[Official] Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2020: Grand Prix Weekend Thread - Round 17 of 17

[chillibowl]

Perez Noooo!

[bjohnsonsmith]

Perez grinds to a halt and he had a new engine. VSC.

[chillibowl]

double stack...Merc back to being Merc.

[Akrapovic]

Ferrari back to being Ferrari with an outstanding strategy for Charles too.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Both Verstappen and Hamilton saying they don't think their tyres will last the distance and it's just over half-way through the race.

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Both Verstappen and Hamilton saying they don't think their tyres will last the distance and it's just over half-way through the race.

Lewis to use the same tyres in Albert Park then.

[tux]

I’ve got chips for my tea tonight.

[Akrapovic]

Sebs last pit stop for Ferrari. Bet he's happy with that.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by tux

I’ve got chips for my tea tonight.

Only 11 laps to go.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Congrats to Max and congrats to McLaren on 3rd in the WCC.

[Greem]

There we are, ladies and gentlemen. The season that almost wasn't ends with a damp squib.

The commentary team on BBC 5Live might not get a visa next year as they spent the last ten laps complaining about how the track never produces good races and that there have apparently been promises of changes, but they've never happened.

Thanks for riding along in 2020. Hopefully we'll all get to actually go to some races in 2021!

[chillibowl]

Im guessing this was a planned photo op?

Either way, nice for Merc to act like they won here again!

[billy bleach]

Luckily it’s doubtful anyone was listening to the Children on Radio 5 live......

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Luckily it’s doubtful anyone was listening to the Children on Radio 5 live......

Unfortunately for the second GP in a row, I had no choice. Palmer's actually alright, it's the other two, particularly James Allen who frequently engages his mouth before he engages his brain.

[bella]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Luckily it’s doubtful anyone was listening to the Children on Radio 5 live......

it's the only real option for those of us unwilling to give sky any money.

palmer continues to sound as if he has some rejection issues from his time in f1 that he needs to work through with a professional.

[GT6]

All over for this year and a year to forget, but certainly a race best forgotten.

[ascarracinguk]

Originally Posted by GT6

All over for this year and a year to forget, but certainly a race best forgotten.

A year to forget? In many ways yes, but it’s also a a year that has brought out the best in society at times too.

It’s amazing how adversity can bring people together for common goals. I prefer to reflect on the good parts on how people became more caring, shared common goals on building ventilators, getting a vaccine to market quickly and reduced BS/ politics to make sure sport could continue

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by GT6

All over for this year and a year to forget, but certainly a race best forgotten.

I don't know about that. We got to see racing at tracks F1 hadn't been to for years and tracks F1 hadn't been to before; variety when it was needed.

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Cheers again for the intro BR. What a shame after all the great circuits we've been to this season we have to end at this bland circuit again. Ho hum

Nailed it with this comment - Abu simply didn't work as an F1 circuit for this race (again).

Originally Posted by S griffin

We’ve been using this track since 2009 and only twice has it produced a decent race. For us to suffer this circuit at the end of the year nearly every year since 09 doesn’t seem right, when there are better tracks out there. In my view it’s an insult to F1 that this is the curtain closer. Adelaide, Suzuka and Interlagos were much more appropriate places. And I’m sure plenty would agree with me that this is one of the worst circuits ever in F1

Agree on all points. I actually feel for the good burghers of Abu Dhabi, who shelled out over a Billion large to build the circuit but clearly the designer(s) have not delivered - at least not with the current & recent F1 cars anyway. You'd think that by now they'd have enough data to do some analysis and improve the design but it appears no desire to do that. Shame really - just copying Mugello, or Portimao (or a combination) would have done the job.

Originally Posted by Greem

The commentary team on BBC 5Live might not get a visa next year as they spent the last ten laps complaining about how the track never produces good races and that there have apparently been promises of changes, but they've never happened.

They're not alone - the Sky crew were having pretty much the same conversation (although at a much higher volume and squeakingly high pitch - because Croft).

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

I don't know about that. We got to see racing at tracks F1 hadn't been to for years and tracks F1 hadn't been to before; variety when it was needed.

That has been a highlight of the year for me - not simply that F1 has delivered 17 races (seriously impressive) but that some of those races have been at stunning circuits that F1 doesn't normally visit - but should visit more in the future.

Man that was a tedious race and that was with DRS - don't think that there would have been more than 2 or 3 passes or close contests at least without the DRS. Good to see RB finish the year on a high, clearly something amiss at Mercedes that the team doesn't want to be open about and so good to see McLaren moving forward again this year.

[GT6]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

I don't know about that. We got to see racing at tracks F1 hadn't been to for years and tracks F1 hadn't been to before; variety when it was needed.

OK some good things but this year for the first time in well over 40 years i have not attended any single motor race, so for me a year to forget

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by GT6

OK some good things but this year for the first time in well over 40 years i have not attended any single motor race, so for me a year to forget

That's clearly a personal thing. I haven't been to a race since 2016 but each to their own.

[RWill2073]

I sort of enjoyed the race, even though it was pretty processional. My bias probably let me enjoy seeing max win and running away from hamilton, so I'll own that.

Surprised more criticism wasn't levied at albon. With mercedes down on pace, and his teammate extending his lead as the race went on, on equal strategy, he fell further and further back after the safety car to settle in around 6 seconds behind third. He closed that up at the very end, but still. A non factor when his car was capable of at least a podium.

Does anyone else notice the track resembling an assault rifle? The last few turns are the trigger, the start finish straight is the handle in the middle, then there's the point of the gun and butt of it on opposite ends.

[gert]

A sad way to end my run of grand prix.

It seems like I have run out of options to watch F1.
No more BBC, Channel 4 or other British FTA
No more RTL Television in Germany. F1 will move to Sky in Germany too.

I don't think I missed a single race in the last 23 years (granted, some were recorded and watched later) but everything has been moved behind a paywall now and as it stands I have no options left of watching it.

Thanks a lot, Liberty!

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by RWill2073

Surprised more criticism wasn't levied at albon. With mercedes down on pace, and his teammate extending his lead as the race went on, on equal strategy, he fell further and further back after the safety car to settle in around 6 seconds behind third. He closed that up at the very end, but still. A non factor when his car was capable of at least a podium.

As Hamilton pointed out after the race, once you get within 3 seconds or so of another car, the aero is impacted and the car not good to drive - Albon was driving to numbers to manage tyre life, his radio calls (that we heard) were all about controlling that - getting up close and simply running there would have reduced tyre life. They let him off the leash near the end of the race (we got that radio call too) and he closed right up on Hamilton but ran out of laps to have a crack.

[RWill2073]

Originally Posted by Tourer

As Hamilton pointed out after the race, once you get within 3 seconds or so of another car, the aero is impacted and the car not good to drive - Albon was driving to numbers to manage tyre life, his radio calls (that we heard) were all about controlling that - getting up close and simply running there would have reduced tyre life. They let him off the leash near the end of the race (we got that radio call too) and he closed right up on Hamilton but ran out of laps to have a crack.

I was not aware of those radio calls. I guess that puts a better outlook on his performance. Thanks!