2020 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Race Thread

[cmax]

Lewis doesn't look very punchy today.

I don't think Hamilton has overtaken a leading car in open racing here. Only off the start in 2014.

It's a combination of a track where it's tough to overtake and he's still recovering from COVID-19.

Not just overtaking, it seems like he is just driving for the line.

[TheGiantHogweed]

Vettel seems to be doing a decent job given he hasn't pitted.

[lucifers]

hamilton starting to catching bottas

[F1Tyrant]

Not just overtaking, it seems like he is just driving for the line.

Hamilton is closer to Bottas than Bottas is to Verstappen though. Not that it means too much.

[F1_Ernie]

Lewis doesn't look very punchy today.

I don't think Hamilton has overtaken a leading car in open racing here. Only off the start in 2014.

It's a combination of a track where it's tough to overtake and he's still recovering from COVID-19.

Not just overtaking, it seems like he is just driving for the line.

What's he meant to do? You need to be much faster to overtake the same car. Plus this track is awful.

[cmax]

Lewis doesn't look very punchy today.

I don't think Hamilton has overtaken a leading car in open racing here. Only off the start in 2014.

It's a combination of a track where it's tough to overtake and he's still recovering from COVID-19.

Not just overtaking, it seems like he is just driving for the line.

What's he meant to do? You need to be much faster to overtake the same car. Plus this track is awful.

I am thinking he is still not 100%.

[purchville]

I hope RIC has a nice fresh set of softs or mediums for the last 15 laps. Fantastic pace from him so far on those tyres. Breaking DRS from Norris was important, and he did it. Almost 20 secs ahead of Ocon so far...

The race up front is pretty boring to date.

[F1_Ernie]

Lewis doesn't look very punchy today.

I don't think Hamilton has overtaken a leading car in open racing here. Only off the start in 2014.

It's a combination of a track where it's tough to overtake and he's still recovering from COVID-19.

Not just overtaking, it seems like he is just driving for the line.

What's he meant to do? You need to be much faster to overtake the same car. Plus this track is awful.

I am thinking he is still not 100%.

Probabaly not but it really makes no difference, theres nothing you can do but be stuck.

[TheGiantHogweed]

hamilton doesn't think the tyres will get to the end. we will hear "my tyres are gone" and "get in there lewis" then!

[Bacus]

Usual processional, sterile race at Abu Dhabi.
2022 can't come soon enough.

[tootsie323]

Sainz 'slow' pit approach to be investigated after the race. Surprise - the drama in the WCC 3rd place battle may not be resolved at the flag.
Meanwhile, Ricciardo may well make this a moot point. How ironic might that be?

[purchville]

Usual processional, sterile race at Abu Dhabi.
2022 can't come soon enough.

As per the last 7 years, just look beyond the top 4 for good racing

[A_Game_A_Day]

Sainz 'slow' pit approach to be investigated after the race. Surprise - the drama in the WCC 3rd place battle may not be resolved at the flag.
Meanwhile, Ricciardo may well make this a moot point. How ironic might that be?

Not as if the stewards are too busy right now to investigate it during the race.

[F1Tyrant]

I reckon if Max and Valterri two stop, Hamilton will try to make the tyres last to the end.

[Schumacher forever#1]

Red Bull a bit clueless again on the strategy front it seems

[mikeyg123]

Stroll driving poorly again.

[mikeyg123]

I reckon if Max and Valterri two stop, Hamilton will try to make the tyres last to the end.

Will Merc allow that?

[F1_Ernie]

Please go back to Brazil for the final race

[pokerman]

Is Bottas holding Hamilton up?

[tootsie323]

There I am going on about Ricciardo doing Macca a favour... Seb is in a position to do the same for RP!

[mikeyg123]

Is Bottas holding Hamilton up?

It's pretty unusual for Bottas to be faster so you'd guess so.

[TheGiantHogweed]

how can leclerc not be getting a penalty for 4 off track warnings?

[Bacus]

Bottas could be in trouble for the final laps, he's usually not great at long stints.
Or is he taking it slowly now to preserve the tyres?

[tootsie323]

how can leclerc not be getting a penalty for 4 off track warnings?

Has he been shown the B&W flag yet?

[Schermerhorn]

Vettel has lost 14 seconds to his team mate since Leclerc made his pit stop. These hard tyres have had their day.

[F1_Ernie]

Mercedes just pit one car and get RB thinking, do something.

[TheGiantHogweed]

Is Bottas holding Hamilton up?

It's pretty unusual for Bottas to be faster so you'd guess so.

If Hamilton was being held up, you would have thought he would drive at least a bit closer rather than 3 - 4 seconds. Surely around 2 seconds would do no harm to his tyres? Mercedes just don't look quick today compared to normal and I'm not sure Hamilton does either really. They both just look like they are bringing it home really.

[purchville]

Is Bottas holding Hamilton up?

It's pretty unusual for Bottas to be faster so you'd guess so.

I know the Merc is ordinary when following...but I think HAM would want to get within 2 seconds to claim that lol

[tootsie323]

Mercedes just pit one car and get RB thinking, do something.

Hamilton seeking to force the issue?

[Bacus]

Hamilton masterplan: get a flatspot so he can pit again.

[TheGiantHogweed]

how can leclerc not be getting a penalty for 4 off track warnings?

Has he been shown the B&W flag yet?

He should have recieved the black and white flag on the 3rd warning - then the 4th warning being a penalty like Grosjean got one time this year. But the stewards seem to ignore leclerc sometimes.

[F1_Ernie]

Is Bottas holding Hamilton up?

It's pretty unusual for Bottas to be faster so you'd guess so.

If Hamilton was being held up, you would have thought he would drive at least a bit closer rather than 3 - 4 seconds. Surely around 2 seconds would do no harm to his tyres? Mercedes just don't look quick today compared to normal and I'm not sure Hamilton does either really. They both just look like they are bringing it home really.

2 seconds would do no harm lol within 5 seconds does harm to your tyes.

[purchville]

Outstanding race from Ricciardo, whatever happens from here

[F1_Ernie]

Mercedes just pit one car and get RB thinking, do something.

Hamilton seeking to force the issue?

I can dream Vowles does something

[pokerman]

Sky asking for a SC, they can't see the intrigue in how the race might pan out, get people in that are less bored.

[mikeyg123]

Is Bottas holding Hamilton up?

It's pretty unusual for Bottas to be faster so you'd guess so.

If Hamilton was being held up, you would have thought he would drive at least a bit closer rather than 3 - 4 seconds. Surely around 2 seconds would do no harm to his tyres? Mercedes just don't look quick today compared to normal and I'm not sure Hamilton does either really. They both just look like they are bringing it home really.

Merc are too scared to split the strategy to try and win the race. Look how much Leclerc gained on Vettel after pitting. These tyres are dead.

[Greenman]

.

Anybody still awake ?

.

[mikeyg123]

Is Bottas holding Hamilton up?

It's pretty unusual for Bottas to be faster so you'd guess so.

I know the Merc is ordinary when following...but I think HAM would want to get within 2 seconds to claim that lol

Why? His only chance of passing is keeping his tyres alive whilst Bottas kills his. they aren't driving anything like as fast as they could do and being within 2 seconds of Bottas would do nothing for him.

[Schermerhorn]

how can leclerc not be getting a penalty for 4 off track warnings?

Jean Todt made it disappear

[cmax]

Most boring race of 2020 or is it the only boring race. This track never disappoints in that regard.