F1 2015: Round 19 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Charlie-Bravo · 27-11-2015 11:28am #1

Ooh the excitement. The fight for fourth place. Bottas leading Kimi by one point, with Massa 18 points behind.

Let's see if the finish to the season gives an exciting Finnish race. :pac:

Jordan 199 · 27-11-2015 2:45pm

I'm still 50/50 whether to watch this race or not.

Charlie-Bravo · 27-11-2015 2:59pm

With all the money Bernie gets to have this race as the season finale, I would believe the organisers are rightly annoyed at the championship being concluded so early! TV ratings will be well down.

Jordan 199 · 27-11-2015 6:13pm

150th Grand Prix for Force India this weekend:

Nico-Huelkenberg-Force-India-Formel-1-GP-Abu-Dhabi-27-November-2015-fotoshowImage-c3addcb-912479.jpg

Nico-Huelkenberg-Force-India-Formel-1-GP-Abu-Dhabi-27-November-2015-fotoshowImage-c3addcb-912479.jpg

Frank Bullitt · 27-11-2015 6:48pm

One more race, one more boring race.

Andrew76 · 28-11-2015 2:02am

Jordan 191 wrote: »

I'm still 50/50 whether to watch this race or not.

I'll record it, read the results later on and if it sounds like an excitng race (hahahaha yeah right) then I'll watch it.

El_Duderino 09 · 28-11-2015 9:00am

Andrew76 wrote:

I'll record it, read the results later on and if it sounds like an excitng race (hahahaha yeah right) then I'll watch it.

If only there was a way to sync the live timing app with a recording. It's the best part of watching a race live unfortunately. You don't have to rely on the race director to show the particular battle you want to follow, you can follow it by watching the gap between them.

28-11-2015 2:10pm

Button's McLaren looked awesome through sector 1 there. Then he hits the straight and he's 20 km/h down. Bloody ridiculous.

bnt · 28-11-2015 2:22pm

Both Button & Grosjean pulled off very good laps, comfortably through to Q2. Alonso out due to a puncture, and Vettel didn't make Q2 either, just backing out of his last fast lap.

Ghost Train · 28-11-2015 2:41pm

Kimi looking fast, strange for Vettel to get knocked out

HighLine · 28-11-2015 2:46pm

Team obviously told Vettel to back off as they thought he was safe in Q1. Silly error on their part. Vettel didn't throw his toys out of the pram and blame the team... a marked contrast to that of how some other drivers might react.

HighLine · 28-11-2015 3:02pm

I'm guessing that lap from Nico was something special.... shame we didn't get to see any of it.

28-11-2015 3:03pm

HighLine wrote: »

Team obviously told Vettel to back off as they thought he was safe in Q1. Silly error on their part. Vettel didn't throw his toys out of the pram and blame the team... a marked contrast to that of how some other drivers might react.

Can't help but think his reaction would have been different if there was anything to race for tomorrow.

Ghost Train · 28-11-2015 3:04pm

Another good Saturday for Rosberg

Zcott · 28-11-2015 3:17pm

Completely mega lap from Rosberg to be down on the first sector and end the lap 0.3 up...with an engine reportedly down on power.

AMKC · 28-11-2015 3:40pm

I thought that was the best Qualifying session all season. Was a great lap from Button to get into Q2 just a pity that he could not make it into Q3. Big mistake by Ferrari and Vettel to think the lap he had done was good enough and no need to do another. Surprised Vettel did not just finish the lap he was on instead of backing off. Alonso was unlucky to get a puncture but unless the lap he was doing was faster than his last one Id say he was out anyway. Problems for Grojean and for Lotus. Id say he is looking forward to his Haas move in a lot of ways. Q3 was exciting. Some laps by Lewis and Rosberg. Am sure we will get to see them tomorrow when the BBC and Sky do there lap comparisons. Maybe we might get a good battle on track by Lewis and Nico tomorrow would be nice. Hopefully it will be a good race. Vettel going to have to work his way up from the bac. if he can do it like he did in 2013 when he started from the pit it should be good too.

Inquitus · 28-11-2015 5:14pm

What do we think is the root cause of the turnaround in Hamilton / Rosberg fortunes? I can understand Hamilton may have lost a bit of an edge once he wrapped up the championship, but he's ultra competitive and one would think that hangover wouldn't have lasted this long. He was well beaten again today by a fairly big margin.

Is it more a case of Rosberg's temperament? He seemed to struggle with the pressure when he was fighting for the title, but now its done and dusted he's doing his best driving of the season. If he can bring this form into next season we should see a much more competitive battle between the 2 teammates.

Myrddin · 28-11-2015 6:28pm

Inquitus wrote: »

What do we think is the root cause of the turnaround in Hamilton / Rosberg fortunes? I can understand Hamilton may have lost a bit of an edge once he wrapped up the championship, but he's ultra competitive and one would think that hangover wouldn't have lasted this long. He was well beaten again today by a fairly big margin.

Is it more a case of Rosberg's temperament? He seemed to struggle with the pressure when he was fighting for the title, but now its done and dusted he's doing his best driving of the season. If he can bring this form into next season we should see a much more competitive battle between the 2 teammates.

I think Rosberg has just upped his game, and I think Lewis has his eye off a ball (only very slightly) now. So a bit of both. If Nico comes out fighting like he is now in April, that's world championship material right there...he annihilated Lewis today. I agree I think Lewis is very competitive, so the hangover shouldn't be lasting this long, it's making him look bad (over 3/10's today is a massive gap)

Charlie-Bravo · 28-11-2015 11:07pm

From what I've gleaned from commentary it's the air pressures in the tyres being higher now since the Italian GP. Hamilton was a beast on much lower tyre pressures and now Rosberg qualifies in pole, gets a decent start and has preference on stops during the race.

Jordan 199 · 28-11-2015 11:44pm

Perez did a great job qualifying fourth today.

Mike Litoris · 29-11-2015 1:33pm

Toto Wolf rocks!

antodeco · 29-11-2015 1:34pm

Hasta la Vista haha

Wouldve preferred him to say "The goggles, they do nothing"

HighLine · 29-11-2015 1:37pm

Lewis and Nico to have a coming together at turn 1. At least that's what I'm hoping for

TheDoctor · 29-11-2015 2:21pm

Amateur hour from Williams

Zcott · 29-11-2015 2:36pm

It would have worked ok had Button's garage been slightly further down the pit lane, so I can see why they did it. Just a shame it happened, but even without that Raikkonen is pretty strong.

Ghost Train · 29-11-2015 2:42pm

Kimi has good pace today, although not enough to threaten Mercedes at the moment

Williams not having such a good race

TheDoctor · 29-11-2015 3:09pm

Lewis to go super softs to finish?

antodeco · 29-11-2015 3:23pm

Some good mid field stuff, but nothing really edge of seat stuff.

TheDoctor · 29-11-2015 3:33pm

Another boring call from Mercedes

TheDoctor · 29-11-2015 3:35pm

Why with 5 laps left in the season are they turning the engines down

smellslikeshoes · 29-11-2015 3:39pm

That Merc radio conversation about engine modes was very weird, will be interesting to see what that was about.

HighLine · 29-11-2015 3:41pm

Fairly fitting that the season finale was a borefest. Good riddance to that season.

Ghost Train · 29-11-2015 3:51pm

Well maybe the driver interviews will be good :pac:

Whos doing them today?

Crackle · 29-11-2015 4:01pm

That interview Kravitz did with Lauda annoyed the **** out of me. How come he wasn't asking questions like that when it was Hamilton leading Rosberg home? I know a British channel is going to support and focus on a British driver, but a small bit of impartiality wouldn't hurt.

Myrddin · 29-11-2015 4:08pm

Very strange approach to the second pitstops by Merc..."We're exteneding this stint Lewis"....seems utterly bizarre considering Lewis had hauled Nico in from nearly seven seconds ahead and was just within DRS...only for Nico to pit & then start taking lumps out of Lewis's time. They utterly neutralised his race, because this is a track you can pass at...so being a second or two behind Nico on the same tires would have meant it was all to play for.

I've been an advocate of Merc over the years, but I have to be honest and say that after this race I feel there's a bit more management of the situation going on than we're aware of. They'd the constructors wrapped up, the drivers championship wrapped up, & they're still telling Lewis to turn the engines down near the end etc, "or we'll tell Nico to turn his up"....hmm, consider my eyebrows raised.

HighLine · 29-11-2015 4:11pm

^^ Wasn't it Lewis though who was coming on the radio saying his tyres were still good and that he wanted to stay out for a few laps more? 100% agree it was the wrong thing to do however.

Myrddin · 29-11-2015 4:13pm

HighLine wrote: »

^^ Wasn't it Lewis though who was coming on the radio saying his tyres were still good and that he wanted to stay out for a few laps more? 100% agree it was the wrong thing to do however.

That was after a good while of being out, they radio'd him way before that just after Nico stopped and told him they were extending the stint. It didn't seem to be a decision that involved him. He was unusually compliant in defeat today too

Mike Litoris · 29-11-2015 4:39pm

Crackle wrote: »

That interview Kravitz did with Lauda annoyed the **** out of me. How come he wasn't asking questions like that when it was Hamilton leading Rosberg home? I know a British channel is going to support and focus on a British driver, but a small bit of impartiality wouldn't hurt.

You should watch BBC when its live. You missed out on some epic Toto Wolf today.

Jordan 199 · 29-11-2015 4:47pm

This is one race where I couldn't be arsed watching anything live.

29-11-2015 5:01pm

I didn't bother watching, don't know how many I've actually bothered with this season.

Does anyone know what this means?

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has been talking to Suzi, Eddie and David and told them that his team have an engine agreement in place for next year and he hopes it will be announced in the next week.

He then adds, intriguingly: "I don't think Ron Dennis will be very happy."

A Red Bull-Honda? Really?

CarrickMcJoe · 29-11-2015 5:08pm

They really need to make big changes in this sport to get viewers back. I'd say even the spectators won't bother next season.
The commentators are finding it tough too trying their best to make it sound exciting.

Harika · 29-11-2015 5:28pm

Basil3 wrote: »

I didn't bother watching, don't know how many I've actually bothered with this season.

Does anyone know what this means?

Q: Christian, coming to you, you were quoted this morning as saying that you know now for sure what engine you are going to use next year, but clearly no announcement yet, so what's holding that up?

Christian Horner: Well, we have and agreement in place for next year, so it's great news that we will be on the grid next year, but unfortunately due to circumstance beyond our control we can't announce exactly what that is. Perhaps Toto can tell you?

Toto?

Toto Wolff: Can I?

From the friday press conference, Christian is basically trolling us.

T-Bird · 29-11-2015 5:46pm

What a fitting end to the season (both boring). Think I might switch to a more exciting sport, such as cricket....

Myrddin · 29-11-2015 5:58pm

Is there any hope for 2016? What are the changes agreed for the next season?

29-11-2015 7:35pm

Myrddin wrote: »

Very strange approach to the second pitstops by Merc..."We're exteneding this stint Lewis"....seems utterly bizarre considering Lewis had hauled Nico in from nearly seven seconds ahead and was just within DRS...only for Nico to pit & then start taking lumps out of Lewis's time. They utterly neutralised his race, because this is a track you can pass at...so being a second or two behind Nico on the same tires would have meant it was all to play for.

I've been an advocate of Merc over the years, but I have to be honest and say that after this race I feel there's a bit more management of the situation going on than we're aware of. They'd the constructors wrapped up, the drivers championship wrapped up, & they're still telling Lewis to turn the engines down near the end etc, "or we'll tell Nico to turn his up"....hmm, consider my eyebrows raised.

Ah in fairness they've been doing it for the second half of the season at least, if there's a way to keep them separate on the track they've been doing it since the title picture was clear.

Myrddin · 29-11-2015 7:44pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Ah in fairness they've been doing it for the second half of the season at least, if there's a way to keep them separate on the track they've been doing it since the title picture was clear.

Why though, I can understand it if there was a title at stake, but both titles have long since been wrapped up. What happened to "we allow our guys to race"? Keeping Lewis out for so long after Nico's second stop nullified any hope of a battle up front, and I find it weird why Lewis wasn't on the radio going ballistic about it. He had done the hard work and zapped Nico's near 7 second lead, so why let a round of pitstops end the battle? Why not let Lewis pit directly after Nico, and let the two of them hammer it out for the final race, considering there's nothing left to win & it's the last race of the season....

29-11-2015 7:59pm

Myrddin wrote: »

Why though, I can understand it if there was a title at stake, but both titles have long since been wrapped up. What happened to "we allow our guys to race"? Keeping Lewis out for so long after Nico's second stop nullified any hope of a battle up front, and I find it weird why Lewis wasn't on the radio going ballistic about it. He had done the hard work and zapped Nico's near 7 second lead, so why let a round of pitstops end the battle? Why not let Lewis pit directly after Nico, and let the two of them hammer it out for the final race, considering there's nothing left to win & it's the last race of the season....

They're just all about points, they're not there to entertain, however much Toto may smile while being interviewed.

29-11-2015 8:02pm

Myrddin wrote: »

Why though, I can understand it if there was a title at stake, but both titles have long since been wrapped up. What happened to "we allow our guys to race"? Keeping Lewis out for so long after Nico's second stop nullified any hope of a battle up front, and I find it weird why Lewis wasn't on the radio going ballistic about it. He had done the hard work and zapped Nico's near 7 second lead, so why let a round of pitstops end the battle? Why not let Lewis pit directly after Nico, and let the two of them hammer it out for the final race, considering there's nothing left to win & it's the last race of the season....

It's simple. Keep Nico happy, and make him think he has a chance next year.

Myrddin · 29-11-2015 8:06pm

Deleted User wrote: »

They're just all about points, they're not there to entertain, however much Toto may smile while being interviewed.

They've let the guys race in the past though, and at this stage points don't matter. Messing about with pitstops, ordering drivers to turn down engines etc all in the last race with nothing on the line is poor form. Let them race, otherwise people are going to be justified in feeling robbed of a battle (which we were). How Lewis wasn't on the radio screaming to come in two laps after Nico is beyond me.

Basil3 wrote: »

It's simple. Keep Nico happy, and make him think he has a chance next year.

Nico beat Lewis fair & square in Mexico, where Lewis pushed as hard as he could. So that line of thinking is a little unfair to Nico, however, the decisions of this race would make you wonder...

Andrew76 · 29-11-2015 9:17pm

Myrddin wrote: »

They've let the guys race in the past though, and at this stage points don't matter. Messing about with pitstops, ordering drivers to turn down engines etc all in the last race with nothing on the line is poor form. Let them race, otherwise people are going to be justified in feeling robbed of a battle (which we were). How Lewis wasn't on the radio screaming to come in two laps after Nico is beyond me.

Points did matter today though - if they got a 1-2 finish then they would break the record for most points in a season and also equal most wins in a season (16) - or so the chaps on Sky were saying anyway. A 1-3 finish wouldn't have gotten them the points record. It was still a bit puzzling though.

Merc just want to get their name as high as possible in the record books while the going is good - they know full well it won't last. Robbed us of a potential fight of course.

F1 2015: Round 19 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

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