Posted by For the final time this year and for at least the next couple, here’s Badger’s Abacus of Accuracy – our highly reliable spreadsheet of drivers, their times, their fuel weights and most importantly the calculations on how many laps each car has onboard, as well as pointing out just how well/badly qualifying was for them.
Only Trulli seems to be out of position – looks like he may be faster than the Brawns. We can expect Hamilton to power into the lead and build up a cushion to allow him to pit and stay in front of the Red Bulls. Barrichello, along with Kubica, looks like being the first to pit; followed a lap later by Button and Hamilton leaving Webber/Vettel in the lead. Stopping a lap later will be Trulli and Webber, and then Vettel on the next lap to give the following positions after the first pit stops:
- Hamilton
- Vettel
- Webber
- Barrichello, Button and Trulli
(Trulli is the only driver out of position when taking into account fuel weights and should be able to pass one of the Brawns during the pit stops)
The back half of the grid are appear to be single stopping and drivers such as Alonso, Kovalainen and Raikkonen could be in a good position at the end of the race especially if the safety car is deployed at a critical time. For more on the Abu Dhabi weekend, follow all the coverage here.
Do you have any thoughts on the start or how the strategies will pan out – discuss below…
That table is pretty darn confusing. Is the ‘Fuel Time’ the actual time taking away the fuel weight effect to equalise the performance?
If so why are there two 3rd places, and Kubica ahead of Heidfeld?
Thank god we have proper qualifying next year… though i am really not looking forward to the 4 month wait.
F1 needs a winter championship. Something along the lines of each team entering one of this year’s cars and running a young/potential driver in a 6 race series. But that’s kinda off-topic.
I have to echo what you said earlier, Dave. This looks like it may be a procession, sadly. Hope not.
Off topic….one of the attractions for me of F1 is that it has a definite, and lengthy end every year; gives you a chance to re-vitalise…you REALLY look forward to it again in March…I know 4 months just following testing is hard, but I think its a price worth paying.
Unlike football or cricket, where the end of season gap seems to shrink and shrink…they just go on and on and on…the England cricket team, for example, hardly ever seem to be NOT on tour…
Nice point Oudinot.
Apologies Dave, but you’ve pointed out an error in the (now ironically titled) Abacus of Accuracy. Kubica is in 2nd and Heidfeld’s real position should be 7 and Kubica 8. Correction on it’s way…
Incidently, i heard Martin mention in the commentary that there is also a ban on Winter testing, and there won’t actually be any cars taking to the track until February.
So the only thing we’ll really have to look forward to are the various launches which normally occur throughout January.
I’m addicted to F1 and the thought of not having any form of track action for 3 months is horrifying!!
They ought to re-make “Sporting Superstars”….remember that? You know, David Vine and Brian Jacks on the pull ups and kevin keegan on a bike…A version for F1 drivers only… That would get us through the winter… There was the “International” version too-anyone old enough to remember the episode where Jody Sheckter used vaseline to slide his feet in the squat thrust competition? Now that was typical F1 Ferrari cheating for you!!!! (I was just a young kid, I might add…but I remember it well)
Dave H, the main on-track test programme will not start until February, but the teams are permitted to run three one-day young driver orientation tests between now and December 31. How many of them will actually take this opportunity hasn’t been revealed yet, but I imagine there will be a small amount of on-track activity between now and the end of the year.