Re: Formula1 Talk
Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2017 3:28 pm
Not much to say about this boring race. Poor Ricciardo's Renault engine had hydrolical issues and Renault's tire changes were the worst of this season. Shameful even. Sainz could have had a big accident.
On the other hand, their lame tactics to give Toro Rosso a 100HP less scrap heap engine paid off.
Renault ended on the 6th place of the constructors championship.
For me the driver of the day was Pascal Wehrlein. To drive like that with the dog kennel this Sauber is, was just an incredible job.
Bottas did not crack under pressure and finally showed the consistency he was looking for the second half of the season.
Well deserved victory there
Abu Dhabi looks like a great place to be, but these races are usually boring over there. Maybe Lewis is right that a change in layout can make it more interesting, but i think it is the overall rhythm of the track that makes overtaking very difficult.
This event also showed how critical these new F1 cars are when driving behing another car. That has to change. Starting with rules that prevent air distortion behind the car. Right now 50% of the wind tunnel time is spent to create as much dirty air behind the cars as possible. A bit of foul play, but they all do it, to prevent cars from gaining an advantage with slip streaming. DRS is only an artificial tool to help compensate for that, but is not a real solution either.
Overtaking feels artificial and forced that way. But it was kinda funny to see the track limitations of Abu Dhabi, as drivers who overtook would be countered on the next straight.
We say goodbye to Massa, Kvyatt, Palmer, Wehrlein and Ericsson.
More news about Alfa Romeo returning to the F1 will be announced soon®.
As a Ferrari Bambino Team, it makes a lot of sense to follow Red Bull's tactics. And LeCler and Giovinazzi will most likely be their driver line up. Even if Ericsson still has a small chance due to his sponsors. He might end up as a reserve driver instead.
Next year will be awesome, 3 engine rule will increase the ridiculous grid penalty race and the stupid drying rack will block drivers vision in the name of driver safety.
But the competition will most likely be a lot better with teams being more competitive. I predict Renault to make the biggest step forward. And a 5 team battle for podium places.
That will be good.
Race results - 2017 Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix
Pos. Driver Team Time
1. V. Bottas Mercedes 1:34:14.063
2. L. Hamilton Mercedes +3.899
3. S. Vettel Ferrari +19.330 +15.431
4. K. Räikkönen Ferrari +45.386 +26.056
5. M. Verstappen Red Bull +46.269 +0.883
6. N. Hulkenberg Renault +1:25.713 +39.444
7. S. Pérez Force India +1:32.062 +6.349
8. E. Ocon Force India +1:38.911 +6.849
9. F. Alonso McLaren +1 Lap
10. F. Massa Williams +1 Lap
11. R. Grosjean Haas +1 Lap
12. S. Vandoorne McLaren +1 Lap
13. K. Magnussen Haas +1 Lap
14. P. Wehrlein Sauber +1 Lap
15. B. Hartley Toro Rosso +1 Lap
16. P. Gasly Toro Rosso +1 Lap
17. M. Ericsson Sauber +1 Lap
18. L. Stroll Williams +1 Lap
Did not finish
19. C. Sainz Jr. Renault +24 Laps
20. D. Ricciardo Red Bull +35 Laps
On the other hand, their lame tactics to give Toro Rosso a 100HP less scrap heap engine paid off.
Renault ended on the 6th place of the constructors championship.
For me the driver of the day was Pascal Wehrlein. To drive like that with the dog kennel this Sauber is, was just an incredible job.
Bottas did not crack under pressure and finally showed the consistency he was looking for the second half of the season.
Well deserved victory there
Abu Dhabi looks like a great place to be, but these races are usually boring over there. Maybe Lewis is right that a change in layout can make it more interesting, but i think it is the overall rhythm of the track that makes overtaking very difficult.
This event also showed how critical these new F1 cars are when driving behing another car. That has to change. Starting with rules that prevent air distortion behind the car. Right now 50% of the wind tunnel time is spent to create as much dirty air behind the cars as possible. A bit of foul play, but they all do it, to prevent cars from gaining an advantage with slip streaming. DRS is only an artificial tool to help compensate for that, but is not a real solution either.
Overtaking feels artificial and forced that way. But it was kinda funny to see the track limitations of Abu Dhabi, as drivers who overtook would be countered on the next straight.
We say goodbye to Massa, Kvyatt, Palmer, Wehrlein and Ericsson.
More news about Alfa Romeo returning to the F1 will be announced soon®.
As a Ferrari Bambino Team, it makes a lot of sense to follow Red Bull's tactics. And LeCler and Giovinazzi will most likely be their driver line up. Even if Ericsson still has a small chance due to his sponsors. He might end up as a reserve driver instead.
Next year will be awesome, 3 engine rule will increase the ridiculous grid penalty race and the stupid drying rack will block drivers vision in the name of driver safety.
But the competition will most likely be a lot better with teams being more competitive. I predict Renault to make the biggest step forward. And a 5 team battle for podium places.
That will be good.
Race results - 2017 Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix
Pos. Driver Team Time
1. V. Bottas Mercedes 1:34:14.063
2. L. Hamilton Mercedes +3.899
3. S. Vettel Ferrari +19.330 +15.431
4. K. Räikkönen Ferrari +45.386 +26.056
5. M. Verstappen Red Bull +46.269 +0.883
6. N. Hulkenberg Renault +1:25.713 +39.444
7. S. Pérez Force India +1:32.062 +6.349
8. E. Ocon Force India +1:38.911 +6.849
9. F. Alonso McLaren +1 Lap
10. F. Massa Williams +1 Lap
11. R. Grosjean Haas +1 Lap
12. S. Vandoorne McLaren +1 Lap
13. K. Magnussen Haas +1 Lap
14. P. Wehrlein Sauber +1 Lap
15. B. Hartley Toro Rosso +1 Lap
16. P. Gasly Toro Rosso +1 Lap
17. M. Ericsson Sauber +1 Lap
18. L. Stroll Williams +1 Lap
Did not finish
19. C. Sainz Jr. Renault +24 Laps
20. D. Ricciardo Red Bull +35 Laps