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Two Friday Drivers
The official entry list for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is available – Lewis Hamilton, of course, is already on it. There are also two drivers on Fridays in the last racing weekend of the year. Mick Schumacher will do the first free practice for Haas tomorrow, Robert Kubica for Alfa Romeo.
Aitken with Williams
It is also clear: Jack Aitken will not contest another Grand Prix for the moment and will have to make way for George Russell at Williams again. Ask on Twitter if Stoffel Vandoorne, who was ignored by Mercedes, still has a controller for the game console …
Russell back to Williams
Now that Lewis Hamilton is back, George Russell will have to swap his Mercedes jersey for Williams’. The Briton will compete for the auxiliary team again this weekend and will not get a second chance.
Hamilton is allowed to enter the paddock
“The FIA, Formula 1 and the Mercedes team can confirm today that Lewis Hamilton has passed a series of corona negative tests. He completed his ten-day quarantine in Bahrain and was able to leave the country in accordance with the regulations of the Bahraini health authorities. . Lewis “. it has already arrived in Abu Dhabi ”, says the official statement.
The authorities allowed him to leave because he had more negative results. This is necessary to access the paddock, as stipulated in Appendix S of the Sports Code. Hamilton will have to present another negative result within the first 24 hours after entering the paddock.
Confirmed: Hamilton tested negative for Corona!
And as soon as we write that on the ticker, the FIA confirmation comes in: Lewis Hamilton has tested negative for Corona multiple times and has already made it to Abu Dhabi. That also means: you will participate in the season finale!
Media reports: Hamilton tested negative
Will Lewis Hamilton drive in Abu Dhabi? Or will George Russell get another shot at the Mercedes? Those are the big questions this Thursday before the end of the season. According to ‘auto motor und sport’ and ‘Sky’ media reports, the world champion delivered at least one negative corona test in Bahrain and is already on his way to the emirate.
Martin Brundle, Sky expert and former racing driver, says: “I heard he did a couple of negative tests in Bahrain and is on his way here as long as he tests negative again. I think it’s very likely that he will be in the car on Friday Not sure yet, but I understand. “
Important: Mercedes has not yet officially confirmed anything.
Giovinazzi can still beat Raikkonen
In Abu Dhabi, some decisions will still be made on Sunday, including in the internal qualifying matches. It is particularly close at McLaren between Sainz and Norris (8: 8) and at Alfa Romeo between Kimi Räikkönen and Antonio Giovinazzi (8: 8). “After a long season, of course, it’s good to be so close,” said the Italian.
Of course you want to beat your experienced teammate. He also notes: “My main goal for this weekend is not to beat Kimi in qualifying, but to score points on Sunday. We have to focus on that.”
– Summary: All 2020 qualifying matches!
Hockenheim 2018: a turning point?
Was there too much pressure involved in Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel? “I don’t know. I think you put more pressure on yourself.” He is also happy to admit that the pressure is coming from Italy, the Tifosi and the media. But: “I always have the highest expectations of myself. I am my first and best judge when I have not reached them.”
For example, he mentions the Hockenheim failure in 2018. “Rest assured, I was not happy, even before the Tifosi, to have put the car in the gravel trap in Germany.” Was that moment the turnaround for Vettel and Ferrari? “No, it’s been a roller coaster ride over the years. But it didn’t help momentum that year,” he admits. It was just a small mistake, but with far-reaching consequences and consequences.
Vettel: Too hard on yourself?
Is Sebastian Vettel taking it too hard? The German has already spoken in many interviews recently that he failed with Ferrari. However, he is the third most successful Ferrari driver of all time. “But that does not change anything, we failed. We had the goal and the ambition to win world championships. And we did not achieve it,” he clarifies today.
He also realizes that he had to compete against one of the strongest drivers (Lewis Hamilton) and one of the strongest teams (Mercedes) of all time. But: “We wanted to be stronger.” There are many reasons why it didn’t work out in the end.
Bottas: special design for Abu Dhabi
Not only Daniil Kwjat is riding a special helmet this weekend, but Valtteri Bottas too. The Finn was inspired by Abu Dhabi, including a mosque and camels in the blue helmet.
Walk: I missed some opportunities.
We have not mentioned Lance Stroll today, the Canadian of course was also present at the press conference, but the interest in his teammate Sergio Pérez was much higher. How does the Racing Point driver summarize his 2020 on the circuit? “I think we definitely had a very strong car this year. The team did an incredible job in the winter. We caught up so strongly. Last year we were seventh in the World Championship and third this year,” he says happily.
However, Stroll personally did not have a smooth year. He names the pole position in Turkey or the two podium spots as highlights. However, from his point of view, much more would have been possible. “In Hungary I had the opportunity to get on the podium. Also in Mugello. In Turkey we also lost an opportunity.”
Sainz does not expect “miracles”
What can we expect from McLaren in Abu Dhabi? We already heard today that team boss Andreas Seidl wants a “clean weekend” so that the team does not miss the opportunity for third place in the World Championship. “I don’t expect miracles in Abu Dhabi,” explains Sainz. “I will try to get into the top eight and help McLaren finish third when the pink Mercedes is weak.”
He wants to celebrate his departure with good points. “It will reflect the whole season. Racing Point is much faster in a lap, but also in the race, it will be very difficult to beat them.”
New photos: Schumacher at Haas
We’re taking another look at the latest photos from Abu Dhabi from our Motorsport Images photographers. Among other things, today he broke Mick Schumacher’s seat adjustment on the Haas VF-20.
Sainz: He talks to Charles a lot on the phone
How will Sainz cope with his new teammate Charles Leclerc at Ferrari in the future? “I get along very well with Charles. We have a good relationship. We talk quite often on the phone. So it should be fine,” Sainz hopes.
Norris will face Daniel Ricciardo at McLaren in 2021. “I don’t know what to expect. But I’m sure we will have a lot of good times. He is still a teammate who wants to beat me.” But Norris can also look forward to a lot of fun and some pranks.
“Bromance” between Sainz and Norris
The so-called “bromance” was heard between Sainz and his teammate Lando Norris this year. They both get along and had a lot of fun off the track. But how intense was the rivalry on the track? “I think we are pushing each other aggressively. Maybe we will show it differently than we were used to,” said the Briton.
“I think we want to hit each other.” This competitive streak of the two drives each other. “But we’re not going to let it get worse than it needs to be.” Off the track, the two of you can have fun together. “It was like that from the first day I met Lando. I got along very well with him,” Sainz said. “I’ve always gotten along well with my teammates so far, but it’s a special relationship with Lando.”
Sainz: Ferrari is not a team that “devours” drivers
We will return to all the drivers who will be at the start of their respective team for the last time in Abu Dhabi: Sebastian Vettel with Ferrari, Daniel Ricciardo with Renault, Sergio Pérez with Racing Point, Kevin Magnussen with Haas, Carlos Sainz with McLaren and possibly Daniil Kwjat with AlphaTauri and Alexander Albon with Red Bull (except the substitute driver).
Sainz seems to have a particularly hard time saying goodbye to the British team. “A team like McLaren has allowed me to be the best version of myself as a driver.” He was particularly comfortable at Woking, and the stability of his two-year contract helped. Now he has signed again for two years, this time with Ferrari. Will you also feel at home in Maranello?
“Ferrari is not a team that eats and devours drivers. If you look at Vettel’s career, what driver wouldn’t want to drive five years with Ferrari? So if Ferrari devours drivers, what about Renault, Toro Rosso and everyone else? ” So you are not worried.
