Abu Dhabi – The der der at the end of the suspense

I love racing in Abu Dhabi every year. Not only because it’s become synonymous with the end of the season, but also because there’s a unique atmosphere – a combination of the end-of-quarter feeling, the anticipation before the winter development push, and the buzz of the fans during the race for the last time in 2016. From the cockpit, it’s amazing to race at twilight and watch the light fade lap after lap. It adds a new dimension to the spectacle and makes the whole weekend really enjoyable.

This reaction, so poetic, is to the credit of the future retiree Jenson Button who, without a doubt, will enjoy as much as possible what could very well be his last Formula 1 Grand Prix.

The Briton emphasized the environmental aspect of the Yas Marina circuit, rightly avoiding the layout of a track often regarded as too simplistic. The track is wide, the asphalt run-offs allow for recovery from many mistakes, and the turns are not particularly selective.

However, two straight lines punctuated by two DRS zones add a bit of excitement to a Grand Prix that will regain its status as a decisive stage for the world championship title.

Inducted in 2009, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix follows the Yas Marina circuit. It well symbolizes Bernie Ecclestone’s desire to establish Formula 1 in wealthy regions far from the tradition of motorsport. Nevertheless, the race has provided us with some surprises in recent years, such as Kimi Räikkönen’s surprise victory in 2012 upon his return to Formula 1, or Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull’s first title in 2010, won notably due to a strategic error by Ferrari, which had chosen to focus on Mark Webber, Vettel’s teammate and then the championship leader.

1️⃣2️⃣1️⃣3️⃣ laps gone, 5️⃣5️⃣ to go> https://t.co/2gMdqROQH4 #AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/SMGQ82bNmK

— Formula 1 (@F1) 22 novembre 2016

Rosberg-Hamilton: Give Everything to Regret Nothing

For the drivers of the Brackley team, the tension is at its peak. With nine victories this season and a 12-point lead in the championship, Nico Rosberg is a solid leader and the favorite for the world crown. He also has nine victories to his name this season but is behind; Lewis Hamilton is the hunter and the other contender for the now unlikely world crown.

Two weeks ago in Brazil, there were many scenarios to determine the outcome of this 2016 season. This week in Abu Dhabi, there’s only one left for the German: finish on the podium regardless of Hamilton’s position.

The Briton must therefore hope that his teammate and no less rival encounters difficulties and finishes off the podium if he wants to claim a fourth crown. He also hopes that a driver puts on a show and hinders his opponent as in Mexico, where Rosberg must have had cold sweats after Max Verstappen’s excess of optimism.

In any case, the teammate-rivals approach this final round with only one idea in mind: to win. While Lewis Hamilton has displayed this fighting spirit since his disappointment in Malaysia, Nico Rosberg has chosen to adopt this attitude only very recently. For him, the waiting game is over; he wants to achieve this first world title with flair and follow in his father’s footsteps.

One more race, lots of permutations> https://t.co/SuPRP29SFF #AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/3Xwh2XLQs1

— Formula 1 (@F1) 22 novembre 2016

Beyond the championship podium, eyes will be on Red Bull and Ferrari, but especially on the drivers. Only 5 points separate Sebastian Vettel from Max Verstappen in favor of the German for 4th place (197 against 192). Daniel Ricciardo secured his 3rd place several Grand Prix ago and Kimi Räikkönen saw his hopes of fighting for 4th place evaporate after another Ferrari error in Austin (forcing him to retire in the pit lane due to a poorly fixed wheel) and his crash in Interlagos. The Finn is therefore condemned to finish 6th.

In the Constructors’ Championship, the battle between Force India and Williams took a decisive turn at the Brazilian Grand Prix, and things are now settled for 4th place. The Indian team collected 18 points in their bag at the end of the Brazilian round, bringing their lead to 27 points before the final race at Yas Marina.

To (really) know everything…

For the fifth time this season, the purple-banded ultra-soft tire will make its appearance among the compounds available to drivers this weekend. The trio is completed by the super-soft and soft tires. As usual, strategies will vary from 2 to 3 pit stops.

You can find the individual choices of the drivers below

Looks like we have a purple #F1Finale on our hands. #AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪🏁 For more racing news: https://t.co/1Csl2sLIsZ pic.twitter.com/jB2WjqkiZx

— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) 16 novembre 2016

The Yas Marina circuit offers a very fast second sector with two large straights, and DRS will be available to drivers in these two sections. The first zone is established between turns 7 and 8 with a detection point just before the hairpin at turn 7, the second zone is established between turns 10 and 11 with a detection point at the exit of turn 9.

Ideally located on the shores of the Persian Gulf, the emirate of Abu Dhabi, like the Kingdom of Bahrain, enjoys ideal climatic conditions for optimal functioning of the mechanics and tires of the single-seaters. This weekend is expected to unfold entirely on a dry track, with a cloudless sky and temperatures around 29°C for the sessions in the early afternoon and between 28 and 25°C for the sessions in the late afternoon.

Don’t forget the TV schedule!

The particular organization of this weekend’s sessions means that for us Europeans, the schedule will be as usual, with the start being at the classic 2 PM (5 PM local time), among others.

It should be noted that Canal+ has distributed the broadcast of “La grille” over two channels: from 1:00 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. on Canal+ Sport and then from 1:20 p.m. to 1:55 p.m. on Canal+.