F1 2022: Abu Dhabi GP - Yas Marina (Nov 20)

[NYG]

When was the track built?

In 2006, plans were announced to develop Yas Island, located just to the east of Abu Dhabi, into a new tourist destination, with a major part of the plans centring around a 5.5km race track. The diggers rolled into what would become the Yas Marina Circuit in May 2007, with the project completed by October 2009.

When was its first Grand Prix?

In 2009. The track debuted as that year’s Formula 1 season finale, with Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel winning from team mate Mark Webber and the already-crowned 2009 champion Jenson Button. Vettel would go on to secure his first title in Abu Dhabi a year later, amid much crying.
What’s the circuit like?

The Hermann Tilke-designed track is dominated by its 1.2km straight between Turns 5 and 6 – which, with slow-speed corners marking its beginning and end, makes it a honeypot for overtaking moves. Other highlights include the tricky run through Turns 10 and 11 into 12, which forces the drivers to brake hard with bags of lateral load still on the car. Track modifications ahead of the 2021 race, shortening the lap slightly to 5.28km, have only added to its excitement.

Why go?

Yas Island was a blank canvas for developers to turn into a tourist attraction, and 11 years and $40 billion later, they’ve nearly finished doing just that. Seven hotels, Ferrari’s indoor theme park, a mall, a water park, a golf course, a beach, a concert arena and a nightclub, all framed by perfect Emirati weather. What more could you want?

Where is the best place to watch?

Assuming you can’t get a room with a trackside view in the spectacular whale-shaped Yas Hotel – or a berth in a boat’s cabin in the marina – opt for a spot in the West Grandstand, a great place to watch all the overtaking action into Turn 6. Or if you’re more there for the atmos, stick yourself in the Main Grandstand overlooking the start-finish straight and enjoy Abu Dhabi’s famed pyrotechnics. It might be worth trying to get a seat high up in whatever grandstand you choose, though, if you’re looking to keep out of the sun.

https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2...s/Circuit.html

[NYG]

Last year, this race became one of my greatest sports memories of all time. Surely, this year's will not be able to compare, I'm hoping for a competitive race in the Top 3 + Alpine.

Max appears to have gotten a speaking to by Horner/Marko and has said in an interview that he will be there to support Checo at Abu Dhabi.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by NYG

Attachment 3032641



https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2...s/Circuit.html

Love watching the '21 race over and over

[lens]

Originally Posted by NYG

Last year, this race became one of my greatest sports memories of all time. Surely, this year's will not be able to compare, I'm hoping for a competitive race in the Top 3 + Alpine.

Max appears to have gotten a speaking to by Horner/Marko and has said in an interview that he will be there to support Checo at Abu Dhabi.

Either helping Checo get pole with a tow, or making sure Checo wins the race or finishes above LEC.


Or torpedo LEC first corner, who knows.

I think if Max is leading and Checo is like 10 seconds behind, he'll probably gift Checo the win or something to remedy what's happened last weekend.

[NYG]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Love watching the '21 race over and over

You and me both ziomek

[NYG]

Originally Posted by chaungo

Either helping Checo get pole with a tow, or making sure Checo wins the race or finishes above LEC.


Or torpedo LEC first corner, who knows.

I think if Max is leading and Checo is like 10 seconds behind, he'll probably gift Checo the win or something to remedy what's happened last weekend.

Haha, I don't think Max will torpedo Charles. So far, the cleanest/sweetest racing I've seen all season was the earlier Max v Charles battles.

I do think Max will have to do something for Checo this weekend because the backlash is very strong and I'm not entirely disconnected with how people feel about it although it doesn't change my opinion of him.

[NYG]

The timing of this is definitely hilarious but well deserved to the reigning champ!

https://www.gq.com/story/max-verstap...ear-cover-2022

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by NYG

You and me both ziomek

[lens]

Originally Posted by NYG

Haha, I don't think Max will torpedo Charles. So far, the cleanest/sweetest racing I've seen all season was the earlier Max v Charles battles.

I do think Max will have to do something for Checo this weekend because the backlash is very strong and I'm not entirely disconnected with how people feel about it although it doesn't change my opinion of him.

I forgot Russell is the one who does the torpedoing

But seriously, I think Max will do something for Checo, I believe last race was to get even, and that was it. People might have lost respect for him, but it doesn't change my stance on him, if you have to beg for points like LEC and PER, then you didn't deserve it in the first place.

I was indifferent when the race ended, because how do you drive like you do, when you have LEC and VER who both had damage (LEC into the wall) and they both pass you at the end of the race, when you were driving without issues all race within in the top 5?

I can't wait for this season to end, and 2023 to start, I want Bahrain to be free for all deathmatch between everyone, no such thing as teammates.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by chaungo

I forgot Russell is the one who does the torpedoing

But seriously, I think Max will do something for Checo, I believe last race was to get even, and that was it. People might have lost respect for him, but it doesn't change my stance on him, if you have to beg for points like LEC and PER, then you didn't deserve it in the first place.

I was indifferent when the race ended, because how do you drive like you do, when you have LEC and VER who both had damage (LEC into the wall) and they both pass you at the end of the race, when you were driving without issues all race within in the top 5?

I can't wait for this season to end, and 2023 to start, I want Bahrain to be free for all deathmatch between everyone, no such thing as teammates.

Sure mate ..But !
OC .If the race situation permits at that moment.
In other words : I'm pretty sure that the Abu Dhabi race will look like a wild dog fight !

We've seen what the Merc's can do now with their bullet pace ...
If there is someone able to break through that Mercedes bullet pace . I only see one driver doing that .
As you know , that driver is MAX ! 100% sure !

I don't see how Checo can beat both Merc's , that's why there's only a very litlle chance that MAX can do 'something for Checo in the front .

So my race prediction is :
A bloody dog fight from MAX vs both MERC's for the victory.

The winner ?
From what we witnessed in Brazil It's useless to say that the Merc's are unbeatable .
Let us not forget the Merc's ran 1 sec. faster through sector 2 in Brazil !
1 sec. is unseen !
The Mercedes package looked extremely complete to me ..
That's why I'm 75 % sure that a Mercedes will win at Abu Dhabi .
This race will be extremely hard for the Red Bull's !

But I really wish that MAX can beat both Merc's and takes his 15th victory in this season .
And hopefully Checo is up there too , to take P2 in the WDC !

Can't wait to see that !

[NYG]

Update: It appears Hulkenberg is set to replace Mick Schumacher at Haas.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by NYG

Update: It appears Hulkenberg is set to replace Mick Schumacher at Haas.

So it looks like Mags and Hulk in Haas while Mick takes a break and maybe returns in '24.

[M3WC]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

The Mercedes package looked extremely complete to me ..
That's why I'm 75 % sure that a Mercedes will win at Abu Dhabi .
This race will be extremly hard for the Red Bull's !

This is a completely different track than Interlagos.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Sure mate ..But !
OC .If the race situation permits at that moment.
In other words : I'm pretty sure that the Abu Dhabi race will look like a wild dog fight !

We've seen what the Merc's can do now with their bullet pace ...
If there is someone able to break through that Mercedes bullet pace . I only see one driver doing that .
As you know , that driver is MAX ! 100% sure !

I don't see how Checo can beat both Merc's , that's why there's only a very litlle chance that MAX can do 'something for Checo in the front .

So my race prediction is :
A bloody dog fight from MAX vs both MERC's for the victorie .

The winner ?
From what we witnessed in Brazil It's useless to say that the Merc's are unbeatable .
Let us not forget the Merc's ran 1 sec. faster through sector 2 in Brazil !
1 sec. is unseen !
The Mercedes package looked extremely complete to me ..
That's why I'm 75 % sure that a Mercedes will win at Abu Dhabi .
This race will be extremly hard for the Red Bull's !

But I really wish that MAX can beat both Merc's and takes his 15th victory in this season .
And hopefully Checo is up there too , to take P2 in the WDC !

Can't wait to see that !

I don't think it will be so easy for Merc here, even with their anti bounce working, there's a very long straightish section with sharper turns and I'm sure Max will try to jump a Merc,especially at the start should one get ahead of him, well...we know no one else can

[GuidoK]

Who has the balls to predict one of the MERCS as winner? ;D

My prediction:
1. LEC
2. VER
3. SAI
4. RUS
5. HAM
6. PER
7. ALO
8. NOR
9. OCO
10. BOT

I think this track will suit the Ferrari's, and that LEC will finish 2nd in the WDC.
I think PER won't be able to keep in pace with the rest.
Mercedes for me is the big questionmark. Their stamina on tyres really impressed me last sunday.
(and again, RUS taking the strategic initiative during the race too; he may whine a lot but his pro active approach on strategy during the race many times this year is refreshing.)

[NYG]

Originally Posted by M3WC

This is a completely different track than Interlagos.

Agreed but I think underestimating Merc here is tough. They made massive strides. I feel like this SHOULD be Red Bull with Ferrari and Merc on similar pace.

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by NYG

They made massive strides.

For sure they made the most progress this year, seeing how bad that car was the first half of the year.
Last sunday they managed very low tyre wear while keeping a very good pace, and good top speed.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by M3WC

This is a completely different track than Interlagos.

Sure . I know , but only fools didn't noticed that the Merc's are flying .
The RB18 was extemely fast at the straights .I said "was" , because the Merc's show now stunning speeds at the straights but also in the turns .

In Brazil the race re-started behind the pace car , and Checo was P3 right behind both Merc's .
Don't know if you saw that both Merc's got a 3 sec. gap to Checo , and that in just a half lap !
Actually it was jaw dropping ..

Checo got his DRS , but the Merc's pulled away so easely ..
The whole situation remembers me strongly at HAM's 2021 rocket PU ...

To me the RB18 looked slower than usual . But that's because the Merc's are faster .
We'll see it soon enough .

Too bad , there is corruption in the game to make the Mercedes so fast ..
Just 3 months ago , the Mercedes was still a jumping kangaroo !

[lens]

Originally Posted by NYG

Agreed but I think underestimating Merc here is tough. They made massive strides. I feel like this SHOULD be Red Bull with Ferrari and Merc on similar pace.

We've said this since literally Silverstone?

The track and altitude is disguising how the Mercedes car performs.

They're still one of the slowest in a straight line on the field, RBR won the last 9 races before Brazil. And everytime Mercedes does somewhat well, people say they're back, only to be disappointed the next race lol

[HeelToeShift]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

For sure they made the most progress this year, seeing how bad that car was the first half of the year.
Last sunday they managed very low tyre wear while keeping a very good pace, and good top speed.

At the same time, how much progress did you really make considering all your progress came AFTER RB stopped developing their car?

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by chaungo

We've said this since literally Silverstone?

The track and altitude is disguising how the Mercedes car performs.

They're still one of the slowest in a straight line on the field, RBR won the last 9 races before Brazil. And everytime Mercedes does somewhat well, people say they're back, only to be disappointed the next race lol

Agreed. If the W13 performs well in consecutive races, then I will believe that they're on the right path in correcting the car but Mercedes has yet to demonstrate that this year. Abu Dhabi will be a good indicator on the direction of Mercedes' development towards the W14.

As for speed, I believe Red Bull was still the fastest and held the fastest top speed at Interlagos. The overall race set up of the W13 might be greatly improved but I don't think they're the fastest.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

Who has the balls to predict one of the MERCS as winner? ;D

My prediction:
1. LEC
2. VER
3. SAI
4. RUS
5. HAM
6. PER
7. ALO
8. NOR
9. OCO
10. BOT

I think this track will suit the Ferrari's, and that LEC will finish 2nd in the WDC.
I think PER won't be able to keep in pace with the rest.
Mercedes for me is the big questionmark. Their stamina on tyres really impressed me last sunday.
(and again, RUS taking the strategic initiative during the race too; he may whine a lot but his pro active approach on strategy during the race many times this year is refreshing.)

On sheer Max factor as no one else could get HAM at Sao Paolo
1 Max
2 Checo
3 Chas
4 Lando
5 am
6 Alonso
7 Vettel
8 Lance
9 Russel
10 Kevin

Goodnight all