Abu Dhabi: pre-qualifying 2016

Well, here we are. The final race of the season, the title decider, the last race before the rules change.

A brief look to 2017, as it’s been confirmed Germany will not have a race due to financial problems.

Rain, which plagued my Brazil bets, is unlikely to be a complicating factor in Abu Dhabi.

In first practice Hamilton was nearly half a second ahead of Rosberg, who was just half a tenth up on Verstappen with Ricciardo close behind. Vettel, Perez and Raikkonen were next, with Sainz, Massa and Ericsson rounding out the top 10.

In second practice the same two were at the top, but Hamilton was just a tenth up, and Rosberg was two-tenths ahead of Vettel. Verstappen and Ricciardo came next, then Raikkonen, Bottas, Perez, Hulkenberg and Massa.

Third practice had a rather different set of chaps at the top. Vettel was fastest, two-tenths up on Verstappen, who was within a tenth of the Dutch Wunderkind. Hamilton and Rosberg were next (a tenth between them). Ricciardo, Perez, Hulkenberg, Bottas and Gutierrez rounded out the top 10.

Incidentally, Hamilton reported a problem with his front right brake not working properly towards the end of third practice.

No bet on qualifying. I think a Hamilton-Rosberg front row very likely. Interested to see if Ferrari can maintain their relative pace but I suspect they’ll be behind Red Bull.

However, those wanting to lighten their wallets in return for a cracking medieval fantasy, brimming with ruthless she-wolves and scheming traitors, should check out Kingdom Asunder, my new novel:

Amazon US - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N8UF799/
Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N8UF799/
Kobo - https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/kingdom-asunder-the-bloody-crown-trilogy-volume-one
Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1125052815?ean=2940153811246


Morris Dancer  

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