Abu Dhabi GP Thread sponsored by tempur mattresses lets face it we're all going to sleep through it - Contains Race/Qualifying Spoilers

[Fernando]

Abu Dhabi hosts the 18th round of the 2012 Formula One World Championship with teams making the short trip from India to the Yas Marina Circuit. F1’s only day/night race has been a great success in its three previous runnings, with the organisers entertaining the crowd with a good selection of support races and other attractions. Inside the F1 paddock, the Yas Marina Circuit has developed a good reputation – both for its compact arrangement and convivial atmosphere but also with the quality of its garage and circuit facilities, which have been instrumental in it becoming a venue for the young drivers’ test which will take place in the days following the Grand Prix.

YMC has three very different sectors. High-speed turns dominate the start of the lap, down to the chicane and hairpin at Turn Seven. After that, the middle part of the lap has two very long straights separated by a heavy braking zone into a slow-speed chicane. The end of the lap around the harbour has been deliberately designed to mimic Monaco, and like that circuit is mostly slow speed and highly technical.

YMC demands a little bit of everything in terms of set-up. It has the second-longest straight in F1 so demands good top speed; it features heavy braking and a varied selection of cornering speeds requiring good traction and high downforce. It suggests a wider array of set-up options, though compared to the last three races it does not place such a premium on high-speed cornering ability.

Famously the 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix saw Sebastian Vettel crowned after a tense season finale into which he went lying third in a championship, 15 points behind Fernando Alonso and seven behind Mark Webber. The finishing order in India last week ensured the Drivers’ Championship cannot be claimed at Yas this year – but Red Bull go into the race with a good chance of taking the Constructors’ Championship.

Length of lap:

5.554km

Lap record:

1:40.279

(Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing, 2009)

Start line/finish line offset:
0.115km
Total number of race laps:
55
Total race distance:

305.355km
Pitlane speed limits:
60km/h during practice and qualifying, 100km/h during the race



Changes to the circuit since 2011

► Higher kerbs, similar to those on the apex of turns eight and nine, have been installed on the apexes of turns five, six, 12, 13, 14, 18 and 19..


Abu Dhabi GP
Fast Facts

► Abu Dhabi is unique on the F1 calendar being a (scheduled) twilight race. Beyond the aesthetic impact of a race which starts in sunshine and finished under artificial light, the primary effect on racing is that track temperatures typically fall as the race progresses – which presents an unusual variable for tyre strategists to consider.
► When the lights are turned on, Yas Marina becomes the largest lit permanent sports venue in the world. Unlike some other sports where lighting will be switched on as required during a day/night event, for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the lights are on from the start of the later sessions to ensure a consistent level of illumination for the drivers.
► Unique among F1 circuits, Yas Marina features a run-off area that extends under a permanent spectator viewing area. Cars approaching Turn Eight brake from above 300kph down to less than 100kph and for those that don’t managed this successfully, the escape road extends out under the West Grandstand.
► The Yas Viceroy hotel, under which the track passes, is very difficult to miss. Its distinctive illumination is the product of 5,389 pivoting LED panels.
► Sebastian Vettel’s victory in India last week was his fourth in succession. He previously managed that feat between the Brazilian Grand Prix of 2010 and the Malaysian Grand Prix of 2011. Of the current field, Jenson Button won four in a row between the Bahrain and Turkish Grands Prix of 2009. Fernando Alonso managed four straight wins in 2006 and Michael Schumacher had a run of seven (and another of five) in 2004, six across 2000/1 and four in 2002 and 1994. Discounting the Indy500, Alberto Ascari managed nine straight wins across 1952/3.
► Vettel has now led grands prix for 205 consecutive laps, taking the lead of the Singapore Grand Prix on lap 23 and leading from the end of lap one to the chequered flag in Japan, Korea and India. He is exactly 100 laps behind Ascari’s all-time record.
► Fourth and fifth in India saw McLaren score points for the 55th consecutive race, equalling the record held by Ferrari. McLaren’s run started at the 2010 Australian Grand Prix. A top-ten finish at Yas Marina will see it set a new benchmark.
► Renault recorded their 150th victory as an engine supplier in India. They have 35 victories in the back of Renault’s own cars; 64 with Williams; 12 with Benetton; 5 with Lotus and now 34 with Red Bull.
► Red Bull can win the Formula One Constructors’ Championship this weekend. They currently lead Ferrari by 91 points and McLaren by 101. They need to leave Abu Dhabi with a lead of 86 points (or 87 points if McLaren win the race) to be confirmed as champions. Of the many permutations possible, the minimum result Red Bull need to be guaranteed the Championship is first/eighth or second/third.

Source:fia

[liverbnz]

The McLarens, Hamilton especially, look very quick so far.

[Guest]

Hamilton & Vettel look in a different league to the rest. Worryingly, it looks like Ferrari's updates have produced very little.

[Critical_mass]

Lewis looked on fire and Vettel was doing v fast laps too. Lewis vs Vettel for pole by the looks of it. Ferrari dont look good at all. Lets see what FP3 turns out like.

[GSC]

If Vettel gets on pole this will be the worst race of the year

[Guest]

If Hamilton hooks up a lap then it's possible. I just worry that once we get to Q3, Vettel will just turn up the wick and gain pole. Hamilton is playing down getting pole but it's getting down to crunch time now in this championship and nerves will start to show and hopefully mistakes. Hamilton has nothing to lose and everything to gain and McLaren's race pace looks good, so I'm expecting a much closer race than the usual procession.

[SteveG]

As in india Mclaren are very fast on the prime with Hami the fastest on the circuit (no mean feat given Red Bulls double DRS). The problem (again) is the option tyre where they can't work them - and the reason for Hami's glass half empty demeanour. Lets hope they can crack it in FP3.

If Hami does bag pole then Vettel will surely slip back into Alonsos clutches. However that said I realy do think nothing less than a Vettel DNF will shake up the bigger picture.

[Guest]

If Alonso is on the second row after Q3 then I think he'll be throwing a party tonight. It does not look good for Ferrari. Vettel had brake issues in P3, hindering his setup and Hamilton again looked strong. Q3 should be interesting.

[GSC]

Bit of a shock as Hamilton puts the McLaren on pole. Webber 2nd and Vettel 3rd, though I can't imagine Webber will cause Vettel too much distress.

Alonso down in 7th, and could worse should he be penalized.

[SteveG]

No shock for me. Hamis been on it all weekend and quietly took him for pole. And the difference between him and Button was a chasm and just goes to show how much hes getting out of the car.

Oh dear looks like Vettels ran out of fuel. Possibly gearbox - either way looks like a penalty.

[Critical_mass]

No shock for me either, Lewis was considerably faster than everyone all weekend. So had no doubt he'd have got pole, especially considering Vettel didnt look too great through out Quali.

Webber did a very good job to get within 3 tenths of Lewis, given Lewis's speed.

Going by AD analysis of Vettel pulling off the track, it could well be a gearbox issue. Which is a bad thing for the Vettel fans but it would really mix up the WDC and keep it alive right until the last race. I hope this is another close one, right until the last lap on the last race.

[Guest]

It's not a shock at all GSC. Hamilton owns this circuit just like Canada, has topped the timesheets all weekend just like he did in Hungary this year. The difference between Hamilton & Button is embarrasing and just emphasises what a foul up McLaren have done in letting him go.

Vettel's problem looks worrying and reports are that it's a fuel issue. We all know the penalty for that issue don't we? Terrific display from Maldonado, I wonder how long Williams will be able to keep him on these performances and when he gains even more race experience.

Interesting spot from Ant Davidson was that Hamilton was hitting the limiter alot on his Q3 lap down the straight, therefore imperative he's stays in the lead after the first corner. We wait for the Vettel news.....

[Critical_mass]

Definately regarding the limiter. He just needs to get into the first corner in the lead and hopefully he'll be off into the distance.

Where was "The great Button"????! Davidson summed it up nicely, that it was Lewis who made all the difference.

Agree about Maldonado, he did a great job in quali, looks like he's getting his act together. I would like to see him in a faster car than the williams, to see exactly what he is capable of.

[Dave.]

It'll be an interesting race at least. What's the predicted grid drop for Good Old Seb?

[Critical_mass]

If he gets one for gearbox it'll be 5 grid place drop (?) If its for running out of fuel, it'll be back of the grid, as per Lewis's punishment.

[Dave.]

Ok, but it will be one of them two possibilities, yes?

And any news on Alonso/Grosjean?

[Critical_mass]

Well certainly a 5 grid penalty for changing the gearbox. thats a standard punishment. But back of the grid who knows, thats what happened to lewis when he ran out of fuel in spain - unless im misremembering, but we know how inconsistant the stwards can be.

[Guest]

Apparently a statement will be released in the next 15 mins. Would not surprise me to hear that Red Bull have somehow got away with any punishment. They will try to claim it's a case of force majeure, as McLaren did, but eventually failed with Hamilton. I think it's about time the stewards showed some consistancy with a sever punishment and, in doing so, would reignite a fading World Drivers Championship.

If Vettel gets punished, I can see this going all the way to Brazil. Alonso's title bid may hinder on this decision.....

[Dave.]

Yep, this could be the game changer.

But as we all know...the only thing the stewards are consistent in is their inconsistency!

[GSC]

Vettel will start from the pitlane

[GSC]

Pretty much do or die for Alonso now, going to be tough sledding for Vettel to make serious ground at this track so he really has to get a podium I imagine.

[Dave.]

It's game on now. 5th brings him to within 3 (assuming a 0 for Vettel), 4th within 1.

Looking like shootout in Brazil.

[Critical_mass]

Hell yeah, looks like it'll be going down to the last race

Im glad that vettel has been punished in such away considering Lewis was punished for the same thing. Though have to say Vettel has it worse as he's not even starting on the grid.

[Don Caboose]

Its so strange to admit this but I actually cheered upon seeing the bbc headline about Vettel being demoted. Looks like the season just got saved...

[Guest]

I still think Vettel is in a strong position. This scenario has of course extended the title race or so it appears but the Ferrari updates were appaling and have had no impact. Vettel maybe starting from the back but it won't take long for him to negotiate through the field upto a points paying position, as is the quality of the Red Bull in comparison to the mid-field. Two-DRS zones will also aid him, unlike in 2010 where Alonso was stuck behind Petrov for over forty laps. I think Vettel will find his way into the top 10 but Alonso needs to make sure he doesn't get into trouble during the first lap, therefore a cautious approach may be taken and that may actually hinder him and may just cost him a podium.

Prediction - Hamilton - Webber - Button

[Critical_mass]

Prediction - Hamilton - Webber - Raikkonen

[Bull]

hope alonso can Capitoline here

Prediction-

Hamilton , Raikkonen ,Webber with Fernando in forth.

COME ON FERRARI!

[Mad for Chelsea]

no surprise Lewis on pole. Looked imperious throughout quali, consistently half a second faster than his nearest rivals, and I think the commentators said he was on course to better his time on his final run?

For the championship, great that Vettel got demoted. Not an easy track to overtake at either, but I too expect him to sneak in the lower ends of the points. Barring any mishaps, Hamilton and Webber will probably be 1-2, but if Alonso manages to haul the Ferrari up to 3rd it would make for a cracking final race

[GSC]

Lettuce be reality, the Red Bull is good enough to see Vettel get some points I think. Fernando has to go for the jugular

[Fernando]

Id suspect sebastien will be geared to get away quickly out the drs zone as usual but lack straight line speed so i can see him getting stuck behind FI/Sauber's of the world with their DRS

[Trebs]

I think Alonso will be second behind Hamilton. He will overtake a couple on the opening straight, but Hamilton should run away with it. Vettel will fight valiantly but I reckon low points for him. Should lead to a brilliant final race no matter the result as long as Alonso finishes in front of Vettel.

[Guest]

I think Alonso will be second behind Hamilton

I just can't see Alonso finishing second behind Hamilton tomorrow, more likely to be Webber. Alonso is a world class driver because he maximises his chances and more importantly he knows when to push and when not to. Alonso is starting way ahead of his biggest rival Vettel and will realise he does not need to win this race or risk getting into an unnecessary collision with an excitable Maldonando for example. He's been given a fantastic opportunity, thanks to a rare mistake from Red Bull, do you think he's going to go gung-ho on the first lap and risk getting a DNF.......No chance.

As for the race win, if everything goes smoothly at the start then Hamilton and Webber should stroll away from the field and Hamilton will know it's looking more like a one-stop race and therefore will conserve and hold Webber at bay by around three to five seconds.

Be interesting to see if there is an early safety car which would help Vettel immensely.

[GSC]

Webbers job for tomorrow is to basically make sure Alonso doesn't get past him.

Vettel will probably score in the low points, so Alonso probably needs a podium to put realistic pressure on.

[Guest]

This whole Vettel story unfolded because of one thing, Lewis Hamilton. His pace today and driving ability was quite frankly sensational and it was this performance and speed that put Red Bull under such intense pressure and they crumbled. They knew for the first weekend in a while they had a rival driver who could upset their usual rhythm of taking pole and strolling to the win. If Vettel is not pole, then Red Bull are in the dirty air and are in trouble. The pressure exerted on Red Bull through each session of practice and qualifying made Red Bull make a decision to under-fuel Vettel's car and it horrifically backfired. Just sensational stuff from Hamilton and once again proves why McLaren have made such a monumental foul up in letting him leave.

I just hope for a good race and a Hamilton win because he deserves it. Watching him drive this weekend has been a pleasure.

[SteveG]

Was going to post something similar John - Hamilton has basically forced Red Bull into a mistake. As I've said in the past Hami may no longer have a realistic chance of the title but he will certainly have a big say in its eventual destination.

[dyrewolfe]

Well, well...thats certainly shaken things up a bit. At least the title battle should go to Brazil now.

With a bit of luck McLaren could even overtake Ferrari in the constructors' standings.

Does anyone suppose its a coincidence that Hamilton seems to be hitting top form after agreeing a deal with Mercedes?

The way he's leaving Button in his wake at the moment and even causing Vettel / Red Bull to make mistakes, it just shows a happy, focused Lewis Hamilton is just about unbeatable...though I suspect his dominant form also has at least a bit to do with McLaren finally nailing down their car setup.

It does make me worry for McLaren's future. With Lewis gone, they will need to develop a hell of a good car to keep Button and Perez near the front.

[SteveG]

just been watching a re-run of the quali session and its amazing how many pundits such as EJ and Damon Hill dismissed the suggestion that Vettel was under-fueled - something that probably occured immediately to many fans. "A driver will never be told to stop the car immediately if there wasnt a serious problem" they both insisted but hang on wasn't that exactly what Mclaren told Hamilton in Spain "OK LEWIS STOP THE CAR IMMEDIATELY". Some pundits have obviously forgotten more than they know.

[dyrewolfe]

Lol. Agreed Steve.

Plus, I'd have thought running out of fuel (or not having enough for a sample) counted as a serious problem.

[bsando]

Why is Mark Webber so bad at starts? He seems to always man sausage them up.

[Dave.]

Vettel needs a new nose!

[GSC]

Poor from Vettel, get up to 12th, get a safety car 10 laps in and far too aggressive under a safety car. End result, back at the back. Poor driving.

[SteveG]

and then leaves the track to take Groj and gives him the place back just before the DRS zone. Hmmm is that very much different than Spa 2008 between Hami and Raikkonen and Hami got penalised for not 'really' giving the place back? Anyway back to the race...

[GSC]

This is why people don't really have Vettel up there as a great. Struggling to drive through the field without making stupid mistakes

[SteveG]

What the f

[SteveG]

MCLAREN TOU ARE A JOKE !!!
Come on Alonso.

[GSC]

Great chance for Kimi to claim his first win since his return.

Could've been the Mercedes engine

Christ you lot dont like McLaren huh

[GSC]

COME ON KIMI.

Also a great chance for Alonso to take 2nd.

[Dave.]

All Whitmarsh's fault.

[Bleausardv2]

Just confirms why Lewis wants to move teams - having the car fail when in a commanding position once may be considered unfortunate, twice is just unbelievably careless! McLaren don't deserve wins

[GSC]

As I speak he moves past Maldonado.

As much as we all pan vettel for winning while having the best car, Alonso's had some massive breaks this year

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