Showing posts with label AbudhabiGP. Show all posts

Thursday, December 12, 2024

#F1 - McLAREN VICTORIOUS: 2024 #AbuDhabiGP Wrap: The Inside Line

12 December 2024

Abu Dhabi’s glittering Yas Marina Circuit has settled all manner of scores since it joined Formula One’s calendar in 2009. And in 2024, Lando Norris dominated the sport’s season finale to deliver McLaren its first constructors’ championship since 1998, its ninth overall. Watch the video, and tell us what you think in the comments…

#F1 #Formula1

webmaster John Nichols @itcracing @Linkedin

Saturday, December 7, 2024

#F1 - 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Saturday "Disappointing final Qualifying of the year" Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team

Press Information
07 December 2024

F1: Session Report

2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Saturday

Disappointing final Qualifying of the year

George Russell will line up P6 with Lewis Hamilton starting P17 for Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
An encouraging FP3 saw Lewis maintain his pace from earlier in the weekend as he set the third fastest time.
Unfortunately, in Q1, Lewis was hindered by traffic on his out lap, impacting his preparation, and a rogue bollard becoming stuck underneath his car at turn 14 affecting the final corners of the lap.
Before that, he was on pace to make it through to Q2 but was sadly knocked out in P18.
George made it through to Q3 but did not have the pace to challenge for the front three-rows, setting the seventh quickest time.
Owing to grid penalties, George will line up P6 tomorrow with Lewis starting P17.
The team's focus is now on making sure we end the season as strong as we can after a disappointing Saturday.

Driver	FP3	Q1		Q2		Q3
George Russell	P6	7 Laps 1:23.678	P9 Hard, Soft, Soft	6 Laps 1:23.283	P8 Soft, Soft	6 Laps 1:23.132	P7 Soft, Soft
Lewis Hamilton	P3	7 Laps 1:23.887	P18 Hard, Soft, Soft

George Russell
It has been a strange weekend for us as a team. It's been very up and down. There's been moments where we've looked quick and then other times when we're not sure where the pace has gone. We are a little confused by that but, on my side of the garage, we didn't have the speed to fight for the first couple of rows today. That is frustrating but P7 is likely the best we could have hoped for today. It was a real shame for Lewis too. He's been really quick this weekend, ahead of me comfortably, and I think he would have been right up there at the end of Q3.

Looking ahead to tomorrow, it will be tough to move forward. It is perhaps surprising to see the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and the Haas of Nico Hulkenberg up there, but I think firstly they did an amazing job and secondly, I think that their pace this weekend is genuine. We will have a fight on our hands but we will take that on and look to end the season as strongly as we can.

Lewis Hamilton
Today was really unfortunate. We've worked so hard to get the car into a good place and it has been feeling strong all weekend. Sadly, our timing at the end of Q1 wasn't the best. We weren't able to optimise the out lap, having to push through traffic. That compromised my last effort in that session; a bollard then got stuck under the car at turn 14 and affected the final few corners of the lap. To that point, I was level on pace with George and looking good to make it through to Q2. It is obviously really frustrating.

It is difficult to say what would have been possible if we had made it through to the final part of Qualifying. We have been looking good across the practice sessions so I think we could have challenged for the first couple of rows. It is what it is though, and I will be giving it my all to end as strongly as we can tomorrow. It will be difficult from P17, but I will be trying to enjoy it as much as possible and make up as many positions as we can.

Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO
We need to apologise to Lewis and everyone in the team who has worked so hard to deliver a great final weekend for him here in Abu Dhabi. He has been quick across all three practice sessions and was looking good for a strong result tomorrow. Sadly, we totally let him down at the end of Q1. We made the mistake of not sending the drivers out early enough. That compromised both their out laps and then their final push laps as they wrestled through traffic. Lewis was then additionally compromised by a bollard becoming stuck under his car. Without that, he would likely have got through, but we shouldn't have been risking so much in Q1.

It will be very difficult for Lewis to get back to where he should have been racing tomorrow. Nevertheless, I know he will be giving it absolutely everything to do so. That is his character and always has been. With George starting P7, we will also be looking forward, but we must be realistic. The cars ahead of him have looked quick and it will be challenging to make progress. Hopefully we can enjoy a better day than today though and end the season on a high.

Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director
That was a tough evening and one that didn't go the way we had hoped. Firstly, we can only apologise to Lewis for his Q1 exit. Traffic is always a challenge here in Qualifying and something that you account for. Unfortunately, we didn't get it quite right. Both cars left the pit lane at the back of the queue; with overtaking in the tunnel not allowed, many cars ahead took the opportunity to form larger gaps to the car in front than usual. That left Lewis and George on the back foot and having to cut their way through traffic on the out lap to make the flag. They were then further compromised by having less than ideal gaps to the car ahead of them. All that said, both were on pace to make it through to Q2 before a loose bollard became stuck under Lewis's car at turn 14. That impacted him in the final few corners and, in an already tight session, cost him a couple of vital few tenths.

It is not the way we wanted to head into our final race day together. We will be doing everything we can tomorrow to enable Lewis to work his way back through the field. Fighting drives are an absolute speciality of his and we know he will be giving it his all to end our time together on a high.

On George's side, he has struggled pace wise a little more this weekend. We will need to evaluate why that is but, in the meantime, our focus is on trying to make gains tomorrow. Starting from P7 that will be tough. The field is close, and we know overtaking is a challenge here. Nevertheless, we will see what we can do and hope that we can finish the year more strongly than we did today.

Drivers React After Qualifying | 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Friday, December 6, 2024

#F1 - 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Friday "Final Friday of the season completed in Abu Dhabi" Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team

Press Information
06 December 2024

F1: Session Report

2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Friday

Final Friday of the season completed in Abu Dhabi

The team began what is sure to be an emotional weekend in Abu Dhabi as we bid farewell to Lewis Hamilton.
The team ran the Medium and Soft compound tyres in both sessions, saving the Hard compound for the remainder of the weekend.
In FP1, Lewis posted the third fastest time with George fourth quickest using the Soft tyre.
As the sun set, both took to the track for FP2 and again used the Soft compound to set their quickest times.
Lewis went fifth fastest, but was improving on his second push lap before a snap at turn 12 cost him time.
George was less happy but chose only to set one time on the Soft tyre in order to focus on his long run work.
The team return to the track tomorrow for FP3 and Qualifying.

Driver	FP1				FP2
Lewis Hamilton	27 Laps	1:24.806	P3	Medium, Soft, Medium	28 Laps	1:24.119	P5	Medium, Soft, Medium
George Russell	27 Laps	1:25.165	P4	Medium, Soft, Medium	24 Laps	1:24.534	P13	Medium, Soft, Medium

Lewis Hamilton
It's all feeling very surreal being my last weekend with the team. I'm trying to be as present as I can and enjoy every moment. I've enjoyed driving the car, working with everyone in the garage, with the engineers, and I'm just trying to capture the moments as much as I can. I'm aiming to channel all of my emotions into the car and the team because I have so much love for them and as always, I want to do really well for them. This weekend I have one last chance to go for it and try to do so.

I'm not planning on changing too much on the car tonight. We obviously have some work to do as the McLarens are still fast and the Ferraris are also within that mix too. So, we do need to find some time. Overall, though, my feeling with the car has been good today. It's never easy to determine what our long run pace looks like, but it didn't seem too bad today so hopefully that's a positive for us. Ultimately, we have some work to do on our single lap pace and I hope tomorrow we can be closer to those ahead of us.

George Russell
Today was a bit of a struggle, but it's only Friday. We were also trying a lot of different things today in preparation for next year as obviously this is our last opportunity to do so. We therefore wanted to go a little more radical with the set-up options, see if there's anything more we can learn, and test things to develop our learnings and understanding for 2025.

As we saw, Lewis did some great laps today. Still, as a team, we don't seem to be on the pace of the very front runners on a single lap. McLaren in particular look to be in a league of their own at the moment and their pace in both sessions showed that again today. Tomorrow, I expect the Ferraris to be back in the mix but I'm hoping we can make some improvements overnight and have a more competitive showing than today.

Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director
We've had strong single lap performance at the last two races but today we've found the Soft tyre quite tricky. McLaren were clearly very fast today and they will be hard to beat this weekend, but if you look at Lewis' lap then you can see how with a few improvements he could put himself just behind.

George has a bit more to find but we were experimenting with some new setup directions and the cars were quite different for the low fuel work. We can unpick that work on the simulator overnight, but I'd expect we'll find a good direction through which George can improve for tomorrow. The long run picture was better; Lewis a bit ahead of George and like the single lap, we can see some areas that we ought to be able to improve that should put us closer to the front. We'll use FP3 to continue the work on low fuel and hope that tomorrow we'll close the day a bit nearer the top of the timing screen.

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

#F1 - 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Preview Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team

Press Information
03 December 2024

F1: Race Preview

2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Preview

The final round of the 2024 F1 season takes place at Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi.

Toto Talks Abu Dhabi
Fact File: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Stat Sheet: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Toto Talks Abu Dhabi

After 12 incredible years, we get ready to write the final chapter in our racing story with Lewis this weekend. It has been quite a journey. When we first started working together in 2013, we couldn't have imagined what was to come. Six Drivers' World Championships. Eight Constructors' titles. 84 wins. 78 pole positions. 153 podium finishes. The most successful driver and team partnership in F1 history. Many highs that we have enjoyed. Some crushing lows that we've overcome together.

Our relationship has meant so much more than just numbers and statistics, though. It is a legacy that transcends our sport, with a lasting impact beyond the racetrack. One that has strived to increase diversity in our sport. To fight for inclusion. Lewis has been the catalyst for so much of this and we have been honoured and proud to work hand-in-hand with him. That work won't stop at the end of this year. But it began because of the impetus led by Lewis.

This weekend is a celebration. A celebration of everything that we have accomplished together. Lewis's association with Mercedes goes back 26 years. Every lap of his career so far has been powered by the three-pointed star. We will honour this unparalleled story in Abu Dhabi and across the following week as we visit Kuala Lumpur, Stuttgart, then finally Brixworth and Brackley. And honour it knowing that, whilst this phase of our relationship is coming to an end, Lewis will always be a part of our family.

For now, though, our full focus is on the race weekend. There is no better way to mark the end of our time together than with a strong performance on the track. The entire team is focused on adding one more highlight to the reel. We also want to end the season on the front foot. That will help us carry momentum into the winter and onwards as we open the next chapter in our story in 2025. With George as the senior driver and Kimi as an exciting rookie talent, our future is bright. But let's end this present chapter in the right way. Thank you, Lewis: for one final time, let's do this.

Thank You, Lewis!

As part of our celebrations of Lewis's time with the team, our Title and Technical Partner PETRONAS organised for him to drive three of his former cars at Silverstone recently.

Race Record - Lewis Hamilton with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team

		Starts		Wins		Podiums		Poles		Front row		Fastest laps		DNF		Points		Laps Led		Races Led
Mercedes		245		84		153		78		128		55		14		3,937.5		4,210		142

Fact File: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Abu Dhabi 2024 will be the 246th and final Grand Prix with Mercedes for Lewis Hamilton, a partnership that has delivered six World Drivers' titles, eight World Constructors' titles, 84 wins, 153 podiums, and 78 pole positions.
It stands to be the 356th and final Grand Prix for Lewis with a Mercedes-Benz powered car in F1, ending a run that started on the seven-time world champion's debut in the sport in March 2007.
Abu Dhabi made its F1 debut in 2009 as the sport's first ever twilight race, with the start taking place at sunset. Around 4,700 light fixtures are used to illuminate the track.
Several modifications were made to the track layout ahead of the 2021 race, changing the lap length from 5.554 km to 5.281 km.
These changes including removing the chicane at the start of the second sector and widening the following hairpin. The twisty chicanes at the start of the final sector were also replaced by one long, banked corner.
Similar to other twilight and night races on the calendar, FP1 and FP3 take place in the daytime. FP2, Qualifying and the Grand Prix itself take place at night or as the sun sets.
That poses a challenge to the engineers and drivers who must accommodate for the changes in tyre and car behaviour owing to the differing ambient and track temperatures.
The pitlane at the Yas Marina Circuit is unique in F1, in that it features a tunnel that runs underneath Turn One. Drivers pass under the track at the pit lane exit, re-joining on the left-hand side of Turn 2.
In 2023, Yas Marina Circuit overtook Adelaide as the track at which the most season-ending F1 races have been held (12).
The circuit has seen four world champions crowned. Sebastian Vettel in 2010, Lewis Hamilton in 2014, Nico Rosberg in 2016 and Max Verstappen in 2021.
Mercedes has six wins at Yas Marina. Four with Lewis Hamilton (2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019), Valtteri Bottas (2017) and Nico Rosberg (2015)
In 2023, George Russell's third place finish helped clinch P2 in the Constructors' standings.
George also sealed his F2 title at the circuit in 2018, before making the step up to F1 the following season.

Stat Sheet: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Session	Local Time (GST)	Brackley (GMT)	Stuttgart (CET)
Practice 1 (Friday)	13:30 - 14:30	09:30 - 10:30	10:30 - 11:30
Practice 2 (Friday)	17:00 - 18:00	13:00 - 14:00	14:00 - 15:00
Practice 3 (Saturday)	14:30 - 15:30	10:30 - 11:30	11:30 - 12:30
Qualifying (Saturday)	18:00 - 19:00	14:00 - 15:00	15:00 - 16:00
Race (Sunday)	17:00	13:00	14:00

Race Records - Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team in Abu Dhabi

	Starts	Wins	Podium Places	Poles	Front Row	Fastest Laps	DNF
Mercedes	14	6	14	6	11	3	2
Hamilton	15	5	10	5	11	3	3
Russell	5	0	1	0	0	0	1
MB Power	15	7	21	8	17	5	11

Technical Stats - Season to Date (Pre-season Testing to Present)

	Laps Completed	Distance Covered (km)	Corners Taken	Gear Changes	PETRONAS Fuel Injections
Mercedes	6,870	35,161.044	115,803	337,298	275,080,000
Hamilton	3,400	17,414.584	57,175	166,372	136,280,000
Russell	3,446	17,635.719	58,250	170,062	137,840,000
MB Power	25,790	131,876.684	432,557	1,264,903	1,028,840,000

Mercedes-Benz in Formula One

	Starts	Wins	Podium Places	Poles	Front Row	Fastest Laps	1-2 Wins	Front Row Lockouts
Mercedes (All Time)	316	129	298	141	265	109	60	84
Mercedes (Since 2010)	304	120	281	133	245	100	55	80
Hamilton	355	105	202	104	176	67	N/A	N/A
Russell	127	3	15	5	14	8	N/A	N/A
MB Power	586	222	615	233	471	221	95	124