After the drama of the Brazilian Grand Prix in São Paulo, the F1 paddock will reconvene at the glamorous Yas Marina Circuit this weekend for the final round of the 2014 season.
It is the sixth time that the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has appeared on the Formula 1 calendar and is the only race to be worth double points, thanks to a new and controversial rule introduced for this year.
The race debuted in 2009 and was previously the only day-to-night event, but it has been joined by the Bahrain Grand Prix this season. Cars line up on the grid as the sun sets and take the chequered flag under dark skies.
24 floodlights standing at 40 metres tall are used to create a seamless transition between night and day. The stunning Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi Hotel also provides a beautiful spectacle with 5000 LED panel shell that changes colour throughout the night.
Three drivers on the current grid have won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel was victorious in 2009, 2010 and 2013, with Lewis Hamilton taking the chequered flag in first place at the Yas Marina Circuit in 2011 and Kimi Raikkonen winning for Lotus in 2012. The track is a challenging one with a varied range of corners and several long straights.
A lap of the 3.450 mile circuit starts with a run down the pit straight. Turn one is a 90-degree left-hander and can cause contact on the opening lap. A short straight follows before the fast left-hander of turn two. This flat-out corner leads on to the long right-hander of turn three.
Unusually, the pit exit feeds cars back out on track on the outside of the third corner, as it features a tunnel and goes under the circuit at turn one, with drivers having to negotiate a tight downhill hairpin.
Turn four is a barely-there kink and is followed by the braking zone for the left-right chicane of turns five and six, which are the first in the second sector, is a decent overtaking opportunity, particularly on the first lap, but the narrow track can cause contact.
Turn seven is a slow hairpin, with good traction being vital for a strong exit onto the long back straight. This is where the first DRS zone will be positioned. Turn eight is a slow left-hand hairpin and is the best overtaking opportunity on the circuit. The run-off area actually runs under the large grandstand at the end of the straight.
It leads immediately on to the slow right-hander of turn nine. This is where the second DRS zone is located, meaning a driver can overtake into turn eight and be re-passed on the following straight. Turns 11, 12 and 13 make up a tricky left-right-left chicane and kick off the third sector.
Turn 14 is a slow left-hander and is followed by a short straight, before the hugely challenging triple-apex right that makes up turns 15 to 17. The first part is taken flat-out before speed is gradually scrubbed off for the final apex.
The next left takes cars under the illuminated Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi Hotel with its unique design and light panelling shell. Turn 19 is another left-hander that leads alongside the hotel and to the penultimate corner, which is a fast right. The final corner is a third-gear right-hander that leads on to the pit straight. The pit entry is to the right.
The technical track layout typically requires a medium-downforce set-up, with a compromise between top speed and cornering grip. It has hard on engines and high fuel consumption is expected. Being the final race round of the season, we should expect several power-unit related penalties. The soft and super-soft Pirelli tyres will be used in Abu Dhabi.
All eyes will be on the two Mercedes drivers, with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg battling it out for the 2014 drivers’ title. The Englishman currently holds a 17-point lead over his rival and typically goes well at the Yas Marina Circuit.
Mercedes will undoubtedly be the team to beat, but Red Bull Racing should be strong in the final sector. Williams, Ferrari and McLaren will certainly be in the mix, while at the back of the pack, Caterham will return to the grid after raising enough money through a crowdfunding project.
After such a fantastic year of on-track action, the 2014 F1 season looks set to end in dramatic style in Abu Dhabi. Who will be crowned champion? We will find out this weekend.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Fact File:
Location: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Track Length: 3.451 miles
Direction: Anti-clockwise
Turns: 21
Laps: 55
First race: 2009
Lap record: Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing, 2010: 1:40.279
Tyre compounds: Soft and super-soft
2013 race winner: Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing
2013 pole position: Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing, 1:39.975
2013 fastest lap: Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, 1:43.434
Live on: Sky Sports F1 and BBC One
 |
| © Mercedes AMG Petronas |
The race debuted in 2009 and was previously the only day-to-night event, but it has been joined by the Bahrain Grand Prix this season. Cars line up on the grid as the sun sets and take the chequered flag under dark skies.
24 floodlights standing at 40 metres tall are used to create a seamless transition between night and day. The stunning Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi Hotel also provides a beautiful spectacle with 5000 LED panel shell that changes colour throughout the night.
Three drivers on the current grid have won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel was victorious in 2009, 2010 and 2013, with Lewis Hamilton taking the chequered flag in first place at the Yas Marina Circuit in 2011 and Kimi Raikkonen winning for Lotus in 2012. The track is a challenging one with a varied range of corners and several long straights.
 |
| © Sahara Force India F1 Team |
A lap of the 3.450 mile circuit starts with a run down the pit straight. Turn one is a 90-degree left-hander and can cause contact on the opening lap. A short straight follows before the fast left-hander of turn two. This flat-out corner leads on to the long right-hander of turn three.
Unusually, the pit exit feeds cars back out on track on the outside of the third corner, as it features a tunnel and goes under the circuit at turn one, with drivers having to negotiate a tight downhill hairpin.
Turn four is a barely-there kink and is followed by the braking zone for the left-right chicane of turns five and six, which are the first in the second sector, is a decent overtaking opportunity, particularly on the first lap, but the narrow track can cause contact.
Turn seven is a slow hairpin, with good traction being vital for a strong exit onto the long back straight. This is where the first DRS zone will be positioned. Turn eight is a slow left-hand hairpin and is the best overtaking opportunity on the circuit. The run-off area actually runs under the large grandstand at the end of the straight.
It leads immediately on to the slow right-hander of turn nine. This is where the second DRS zone is located, meaning a driver can overtake into turn eight and be re-passed on the following straight. Turns 11, 12 and 13 make up a tricky left-right-left chicane and kick off the third sector.
Turn 14 is a slow left-hander and is followed by a short straight, before the hugely challenging triple-apex right that makes up turns 15 to 17. The first part is taken flat-out before speed is gradually scrubbed off for the final apex.
 |
| © Lotus F1 Team/LAT |
The next left takes cars under the illuminated Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi Hotel with its unique design and light panelling shell. Turn 19 is another left-hander that leads alongside the hotel and to the penultimate corner, which is a fast right. The final corner is a third-gear right-hander that leads on to the pit straight. The pit entry is to the right.
The technical track layout typically requires a medium-downforce set-up, with a compromise between top speed and cornering grip. It has hard on engines and high fuel consumption is expected. Being the final race round of the season, we should expect several power-unit related penalties. The soft and super-soft Pirelli tyres will be used in Abu Dhabi.
All eyes will be on the two Mercedes drivers, with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg battling it out for the 2014 drivers’ title. The Englishman currently holds a 17-point lead over his rival and typically goes well at the Yas Marina Circuit.
Mercedes will undoubtedly be the team to beat, but Red Bull Racing should be strong in the final sector. Williams, Ferrari and McLaren will certainly be in the mix, while at the back of the pack, Caterham will return to the grid after raising enough money through a crowdfunding project.
 |
| © Formula1.com |
After such a fantastic year of on-track action, the 2014 F1 season looks set to end in dramatic style in Abu Dhabi. Who will be crowned champion? We will find out this weekend.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Fact File:
Location: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Track Length: 3.451 miles
Direction: Anti-clockwise
Turns: 21
Laps: 55
First race: 2009
Lap record: Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing, 2010: 1:40.279
Tyre compounds: Soft and super-soft
2013 race winner: Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing
2013 pole position: Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing, 1:39.975
2013 fastest lap: Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, 1:43.434
Live on: Sky Sports F1 and BBC One
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