FROM THE ENCOUNTER TO ABU DHABI. Hamilton is the fastest, Verstappen seems to have the best race pace. The first round, that of free practice on Friday, ended in substantial equality. The duelists studied the modifications to the Yas Marina circuit, learned the best trajectories already tried on the simulator and finally signed their best lap, probably masked by different fuel loads. A lighter car explains Ocon’s second place with the Alpine, which preceded Bottas’ Mercedes and Verstappen’s Red Bull. Eighth and ninth time for the Ferraris of Leclerc and Sainz, now projected to 2022.
From tomorrow (Saturday) we start to get serious in this Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that awards the title. The pole position is up for grabs, which on the old circuit until last year was very important, but now, with the changes that have rounded up and speeded up the corners, it is no longer decisive. If it can be overcome with relative ease, the strategies change: Max and Lewis will have more chances to play it in a direct confrontation, with one eye on the track and another on the rival (the FIA has threatened the deduction of points for those who deliberately cause an accident , but we know how subtle the difference is between a hard overtaking, but within the limits of the regulations, and an incorrect one).
Another grain breaks out: together with the curves, the curbs have been changed: the new ones are 7.5 cm high and end in a point. Pirelli has not been notified and is now sounding the alarm: “Our tires are not suitable for that type of curb – explains Pirelli Motorsport manager Mario Isola -. The problem of respecting the limits of the track is not solved by building sidewalks. And it’s not just a tire problem: the wings, frames and bottom of the car can break. We would not like a World Cup to be awarded by a curb ». The FIA is looking for a solution. The increase in inflation pressure would alleviate the problem “but – Pirelli insists – it is not a solution”.
Thus the first 10: 1. Hamilton (Mercedes, 1’23”691); 2. Ocon (Alpine, 0”343); 3. Bottas (Mercedes, 0”392); 4. Verstappen (Red Bull, 0”641); 5. Perez (Red Bull, 0 ” 709); 6. Alonso (Alpine, 0”804); 7. Tsunoda (AlphaTauri, 0”841); 8. Leclerc (Ferrari, 0”866); 9. Sainz (Ferrari (1”153); 10. Gasly (AlphaTauri, 1.249).