Yas Marina 2021 Pre-Race Thread

Well it’s not like Perez will take points away from HAM and the hopes of a constructors’ win for RB is pretty much over, so that’s not the issue. It’s that MB sacrificing Bottas one more time—albeit in my imagined scenario— would just reinforce how they basically took the rules for engine life and cost savings and made a mockery of them.

All the while, their customers are trundling around with donkey engines and getting beat by Renault and Ferrari.

 

Bottas is more important (in the final race) to take Max out than to score any points.

 

I don’t think he will and realistically, Bottas should consider that he has no chance to ever get back to Merc so should not burn bridges to any other team.

 

Exactly, time for a last hurrah. Doubt he's got the bottle for that, but ya never know under the circumstances.

There are a few other motivated parties ...

 

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MISSION
WINWHEN?

 

One things for sure. After this race, there’s going to be nuclear war on here between the Ver and Ham camps all the way till next season! I’m getting the popcorn ready!

 

Please Ferrari,
A glossy red car next year!

 

You seriously believe Bottas is driven by winning? He's a career patsy.

 

2020 vs 2021 track layout

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Nice

 

With wins, podiums driving for a top team multiple titles in history. Yes he should be so sad about his life. Most drivers wish for his patsy life. Have another drink ok lol.

 

He's driving for the most successful team in F1 and is probably set for life.

 

Agree
But since 2017 he drives the best car without ever being in a position to become champion.
You honestly don’t think he’s still frustrated with that?

 

Mclarens one-off livery

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Some info on the Mclaren livery for this Yas race - https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/mclaren-to-run-new-f1-livery-for-abu-dhabi-gp/6860818/

The tweaked concept, which merges artwork by UAE-based female artist Rabab Tantawy with McLaren's traditional papaya and blue colours, will run for the first time in Friday practice at the Yas Marina circuit.

The new colours were revealed at a special event in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday night, and are the result of a Driven by Change campaign that Vuse has embarked on with McLaren.

Vuse wants to give a platform to up-and-coming artists aged over 25 who have not received the worldwide recognition for their work that they deserve.

Tantawy's artwork was conceived in collaboration with automotive media designer Davide Virdis, and she is the first female artist in the Middle East to have designed a bespoke F1 livery.

Speaking about the livery changes, Claire Cronin, Chief Marketing Officer of McLaren, said: "We are excited to bring the art and motorsport worlds together in a ground-breaking way, by sporting Rabab Tantawy's artwork on our race cars at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

"Together with Vuse, Driven by Change is a unique opportunity to use our global stage to support rising talent, giving undiscovered creatives the platform they deserve.

 

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I think he sold his soul a long time ago and traded his ability to compete for wins for a secure long-term position with the dominant team and a boatload of cash. His job is and always has been to help Lewis win, and otherwise to try not to embarrass himself. He does his job well.

So, no, I don't think he'll do something unexpected out of a strong desire to win.

 

Deliveries

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Looking at Bottas' time at MB, I think it makes Rosberg's victory in 2016 even more impressive, head to head with HAM in the same car.

 

I don't think you can compare the two. IMHO, they learned their lesson after Rosberg and Bottas got hired under the condition that he not even try to beat Lewis.

Anyone who thinks Bottas has such a strong desire to stand at the top of a podium that he would do something during this race to advantage himself over Lewis is a Kool Aid drinker of the highest order.

 

Bottas should crash lulu. Id by a benz

 

Bottas is the most emasculated man I’ve ever seen. The only thing missing is Hamilton walking him around on bedazzled leash and collar. He’s not a competitor, he’s a participant, big difference. At least Rosberg had a set of balls. All the wins and podiums in the world won’t matter when he looks back on his career someday. Total chump

 

I think people forget how and why Bottas came to be at Benz. So, to refresh memories… after Rosberg won the wdc he suddenly and unexpectedly chose to retire. Benz were left with an empty seat in bizarre circumstances. All drivers were already contracted for the following season. Merc were therefore left scrambling for scraps on the driver market. Bottas was bought out of his contracted with Williams as the best option available at short notice. Naturally, he jumped at the chance to get into the fastest car on the grid, but he was never expected to be a number one, has never had the skills of a top driver and has always been a number two driver at Merc - not through team orders, but through natural selection. He has played his role perfectly and has picked up more podiums and wins than he would have ever achieved in any other car. Net net, he’s been great for Merc, he’s made a sack full of money, and he has a better performance record in the record books than he would ever have expected to achieve. He will sleep very easy at night regardless of what the peanut gallery on Fchat might say.

 

And, still, if Lewis had retired anywhere along the way, Bottas would have won every championship from that point forward. Such is the performance of that team and car.