Abu Dhabi 2022 (Yas Marina Circuit) Pre-Race Thread

This was from Nov. 9th

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It's 3 grid places penalty for Abu Dhabi and 2 license points for Ricciardo.

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Let's see if Max helps out Checo at this race.

 

I found this penalty quite excessive...yes it was Ricciardo's fault but it was 100% a racing incident. Magnussen simply didn't have traction yet and ric did...full control of his car but as Ric got on the throttle Kmag hesitated still.

Both of them out should've been the end of it.

 

It was so avoidable and amateurish that I think it deserves a penalty. He was not even trying to pass or anything, it was more like bumping the car in front of you in a traffic jam because you were texting.

 

I hope Checo punts Max off the track, but it won't happen. Checo is a gentleman.

 

IMO it was a racing incident, Ric getting on the throttle as he (rightly) expected kmag to do the same...it looks exaggarated when Kmag doesn't accelerate at all (as this set of corners allows that to happen).

Not that it matters much to Ric, whether he's starting 16th or 19th. Not like he'll see a pole stripped off him...

And I say this as a (frustrated) fan of Haas/kmag

 

+1 - a non incident in total.

 

At this stage, it's impossible for either to know if Max will be in position to help out Checo.

So Max "promise" is just empty words, and comes too late, IMO.

The clear occasion was at Interlagos, but Max had a tantrum and failed the sportmanship test.

 

I hope we see donuts at the end of this race as a farewell tribute to Vettel.

 

I hope Checo can stay that way.

The Verstappen-Perez incident looks to me similar to the Villeneuve-Pironi rift that started at Imola in 1982.

A "misunderstanding" between team mates may lead to unpleasant consequences in future.

 

Max wasn't thinking strategically. He might need Perez' help next year just as he did for his title fight at this track last year.

 

Two things we know now about Max that are not in his favour.

- he is vindictive

- he is not magnanimous

I could add short-sighted. Well, he is fast though ...

 

PIrelli info.

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Perhaps we should start calling him Min.

 

Senna was inelegant in Suzuka 1991 with Berger but he let him pass by to win the race because of what Berger did for him the same year.
Max did something absolutely weird in Brazil with Perez ..

 

If Leclerc DNFs and Russell wins and gets fastest lap, he will overtake Leclerc in the WDC. Leclerc was lucky to keep it going in Brazil...but unless he's on pole and can get away from the carnage, no one is going to give him an inch. Add to that the fact that Ferrari is very unlikely to see the pole, with Mercedes and RB both having the better and faster cars. Any word if Binotto will be back for the last race, or will he stay in his bunker at the factory? Or is he already beginning his gardening vacation? I didn't sense that Sainz or Leclerc were happy with their finish at Brazil. And why should they be when in the season beginning they were the picks to finish the WDC at least as 1 and 3. And is 2023 just a lame duck year with all the engine development frozen? Does Ferrari even have another chance at a title before the new cars in 2026?

 

Ferrari has a good chance for pole at AD, but win unlikely due to tyre wear.

2023...the engine isn't the issue (except for reliability). car development and team disorganisation is.

 

Mattia Binotto will be present at Abu Dhabi.

 

According to Swiss Blick he'll be fired. Alfa's Vasseur might get his spot.

 

That's what I'm seeing as well.

Ferrari, at the moment, says these rumors have no foundation.

 

With Audi taking over Sauber in a few years, Vasseur must have guessed he wouldn't be kept in charge, and was probably on the look out for a new job. The contacts between Ferrari and Sauber may have helped.
For Vasseur, that would be the crowning of his long career.

 

than it's confirmed!

 

Not yet official but it's done, Binotto out, Vasseur in! Finally!