

[rallycross]

Dusty964 said:

Well....its as windy as a windy tging at the moment here in Dubai, and currently raining just 10km up the road from me- albeit the different direction from Abu Dhabi. There is also a pretty impressive sandstorm closing in.
Whilst its unlikely to rain for the F1, there is a chance of continued windy spells and the sand that always brings, so might shake things up a little.
Fingers crossed.

Raining?! RAIN Really, that would be the most exciting thing to ever happen at this bore-athon' of a track.

Its such a shame the final race is held at such a dud circuit for racing, I know its nice and handy for spectators and sponsors but for a good race and title decider they should base it somewhere like Brazil.

[cgt2]

While I really hope it's a clean tussle and it is looking likely that Rosberg will take the title on merit (which admittedly I never thought he would do against LH), in the back of my mind I remember Monaco Quali 2014... if things are going against him I think NR is far more likely of the two to try something naughty.

LH has been in this position and lost twice, 2007 and 2010, so I guess mentally he will have a different approach with that experience and now having three titles already.

[patmahe]

Much has been made of Rosbergs luck this season, but Hamilton has only had 1 DNF more than Rosberg all season in a 21 race calendar which means a DNF has the least impact of any season. How many times did we see him fluff his starts - a lot of the damage done to Lewis this season was done by Lewis.

Also there was a swap of mechanics at the start of the season which co-incided with Rosbergs 'lucky' run of form. Could it be that the advantage that Nico now seemingly enjoys was with Hamilton in the past couple of seasons? Equally you could argue that perhaps Nico is easier on the car and this has shown in the lack of issues he has had.

I believe Lewis is the faster driver over a single lap, but I believe Nico has upped his game massively this season and taken advantage of every opportunity that came his way which maybe Lewis hasn't. Either way I think whoever takes the championship this weekend will deserve it. I just hope we get a decent race.

[Jasandjules]

cgt2 said:

While I really hope it's a clean tussle and it is looking likely that Rosberg will take the title on reliability

FTFY

[Leroy902]

tommunster10 said:

I agree, but what does that say about Lewis's achievements in the Merc? 2 times (possibly 3) WDC with only Nico to beat and he's made that look a lot harder than he should of done.
Nico is no where near a driver like Alonso or Vettel or Max and i'd even say Dan, so how in hell has he manged to even keep it on the same page as Lewis?
By now Nico should of been smashed firmly into a No2 driver to go along with his pay slip which is 1/4 of Lewis's, yet here he is close to WDC and had a 7 race in a row winning streak against Lewis to his name...

Either Nico is better than we think or......

If we deal with just number...

In 2014 Lewis ended the season 67 points ahead of Nico.

In 2015 Lewis had the title won with 3 races remaining (or was it 4?)

In 2016 Reliability has meant Nico will probably go on to win he drivers championships.

You've proven to be a troll in pretty much every f1 thread that involves Lewis Hamilton.
I do wonder what you'll do with your free time when he eventually retires!?...
Probably roam around the street living a needless life, wondering where it all went wrong

Your a broken record, you spout the same rubbish in every post you put up...

Edited by Leroy902 on Thursday 24th November 23:51