F1 2025 Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix

[gaskin]

The teams all do it at the same time so I wonder if the track is mandated by the FIA.

 

[Eaglemaniac]

Unfortunately I think Lando will win the WDC this weekend as he only has to finish 3rd, and in the McLaren that’s pretty easy as far as F1 goes.

I really hope Oscar wins it, and if not, then I hope it’s max.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I swear the fans who engage in this kind of discourse just get their analysis off social media, same with the "haha RB is a demotion" nonsense. Do you realise how much of a pay-rise the main team seat will be in comparison to Racing Bulls? Not like motorsport careers last long. Also, this idea that the red bull seat is automatically a failure is nonsense.

Perez is treated as a failure for 2024 but he had multiple race wins in multiple years, plenty of podiums and a second place in the championship. Albon in his "best" year for Williams this year is still lower than his worst year for Red Bull in 2020 when he got dropped. Red Bull have shown that they can compete consistently and have never bottomed out like Mclaren did, even when Max wasnt dominating like he is now, post the vettel era

Add that to the fact that its the perfect time to come in with completely new regulations and a car that isnt already optimized for Max as it isnt years into a regulation cycle, this is the best possible chance for Isack.

Money is great but the culture off track at the main red bull team is toxic (and will be until Marko and jos are both gone). While I understand the regs change everything will always be geared towards max and he can never be no1 there plus RBR main team always spits people up and chews them out.
Unless hadjar thinks max and jos are leaving in 12 months he would have been way better to keep doing well at racing bulls and then in 1-2 years look to move to whichever team is on the up under the new regs (where he could be no1 and have better growth).
I stand by the thought that its a dumb career move-the kid has bad advisors.

 

[BIRDBRAIN]

Next years cars are a whole new concept so I think it's as good a time as any for Hadjar to move up to the top team (and yes he will take the money too)

 

[TheEscapeClub]

What do people think of Lando's mental fragility with the pressure on him to protect the championship lead?

We know he can handle pressure, he's an F1 driver, but he doesn't seem to like or cope well with additional pressures on him.

Anyone think he might bin it all by himself?

He reverted back to the first half the season with his, 'please help'.

 

[Barrybran]

 

[Bradesmaen]

They would have planned that early in the season. Most of the test drivers run late in the season.

It's also usually related to when the F2 drivers (usually) are available/at the same event.

 

[Bradesmaen]

Unfortunately I think Lando will win the WDC this weekend as he only has to finish 3rd, and in the McLaren that’s pretty easy as far as F1 goes.

I really hope Oscar wins it, and if not, then I hope it’s max.

It's a tight first turn as Oscar knows from last year...

 

[Vader]

I swear the fans who engage in this kind of discourse just get their analysis off social media, same with the "haha RB is a demotion" nonsense. Do you realise how much of a pay-rise the main team seat will be in comparison to Racing Bulls? Not like motorsport careers last long. Also, this idea that the red bull seat is automatically a failure is nonsense.

Perez is treated as a failure for 2024 but he had multiple race wins in multiple years, plenty of podiums and a second place in the championship. Albon in his "best" year for Williams this year is still lower than his worst year for Red Bull in 2020 when he got dropped. Red Bull have shown that they can compete consistently and have never bottomed out like Mclaren did, even when Max wasnt dominating like he is now, post the vettel era

Add that to the fact that its the perfect time to come in with completely new regulations and a car that isnt already optimized for Max as it isnt years into a regulation cycle, this is the best possible chance for Isack.

Perez was mocked at the time, but I don't believe that is any longer the case. The struggles of Lawson and then Tsunoda made it abundantly clear to all and sundry that the car was the problem, not the driver. The longer Lawson & Tsunoda sat in the car, the better Perez looked.

 

[gaskin]

I'm still curious to see what Danny Ric could have done in the car if they put him in last season.

 

[Gasometer]

I'm still curious to see what Danny Ric could have done in the car if they put him in last season.

Not much if his last appearance in DTS was anything to go by where he effectively admitted he had lost his nerve

 

[Bradesmaen]

Not much if his last appearance in DTS was anything to go by where he effectively admitted he had lost his nerve

now he needs to be on DWTS.

 

[Gasometer]

now he needs to be on DWTS.

I’d be happy to see him on one of the F1 Tv teams. He’d hopefully bring a bit of light to what we currently see

 

[Achy Blakey Heart]

View attachment 2490444

Thats shocking AI quality

 

[Crimson Azure]

Thats shocking AI quality

Perhaps he can redo it using MS Paint.

 

[happy_eagle]

Not much if his last appearance in DTS was anything to go by where he effectively admitted he had lost his nerve

A lot of that was down to being in a McLaren that he just couldn't figure out.
He probably still would have had ample energy had he stayed at Renault and then pivoted back to RBR, or just stayed at RBR.

 

[RWnBluey]

If Kimi had held off Lando and kept the gap at 10 points, I’d have given Max a genuine 50/50 shot at taking the WDC this weekend mainly because, even though Lando has looked strong late in the season, I still think he’s vulnerable under real pressure.

At 10 points, a Max win would’ve forced Lando to beat Oscar. But with the gap now at 12, all Lando really needs is a podium ahead of the Mercs. Not straightforward, but a far easier task that won’t demand he push the absolute limits.

That said, this season has already thrown up plenty of chaos, so anything’s still possible. I’m just a lot less optimistic at 12 points than I would’ve been at 10.

 

[smasha]

If Lando can DNF, then Oscar vs Max battle will be great to watch

The look on the McLaren garage would be priceless if Lando does DNF.

 

[Matele]

The look on the McLaren garage would be priceless if Lando does DNF.

I hope he does his best ‘Piastri at Baku 2025’ impersonation, personally.

 

[happy_eagle]

It really comes down to George doesn't it ?

Max and Oscar (assuming we get last weekends Oscar) should be thereabouts to at least try and force Lando to P3.

The Ferrari's look absolutely cooked, and are no longer in that battle up front. Kimi I feel like doesn't quite have the pace of the Top 4 just yet.

It will be very interesting if George is able to put in a Top 3 quali lap and Lando has the jitters.

 

[Bradesmaen]

It really comes down to George doesn't it ?

Max and Oscar (assuming we get last weekends Oscar) should be thereabouts to at least try and force Lando to P3.

The Ferrari's look absolutely cooked, and are no longer in that battle up front. Kimi I feel like doesn't quite have the pace of the Top 4 just yet.

It will be very interesting if George is able to put in a Top 3 quali lap and Lando has the jitters.

George hates Max though and likes Lando... can see him just pulling out the way for Lando.

 

[RWnBluey]

It really comes down to George doesn't it ?

Max and Oscar (assuming we get last weekends Oscar) should be thereabouts to at least try and force Lando to P3.

The Ferrari's look absolutely cooked, and are no longer in that battle up front. Kimi I feel like doesn't quite have the pace of the Top 4 just yet.

It will be very interesting if George is able to put in a Top 3 quali lap and Lando has the jitters.

George has undoubtedly had the better year overall, but Kimi has been rock-solid since COTA. He was more impressive in Vegas despite finishing behind George and actually out scored him 51-44 over that stretch.

 

[Rod Stroker]

Williams scored more points this season than the last 7 seasons combined. Good to see them back. Vowles seems like a good operator.

 

[happy_eagle]

Williams scored more points this season than the last 7 seasons combined. Good to see them back. Vowles seems like a good operator.

Interested to see how they land in 2026.

Should have the right power unit in the car by all reports. In fact it will be very interesting to see how the Mercedes works team vs customer team dynamic works.

Last time it was an engine dominated formula, Mercedes works team were still far and beyond any other car that managed to have the "same" engine. The extent to which McLaren, Williams and Alpine will be competitive compared to the works Mercedes is an unknown.

 

[skam85]

Williams scored more points this season than the last 7 seasons combined. Good to see them back. Vowles seems like a good operator.

Vowles is the best thing to happen to Williams since Newey