Abu Dhabi 2021 Race Thread

[Nick Singer]

WTH!?

You're crazy.

Exactly!

[JPZ]

Congratulations to Max Verstappen!

What an epic race!!!

[nani_s23]

DECISION: Protest dismissed regarding overtaking behind the Safety Car

One of the protests of Mercedes is dismissed. That is the one which accused Max Verstappen overtaking Lewis Hamilton under Safety Car (Art. 48.8). But second protest still pending.

[nani_s23]

Mercedes are using Paul Harris QC for their case against the race decisions today…

This is the same man that got Man City out of their UEFA ban last year and succeeded in the largest ever UK damages action (Merricks v. Mastercard)

What Mercedes allege is that the dramatic final lap should not have occurred at all.

"Red Bull are unhappy that Mercedes have decided to protest in the first place, and that they have brought a QC here.

[WS6TransAm01]

Mercedes definitely had some 'help' along the way.

But having watched the way HAM qualified, raced, climbed through the field and dealt with all comers is not down to the FIA. The Merc was the fastest car for most of the hybrid era - and that sure helped. But to claim he won seven titles by default is what in God's own country (still, just...) we call b0ll0cks! Look at BOT the donkey - same car, dismal performance..

We (Ferrari) failed on a number of fronts (just car, ICE, strategy etc!!!) and it was up to others to catch Mercedes. Nobody did - apart from the fizzy drink mob who got very close and even they couldn't do the Constructors this year.

You’re assuming Bottas had the “same car”. You’re saying Merc didn’t make any updates to the engine they recently put in Hamilton’s car? You know, for reliability. Further, I don’t think he cared much today. He’s leaving and he had to eat doo doo from Merc for years, I would have retired the car if I was him.

Yes, I am saying that without the FIA allowing Merc to basically cheat in creating their cars with the engine head start and the secret tire test and so on that Hamilton would not have 7 WDCs right now.

He has benefited from a team which was allowed to exploit gray areas while others were not.

[Nick Singer]

Don't get angry - get even!

[Tifoso Svedese]

Actual the rest championship:

Bahrain:
1. Norris (25)
2. Leclerc (18)
4. Sainz (12)

Imola:

1. Norris (50)
2. Leclerc (36)
3. Sainz (28)

Portugal:

1. Leclerc (61)
2. Norris (68)
4. Sainz (40)

Spain:

1. Leclerc (86)
3. Sainz (55)
4. Norris (80)

Monaco:

1. Sainz (80)
2. Norris (98)
DNS. Leclerc (86)

Azerbaijan:
3. Leclerc (101)
4. Norris (110)
7. Sainz (86)

France:
1. Norris (135)
7. Sainz (92)
12. Leclerc (101)

Styria:
1. Norris (160)
2. Sainz (110)
3. Leclerc (116)

Austria:
1. Norris (185)
2. Sainz (128)
3. Leclerc (128)

Britain:
1. Leclerc (153)
2. Norris (203)
4. Sainz (140)

Hungary:
2. Sainz (158)
DNF. Norris (203)
DNF. Leclerc (153)

Belgium:
6. Leclerc (157)
8. Sainz (160)
12. Norris (203)

Netherlands:
2. Leclerc (175)
4. Sainz (172)
6. Norris (211)

Italy:
2. Norris (229)
3. Leclerc (190)
4. Sainz (184)

Russia:
1. Sainz (209)
4. Norris (241)
11. Leclerc (190)

Turkey:
1. Leclerc (215)
3. Norris (256)
4. Sainz (224)

USA:
1. Leclerc (240)
3. Sainz (239)
4. Norris (268)

Mexico:
1. Leclerc (265)
2. Sainz (257)
6. Norris (276)

Brazil:
1. Leclerc (290)
2. Sainz (275)
6. Norris (284)

Qatar:
4. Sainz (287)
5. Leclerc (300)
6. Norris (292)

Saudi Arabia:
4. Leclerc (312)
5. Sainz (297)
7. Norris (298)

Abu Dhabi:
1. Sainz (322)
4. Norris (310)
7. Leclerc (318)

That was close!

Wins:
Sainz: Monaco, Russia, Abu Dhabi
Leclerc: Portugal, Spain, Britain, Turkey, USA, Mexico, Brazil
Norris: Bahrain, Imola, France, Styria, Austria

So Leclerc won best of the rest 7 times but still didn't win in the best of the rest championship! Sums his season up quite well, doesn't it? Just not his year but clearly one of the three best guys in the business.

[Smintlemon]

Mercedes as F1 Team has destroyed this Sport.

[Nick Singer]

Mercedes as F1 Team has destroyed this Sport.

Too much influence on the authorities, I agree.

[Tifoso Svedese]

Was at yesterday's match. Sorensen (never played before in that position!) had CR7 (who apart from a good penalty was poor) in his pocket. Our team - with several injuries, illness and losing our captain early on - still matched Utd throughout and only a fairly soft 'big six club' penalty did for us. Sadly, unless we score some goals, we'll be back down despite playing decent football.

Next!

Your team has great potential and a tidy manager but somehow it never seems to work out in the Prem. I hope you guys will find a way to stay up, always been fond of Norwich. Very nice colours and East Anglia is sort of similar to the Swedish region I live in with fewer trees. Also a warm and sunny east coast region here In fact, I'd like to see Norwich and Ipswich in the Prem at the same time that'd be fun.

[nani_s23]

Too much influence on the authorities, I agree.

What did RB do during 2010 to 2013??

[nani_s23]

Mercs are first out from stewards room… no comments

[nani_s23]

Red Bull stating the protest has not been upheld…

[nani_s23]

The Max championship winning tweet from the FIA account is gone…

Other handle says Max remains 2021 WDC & Mercs going to take the case to court

[nani_s23]

It’s official “Max is 2021 WDC”….
Mercs protest -> decision upheld.

[KimiBot]

It’s official “Max is 2021 WDC”….
Mercs protest -> decision upheld.

[Tifoso Svedese]

Congratulations to the madman he drove well this year!

[DJTaurus]

Congratulations to the madman he drove well this year!

He was also a madman against Vettel in the past and made me angry many times. But this year it was the only guy who could stand against Hamilton….. and only by driving like madman he could have make it because that Merc after Silverstone it was on another level…. specially the last 4 races. Max with fresh tyres today was only matching Hamiltons pace with 30+ laps older tyres.

[jgonzalesm6]

It’s official “Max is 2021 WDC”….
Mercs protest -> decision upheld.

There is some legal jargon in the code itself regarding the 2nd decision(lapped cars). ANY does not mean ALL. That said, the race director has the final say and overriding authority regarding the safety car.

It might change after today.

Congratulations Max on your 1st WDC title.

[KimiBot]

[nani_s23]

There is some legal jargon in the code itself regarding the 2nd decision(lapped cars). ANY does not mean ALL. That said, the race director has the final say and overriding authority regarding the safety car.

It might change after today.

Congratulations Max on your 1st WDC title.

For me Michael Massi failed completely … this season.

If race director has the right to overturn the rules. Then why should we watch F1?? He can decide title winners every season.

[wacc]

He was also a madman against Vettel in the past and made me angry many times. But this year it was the only guy who could stand against Hamilton….. and only by driving like madman he could have make it because that Merc after Silverstone it was on another level…. specially the last 4 races. Max with fresh tyres today was only matching Hamiltons pace with 30+ laps older tyres.

+1
Exactly. RBR And Max had been agressive. They went all in. Congratulation.
Also good job Carlos, Charles and the whole team. Thanks.

[330 p4]

For me Michael Massi failed completely … this season.

If race director has the right to overturn the rules. Then why should we watch F1?? He can decide title winners every season.

As long as it wasn't Hamilton winning it's a bonus.

Love it if Wolf is so angry he suffers an aneurysm.

[nani_s23]

Mercedes has lodged its intention to appeal

[Tony]

F1 has always been a political sport. It was put center stage today, this may signify a changing of the guard as the sport may now shift away from Mercedes. The comparisons to WWE aren't that far off, there always appears to be a guiding hand towards a particular team. Ferrari have benefited from this in the past too.

[jgonzalesm6]

For me Michael Massi failed completely … this season.

If race director has the right to overturn the rules. Then why should we watch F1?? He can decide title winners every season.

I agree the inconsistencies in F1 have always been an issue so that's not going to change.

2021 has been a season against Max whether on the track or by the stewards. Max gave the postion back last race for "overtaking with an unfair advantage" while Lewis overtook Max at Abu Dhabi on the corner went off track and overtook Max with an unfair advantage but did not give the place back.

When the points are this close given the circumstances, yes Masi has the final say. i don't think he abused it throughout the season against Lewis.....but it seems Max could not get a break.

[nani_s23]

I agree the inconsistencies in F1 have always been an issue so that's not going to change.

2021 has been a season against Max whether on the track or by the stewards. Max gave the postion back last race for "overtaking with an unfair advantage" while Lewis overtook Max at Abu Dhabi on the corner went off track and overtook Max with an unfair advantage but did not give the place back.

When the points are this close given the circumstances, yes Masi has the final say. i don't think he abused it throughout the season against Lewis.....but it seems Max could not get a break.

Max got away with Brazil & More severe punishment in Jeddah (brake-test).

I think in monza, max took out ham ?? When ham coming out of pit stop & clearly ahead.

Silverstone was a mistake from Lewis.

[jgonzalesm6]

Max got away with Brazil & More severe punishment in Jeddah (brake-test).

I think in monza, max took out ham ?? When ham coming out of pit stop & clearly ahead.

Silverstone was a mistake from Lewis.

Jeddah, Max slowed down by downshifting into 3rd gear with Lewis following(?????) Max for 5 seconds before Max applied the brakes. Lewis was at fault for following a slower car then got braked checked.

Yes, Monza was Max's fault.

Hungary was Bottas fault for "taking out" a melee of drivers to include Max.

[Liscia]

Just guessing but maybe Toto Wolf might sign on Rudy Giuliani and Cyber Ninjas for the appeal?
No guess and I'm sure Verstappen is and will remain World Champion for which he and his team
deserve my perfuntory congratulations.

[paolo lalli]

Go mad Max its healthy for the sport.Lewis is a champion in his own rights and probably would not like a championship given to him on appeal .Lewis like Max and others are on track results drivers.