If he gets 5-7 seconds on hamilton before the first pit he can manage to stay ahead, all he has to do then is match Hamiltons lap times

If perez can get good track position off the front and trouble ham that'll save max a couple of laps of rubber

comment by Mason Van Persie (U5125)
posted 40 minutes ago
It might be better for Hamilton to be behind at the first corner, less likely to be taken out by a Flying Dutchman
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Or overtaken like he normally does

comment by One Love - Admin 3 (U1250)
posted about an hour ago
If he gets 5-7 seconds on hamilton before the first pit he can manage to stay ahead, all he has to do then is match Hamiltons lap times
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A two stopper for Redbull versus 1 stopper for Mercedes could be on as well

Wish the Rangers game wasnt on at the same time ffs

comment by St3vie (U11028)
posted 1 hour, 17 minutes ago
Wish the Rangers game wasnt on at the same time ffs
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Picture in picture

Just been thinking, everyone talking about Hamilton having his "spicy engine" from Brazil for this race

We all know that Mercedes have had problems with engines losing power and performance a lot quicker than expected, with Hamilton and Bottas having used 5 and 6 engines respectively

When you think back, Bottas took a new engine in Russia, and with it he won in Turkey, but there were obviously still issues

He then took another new engine for the US GP, and took pole position in both Mexico and Brazil so clearly had decent pace with it although failing to convert it into victories....but since then he's been quite far off the pace

Hamilton took a new engine in Turkey, but as said, there were still issues with it leading to Bottas taking another new engine immediately after that race

Hamilton then took on his newest engine at Brazil, and has since used it in Saudi Arabia, with Abu Dhabi being the third race he will have used it in

So I'm just thinking, looking at Bottas performances, is it possibly the case that this "spicy engine" that Lewis has, only really has a lifespan of about 3 races maximum before performance really starts dropping off??

And if Mercedes have been cranking things up to the max in both Brazil and SA to give Hamilton the best possible chance, has that hastened the degrading of this engine?

If so, is that perhaps why Lewis couldn't match Verstappen for pace today, and could it be a factor in the race tomorrow?

Yep. Thats a theory i mentioned last week.

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

Really looking forward to this but can see that caaaant max doing something dodgy and still winning it

Unless nerves get the better of him Max will shoot off and win it pretty simple.

comment by Say Salah Salah whatever will be (U22757)
posted 25 minutes ago
Really looking forward to this but can see that caaaant max doing something dodgy and still winning it
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Dont think he wil

Anyway, I am already tuned in, come on MAX !

Here's two contradicting stats:

The last 6 races on Adu Dhabi have been won from pole
Hamilton has won all championships from 2nd or lower

12:43
Get Involved
#bbcf1

Hafi: It would be great for F1 if Verstappen wins today. His rivalry with Hamilton is good for the sport, but it needs to be marked with championship wins for each driver.

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Thought hafi was a Ham fan

Strategies are going to be interesting today.. how long Hamilton can keep those mediums performing could decide the race.

Verstappen has to absolutely blitz his first stint.

Time to shine Lewis.

Come on Verstappen

Crash first corner norris takes out ham

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

Last time I was this pumped for an F1 race was Brazil 2012.

PUMPED!

I predict an anti climatic race after the drama of Saudi Arabia but I just want it to be fair and square

Looking forwards to this! Hope it’s a classic race

Come on Lewis. You can do it