The Official 2017 Abu Dhabi GP Thread **Spoilers**

[HustleRussell]

Hamilton was cruising up behind Bottas in order to conserve his tyres for a late attack, meanwhile Bottas too was managing tyres. I reckon about 10 laps from the end it was suddenly game on, the lock-ups from both drivers being the giveaway IMO. While I'm pleased to see Bottas with the grand slam, I do suspect that Hamilton was quite a bit faster in the race and it was just a case of Bottas doing just enough in the crucial moments to retain the lead, not making any mistakes, and Hamilton's speed advantage was never going to be enough to create an overtaking opportunity without Bottas tripping over a back marker or making a mistake.
A canny race by Bottas.

[Vaud]

Eric Mc said:

When it goes Pay Per View - that's it finished for me.

Just watch it on a "free" stream, there are plenty about.

[Eric Mc]

Vaud said:

Eric Mc said:

When it goes Pay Per View - that's it finished for me.

Just watch it on a "free" stream, there are plenty about.

Not bothered. I don't particularly want to "cheat" either.

Nope - they don't want me and I won't want them.

It's a mutual decision.

[anonymous-user]

HustleRussell said:

I like Hartley but he's bloody slow in an F1 car isn't he (relatively speaking).

Made up more places than anyone else in the race i think. Started last, finished 15th and ahead of his team mate, was faster in every sector than his team mate and only 0.05s off the fastest lap overall of his team mate, didn't make any mistakes unlike his team mate.

The TR was the slowest car this weekend, all very odd.

Give Brendon a chance, he has been in a different car every weekend for the last 5 flying all over the world, that cant be easy with such different cars and tyres.

[anonymous-user]

suffolk009 said:

Kyalami?

Could be a bit difficult politically. But this is F1, so they'd just shrug it off.

They don't have any money, their currency has just been downgraded to junk, so not going to happen there anytime soon.

[thegreenhell]

jsf said:

Made up more places than anyone else in the race i think. Started last...

And the man who was fastest all weekend didn't even make up a single place in the race!

jsf said:

The TR was the slowest car this weekend, all very odd.

I think they just had all the engine modes turned right down for reliability because they didn't have any spares left.

[anonymous-user]

thegreenhell said:

I think they just had all the engine modes turned right down for reliability because they didn't have any spares left.

Or Renault hobbled them after the fallout in Brazil.

[HustleRussell]

jsf said:

HustleRussell said:

I like Hartley but he's bloody slow in an F1 car isn't he (relatively speaking).

Made up more places than anyone else in the race i think. Started last, finished 15th and ahead of his team mate, was faster in every sector than his team mate and only 0.05s off the fastest lap overall of his team mate, didn't make any mistakes unlike his team mate.

The TR was the slowest car this weekend, all very odd.

Give Brendon a chance, he has been in a different car every weekend for the last 5 flying all over the world, that cant be easy with such different cars and tyres.

Yes it's mighty impressive that he passed Ricciardo, Sainz, Stroll and Ericsson...

Sorry for the sarcasm-laden tone, it was unnecessary.

I dunno. Qualified a distant last, eight tenths off his similarly inexperienced team mate. Ran a safe race with few mistakes while Gasly had a big spin- but I notice that Gasly was right on Brendon's gearbox pretty quickly. Fastest sector / lap times may flatter to deceive.

I really like having him there because I enjoy his demeanour and chirpy radio messages, but I am underwhelmed by Toro Rosso's 2018 driver line up so far.

I am sure that you are correct and the 2016 Ferrari PU in the Saubers was stronger than Toro Rosso's parts bin specials- and I'm not being sarcastic this time.

[anonymous-user]

HustleRussell said:

Yes it's mighty impressive that he passed Ricciardo, Sainz, Stroll and Ericsson...

Sorry for the sarcasm-laden tone, it was unnecessary.

I dunno. Qualified a distant last, eight tenths off his similarly inexperienced team mate. Ran a safe race with few mistakes while Gasly had a big spin- but I notice that Gasly was right on Brendon's gearbox pretty quickly. Fastest sector / lap times may flatter to deceive.

I really like having him there because I enjoy his demeanour and chirpy radio messages, but I am underwhelmed by Toro Rosso's 2018 driver line up so far.

I am sure that you are correct and the 2016 Ferrari PU in the Saubers was stronger than Toro Rosso's parts bin specials- and I'm not being sarcastic this time.

And Gasly.

The gap to Gasly was pretty consistently 2 to 3 seconds with very similar lap times, the only time it closed up was during being lapped, where Brendon probably gave too much away. Looking at the top speeds both TR were seriously slow, even the McLarens were faster.

I wont judge Brendon on pace until next year, he will have had some decent seat time in the car by then (hopefully, if Honda don't screw up again)

[Mr_Thyroid]

Vaud said:

I agree on the halo but as I understand it, and I may be wrong - it is down to ongoing legal issues against the FIA following Bianchi's death.

Essentially they couldn't "not act" and this was the least worst option?

I heard Horner explaining that it's all Mercedes' fault. They burst the bubble by testing it. It could then be argued that F1 would be negligent in an incident where the halo would've saved a driver.

[mcholeboy_59]

Any word on K Mag and his holding up of max?

The guys been a total wker this whole season, how he's even still got a seat with HAAS next year beggars belief.

[suffolk009]

Dr Z said:

Can't say I enjoyed the race as much, but there were some good moments. Mercs in a league of their own like old times, and Bottas stringing Hamilton along, almost toying with him. He was toying right? That's how it looked me.

The car park sector needs to be changed at this track, as this showed last year too.

Off to get some McHonda t shirts now. Should be on sale.

I may be wrong but I think Hamilton just phoned it in.

[suffolk009]

jsf said:

suffolk009 said:

Kyalami?

Could be a bit difficult politically. But this is F1, so they'd just shrug it off.

They don't have any money, their currency has just been downgraded to junk, so not going to happen there anytime soon.

Oh, I know. But wouldn't it be nice.

[suffolk009]

It could only be Kimi:

https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/9348078342268...


ETA: Damn I was trying to get a little TV clip to work there. Not sure it's worked.

[markcoznottz]

ELUSIVEJIM said:

REALIST123 said:

It flattered to deceive. Some good races early in the year.

Croft says next year will be a good one........

...if Ferrari improve, Mercedes don't and RBR get a decent engine. We might have 6 cars chasing the wins.

Remember McLaren.

Surely the Renault engine will be faster if it does not blow up

Whats the oil burn situation for next year? Did anyone notice the dig Cyril Abiteboul had about quali fuel oil packages that other manufacturers were running? He is brutally honest, quite rare in f1.

[768]

suffolk009 said:

It could only be Kimi:

https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/9348078342268...


ETA: Damn I was trying to get a little TV clip to work there. Not sure it's worked.

That is brilliant.

[anonymous-user]

suffolk009 said:

jsf said:

suffolk009 said:

Kyalami?

Could be a bit difficult politically. But this is F1, so they'd just shrug it off.

They don't have any money, their currency has just been downgraded to junk, so not going to happen there anytime soon.

Oh, I know. But wouldn't it be nice.

Not really, last time i was there i spent more time worrying about being shot than what the racecar needed. Jo'burg is a dangerous place.

[thegreenhell]

768 said:

suffolk009 said:

It could only be Kimi:

https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/9348078342268...


ETA: Damn I was trying to get a little TV clip to work there. Not sure it's worked.

That is brilliant.

Leave him alone - he knows what he's doing.

[HustleRussell]

thegreenhell said:

768 said:

suffolk009 said:

It could only be Kimi:

https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/9348078342268...


ETA: Damn I was trying to get a little TV clip to work there. Not sure it's worked.

That is brilliant.

Leave him alone - he knows what he's doing.

I told you you should've given me the steering wheel!

[anonymous-user]

HustleRussell said:

thegreenhell said:

768 said:

suffolk009 said:

It could only be Kimi:

https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/9348078342268...


ETA: Damn I was trying to get a little TV clip to work there. Not sure it's worked.

That is brilliant.

Leave him alone - he knows what he's doing.

I told you you should've given me the steering wheel!

I noticed that at the time, gave me a chuckle. Thing is weaving does bugger all really, its hard braking and accelerating in s straight line that really ramps up the tyre temps.