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[DrM]

Sauber and STR in fight for 6th place in Constructors.

 

[Ark]

Formula 1's second longest straight returns for its third year this season. The prominent feature of the Hermann Tilke desgined track, this circuit also features the first hotel ever built into a track, an underground pit exit, and a sunset race all built on a man-made island. Despite the large concrete runnoffs, this circuit is reminiscent of street circuits of the past due to its gridlike sectors, which is odd given that more room was made into the earth to accomodate the venue.

2010 Race Summary

Vettel retained his pole position lead into the first corner, followed by Hamilton, with Button moving into third after Alonso made a slow start. At turn six, Schumacher tried to pass team-mate Rosberg around the outside, while battling for eighth position. Rosberg spun Schumacher's Mercedes, which meant he faced the rest of the oncoming field on track and was collected by Liuzzi, causing both drivers to retire on the spot and the safety car to be deployed. In order to aid any losses that a pit stop may have cost under normal racing conditions, six drivers – Rosberg, Petrov, Jaime Alguersuari, Bruno Senna, Lucas di Grassi and Christian Klien – made pit stops at the end of lap one, and rejoined the circuit between 17th and 22nd. Racing resumed at the end of lap five when the safety car pulled into the pit-lane. The top five remained static until the end of lap eleven.

Webber – who brushed the armco with the right-hand side of his car three laps previously – pitted after struggling for grip on the super-soft, option tyres. He rejoined the circuit 16th, and behind the early-stopping trio of Rosberg, Petrov and Alguersuari. Four laps later, Alonso also brushed the Turn 19 barrier before pitting. He rejoined just in front of Webber, who had moved up the field steadily, and was running 13th – and set the race's fastest lap at the time – by the time Alonso pitted. With Vettel and Hamilton still setting quicker lap times than their championship rivals, despite being on heavily-worn option tyres compared to the fresher, hard tyres of Alonso and Webber. That pairing caught up with Petrov towards the end of lap 18, a battle that would go on until the race's conclusion, with the Renault driver having already stopped for tyres. Five laps later, Alonso tried to overtake Petrov under braking for Turn 11 but had to back out of the manoeuvre, narrowly avoiding the back of the Renault. On the same lap, Hamilton pitted from second place. Vettel pitted from the lead on the next lap, and rejoined the circuit comfortably ahead of Hamilton, but in second place behind Button, who had still to stop on track. Hamilton had filtered back into the race in fifth position, behind Kubica and Kobayashi who were running similar strategies to Button out front. After passing Kobayashi, Hamilton closed in behind Kubica but found it hard to pass the Renault, akin to what Alonso had been suffering behind Petrov. Despite having nearly 40 laps on the harder tyre, Kubica's pace was still of a substantial level to hold off the advances of Hamilton.

Button pitted on lap 39 to release Vettel back into the lead, holding a lead of nearly twelve seconds over Kubica. Button rejoined in fourth place behind Kubica and Hamilton, with Kubica ever increasing his margin over Petrov and Alonso, who were running inside the points again in seventh and eighth respectively. Kubica finally pitted on lap 46 from second place, and came back on track in sixth place, crucially ahead of team-mate Petrov, Alonso and Webber; the latter pair seeing their championship chances dwindling with every passing lap. In clean air, Hamilton set the race's fastest lap on lap 47 – 1:41.274 – as he closed slightly on Vettel. No further passing attempts were made on track, and thus, Vettel led the race to the end, to take his fifth win of the season. The McLarens of Hamilton and Button completed the podium ahead of Rosberg, the Renaults of Kubica and Petrov, Alonso and Webber. Rounding out the points were Alguersuari and Massa, the Ferrari driver having never got ahead of his rival in 40 laps of battling. With the poor results of Alonso and Webber, Vettel claimed the championship to become the youngest Championship winner in the sport and became the first driver to simultaneously lead the championship for the first time, and as a result win the championship since James Hunt in 1976. His championship-winning margin was four points over Alonso, with Webber a further ten points behind in third.

Circuit Info
[Click map for onboard lap]

Laps

55​

Circuit length

5.554 km (3.451 mi)​

Race length

305.470 km (189.810 mi)​

Lap Record

Lewis Hamilton - McLaren - 1:41.274​

Most Wins (Drivers)

Sebastian Vettel (2)​

Most Wins (Constructors)

Red Bull Racing (2)​

Changes from 2010

-No notable changes

GP Facts

-The 499-room Yas Viceroy Hotel is the first hotel ever built over a new Formula One circuit. It is lit by 5389 pivoting LED panes, capable of changing their colour.

-The 24 points scored by McLaren at the Indian GP secured it second place in the 2011 constructors’ championship, behind Red Bull Racing, with 442 points to date. McLaren has not won the constructors’ title since 1998, despite having finished in runner-up spot in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2008 and 2010, and in third place in 2002, 2003, 2006, and 2009. Only once since 1998 has McLaren failed to win a grand prix in a season: 2006.

-The main straight at the Yas Marina Circuit is the second longest in Formula One, at 1140m – some 30m shorter than the main straight at Shanghai International Circuit (1170m), but ahead of Italy’s Monza (1120m), India’s Buddh International Circuit (1060m) and the Korea International Circuit (1050m).

Videos Highlighting the Abu Dhabi GP

Highlights from the 2009 Abu Dhabi GP.

Highlights from the 2010 Abu Dhabi GP.

Previous Winners

Drivers Championship

Constructors Championship

Fantasy League Championship

Quoted for new page.

 

[Psychotext]

I don't know why I was doubting Vettel for pole today. The guy is a freaking machine.

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

What an exciting Q3. I don't care Vettel is on pole again because it was so tense.

Glad to see Hammy flying again.

 

[Omiee]

What an exciting Q3. I don't care Vettel is on pole again because it was so tense.

Glad to see Hammy flying again.

asked it on the previous page but no real answers.

whats been the most intense qualy in your opinion this year.

 

[ANDY_098]

asked it on the previous page but no real answers.

whats been the most intense qualy in your opinion this year.

Korea. Reason? Someone other than Red Bull.

 

[S. L.]

asked it on the previous page but no real answers.

whats been the most intense qualy in your opinion this year.

For sure. That wasn't the Red Bull that won this quali, but pure Vettel.

 

[Omiee]

For sure. That wasn't the Red Bull that won this quali, but pure Vettel.

Reminds me a lot of hakinnen, man that guy was a good qualifier.


man i miss these days

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYwptTETj9Q

 

[Wax Free Vanilla]

As expected, Sky's coverage will blow away the BBC's:

Sky have around 20 people at the track this weekend. They don’t have their on-screen team there, However they are doing a full rehearsal in terms of what TV feeds they will be providing.

I'm hearing that alongside the main World-Feed (Which will be available in HD for every session), They will also be providing the In-Car feed & Driver tracker (As BBC currently do for the races) but adding team radio feeds, official timing screens & likely other in-car feeds (Hearing at least 4 extra in-car feeds).

Martin Brundle & David Croft look likely to be Sky’s commentary duo.

The deal gives Sky access to everything FOM produce so Sky are planning extensive analysis & detailed & in-depth features, Some of which are already been filmed & some of which will make up a series of classic F1 programming to be shown on Sky early next year.

I know that those without Sky still won’t be happy about the UK TV situation, However everything I'm hearing regarding the plans for the Sky coverage pretty much guarantee’s that those with Sky are in for the best F1 coverage ever in terms of the overall package (Pre/Post race, Analysis, Features & extra/classic content) & actual race coverage.

Those concerned about the quality of Sky’s coverage need not worry, Trust me!

Also rumours of Sky launching a new channel called Sky Sports Motors/Speed.

 

[Xun]

As expected, Sky's coverage will blow away the BBC's:




Also rumours of Sky launching a new channel called Sky Sports Motors/Speed.

Well that's good to know for us peasants.

 

[Deadman]

I hope virgin media get that channel

 

[Dead Man]

Great preview Leunam!

As expected, Sky's coverage will blow away the BBC's:




Also rumours of Sky launching a new channel called Sky Sports Motors/Speed.

I know that those without Sky still won’t be happy about the UK TV situation, However everything I'm hearing regarding the plans for the Sky coverage pretty much guarantee’s that those with Sky are in for the best F1 coverage ever in terms of the overall package (Pre/Post race, Analysis, Features & extra/classic content) & actual race coverage.

Aren't they having ads during the race? Automatically makes that untrue.

 

[Shaneus]

Great preview Leunam!



Aren't they having ads during the race? Automatically makes that untrue.

Wait, a pay TV channel that has ads during a race? Wow.

PS. Echoing Dead Man's sentiments on another fine preview, Leunam. Bravo!

 

[moojito]

If they did that motor racing channel, it'd be nice if they had some way of subscribing to it and watching online for people who don't have sky and have no intentions of getting it. But I doubt that'll happen.

 

[S. L.]

More onboard is always good, they rarely show a whole lap onboard..

 

[brotkasten]

Wait, a pay TV channel that has ads during a race? Wow.

PS. Echoing Dead Man's sentiments on another fine preview, Leunam. Bravo!

Yeah, that doesn't make any sense.

 

[Xun]

If they did that motor racing channel, it'd be nice if they had some way of subscribing to it and watching online for people who don't have sky and have no intentions of getting it. But I doubt that'll happen.

This is Murdoch's company. It wont happen.

As far as I'm concerned this is the death of the sport for UK viewers.

It's an incredibly bleak future for people who expect to get the sport for free with our TV Licence.

 

[Shaneus]

Had it ever been that way before, or is this the first time F1 has gone pay-only in the UK?

 

[Psychotext]

Had it ever been that way before, or is this the first time F1 has gone pay-only in the UK?

First time.

 

[Myoclonic Jerk]

No announcement of Williams drivers yet. Does that mean its not going to happen this weekend?

 

[DrM]

No announcement of Williams drivers yet. Does that mean its not going to happen this weekend?

Probably not, Frank Williams will meet with that potentital sponsor from Qatar on Tuesday/Wednesday.

 

[Myoclonic Jerk]

Probably not, Frank Williams will meet with that potentital sponsor from Qatar on Tuesday/Wednesday.

Really? Where was that reported?...

 

[DrM]

Really? Where was that reported?...

Yesterday during Q2, on ORF (Austrian TV).

 

[Myoclonic Jerk]

Yesterday during Q2, on ORF (Austrian TV).

thats very juicy.. thanks

Was it reported or did he say that himself?

 

[DrM]

thats very juicy.. thanks

Alexander Wurz (ex F1 driver, now commentator on ORF) was talking about this.

I think that this will happen this week

 

[Myoclonic Jerk]

Alexander Wurz (ex F1 driver, now commentator on ORF) was talking about this.

I think that this will happen this week

Can't wait for the badass, icecool Kimi to be back

 

[Wax Free Vanilla]

Great preview Leunam!



Aren't they having ads during the race? Automatically makes that untrue.

No ads during the race.

 

[Dead Man]

No ads during the race.

Well, at least they have that right, then.

 

[torontoml]

anyone know what this sky stuff means for canada? We get our feed and commentary from the bbc.

 

[Omiee]

o ads during the race is really good news

 

[Septimius]

so I know about BBC player, but any way to stream in HD?

 

[Ark]

Brundle and Crofty....What a horribly disappointing duo.

Crofty has verbal diarrhea that even Legard is envious of.

 

[Omiee]

i thought coverage started 1 hour before the race?

or is it not on bbc one?

 

[Timbuktu]

Had it ever been that way before, or is this the first time F1 has gone pay-only in the UK?

BBC will still have half the races (silverstone, monaco etc) but not sure what the coverage will be like. Will they still send a full team out? They've lost Brundle but i guess Jake will be around, will DC and Eddie Jordan still be there?

 

[Wax Free Vanilla]

So, who will the BBC get to replace Brundle?

Legard?

James Allen?

I'd like to see Ben Edwards back commentating on F1, that guy is awesome, second only to Walker.

i thought coverage started 1 hour before the race?

or is it not on bbc one?

Today is Remembrance Sunday, the coverage is set to start at 12:15pm

 

[Septimius]

replace Brundle? I love that guy

Where's he going?

 

[Wax Free Vanilla]

replace Brundle? I love that guy

Where's he going?

Sky Sports.

 

[Omiee]

here we go .

so excited

 

[Septimius]

Sky Sports.

ah. Gonna be a shame that I can't stream the commentaries with Sky. Been a great way to watch F1.

 

[Omiee]

ah. Gonna be a shame that I can't stream the commentaries with Sky. Been a great way to watch F1.

for me who has been bbc coverage for a while im really pissed.

i love the bbc app that lets you see it streaming

it will suck to go back to dutch coverage =(

 

[brotkasten]

As expected, Sky's coverage will blow away the BBC's:

I still can't agree with this. It's not only about all the views and whatever other nice things they'll bring, but also about the people. Watching a F1 event commented by people who have no idea what's going on is pretty annoying. They have Brundle, fine, whatever, but DC, EJ and Jake will be missed.

 

[Omiee]

I still can't agree with this. It's not only about all the views and whatever other nice things they'll bring, but also about the people. Watching a F1 event commented by people who have no idea what's going on is pretty annoying. They have Brundle, fine, whatever, but DC, EJ and Jake will be missed.

the chemistry between jake ej and coulthard has been amazing.

 

[Dilly]

Depressed Hamilton is forever alone.

 

[Omiee]

Depressed Hamilton is forever alone.

i actually feel bad for him a bit, sure he is rich and gets to drive formula 1 cars.

but the guy is a winner, and to see his team mate beating him, vettel beating him, and see others having stuff he does not have must be depressing.

 

[Wes]

Brundle and Crofty....What a horribly disappointing duo.

Crofty has verbal diarrhea that even Legard is envious of.

I will not let anyone tarnish his name. I think he's great. Unlike Legard he knows what he's talking about and you can feel the enthusiasm listening to him.

I dislike Brundle so good riddance.

 

[DrM]

For the love of God, where is EJ buying these shirts?

 

[Omiee]

For the love of God, where is EJ buying these shirts?

i actually think he makes them himself, or has a collection of shirts of his father in the attic.

 

[Gandie]

Anyone got the link for the BBC IPlayer thing?

 

[Omiee]

i love these gird walks.

 

[thy_]

Anyone got the link for the BBC IPlayer thing?

http://bbc-player.com/