Grand Prix 2020 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

Welcome to the final PQR thread for 2020 and the first design-your-own.

Pick and choose the bits you want to read and post about.

Or you can read a proper write up here: Grand Prix - 2020 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion


The important bit first - human rights:

World Report 2019: Rights Trends in United Arab Emirates

www.hrw.org

Human rights in United Arab Emirates

Stay up to date on the state of human rights in United Arab Emirates with the latest research, campaigns and education material from Amnesty International.

www.amnesty.org

Human rights in the United Arab Emirates - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Previous GP discussion, etc.:

Grand Prix - 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

BradMan was down to do this thread, as he seems to not be around :( I stepped in on his behalf. Here we are then, the last race of the season and what a season it's been. Ferrari showed so much promise in testing but then it all faded away as we started to race. All bark and no bite as you...

cliptheapex.com

Grand Prix - 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

Aaaaaahhh, that wonderful place, renowned for its proximity to the sea and proud history of mercantile endeavour, the place that attracts many tourists to its wonderful coastline, fabulous welcome and no surprise then that property is costly and much sought after. Wonderous views of the...

cliptheapex.com

Grand Prix - 2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

So it’s Formula One’s tribute act to New Years’ Eve: an interminable and unexciting pre-amble to ten minutes of fireworks then the vain hope that next year will be better. Ok, so that’s the least optimistic take ever, but Abu Dhabi has only really produced one race that is memorable for being a...

cliptheapex.com

Circuit history, result, and records:

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2020 - F1 Race

Abu Dhabi

www.formula1.com

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Chit chat, blah blah:
Hamilton may not make the race due to COVID-19, so Russell may get another drive.
Or maybe they'll just put a tub of lard in the car, a la Have I Got News For You.

Will Bottas underwhelm again?

Will Vettel even bother to turn up this time?

Enjoy.

 

[Il_leone]

And there will be certain people on here kicking off because they thought Russell should have been in that seat for this weekend....

Can't imagine who that would be...

To be honest other than Bottas needs to finish 2nd . Would Hamilton move over to let him finish 2nd?

 

[Brogan]

Nope.

 

[Il_leone]

Nope.

Exactly so what then if Bottas does not finish 2nd in the championship?

 

[Brogan]

Big deal.

Mercedes have already won the constructors so it won't make any difference.

At this stage everyone knows what kind of driver Bottas is.

 

[Il_leone]

Big deal.

Mercedes have already won the constructors so it won't make any difference.

At this stage everyone knows what kind of driver Bottas is.

Which is why finishing 2nd is his only saving grace ...for now at least. It still matters to Merc that they are 1-2 in the championship

 

[F1Brits_90]

He should not be racing to finish 2nd in the championship at the last race in the best car

very true verstappen & Bottas should not in a fight for 2nd but this 2018 all over again & just about survived then. but he wont survive this time

 

[F1Brits_90]

FP3. we all know about sandbagging particularly from Mercedes, they are masters of it. but 8 tenths, even i think thats alot to find before qualifying

 

[The Artist.....]

F1Brits_90 - they should have kept Russell...

 

[The Artist.....]

F1Brits_90 - they should have kept Russell...

I do wonder if there's a reason why Mercedes and Hamilton were so keen to be at the final race... Given that Hamilton still hasn't agreed a contract, I do wonder if Mercedes are lining up for an announcement straight after the race - either to announce Hamilton's retirement, or to announce a new 3 year contract... If Hamilton wasn't there, they couldn't do either...

 

[The Artist.....]

F1Brits_90 - they should have kept Russell...

I'll say it again after qualifying... Verstappen on pole, Hamilton 3rd, at a circuit where Hamilton usually excels...

Mercedes should have kept Russell!

 

[Brogan]

Would you willingly give up your seat?

I suspect not.

 

[olegg]

 

[cider_and_toast]

Would you willingly give up your seat?

I suspect not.

And more to the point, when the world's press comes out and says "see, we told you it was the car all along" then you probably wouldn't want to let the rookie have a second crack at making you look bad.

 

[F1Brits_90]

i can see why because at least now hamilton can keep race fit. & not make the 4 month gap. a 5 month gap. bit annoyed for lewis. look like he would be easily on pole but then mustve lost 1/4 second in that scruffy final sector & it cost him pole

again more impressive driving from verstappen. he never has a car consistently on Mercedes level but he is always competive, the fact he has a shot at 2nd in championship despite the car unreliability & bad luck of being taken out of races. is quite incredible

 

[Brogan]

That George Russel's a bit crap - qualified third from last ...

 

[P1]

There is a fair chance Lewis will win this. Bottas will botch the start. And Verstappen will run out of tire tread early.

 

[Brogan]

I think Hamilton will struggle towards the end of the race with fatigue and concentration.

I get why he wanted to drive but he would have been better off sitting it out.

 

[Il_leone]

Hamilton says he is not fully fit because it can take a while to get back to peak condition so Bottas should beat him tomorrow you d think

By Hamiton returning I guess it was to help take the pressure off Bottas and bat away further questions that it would be a shootout for a seat in 2022 especially if Hamilton said he wanted to race but was told not to

 

[sobriety]

Given how badly Covid can bugger you up in the long term if you're not careful, I'm surprised merc have let him anywhere near the car this weekend.

 

[Il_leone]

Toto said Bottas will be driving for Merc in 2021 and he is loyal to both drivers and the young drivers.

Had Russell thrashed him again it would be hard to convince his bosses that Bottas is the right man in one of the cars