Another Formula 2 race week, another driver change! And its for HWA Racelab again, Jake Hughes will be back in car number 22 for the final weekend of F2 in Abu Dhabi.
Hughes first made his debut in F2 at Sochi in 2019 and finished P12 in the feature race, he then made a return this year in Monza and as well as Sochi in which he scored his first Formula 2 points.
The Brit, has spent two years with HWA’s Formula 3 outfit in which he scored three wins and eight podiums across 2019 and 2020.
He is currently the ROKiT Venturi Racing reserve driver in Formula E and is also the simulator driver for Mercedes’ F1 and championship-winning Formula E outfits.
“I’m really excited to be racing with HWA RACELAB again this weekend,” Jake said. “It’s going to be an emotional weekend with the team as they make their final appearance in the championship – and having raced in both F3 and F2 with HWA since 2019 it’s going to be sad to see them depart. I’m hoping to end the season positively with the team and I always enjoy coming to Abu Dhabi. The changes to the circuit will hopefully make the racing more exciting and if we can end the weekend with more points on the board then it will be a successful outing!”
My Opinion-
I think this is great, we saw back in September that he got comfortable with the car and was able to score some points so maybe the same again this weekend? I’m looking forward to seeing what he does this weekend!
Now we only have 5 races left this season so lets take a closer look into them and see what could potentially happen in the next 6 weeks and see who could come out on top at each track…
Mexico:
First up starting our triple header we have Mexico, this is a track which both Max and Lewis has won at twice each and Lewis being the last one to win their back in 2019. But that doesn’t mean its going to go his way as the Honda engine thrives in thinner air which favours the high-downforce nature of the car.
Favourites to win: Red Bull.
Brazil:
Again like above it applies to the race at Sao Paulo. Last time we raced here in 2019, Red Bull dominated with Verstappen taking pole and the race win, and if Albon wasn’t hit RB would of took a 1-2.
RB have a far more competitive car, compared to previous years and this appears to be one of Verstappen’s best tracks. But with the power of the Mercedes engine on what we saw at Austin it could make things interesting.
We also have the last sprint race of the season here, so this could change things up and we could get a very different result…
Favourites to win: Red Bull.
Qatar:
Now coming into races we have never raced and no past results to look at it makes it difficult to predict who will leave on top. All we can do is guess which car will suit the circuit layout more.
Looking at it I am more leaning towards Mercedes, as they will gain a lot of time on the Red Bulls due to the 1km main straight and thats only the most possible overtaking spot. But it all depends on track position, qualifying will play a massive part of the Qatar weekend, and as well as this, set up’s, tyre strategy will also play a big part.
Favourites to win: Mercedes.
Saudi Arabia:
Again, the Jeddah Street Circuit is unknown for F1 and the teams so we will be looking at the circuit itself.
When the words street circuit you initially think of “Red Bull to dominate” but its a completley different circuit to what we are use to. It features some long straights and some high speed sweeping corners, which will benefit the Mercedes more.
As well as this, Hamilton is known to thrive on street circuits (apart from Monaco this year), where as Verstappen’s aggressiveness has cost him (again apart from Monaco.)
Favourites to win: Mercedes
Abu Dhabi:
Now onto the season finale, Mercedes have dominated here winning every race in the hybrid era, however that changed last year when Max won. But with that being said Mercedes, struggled with their car setups all weekend and had engine issues to add to the problem.
With the changes coming to the circuit this year as well, making it possible for more overtakes it could change the race completely and we could see both Merc’s having a really good weekend especially if they figure out what set up is the best one.
Favourites to win: Mercedes.
I’m very much looking forward to these next 5 races, it will be entertaining to see who comes out on top and as well the fight between Ferrari and McLaren.
This years Abu Dhabi grand prix will take place on an improved layout, this comes as the Yas Marina Circuit announced the track will be modified in the time for this years season finale.
The circuit first opened in 2009 and it held the first ever Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. It will under-go serious alterations over the next few months. The key changes are: – Eliminating the chicane and widening the hairpin at Turn 7 – Removing four sharp corners at Turns 11, 12, 13 and 14, it will be replaced by one long banked turn – Opening up the radius of four corners Turns 17, 18, 19 and 20 which will created a faster slowing section on the track.
The re-design is intended to allow overtaking opportunities at the circuit where Mercedes won six times in a row between 2014 and 2019 until Max Verstappen took victory for Red Bull last year…
My Opinion-
To be honest I think its the right call from the circuit, the track was so limited to overtaking and for it to be the season finale we want excitement which it didn’t have! If the championship goes to the final race of the season then we want it to be exciting and there to be a chance of overtaking!
Jordan's Track Talk 