2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Race Thread

[BMWSauber84]

Did Raikkonen have any mechanical issues? He was miles behind Vettel when both had clear races. If that is pure performance then it's embarassing.

[F1_Ernie]

Need to be 1.4 seconds faster to overtake, that's a joke. With 1 stop races you have a big problem.

[kleefton]

This track is really rubbish for overtaking. No doubt about that. It's impossible to follow in the 3rd sector. Also, as said before, they need another track for the finale. This one just doesn't cut it.
Noteworthy that Ferrari was going to finish 20 secs behind if the Mercs hadn't lifted at the end.
Raikonnen 15 secs back, I don't know how he still has a job.
Hamilton, again after he secured the championship is unable to secure a win to end the season. An odd pattern.
Can't wait until next year.

[jimmyj]

Hamilton, again after he secured the championship is unable to secure a win to end the season. An odd pattern.
.

Very interesting isn't it. I wonder if he is gifting wins to his team mates.

[F1_Ernie]

Hamilton, again after he secured the championship is unable to secure a win to end the season. An odd pattern.
.

Very interesting isn't it. I wonder if he is gifting wins to his team mates.

His race pace has been fine, quick in Brazil and im in no doubt he was quicker in Abu Dhabi. The only thing I would question is quali but then i thought Hamilton got out qualified a few times at both places before.

[kleefton]

Hamilton, again after he secured the championship is unable to secure a win to end the season. An odd pattern.
.

Very interesting isn't it. I wonder if he is gifting wins to his team mates.

His race pace has been fine, quick in Brazil and im in no doubt he was quicker in Abu Dhabi. The only thing I would question is quali but then i thought Hamilton got out qualified a few times at both places before.

I wouldn't say that he is gifting wins, but it's just that once he clenches he simply tunes out a little bit. What cost him those last 2 wins were basically failing to beat Bottas to pole, something he has done easily most of the season.

[minchy]

As dull a race as I'd expect for Abu Dhabi, but it was worth watching just for the Grosjean/Stroll and Alonso/Massa battles. I do love an overtake that is set up and worked for over a number of laps. Also really good driving from Grosjean and Stroll to keep that battle fair and clean.

[Clarky]

Hulkenbergs penalty was pathetically soft.

[Lojik]

Real damp squib of a season finale, certainly one of the dullest races of the season. What was Eddie Jordan waffling on about too?

[sandman1347]

Wow does this race suck. It's time they did something about it. To end the season here is ridiculous if you asked me. One of the most boring races every year other than the title drama (if there is any).

[Blinky McSquinty]

Hamilton wins, he is given full credit for a fantastic performance. Anyone else wins, it is because Hamilton had mechanical problems, or something broke, or some other excuse. The bottom line is that in both qualifying and the race Bottas did what he had to.

My HUGE beef with the race was Hulkenberg's cutting a corner and receiving a 5 second penalty later. This is a terrible precedent. Yes Hulkenberg was faster, but he had to manufacture a pass,not just cut across a corner, then later receive a penalty that had zero impact on his transgression. With this precedent established, who is to say someone else will resort to such unsavory actions?

Renault was fined €5,000 for an unsafe release of Sainz. But IMO Sainz should have hammered to a stop as soon as he cleared the pit exit tunnel. His charge out onto the racing environment at such speed was stupid and insane, the man should receive a mega slap on the pee pee. Stewards noted that "Sainz Jr. did everything possible to stop at the first safe location, without impeding other drivers and such that the marshals could recover the car without affecting the race." I call BS on that, Sainz should have just stopped, even if a safety car was to come out, it was much safer.

Boring race, pathetic season, it could not have ended soon enough.

As a footnote, I just watched a different race where for the entire race I witnessed five (later 4) cars battling nose to tail, side by side, passing and re-passing. No comparison, one was thrills for every second, the other was on the other side of the bell curve.

[F1_Ernie]

Hamilton wins, he is given full credit for a fantastic performance. Anyone else wins, it is because Hamilton had mechanical problems, or something broke, or some other excuse. The bottom line is that in both qualifying and the race Bottas did what he had to.

My HUGE beef with the race was Hulkenberg's cutting a corner and receiving a 5 second penalty later. This is a terrible precedent. Yes Hulkenberg was faster, but he had to manufacture a pass,not just cut across a corner, then later receive a penalty that had zero impact on his transgression. With this precedent established, who is to say someone else will resort to such unsavory actions?

Renault was fined €5,000 for an unsafe release of Sainz. But IMO Sainz should have hammered to a stop as soon as he cleared the pit exit tunnel. His charge out onto the racing environment at such speed was stupid and insane, the man should receive a mega slap on the pee pee. Stewards noted that "Sainz Jr. did everything possible to stop at the first safe location, without impeding other drivers and such that the marshals could recover the car without affecting the race." I call BS on that, Sainz should have just stopped, even if a safety car was to come out, it was much safer.

Boring race, pathetic season, it could not have ended soon enough.

As a footnote, I just watched a different race where for the entire race I witnessed five (later 4) cars battling nose to tail, side by side, passing and re-passing. No comparison, one was thrills for every second, the other was on the other side of the bell curve.

Who said Hamilton had a mechanical problem or made excuses?

We all know why you thought the season was pathetic

On the driver of the day thread Bottas has the second most votes after Alonso so surely alot of fans are giving him credit?

[Badgeronimous]

Yas Marinas, a track where money was no object..... made absolutely soulless and nearly always boring.

It is a terrible choice for season finale.

[GingerFurball]

I think the fact it was money no object makes it worse - a blank cheque and you come up with that?

Sochi aside, it would be the first race I got rid of if I ruled F1.

[Mayhem]

Possibly the last race called by David Hobbs. I'm gonna miss the ol' sod.

You and me both.........

And the manner in which he has been ousted, along with Steve Matchett and Will Buxton means the end of American broadcasting F1 coverage.........., and that really sucks, as noted by Hobbo here: https://nesn.com/2017/11/david-hobbs-up ... rior-show/

Wow...that's a depressing link (although thanks for sharing). I wont be watching F1 next year on USA tv so I wont be subjected to this miserable situation that all US viewers will have to deal with. A real shame for David and Steve. They were a good team. All they needed back was Bob Varsha.

What a shame, always enjoyed david hobbs thoughts on the race along with steves tech insight during the races. Pre show and post shows spot on as well. would have loved to continue to have them as the main broadcasting team.

[Biffa]

Very happy for Bottas beating Hamilton in a straight fight, I think he definitely needed that one, hopefully see a bit more of that next year.

Looking forward to seeing what Macca and Alonso can do next year.

All the best to you lovely forumers and see you next year!

[Herb Tarlik]

Did Raikkonen have any mechanical issues? He was miles behind Vettel when both had clear races. If that is pure performance then it's embarassing.

Raikkonen has been utterly embarrassing for years now. Today is nothing different.

[Herb Tarlik]

Yas Marinas, a track where money was no object..... made absolutely soulless and nearly always boring.

It is a terrible choice for season finale.

Or a season opener, or anywhere else in the season. What a dreadful race.

[Herb Tarlik]

Hamilton wins, he is given full credit for a fantastic performance. Anyone else wins, it is because Hamilton had mechanical problems, or something broke, or some other excuse.

Nonsense. Hamilton gets a grand chelem and people come out of the woodwork with all kinds of reasons why he isnt driver of the day or driver of the weekend. He's got the best car, he started from the front, didnt have to work, had no pressure, blah blah blah.

Same thing if he starts from the pit lane and drives through the field. He's got the best car so it's expected. No driver of the weekend/day, whatever. Vettel does it and he's the second coming of Senna.

There's always, ALWAYS an excuse to put Hamilton down. It is soooo predictable.

[F1_Ernie]

https://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/11/26/ ... ng-easier/

Tilke considering a small change to the circuit.

[GingerFurball]

Watching through the race now. 5 seconds for Hulkenburg is far too lenient a punishment.

[GingerFurball]

https://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/11/26/ ... ng-easier/

Tilke considering a small change to the circuit.

Hopefully that change is dropping a nuclear bomb on the circuit.

[Blinky McSquinty]

Hamilton wins, he is given full credit for a fantastic performance. Anyone else wins, it is because Hamilton had mechanical problems, or something broke, or some other excuse.

Nonsense. Hamilton gets a grand chelem and people come out of the woodwork with all kinds of reasons why he isnt driver of the day or driver of the weekend. He's got the best car, he started from the front, didnt have to work, had no pressure, blah blah blah.

Same thing if he starts from the pit lane and drives through the field. He's got the best car so it's expected. No driver of the weekend/day, whatever. Vettel does it and he's the second coming of Senna.

There's always, ALWAYS an excuse to put Hamilton down. It is soooo predictable.

Actually, I have given Hamilton kudos when he deserves it, I have checked him as driver of the day/weekend often. I attempt to be impartial (that is why I never use first names), are you?

[Herb Tarlik]

Hamilton wins, he is given full credit for a fantastic performance. Anyone else wins, it is because Hamilton had mechanical problems, or something broke, or some other excuse.

Nonsense. Hamilton gets a grand chelem and people come out of the woodwork with all kinds of reasons why he isnt driver of the day or driver of the weekend. He's got the best car, he started from the front, didnt have to work, had no pressure, blah blah blah.

Same thing if he starts from the pit lane and drives through the field. He's got the best car so it's expected. No driver of the weekend/day, whatever. Vettel does it and he's the second coming of Senna.

There's always, ALWAYS an excuse to put Hamilton down. It is soooo predictable.

Actually, I have given Hamilton kudos when he deserves it, I have checked him as driver of the day/weekend often. I attempt to be impartial (that is why I never use first names), are you?

I was not referring to you specifically in the above post.

[Exediron]

Actually, I have given Hamilton kudos when he deserves it, I have checked him as driver of the day/weekend often. I attempt to be impartial (that is why I never use first names), are you?

How does using first names make you less impartial? I just alternate to keep the text fresher and more varied - it has nothing to do with my feelings for any driver.

[moby]

Is this the shortest race thread ever?

[pokerman]

Is this the shortest race thread ever?

Boring track, boring race, only thing of note was the feeble penalty given to the Hulk.

[veffy]

I missed the race but it looks like Bottas had the perfect weekend, just on the wrong weekend!

[Blake]

Hamilton wins, he is given full credit for a fantastic performance. Anyone else wins, it is because Hamilton had mechanical problems, or something broke, or some other excuse.

Nonsense. Hamilton gets a grand chelem and people come out of the woodwork with all kinds of reasons why he isnt driver of the day or driver of the weekend. He's got the best car, he started from the front, didnt have to work, had no pressure, blah blah blah.

Same thing if he starts from the pit lane and drives through the field. He's got the best car so it's expected. No driver of the weekend/day, whatever. Vettel does it and he's the second coming of Senna.

There's always, ALWAYS an excuse to put Hamilton down. It is soooo predictable.

Whatever you say.....

[Altair]

Just watched the recording of this race.

Rather boring. Watched more than half of it on fast forward.

[Covalent]

The last few laps were impressive by Bottas and showed how much exactly he was holding back for most of the race. Hopefully he can carry this form into the next season.

[Exediron]

The last few laps were impressive by Bottas and showed how much exactly he was holding back for most of the race. Hopefully he can carry this form into the next season.

I honestly thought the last few laps were just Hamilton backing off. Did Bottas actually up his pace from before?

[Zoue]

The last few laps were impressive by Bottas and showed how much exactly he was holding back for most of the race. Hopefully he can carry this form into the next season.

yeah, he really turned up the wick. On lap 50 Lewis put in his fastest lap of the race and Bottas was still 7 tenths faster, then he followed that up with a lap that was faster still (and a second faster than his team mate's). Shows how much pace the Mercs had in hand

[GingerFurball]

The last few laps were impressive by Bottas and showed how much exactly he was holding back for most of the race. Hopefully he can carry this form into the next season.

I honestly thought the last few laps were just Hamilton backing off. Did Bottas actually up his pace from before?

He was setting fastest laps.

[Covalent]

The last few laps were impressive by Bottas and showed how much exactly he was holding back for most of the race. Hopefully he can carry this form into the next season.

I honestly thought the last few laps were just Hamilton backing off. Did Bottas actually up his pace from before?

I haven't looked at the data, but as Zoue also touched on when Bottas started building the gap also Hamilton started going faster, but nowhere near as much faster as Bottas started going. I think he thought he doesn't need to look out for the tyres and car anymore and have some fun for the last laps of the season?

[Fiki]

Very happy for Bottas beating Hamilton in a straight fight, I think he definitely needed that one, hopefully see a bit more of that next year.

Looking forward to seeing what Macca and Alonso can do next year.

All the best to you lovely forumers and see you next year!

[Exediron]

The last few laps were impressive by Bottas and showed how much exactly he was holding back for most of the race. Hopefully he can carry this form into the next season.

I honestly thought the last few laps were just Hamilton backing off. Did Bottas actually up his pace from before?

He was setting fastest laps.

Fair enough. The commentators thought Lewis had backed off, and I didn't have lap times.

I haven't looked at the data, but as Zoue also touched on when Bottas started building the gap also Hamilton started going faster, but nowhere near as much faster as Bottas started going. I think he thought he doesn't need to look out for the tyres and car anymore and have some fun for the last laps of the season?

I did look at the data, and Bottas set his three fastest laps of the race all in a row right after Lewis' fastest lap. I think maybe it was his way of sending a message to his teammate!

[RaggedMan]

Hamilton wins, he is given full credit for a fantastic performance. Anyone else wins, it is because Hamilton had mechanical problems, or something broke, or some other excuse.

Nonsense. Hamilton gets a grand chelem and people come out of the woodwork with all kinds of reasons why he isnt driver of the day or driver of the weekend. He's got the best car, he started from the front, didnt have to work, had no pressure, blah blah blah.

Same thing if he starts from the pit lane and drives through the field. He's got the best car so it's expected. No driver of the weekend/day, whatever. Vettel does it and he's the second coming of Senna.

There's always, ALWAYS an excuse to put Hamilton down. It is soooo predictable.

I think you need to go back and look at DotD polls from back when Vettel was with Red Bull and winning championships. The exact same things were said about him then.

[F1_Ernie]

The last few laps were impressive by Bottas and showed how much exactly he was holding back for most of the race. Hopefully he can carry this form into the next season.

I honestly thought the last few laps were just Hamilton backing off. Did Bottas actually up his pace from before?

I haven't looked at the data, but as Zoue also touched on when Bottas started building the gap also Hamilton started going faster, but nowhere near as much faster as Bottas started going. I think he thought he doesn't need to look out for the tyres and car anymore and have some fun for the last laps of the season?

Personally I think Hamilton backed off and most likely his tyres had enough sitting in the dirty air for the whole stint. Vettel put in his PB at the end which was just a tenth of Bottas best and it was pretty clear Hamilton had given up.

[F1_Ernie]

Hamilton wins, he is given full credit for a fantastic performance. Anyone else wins, it is because Hamilton had mechanical problems, or something broke, or some other excuse.

Nonsense. Hamilton gets a grand chelem and people come out of the woodwork with all kinds of reasons why he isnt driver of the day or driver of the weekend. He's got the best car, he started from the front, didnt have to work, had no pressure, blah blah blah.

Same thing if he starts from the pit lane and drives through the field. He's got the best car so it's expected. No driver of the weekend/day, whatever. Vettel does it and he's the second coming of Senna.

There's always, ALWAYS an excuse to put Hamilton down. It is soooo predictable.

Whatever you say.....

Did anyone make excuses?