861 replies to this topic

[TomNokoe]

Race starts in 90 minutes from this post

 

For all of the good stuff, see the build-up thread.

 

Why do I use "grand prix" for build-up threads and "GP" for race threads? I don't know, it just feels right.

 

For one last time in 2019 ...

 

Will Mercedes continue their Abu-Dhabi-Doooominaton?

Can Red Bull fire a parting shot for 2020?

Will the Ferraris come to blows again?

Who will prevail in the battle for P6 in the WDC (Gasly 95pts v Sainz 95pts v Albon 84pts)

Can Toro Rosso (83pts) snatch P5 from Renault (91pts) in the constructors?

Where will Bottas finish from the back of the grid?

 

It's the 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

--

 

Assorted predictions and farewell messages below, etc.

[f1paul]

This classic circuit will surely produce another classic GP.

 

The chances of rain are high.

 

Cannot wait.

[TomNokoe]

This classic circuit will surely produce another classic GP.

The chances of rain are high.

Cannot wait.

There's actually a minor, tiny, miniscule chance of rain. Few clouds knocking about. Similar to last year

[TomNokoe]

I'm a little busy so can't do this, but I think it would be a nice idea if somebody collated all of the "team photos" or "final race" tweets from all teams, drivers etc. and posted them here

Edited by TomNokoe, 01 December 2019 - 11:51.

[Marklar]

Libery Standard Time-1 again? Why are they always use earlier starting times when it's inconvenient for me!

If Hamilton leads after Lap 1 the win should be his, bar any mechanical failure, crazy SC etc. We have a race if Max jumps him.

Leclerc should be a shoe-in for P3, unless 2 stops turn out to be the better choice. If Bottas has a good dose of luck he might also have a chance, but more likely he will finish 6th.

Renault will seal P5 in the WCC. Sainz P6 in the WDC

Edited by Marklar, 01 December 2019 - 12:05.

[BuddyHolly]

Voted Albon for the win, just to be absurdly silly.  I think this "race" is going to be over by the end of lap one, but I guess you never know.

[ANF]

Pit stop time loss last year: 21.7–23.7 seconds.

[SennasCat]

I think it will be a reasonably comfortable win for Lulu, Max and, Ferrari to find new and novel ways of screwing up while trundling round in 4th or so.

Hope it's moderately entertaining, it starts at 10 past midnite here 👿

Edited by SennasCat, 01 December 2019 - 12:07.

[Anja]

Any proper action* after lap 1 will be more than I'm expecting. Having any hope for this race is only asking for disappointment.

 

 

*no, Bottas in the fastest car breezing past the backmarkers and midfielders by using DRS on the back straight doesn't count

Edited by Anja, 01 December 2019 - 12:14.

[GoldenColt]

https://twitter.com/...72&widget=Tweet

Edited by GoldenColt, 01 December 2019 - 12:12.

[JHSingo]

It's a lovely sunny day for what feels like the first time in weeks here, and I'm quite tempted to go for a walk whilst this is on, such is how low my expectations are. So, on the rare chance this turns out to be an all-time classic, you know who to thank.

[gowebber]

Nice day for racing! Just watched a few of the driver interviews on Sky F1. Wow who was that brunette interviewing Max and Ricciardo, she is gorgeous! Where has she been hiding lol.  

 

Can't wait for the race! Hopefully the last one of the season is a cracker.

Edited by gowebber, 01 December 2019 - 12:17.

[ANF]

Unless there's a terrible accident, I'm afraid this race will only be remembered as the last grand prix for Nico Hülkenberg and Robert Kubica.

[Anja]

Unless there's a terrible accident, I'm afraid this race will only be remembered as the last grand prix for Nico Hülkenberg and Robert Kubica.

 

... and Sebastian Vettel 

[Marklar]

[Jvr]

Wow! Leclerc investigated for fuel load discrepancy.

 

https://www.racefans...ad-discrepancy/

[Marklar]

lol Ferrari is on form this weekend

[Garndell]

Is there any way to screw up that Ferrari hasn't done yet?

[Spillage]

It really doesn't sound good for Leclerc. Surprised they're not investigating until after the race.

[BuddyHolly]

Jeez Ferrari..  words fail me.

[Marklar]

given that it says significant I presume they either have a leak or they tried to cheat with the weight

[milestone 11]

Sounds like a weight thing, trying to run a few kilos underweight?

[Perton]

According to Dutch tv it will be investigated after the race.

[1Devil1]

It really doesn't sound good for Leclerc. Surprised they're not investigating until after the race.

 

 

He can interfere in the race, could be on the podium just to be disqualified? Sounds like everything for the show from the FIA. 

[OneAndOnly]

Only logical explanation is that Ferrari is doing this on purpose. Or I am lying to myslef they can’t be this incompetent.

[ANF]

Wow! Leclerc investigated for fuel load discrepancy.
 
https://www.racefans...ad-discrepancy/

Here's the technical report: https://www.fia.com/...111658/download filed at 16:22, 20 minutes ago.
 

Technical Delegate’s Report

The fuel declaration of car number 16 was checked before the car leaft the pit-lane. There was a
significant difference between the declaration of the team and the amount of fuel inside the car. As
this is non in compliance with TD/12-19 I am referring this matter to the stewards for their
consideration.

The FIA Formula One Technical Delegate

[Whatisvalis]

Is Vet starting on the softs? Could be interesting at the start.

[rodlamas]

There's actually a minor, tiny, miniscule chance of rain. Few clouds knocking about. Similar to last year

And it is so dry that the rain is absorved by the atmosphere before it hits the ground.

[rodlamas]

Is Vet starting on the softs? Could be interesting at the start.

Yep. Will probably drop like a stone in a few laps due to degrading tires.

[Pimpwerx]

I'm a little busy so can't do this, but I think it would be a nice idea if somebody collated all of the "team photos" or "final race" tweets from all teams, drivers etc. and posted them here

I'll give this a shot. Credit to Reddit.

 

Mercedes:

Spoiler

 

Ferrari:

Spoiler

 

Red Bull:

Spoiler

 

McLaren:

Spoiler

 

Renault:

Spoiler

 

The artist formerly known as Toro Rosso:

Spoiler

 

Racing Point:

not found

 

Alfa Romeo:

Spoiler

 

Haas:

not found

 

Williams:

not found

 

2019 Drivers:

Spoiler

 

FIA (RIP Charlie):

Spoiler

 

Bonus hijinks of Danny Ricky giving Nico a laugh in their last team photo:

https://gfycat.com/o...sprairiechicken

Edited by Pimpwerx, 01 December 2019 - 12:47.

[B38]

Wow! Leclerc investigated for fuel load discrepancy.

 

https://www.racefans...ad-discrepancy/

Give Ferrari a $5000 fine. That will teach them a lesson!

[Hela]

What's all this about ?

 

https://www.gpfans.c...nalty-incoming/

[Heyli]

Any interview from Ferrari personell available already on the issue with Leclerc? I would be highly surprised if it really would be a concious attempt to cheat, so I guess it´s either a stupid error or a technical thing...

[TomNokoe]

Hamilton's 250

[Anja]

At this point RB/Honda/Max might be our only hope for actual 2020 championship fight. Ferrari will just take themselves out of it. 

Edited by Anja, 01 December 2019 - 12:54.

[Pimpwerx]

I'm just tuning in. Have Brundle or Crofty mentioned the Leclerc penalty yet? I assume Ted would be the one to provide the specifics.

 

EDIT: Brundle is asking Horner now. Horner with the subtle insinuation.

Edited by Pimpwerx, 01 December 2019 - 12:55.

[SamH123]

Seems to be too much fuel in Leclerc's car?  

That will hurt him then given it's 'significant'

[TomNokoe]

It would be pretty ridiculous if they let Leclerc race only to disqualify him!

[hayabusasc]

Realistically this should be quite an easy case to rule in with Ferrari. If they've done something illegal then it's an easy penalty to hand out.

Letting him race and potentially impacting the result is baffling to me. And I'm a Ferrari fan.

[Clatter]

given that it says significant I presume they either have a leak or they tried to cheat with the weight

 

Unless they have put in more than the allowed limit how could they be cheating?

[Anja]

It would be pretty ridiculous if they let Leclerc race only to disqualify him!

 

They would never do that. It would be as ridiculous as letting a driver onto the podium only to penalize him later.

 

Oh wait...

Edited by Anja, 01 December 2019 - 12:56.

[1Devil1]

It would be pretty ridiculous if they let Leclerc race only to disqualify him!

 

Imagine he has a crash with someone and takes a driver out and then gets a DSQ 

Edited by 1Devil1, 01 December 2019 - 12:56.

[sportyskells]

A reminder if Leclerc gets poduim we might be waiting a while for FIA checks

[JBJ]

Seems to be too much fuel in Leclerc's car?  

That will hurt him then given it's 'significant'

 

So ?
take it out !

[Heyli]

It would be pretty ridiculous if they let Leclerc race only to disqualify him!

Should be an easy decision for the stewarts as well I would assume...

[Pimpwerx]

It would be pretty ridiculous if they let Leclerc race only to disqualify him!

I wish Brundle's grid walk had the graphic showing Leclerc being investigated, and then another graphic saying decision to be made after the race. It would put a nice bow on this season of awful stewarding.

Edited by Pimpwerx, 01 December 2019 - 12:58.

[gowebber]

Deliberate attempt to give Vettel the best chance to win the WDC  battle over Leclerc lol?

Edited by gowebber, 01 December 2019 - 12:58.

[Heyli]

A reminder if Leclerc gets poduim we might be waiting a while for FIA checks

They will then simply decide at the next race .

[Clatter]

It really doesn't sound good for Leclerc. Surprised they're not investigating until after the race.

 

They don't want to remove the car from the race. Got to remember the show. Interview with Horner and he said it's a B&W rule and can't see how they cant be DQ'd.

[1Devil1]

Deliberate attempt to give Vettel the win in the WDC over Leclerc lol?

 

Yeah only needs to win the race, easy task without Leclerc