Thursday 10 November 2011

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Preview

After the inaugural Indian Grand Prix, the 18th race of the season will start from tomorrow at the Yas Marina circuit. Not many of us are waiting to get this season to an end.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix had its first race in the year 2009. The circuit was designed by none other Hermann Tilke. He has designed various other Formula One racing track across the world.

Yas Marina circuit has not been favorite circuit of many drivers but it’s surrounded of high spending hotels, golf courses and the Ferrari World theme park. It has 21 Turns, 55 laps and is 5.554 Kilometers long. It’s an anti- clockwise circuit. Pirelli have confirmed to go for its P Zero white Medium tyre as the prime and the P zero yellow soft as an option.

The track has very less overtaking opportunity; but has a huge grandstand at the Hairpin onto the main straight which offers spectators a nice view of overtaking point on the circuit.


Turn 8 is one of the hardest where at the cars slow down to about 50mph. Hence FIA race director is optimistic about the overtaking opportunity this year as there will be two independent DRS zones. One will between Turn 7 and 8 (F1 second longest straight), following the second onto the kinked straight towards the turn 11.

“The race came in for a bit of criticism last year because the cars found it very difficult to overtake. But there are two DRS zones this year, with two activation points, and they should make a significant difference in that respect” says Charlie Whiting.

Redbull’s Sebestain Vettel had won the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2009. Last year he had clinched the World Champion title at Yas Marina Circuit whereas this year he has already won a youngest Second World Champion title and I am very sure Vettel will win the GP this year too. So far, since the Circuit has inaugurated, Vettel has only won the race twice.


McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton had a three grid penalty at the Indian Grand Prix for ignoring the yellow flags during the practice session. He is going through a hard phase this year. But he still hopes for an optimistic race results.

“I have some fantastic memories of the Yas Marina Circuit. I started from pole position there in 2009, and I led the race until I was forced to stop because of a brake issue. Last year, I finished second and set the fastest lap, so we head there looking to convert all that potential into a race win.” says Hamilton.

Jenson Button is aiming to win races. I reckon he might seal the second place or you think he will beat Vettel?

"We saw at the last grand prix that even though we didn't have the ultimate speed to catch and pass Sebastian, we made him work hard for the win. The championship may not be at stake any more but we're still aiming to win races and put on a tremendous show." says Button.

As like many drivers wants to get on to the podium. The real battle between Vettel, Button, Alonso and Webber will start from tomorrow. Only two more races to go and the battle will continue for next year.

Ferrari chief Stefano Domenicali "In the remaining two races, we want to try and get on the podium and try all we can to get Fernando to second place in the drivers' classification. We will fight hard, as much as we can, for that goal."

We might see another battle between Hamliton and Massa at the Yas Marina Circuit. First we saw in Monaco, Silverstone, Singapore, Japan and then in India.

Force India’s Adrain Sutil shown good result (P9) at the Inaugural IndianGP and rookie Paul Di Resta finished at P13. Adrain managed to score two point s at the team’s home GP. However, Adrian is looking forward to earn some more point s at the Yas Marina circuit.

“It was a difficult race for us last year, but I think this year it should be much better. There are long straights and hairpins, and it’s a track where low-speed corner performance counts. That should suit our car so I think we’ll be okay’. Says Sutil

So let see how interesting the race will be at the Yas Marina circuit. Do you think due to less of high- speed corners, F1 second longest straight, two DRS zone will be a good package for the teams?