Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen given crucial advice as Raikkonen laments Abu Dhabi
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Kimi Raikkonen has warned title hopefuls Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen of how crucial pole will be at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after changes to the circuit this season. Hamilton and Verstappen head into the final race of the weekend tied level on points for the first time in 47 years, as either the Mercedes or Red Bull driver will be crowned champion on Sunday.
After complaints that the circuit in Abu Dhabi was not conducive to setting up an exciting final race of the season, bosses decided to make some significant changes earlier in the year.
Among the changes is a revised hairpin heading on to the back straight, changes at the hotel complex, and a new banked Turn 9.
But Raikkonen, who crashed heavily during the last few moments of second practice, believes the changes could make pole position even more important in the title fight.
“They took one of the good overtaking opportunities in [Turn] 9 away,” he said. “It’s good to have a change but they should have a slower corner because when it is a faster corner, it is very difficult to overtake.
“Sometimes, you wonder what they think when they do the changes but it’s what it is, it is different.”
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Hamilton, however, who was fastest in second practice, says he enjoys the changes made.
“I like to track the changes they’ve made to the track,” Hamilton told Sky Sports F1. “I think it’s been it’s made the track much more enjoyable, much more flowing.
“It’s obviously close between us all but we got through our sessions and still a bit unknown in terms of paces, but I’m sure it’s gonna be super close like it has been in the previous races.
Verstappen added: “I think it makes it a bit more fun to drive. I mean, in general, faster corners are more fun, especially also the last sector was always a bit tight off-camber.
“I do think there are positives.
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Hamilton, however, who was fastest in second practice, says he enjoys the changes made.
“I like to track the changes they’ve made to the track,” Hamilton told Sky Sports F1. “I think it’s been it’s made the track much more enjoyable, much more flowing.
“It’s obviously close between us all but we got through our sessions and still a bit unknown in terms of paces, but I’m sure it’s gonna be super close like it has been in the previous races.
Verstappen added: “I think it makes it a bit more fun to drive. I mean, in general, faster corners are more fun, especially also the last sector was always a bit tight off-camber.
“I do think there are positives.
In the final race weekend of his Formula One career, Raikkonen lost the rear end of the Alfa Romeo, spinning on track and hitting heavily into the barrier at Turn 14 in the final seconds of the session.
In the final race weekend of his Formula One career, Raikkonen lost the rear end of the Alfa Romeo, spinning on track and hitting heavily into the barrier at Turn 14 in the final seconds of the session.
“I just lost the rear and unfortunately there was not much space and went in the wall but those things happen,” Raikkonen said after the session.
“I struggled a bit here and there for different reasons, but it was just a normal Friday and we were trying things to see what happens.”
The season finale is set to be shown on Channel 4 on Sunday alongside its usual home of Sky Sports F1, with the normal coverage on BBC 5 Live from 1pm GMT in the UK, with either Verstappen or Hamilton crowned champion.
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