2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina, Dec 05 - 07

[venkyhere]

even numbered grid positions start on the inside line to the first corner. I am willing to bet my bottom $ that unless Norris covers the inside, Russel will be there, late braking by the left of Norris into the apex of T1

[FittingMechanics]

even numbered grid positions start on the inside line to the first corner. I am willing to bet my bottom $ that unless Norris covers the inside, Russel will be there, late braking by the left of Norris into the apex of T1

Max will probably do what he did in Austin, cover the inside and maybe that gets Piastri into P2.

This would not be bad at all for Norris if he stays P3.

[fourmula1]

The launch off the line dictates what happens in T1. Assuming they go through there in same order I expect max to keep the field bunched. Make difficult pit windows. And then give Rus/Lec P4 opportunity to undercut. As soon as P4 pits back up mclarens and on that lap and then box and come out barely ahead of whoever was P4.

If they get through that and the last stint max is still leading the mclarens, he will slow down force the mclarens to try to overtake, cover inside and brake keep bringing them to a near stop in the chicane. Allowing p3/4/5 to maybe get a run in on p2/p3. Etc.

Mclarens one order pre-race order should be, you can fight but you CANNOT let rus/lec through on lap 1.

[Artur Craft]

Team arrogance in carelessly releasing drivers into fast lane during practice sessions should be punished with a sporting penalty of some kind, not just a fine for the team. There has been waaay too many near misses and even crashes. Antonelli again doing Antonelli things behind the wheel, crashing into red bulls.

How some Mercedes driver successfully manages to collide with a Red Bull driver every year since at least 2019 has to be studied.

Yeah, there needs to be severe punishment for those kind of things. On another note, if Norris becomes champion tomorrow, the mood on most f1 forums will be that of a funeral, apparently

[bluechris]

The launch off the line dictates what happens in T1. Assuming they go through there in same order I expect max to keep the field bunched. Make difficult pit windows. And then give Rus/Lec P4 opportunity to undercut. As soon as P4 pits back up mclarens and on that lap and then box and come out barely ahead of whoever was P4.

If they get through that and the last stint max is still leading the mclarens, he will slow down force the mclarens to try to overtake, cover inside and brake keep bringing them to a near stop in the chicane. Allowing p3/4/5 to maybe get a run in on p2/p3. Etc.

Mclarens one order pre-race order should be, you can fight but you CANNOT let rus/lec through on lap 1.

Imo he must slow them after the start where everyone is eager and the dynamics of all the cars haven't been shown.

[chrisc90]

I really think Max’s best option is to back the pack up something silly and just create a whole host of opportunities for people to pass into p4/p5. That’s lec and Russell so I’d expect them to chase the position.
Could also do it around the pit window allowing them to undercut. If Max does do this, then Macca will have to be super aggressive on the strategy and roll a different dice to the others. Strategy hasn’t been their strong point ever.

That’s presuming everyone gets through turn 1. Oscar will be alongside Lando, but I’d expect them to keep it clean.

The red bull will be super hard to pass on the straights. There no over taking anywhere else so it will be a fully deployment and press and hold the overtake for Max down the straights. Unless Norris can even get alongside Max before any braking zone on the inside, then there is Zero chance of him getting past as Max will have the widest shoulders going tomorrow. As he said, nothing to lose so it could even end up in penalties/points or contact. (Which we don’t want to see)

The ball is firmly in Norris’ possession. If he doesn’t take the WDC here, it’ll be the biggest bottle in any F1 drivers career

[venkyhere]

Guys, please watch the post quali press conference, one of the reporters asked Max about this 'backing up the Mclarens'. He gave a very thoughtful answer, didn't evade the question. It was very informative.

[chrisc90]

Guys, please watch the post quali press conference, one of the reporters asked Max about this 'backing up the Mclarens'. He gave a very thoughtful answer, didn't evade the question. It was very informative.

Gamesmanship to make the McLaren strategy team think that’s what’s going to happen.

Same with GP’s radio to Max (which was meant to be for the strategy team) when he said it’s looking a 2 stopper.
He did the same earlier in weekend when said in an interview it’s looking marginally closer to a 2 stopper.

He knows EXACTLY what he’s saying. He is SUPER smart

[chrisc90]

Yuki not setting a time might mean that they have something planned for him to do in P10. Wonder if it’s to make mclarens pit out behind him after max keeping the pit window to behind Yuki.

[search]

Yuki not setting a time might mean that they have something planned for him to do in P10. Wonder if it’s to make mclarens pit out behind him after max keeping the pit window to behind Yuki.

he did set a time (1:23.083 - still 10th), but it was deleted due to track limit violations

[Badger]

Yuki not setting a time might mean that they have something planned for him to do in P10. Wonder if it’s to make mclarens pit out behind him after max keeping the pit window to behind Yuki.

He did set a time, it was deleted.

[chrisc90]

My bad. Didn’t see his deleted time

[Vettel165]

I want Alonso on the podium tomorrow with Leclerc in P2 and Max in P1. My biggest dream, it would be my favourite moment in F1 history, been watching it since 2000...

[venkyhere]

I want Alonso on the podium tomorrow with Leclerc in P2 and Max in P1. My biggest dream, it would be my favourite moment in F1 history, been watching it since 2000...

Highly unlikely. For that to happen, the McLarens would need to have a brain fart and take each other out (or Russel to take both of them out). Too much dreaming...

[MAX]

Which engine is Max using? Forth or the fifth?