2014 Abu Dhabi GP - Yas Marina

[CHT]

Lewis usually perform best if he is racing from behind. To have 17 pt advantage going into the final race, LH will be under tremendous pressure to not make mistake and this I believe could affect his driving this weekend. So I am guessing that NR will get pole and win the race this weekend, while LH strategy will most likely be a clean and control race, to bring the car home in 2nd.

[beardRage]

Except Lewis has said he will not settle for 2nd. His goal is to win this race just like any other.

[astracrazy]

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2014/11/20/h ... ure-title/

Don't do something stupid now, Lewis. I hope he's learned from Brazil 2007, and his Turn 4 adventure when trying to pass Alonso.

headline is one thing and what he actually said is another.

[Vasconia]

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2014/11/20/h ... ure-title/

Don't do something stupid now, Lewis. I hope he's learned from Brazil 2007, and his Turn 4 adventure when trying to pass Alonso.

headline is one thing and what he actually said is another.

This, you cant drive like normally because its not a normal race, I hope Lewis is finally a mature driver and does his job reaching the flag without doing anything stupid.

[SiLo]

Lewis has been here before, Rosberg hasn't. I think that will count for a lot.

[Phil]

I don't think Rosberg will struggle. He'll be at the top of his game, as he has been all season. From his POV, it's not in his hands - so to some degree, he has less pressure. He can only win this weekend. Lewis, on the other hand, can only lose...

[Phil]

Regarding Rosbergs strong qualifying performance this year; Could it be that Rosberg takes more out of his tires on the first few laps (when the tire performs at its best), but consequently suffers from higher wear on longer stints? I've been trying to get my head around how Rosberg seems quicker or roughly identical in qualifying, but Hamilton (at least in the past few races) seems to have a definite pace advantage during the race on the longer stints. Just a difference in how both drivers get their tire temperatures up to temp, Rosberg being more agressive - and thus quicker on the first few laps, but then a higher drop off?

Any thoughts?

[NathanOlder]

Currently the Mercs are 1.7 infront of the chasing pack. Alonso just moved up to 3rd on new soft tyres. Lewis set his best on 10 lap old soft tyres. The Mercedes advantage looks huge right now

[astracrazy]

which can only help lewis really

[prince]

I don't think Rosberg will struggle. He'll be at the top of his game, as he has been all season. From his POV, it's not in his hands - so to some degree, he has less pressure. He can only win this weekend. Lewis, on the other hand, can only lose...

Can't it be other way round? Nico HAS TO WIN and that puts pressure to try too hard and Lewis CAN AFFORD TO COME SECOND which means, he need not have to try too hard.

[turbof1]

I think Hamilton has the least pressure. He has been in a final round championship 3 times. I don't think the nerves and pressure play a big part the 4th time. Twisting it into nothing to win, everything to loose isn't going to apply more then Rosberg's "need to finish first, need hamilton to not be second while car has 1.7s advantage over anything else."

[SidSidney]

I think Hamilton has the least pressure. He has been in a final round championship 3 times. I don't think the nerves and pressure play a big part the 4th time. Twisting it into nothing to win, everything to loose isn't going to apply more then Rosberg's "need to finish first, need hamilton to not be second while car has 1.7s advantage over anything else."

I am GENUINELY not saying this to create a flamewar, but I want to ask: is there any evidence that Hamilton chokes? I don't know if there is or not.

[tranquility2k4]

Long runs from FP1:

HAM
21 1:48.300
22 1:48.054
23 1:56.885
24 1:48.820
25 1:48.050
26 1:48.254
27 1:48.557
28 1:48.484
29 1:48.507

ROS
21 1:48.146
22 1:48.707
23 1:49.746
24 1:48.459
25 1:48.333
26 1:48.930
27 1:48.579

VET
19 1:49.685
20 1:48.626
21 1:48.621
22 1:48.471
23 1:49.081
24 1:55.776
25 1:48.885
26 1:49.416
27 1:49.167

RIC
14 1:49.002
15 1:48.588
16 1:48.657
17 1:50.087
18 1:49.113
19 1:48.772
20 1:48.800

MAG
19 1:47.999
20 1:48.448


Ham clearly better than Ros, although don't know of traffic. The Red Bull's don't look too bad but they always look closer on FP1 runs, likely a different fuel load. Interestingly, McLaren usually run the same high-fuel load as Merc and are usually miles away at end of FP1. Mag only did a 2 lap run but if that was indeed high fuel, could signal their new updates are working. Highly skeptical though.

[i70q7m7ghw]

I don't think Rosberg will struggle. He'll be at the top of his game, as he has been all season. From his POV, it's not in his hands - so to some degree, he has less pressure. He can only win this weekend. Lewis, on the other hand, can only lose...

Well, it's not completely out of his hands. A repeat of Spa for example would play very nicely in to Nico's hands. I'm sure he's watched that race over a few times before coming to Abu Dhabi.

[turbof1]

Another note that could be vital for Hamilton is that Mercedes enjoys a huge advantage over the 'competition'. While overtaking is said to be difficult, having around 1.5s a lap in the bag means he'll probably still be able to overtake when strategy calls get messed up.

Rosberg chances are diminishing. It now seems only a DNF from Hamilton would ruin it. I don't think Rosberh will try to take out Hamilton, and Hamilton will either drive a gap between him and Rosberg or he'll concede the place to Rosberg, if he starts on pole. Hamilton's biggest danger, either starting from pole or starting second would be if he and Rosberg arrive very close in the first corner. A suicide dive like Sochi by Rosberg is a possibility.