Posted on 18th November 2014
Track Preview: 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina
The final Grand Prix of the 2014 Formula One season will take place in Abu Dhabi and the teams and the drivers will be using the soft and supersoft tyre compounds from Pirelli. This is a step softer than last year's nomination of medium and soft.
Yas Marina is a circuit that Pirelli knows well, having completed some of its private testing there before entering Formula One back in 2011, with Abu Dhabi being a well-known venue for official tests as well. This year is no exception, with the final two-day test of the season taking place straight after the grand prix, from Tuesday to Wednesday.
The track surface is quite smooth and features a variety of 90-degree corners. The other defining characteristic of the grand prix is that, like Bahrain, it starts in the late afternoon and ends in the evening. This then means that the track tends to cool down as the race goes on which the affects the choices with the teams and drivers strategies.
This year double points are on offer at the circuit, so the stakes are even higher and teams will be concentrating on strategy harder than ever, while prioritising a safe finish. The weather tends to be warm and dry, with the track well-suited to the supersoft and soft compounds: the fastest tyres in Pirelli's range.
Facts and Figures
• Yas Marina has hosted the Grand Prix since 2009.
• Sebastian Vettel is the most successful driver currently at the track with three wins.
• Red Bull is the most successful constructor to win the Grand Prix with three wins.
• Race distance: 305.35km (189.74 miles)
• Number of turns: 21
• Top speed: 315kph
• Lap record: Sebastian Vettel- Red Bull (2009)- 1.40.279
• Winners from last 5 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix:
2009- Sebastian Vettel,
2010- Sebastian Vettel,
2011-Lewis Hamilton,
2012-Kimi Raikkonen
2013- Sebastian Vettel
My top 5 things to look out for this weekend:-
1. Pirelli Tyres- With the characteristics of the Abu Dhabi being very demanding on tyres, it will be important for all the drivers to keep an eye on the performance of their tyres for a good result this weekend at the Yas Marina circuit.
2. Engines- With Daniil Kvyat being the only driver to change his power unit seven times this season, will Fernando Alonso being closer to his sixth power unit change and taking a ten place grid penalty as a result of this, will his engine be able to last this weekend to avoid this situation?
3. Double Points- With double points being offered at the Yas Marina circuit this weekend, will we see a few drivers such as Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton or even Daniel Ricciardo extend their advantage in the Drivers standings or will be see a few surprises from drivers such as Jenson Button, Nico Hulkenberg or Kevin Magnussen taking advantage of the situation and gaining more points to their 2014 tally?
4. Battle for fourth and fifth in the Constructors Championship- With McLaren scoring more points than Ferrari in the last few races, the pressure is on Ferrari to score as many points as possible on the track this weekend in order to keep McLaren behind them. Also, Force India are hoping that double points at Abu Dhabi go in their favour and are able to regain fifth back in the Constructors. However, McLaren have improved over the past few races and are now trying to catch up Ferrari while keeping Force India behind them in the standings, will this weekend either help or hinder either Ferrari, McLaren or Force India?
5. Hamilton V Rosberg- With Hamilton winning five races consecutively at Monza, Singapore, Suzuka, Sochi and Austin and Rosberg winning in Brazil two weeks ago, all eyes once again will be upon the pair as they battle for the championship finale in Abu Dhabi where double points are on offer. With both drivers will be keen to add a victory at this circuit to their careers and also to help their fight to clinch the title for themselves. But will we see reliability issues affecting either driver and denying us yet another chance to see a battle on the track with the Mercedes drivers? And who will be champion; will it be Rosberg or will it be Hamilton?
Sky Sports F1 are showing uninterrupted coverage of every Practice session, Qualifying and race for the Grand Prix (and every race of the season) and the BBC also are showing coverage, details for both are below:
• Sky Sports F1:- Friday (Practice 1 and 2) 8.45am and 12.45pm [Replays throughout Friday], Saturday (Practice 3 and Qualifying) 9.45am and 12.00pm [Replays throughout Saturday], Sunday (Race) 11.30am
• BBC– Friday (Practice 1 and 2) 8.55am and 1.00pm Saturday (Practice 3 and Qualifying) 9.55am and 12.10pm, Sunday (Race and Race Highlights) 12.10pm and 7.00pm
Sarah Jones
