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Formula 1 2013: Round 17 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

  • 01-11-2013 9:34am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,886 ✭✭✭


    Similar to last week, FP1 is on and there was no thread. So here it is.

    After a decisive Indian Grand Prix, Formula One makes the short trip to the United Arab Emirates. The destination this week is the Yas Marina Circuit, home to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the 17th round of the 2013 FIA Formula One World Championship. F1’s only day/night race presents an interesting challenge to teams and drivers alike, with each sector asking a different set of questions. Sector one features high-speed cornering, then, after the hairpin the two long back straights make for a high-speed, heavy braking section demanding good traction out of the corners. Finally, Yas turns into a street circuit with a twisty, low-speed final sector, skirting the perimeter of the yacht basin and diving under the Yas Viceroy hotel. The demands of each sector are far from complimentary, making the best compromise on set-up even more difficult to locate than is usually the case.


    Tyre wear may be less of a factor than was the case in India. While Pirelli is bringing the same pairing of medium and soft compounds to Yas, this circuit in the past has shown itself to induce less wear than Buddh International. The race does, however, introduce the quirk of a swiftly falling temperature gradient. The rapid transition from day to night in the Gulf state means the race may finish with track temperatures 15°C lower than those experienced in the early laps.

    Despite both championships being mathematically decided last week, the final three races of the season are far from dead rubbers. The battle for second place in the Constructors’ Championship is intense: thanks to a double-points finish in India, Mercedes moved marginally ahead of Ferrari, while Lotus also made ground. Meanwhile, at the back Marussia and Caterham are scrapping over the all-important tenth spot. There’s much at stake this weekend.


    *Taken from the Official FIA Grand Prix Preview*
    CircuitMap.png


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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,444 ✭✭✭frostie500


    Wow...it's hot over here. Not the weather for an Irishman! Was out trackside for the first session and once I got used to having no bodily fluids I was very impressed by the Mercs, at the triple right handers leading into the hotel Rosberg was very impressive and in some of the slower corners Hamilton looked super comfortable with the car. The Ferrari's look to be a handful with both Alonso and Massa having to man handle the car into a few corners. Saying that on a green track it's impossible to read too much into the morning session. Hopefully this evening will give us some better insight into the weekend

    Here's a photo of Vergne from FP1, I'll try and upload some from this evening's session because once the sun starts to set there should be plenty of opportunities for some nice shots this weekend!
    jean-eric-vergne-abu-dhabi-fp1-2013.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,287 ✭✭✭✭Jordan 199


    Some photos of Lewis plz Frostie.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,886 ✭✭✭_rebelkid


    Something to test out if ye want, a Third Party Live Timing Program :

    -Cross-platform (Windows,Linux,Mac,Android,Symbian,BB10 and Playbook)
    -Live Driver Tracker
    -Session Stats
    -Selectable head-to-head comparisons
    -Back Catalogue of Timing Data from the year and part of 2012
    -lap chart, weather and commentary from FOM

    I trialled it alongside the FOM Official one last week, and it's pretty solid. Much better presentation of data.
    Find it here.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,444 ✭✭✭frostie500


    Was down at the first sector of the lap for the first hour of the session so a few observations....

    The Ferrari looks to be an absolute handful! Interestingly Alonso seems to be running different gearing to most, I know that he usually runs a longer seventh gear but into the slow chicane (turn 6 and 7?) he was shifting down one gear less than everyone else. The Mercs and Red Bulls look to be very planted and comfortable and Raikkonen, who has had a few slides, looks to be in decent form. Kimi outbraked himself this morning on the right hander into the hotel and ran wide onto exit kerbs this afternoon but overall he looks to be driving well and the car looks OK. It's not spectacular but hopefully he'll be able to get back some of his qualifying speed


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,287 ✭✭✭✭Jordan 199


    Great write ups Frostie. Car wise, which car has the most poke coming out of the corners?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 33,733 ✭✭✭✭Myrddin


    Jordan 191 wrote: »
    Great write ups Frostie. Car wise, which car has the most poke coming out of the corners?

    Brundle mentioned the Red Bulls were on the power a good five meters before everyone else. Not sure which corner he was watching from, but it's been the same case for a while now


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,444 ✭✭✭frostie500


    Jordan 191 wrote: »
    Great write ups Frostie. Car wise, which car has the most poke coming out of the corners?

    As usual the Red Bull's are very comfortable coming out of the corners. At the chicane and the hairpin they seemed to be able to get on the throttle earlier and, crucially, harder than everyone else. we've obviously come to expect that of them and Vettel was doing it better than Vettel. He uses the exhaust gases better and it creates downforce and grip for him.

    Apart from them the Mercs look absolutely mega. Both Rosberg and Hamilton could put the car where they wanted going into the corner but they could also get on the power aggressively. If I was a betting man (and unfortunately I am!) I'd be throwing a few quid on Rosberg this weekend. He's 25/1 so an each way podium bet could be a good one to look at!

    **As a disclaimer it's usually MotoGP and American Football that I make my gambling money on!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,287 ✭✭✭✭Jordan 199


    That's good news about the Mercs. Rosberg was very good last weekend so he has a great chance he can get on the podium as you said Frostie. Lewis will want to bounce back too. If the Merc is as hot as you say it, perhaps the Mercedes lads can both get onto the podium this weekend.

    Of the four top teams this year, Mercedes are the only team not to have a double podium finish this year.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    Ferrari wasn't in great shape today, they might even lose the third spot to Lotus (if they can get their act together and Kimi will play ball).


  • Posts: 25,611 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Should be a decent race for Sauber since it's a traction and straight-line speed track. Can see both get top 10 and any decent strategy could get them around the top 5.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    Should be a decent race for Sauber since it's a traction and straight-line speed track. Can see both get top 10 and any decent strategy could get them around the top 5.

    I hear, The Hulk is suffering from a stomach bug.


  • Posts: 25,611 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Torqay wrote: »
    I hear, The Hulk is suffering from a stomach bug.

    He could stand to lose a few pounds. :pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,444 ✭✭✭frostie500


    Torqay wrote: »
    I hear, The Hulk is suffering from a stomach bug.

    Looked alright last night. I think that he was sick on Thursday but he didn't mention it when asked how his day went so hopefully it's all cleared up....one thing that isn't cleared up is his future. The Maldonado to Lotus deal looks pretty certain but it's all been moving very fast over the last 48 hours so anything could happen. When the Hulk was asked about Maldonado going to Lotus he was pretty philosophical about it:

    “If Maldonado goes to Lotus it is what it is and you have to work around that. I’m not worrying too much about the speculation. I have nothing signed but there are options and negotiations and I’m confident that we’ll come up with something. Normally patience is not my strength but at this time of the year every year it’s the same. As a driver you have to be able to completely blind it out. Once you touch the race track on a weekend you focus on the performance. When we go home you work on the future.”

    Hopefully he'll sort something out. You'd imagine that Force India would be the likely landing spot. I was talking to Max Chilton and asked about his future seeing as he's been linked to that seat too and he said:

    "Yeah, we’re trying to get it done here. We were pretty close and now we’re just trying to get the last bit of the contract done."

    So hopefully that will help Hulkenberg.

    I didn't get to spend a lot of the evening session trackside but here's a couple of shots from the session. I'll be out for qualifying at the hotel so should get some good ones down there!
    sergio-perez-abu-dhabi-fp2-2013.jpg

    adrian-sutil-abu-dhabi-fp2-2013.jpg

    I really like this shot of di Resta but I'm not sure why!
    paul-di-resta-abu-dhabi-fp2-2013.jpg

    And for Jordan 191 here's a shot of Lewis!
    lewis-hamilton-abu-dhabi-fp1-2013.jpg


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    Ferrari was way off the pace in FP3, Damon Hill said they might not be showing their hand but I think they're in real trouble. They didn't run on soft tyres but even compared to the times of the other teams on the harder compound they were just bad.

    Not a hope for them to fight the Mercs for second, with luck they'll be able to defend third place against Lotus but 24 points is not exactly a comfortable margin.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,444 ✭✭✭frostie500


    Torqay wrote: »
    Ferrari was way off the pace in FP3, Damon Hill said they might not be showing their hand but I think they're in real trouble. They didn't run on soft tyres but even compared to the times of the other teams on the harder compound they were just bad.

    Not a hope for them to fight the Mercs for second, with luck they'll be able to defend third place against Lotus but 24 points is not exactly a comfortable margin.

    No sandbagging from Ferrari they're up the creek this weekend. They've always struggled here and the track magnifies their shortcomings. Here it's all about traction out of slow corners and that's their main weakness so I don't see them doing much


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,287 ✭✭✭✭Jordan 199


    Awesome shot you took of Lewis there Frostie :D I love the paint job on that Merc. The rainbow effect on the visor of his helmet from the sun shining on it is cool too.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    frostie500 wrote: »
    They've always struggled here and the track magnifies their shortcomings.

    If last years performance is anything to go by, things don't look much better in Austin.


  • Posts: 25,611 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Everyone still running off-track left right and centre. That bluish-green bit just before the end of the lap is being used by everyone, stupid.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,262 ✭✭✭✭Autosport


    It's going to be good to see who can keep all 4 wheels on the track, so far Alonso hasn't.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,834 ✭✭✭dloob


    I'm not sure why they have cycle lanes around the whole track.
    There are barriers outside many of them.


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  • Posts: 25,611 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Anyone else get the same feeling for Alonso as when Raikkonen's form went to **** for Ferrari?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,323 ✭✭✭Max_Charger


    I bet Massa has a massive smile under that helmet.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,262 ✭✭✭✭Autosport


    So Massa's out qualified Alonso again, delighted for Hulk and Riccardo to get in the top 10


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    The Hulk is really putting Ferrari to shame.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,287 ✭✭✭✭Jordan 199


    I bet Massa has a massive smile under that helmet.

    :D

    Just about nothing between the Mercedes lads in P2 :eek:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 960 ✭✭✭1jcdub


    Massa at least deserves a 12 month contract next year to show what he can do when unleashed.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    Stunning lap there from Vettel, will it be enough?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,522 ✭✭✭dor83


    1jcdub wrote: »
    Massa at least deserves a 12 month contract next year to show what he can do when unleashed.
    Massa really doesn't deserve a drive with a top team next season, people are making too much of him beating Alonso in a few qualifying sessions despite the fact that he has only finished ahead of Alonso once all season(twice if you include Malaysia where Alonso retired) and is over 100 points behind him. There are better drivers who deserve a drive ahead of him, Hulkengerg for example.


  • Posts: 25,611 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Good time for Webber to start bloody driving.


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  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 338 ✭✭Crazy Eye


    can anyone tell me why setanta just cut away from live q3 to show a stupid interview with pat fenlon ?


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Setanta just cut to something else with about a minute left of Q3! :mad:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,066 ✭✭✭Firewalkwithme


    umm setanta wtf was that ****?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    Good time for Webber to start bloody driving.

    Wonder if they'll punish him for leaving the track on his best lap.


  • Posts: 25,611 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Torqay wrote: »
    Wonder if they'll punish him for leaving the track on his best lap.

    Just showed a replay of Vettel doing the same. All very silly stuff tbh.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,733 ✭✭✭SnowDrifts


    Torqay wrote: »
    Wonder if they'll punish him for leaving the track on his best lap.

    It was fairly clear that all 4 tyres were off the track. Would hate to see the pole taken away from him.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,886 ✭✭✭_rebelkid


    Webber on pole. GET IN!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,287 ✭✭✭✭Jordan 199


    Another super job by Hulkenberg.

    Lewis said something failing on the back of his car is what caused his spin.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,886 ✭✭✭_rebelkid


    qres.png


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,688 ✭✭✭✭mickdw


    Webber on pole. I guess seb pulled the illegal stuff off the car now once championship is over.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,287 ✭✭✭✭Jordan 199


    mickdw wrote: »
    Webber on pole. I guess seb pulled the illegal stuff off the car now once championship is over.

    *Yawn*


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    mickdw wrote: »
    Webber on pole. I guess seb pulled the illegal stuff off the car now once championship is over.

    Don't you worry, there's nothing illegal about Webber's poor starts and even if he'll get it right for once, I'm sure the team's got the right strategy laid out for tomorrow. ;)

    RBR have no obligation to Mark Webber but they sure as hell will do anything in their power to help Vettel setting records (and there are two within his grasp at the moment).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,262 ✭✭✭✭Autosport


    Vettel said he made a mistake and it cost him poll, Webber is breaking records too.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 175 ✭✭sonny jim bob jones


    Is Alonso wearing the points record helmet again this weekend?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,287 ✭✭✭✭Jordan 199


    Is Alonso wearing the points record helmet again this weekend?

    Nope. He's gone back to wearing his regular lid.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 175 ✭✭sonny jim bob jones


    Jordan 191 wrote: »
    Nope. He's gone back to wearing his regular lid.

    Thanks. Pity.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    Autosport wrote: »
    Webber is breaking records too.

    He better not expect support from the team. ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,670 ✭✭✭Rascasse


    Kimi's car failed to pass scrutineering (floor flex test). Will have to start at the back of the grid unless Lotus can argue themselves out of it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,444 ✭✭✭frostie500


    Rascasse wrote: »
    Kimi's car failed to pass scrutineering (floor flex test). Will have to start at the back of the grid unless Lotus can argue themselves out of it.

    I was watching from the penultimate corner and he was grinding the floor a lot, big sparks on the exit strips. We'll see what comes of this


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,886 ✭✭✭_rebelkid


    Rascasse wrote: »
    Kimi's car failed to pass scrutineering (floor flex test). Will have to start at the back of the grid unless Lotus can argue themselves out of it.

    Not only that, the team will be fined, which is more money leaving them that they don't have.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    Apparently, Kimi is not the only driver who didn't get paid. Sauber drivers Huelkenberg (who's still waiting for his 2012 paycheck from Force India) and Gutierrez haven't seen their money yet and the same is said for di Resta and Sutil at Force India. A real shame.

    On the "pay driver" front, there's Maldonado with €40m (PSDAV), Petrov with €30m (Gazprom), Chilton with €12m (daddy's Aon insurance) and Kevin Magnussen (McLaren is owed €7.6m by Force India, McLaren would write off the debt and pay the same amount for Magnussen to get a Force India drive next season).

    The likes of Sauber, Force India and Williams are between a rock and a hard place as they will need at least €100m if they want to compete with Toro Rosso next season. And Lotus in a total mess, team owner Lopez now set an ultimatum for the Quantum money to arrive by mid-November or else they're gonna find other sponsors (they're looking for at least €170m to maintain their level of competitiveness, good luck with that).


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