Grand Prix 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

So here it is, the last race of the longest F1 season in the history of the sport (?). We are off to yet another faceless, racing "installation" in the middle of bloody nowhere, but hey, they are paying lots of money for the joy staging the event. And it's not like the old days, where there were races in countries with poor human rights records, run by military dictatorships, like Argentina, Spain, or South Africa. Oh....

Back to 2024. There a few other lasts in this last race of the season:

• Lewis Hamilton will have his last race for Mercedes
• Carlos Sainz will take part in his last race for Ferrari
• Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen will have their last race for Haas. Hulkenberg will continue at Sauber/Audi in 2025, but I suspect we have seen the end of Magnussen.
• Bottas and Zhou will have their last race for Sauber, and will join KMag in the queue at the F1 unemployment office
• Ocon will have his final race at Alpine. Hang on, that was Qatar. Extraordinarily, he has managed to get a seat at Haas for next year.
• Franco Colapinto will likely have his last race at Williams, but where might he be in 2025?

Who have I missed? Ah, Sergio Perez, although you would probably not have noticed him being at Red Bull for most of this season.

Have I missed anything? Is this the last race for a Renault engine or do Alpine switch in 2026?

Let's hope it is less of a farce than Qatar, from a stewarding perspective. Although it did actually generate some interest when watching it on the TV.

And, of course, we have the BIG question, which team will win the Constructors Championship. I suspect that only Ferrari fans really care about their team winning this, what the other teams are worried about is the huge cash pot associated with their final position in this league table. These were the estimates in 2023

Odd to think that the team in 10th couldn't even pay the salaries of Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen with their share.

No sprint race this weekend. Here are the timings if you are lucky enough to be able to watch it on Sky. Enjoy!

 

[F1Brits_90]

And, of course, we have the BIG question, which team will win the Constructors Championship. I suspect that only Ferrari fans really care about their team winning this, what the other teams are worried about is the huge cash pot associated with their final position in this league table. These were the estimates in 2023

here is he interesting thing if mclaren win the constructors. which is mad to think the last time was 1998. when jos Verstappen finished last in drivers championship. it would be the 1st time a team has won the constructors championship after adrian newey has left the team

but it should be mclarens to lose because they are 21pts clear which means that unless ferrari win the race. it should be straight forward with mclaren only needing 1 of them to finish 3rd (4th + fastest lap). or both finishing 6th & 7th. but if Ferrari somehow ended up as 1-2. mclaren only need 23pts. which would be 3rd & 6th

 

[Brogan]

If the second Red Bull driver wasn't anything more than a potato, neither team would be anywhere near the WCC.

 

[FB]

Sergio Perez gets ready for his chance at Red Bull Racing

 

[Brogan]

He couldn't do much worse.

 

[Christoon]

The main focus will be on the WCC with McLaren currently in pole position with a 21-point lead over Ferrari but there will be a lot to look forward to for the fans during the weekend as a list of events and activities happening in a round the Yas Marina Circuit. There will be driver appearances, F1 race simulator, pitstop challenge, and music performances by some of the biggest names including Maroon 5, Eminem, and Muse. Check out this guide to learn more about all that is taking place during this racing weekend.

 

[F1Brits_90]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1864650195801088168

 

[cider_and_toast]

The words are great but we'll wait with baited breath to see what the actions are.

 

[cider_and_toast]

Full article from the BBC website.

Bravo George, Bravo

George Russell says Max Verstappen 'cannot deal with adversity' after Qatar penalty row

George Russell responds to Max Verstappen's criticism of him by saying the four-time world champion "cannot deal with adversity".

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Brogan]

About time someone said something.

Only several years too late.

I hope the stewards take note of this:

Verstappen swore while saying he would "purposefully go out of his way to crash into me and put me on my head in the wall".

Russell added: "I knew that was a spur of the moment thing, but the next day, we were joking around a bit with (Sergio) Perez and Carlos (Sainz), I saw it in his eyes that he meant it.

 

[P1]

Great. now beat that spoilt brat on the track too.

 

[Speshal]

"But my Daddy says I'm the best."

 

[F1Brits_90]

if Verstappen really did threaten russell with violence on & off track in holding room before the drivers parade that's needs investigating

 

[F1Brits_90]

 

[P1]

Who invited that dutch shit?

 

[Il_leone]

Well you pick your battles but I think Verstappen will now bite off more than he can chew.

Russell needs to back up his words with his action. I would love Mansell in this situation. About time the whole paddock wakes up and stands up to Verstappen. As there is no pressure then he can throw the kitchen sink at Verstappen if he wants this weekend.

Can't people see put Verstappen into the hospital he cries, put Verstappen on a losing streak he just crashes and acts like a spoilt child who just threw the toys out

 

[Il_leone]

There is a different reaction on Facebook no doubt that Russell needs to grow a pair. Well if he does then he has to be prepared to send Verstappen to the hospital even in a hearse .

 

[F1Brits_90]

Who invited that dutch shit?

well it is the annual meal that all drivers have

There is a different reaction on Facebook no doubt that Russell needs to grow a pair. Well if he does then he has to be prepared to send Verstappen to the hospital even in a hearse .

thats the mad thing ive seen. because if any of these defending max. had it at their work. & a guy said he was going to deliberately crash into them & then when they started work was going to smash his head into a wall.

im sure would be the 1st to go to their boss & raise this issue

 

[F1Brits_90]

well with that news it just killed 2 different title hopes almost stone dead in FP1.

that with a 21pt lead Sainz now has to win the race. otherwise its over, but if sainz wins then mclaren only need 1 car to finish 7th or 8th + fastest lap to clinch it.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1864981997296218248

 

[Il_leone]

well with that news it just killed 2 different title hopes almost stone dead in FP1.

that with a 21pt lead Sainz now has to win the race. otherwise its over, but if sainz wins then mclaren only need 1 car to finish 7th or 8th + fastest lap to clinch it.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1864981997296218248

Maybe they are trying to help Hamilton