Official 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Thread **SPOILERS**

[Piginapoke]

Well, here we are. The final race of the season and things are all square, it’s too tight to call.

After an incredible race in Saudi Arabia, I really haven’t a clue what will happen. Max won easily here last year but the circuit is much faster now after recent changes.

I’m just thankful for what has been a terrific season after a few duffers. Thanks to all for your contributions during the season and let’s enjoy the final race!

Date(s): Friday 10 December to Sunday 12 December 2021.

UK Broadcast Timings (and local time)

All sessions are live on Sky F1. Channel 4 is showing qualifying highlights and the race live.





Live timing for all sessions available here:

https://www.formula1.com/en/f1-live.html

Lap times, PU component use, technical reports and Stewards' decisions for the weekend will appear here:

https://www.fia.com/events/fia-formula-one-world-c...

Weather forecast:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/292968

Tyre options:

Teams have two hard, three mediums and eight soft sets available per driver for each weekend.



2020 race result:



2020 Race Highlights:

https://youtu.be/a92evkEC0qo

Edited by Piginapoke on Saturday 11th December 09:08

[Piginapoke]

Damp Logs said:

Oldwolf said:

I'd like to thank the OP for doing these all year, it really is appreciated and is my first port of call (until it gets tribal!)

What a season, think we'll talk about this one for years and I'm excited for this final race!

+1

Keeps me hooked on PistonHeads….

[Piginapoke]

The Rotrex Kid said:

OP, you can post a poll now, try it?

Cheers but not working! I can choose Poll but doesn't work.

[Piginapoke]

The Rotrex Kid said:

Piginapoke, I have had to set up a new poll

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Thank you! I'll try to l include a poll in next years threads

[Piginapoke]

Deesee said:

Well done @piginapoke, thanks for persevering with us lot, you got a lot of grief mid season from some posters but you’ll always have the support of us PH F1 regulars (whatever your allegiances ).

Thanks Dessee- those were hard yards mid season!

Going to be a cracking race on Sunday, I can't wait for Max to finally lift that trophy

[Piginapoke]

ChocolateFrog said:

TheDeuce said:

patmahe said:

Piginapoke said:

Lots of useful info as always

I'm another person who visits pistonheads because of Piginapoke's brilliant posts, pistonheads need to put him on the payroll.

In spite of disagreeing with you fairly often Piginapoke... I'd also like to say thanks!

And anyway, what's the point of PH other than like minded people coming together in order to disagree

Aye, I don't think I've ever seen eye to eye with him and have said some disparaging things in previous threads but I do appreciate the effort that goes into starting these threads.

Thanks both, appreciated. As Deuce says it would be a dull old Board if we all thought the same things

[Piginapoke]

paulguitar said:

Piginapoke said:

Deesee said:

Well done @piginapoke, thanks for persevering with us lot, you got a lot of grief mid season from some posters but you’ll always have the support of us PH F1 regulars (whatever your allegiances ).

Thanks Dessee- those were hard yards mid season!

Going to be a cracking race on Sunday, I can't wait for Max to finally lift that trophy

Or refuse to be part of the podium because he's failed to take Lewis off.

Either way, thanks for your efforts PP, and thanks even more for your comedy predictions!

Perez to win Silverstone being my finest hour

[Piginapoke]

jsf said:

Piginapoke said:

Thanks Dessee- those were hard yards mid season!

Going to be a cracking race on Sunday, I can't wait for Max to finally lift that trophy

Me too, another second will be marvellous.

Cheers for the threads, the less said about you analysis the better.

You old charmer

[Piginapoke]

suffolk009 said:

Killer2005 said:

Mclaren running a special livery for the last race

https://www.mclaren.com/racing/2021/abu-dhabi-gran...

Oh, dear.

Funky vapes?

[Piginapoke]

Teddy Lop said:

JonChalk said:

..and as more evidence pointing to Horner's continued dissociation from reality;

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/59590832

"Mercedes is a big machine - they have more people in marketing than we have in mechanics. It's been very much David v Goliath this year."

It's not "David vs Goliath", it's "Goliath vs Goliath" - anyone who has seen the money and expansion thrown at RBR's Tilbrook site over the past 4 years would be insane to assign them "David" status.

Both teams operate at a level that will be severely curtailed by budget caps next year.

David vs Goliath would be Williams challenging RBR for the title. Or Haas. Or the Carlin F2 team.

RBR's own marketing is huge, sitting on the back of Red Bull's huge advertising campaigns. This is the usual Horner disenguinty playing people for muppets and making RBR out to be the hard done by little guy.

Theyve been parading that trope for years.

There is some truth to it, in that Mercedes have had a huge engine/chassis advantage over the last 7 years, and RB/Honda are only now getting close. Agree that RB is not a small team in any regards!

[Piginapoke]

majordad said:

Are C4 covering the Qualifying live ?

And what time UK time does,C4 coverage start ?

Thanks, and apologies if I’ve missed this earlier

C4 are only showing qualifying highlights sadly, race coverage is live from 12.55pm. I've (rather tardily) just updated the OP

[Piginapoke]

It was, well ahead of his teammate again.

RB a bit closer than I thought

[Piginapoke]

I’d love to know what Merc have done to find this pace, 0.5!

[Piginapoke]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

Anyone else still pissed off with these commercial breaks? It's not like we're paying a subscription or anything...

No I love Petronas

[Piginapoke]

eps said:

Mercs going Mediums

Not sure what RBR are going to choose though...

Same, at least initially

[Piginapoke]

vdn said:

jimothyc said:

cb31 said:

Looks to be a dead rubber, that Mercedes is just going to drive away. With that pace he could win from last place, how on earth is that car suddenly so fast?

They fitted a new dial that goes up to 12?

Funny how Mercedes engine problems seem to have cleared up

[Piginapoke]

vdn said:

Piginapoke said:

vdn said:

jimothyc said:

cb31 said:

Looks to be a dead rubber, that Mercedes is just going to drive away. With that pace he could win from last place, how on earth is that car suddenly so fast?

They fitted a new dial that goes up to 12?

Funny how Mercedes engine problems seem to have cleared up

Funny in what way?

Conspiracy!!!!

It’s my middle name

[Piginapoke]

cgt2 said:

I know he's hated by many here but Max is showing what an excellent driver he is being so close in what
I suspect is an inferior car. This is a microcosm of why this championship has been so good all year.

Agree.

[Piginapoke]

HustleRussell said:

jsf said:

Max cocking it up again in Qualy.

Impossible, everybody has been saying that his lack of experience in WDC battle is irrelevant because he’s special.

He is looking a bit nervy I think

[Piginapoke]

SmoothCriminal said:

Piginapoke said:

cgt2 said:

I know he's hated by many here but Max is showing what an excellent driver he is being so close in what
I suspect is an inferior car. This is a microcosm of why this championship has been so good all year.

Agree.

He should be wdc already with the speed the redbull had earlier in the season.

Without Silverstone and Hungry he would be!