After nine months and 18 races, F1’s final race of the season is upon us with the curtain set to come down on 2015 in Abu Dhabi. The titles have long since been decided, with Mercedes incredibly bettering its points total from last year, but there remains tension between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg despite such a dominant campaign. The Yas Marina Circuit will play host to the last race with the pressure off for the majority of teams and drivers, which could well lead to an exciting grand prix beneath the floodlights at the spectacular venue on Yas Island, while emotions will run high at both Lotus - as Romain Grosjean takes part in his final race before moving to Haas next season - and Manor ahead of the departures of John Booth and Graeme Lowdon.
FORM GUIDE
Although Mercedes secured its 11th one-two finish of a dominant season in Brazil, Sebastian Vettel kept the leading pair honest as Ferrari displayed how it has closed the gap since the beginning of the year. The Yas Marina Circuit should suit Ferrari, with the soft and supersoft tyres also the same compounds which were used when Vettel won under the floodlights in Singapore. Red Bull will be expecting an improved performance at a track where it managed to climb through from the pit lane last season to fourth place with Daniel Ricciardo, while Williams was similarly strong in Abu Dhabi in 2014 and will hope to be closer to Ferrari than it was in Brazil.
2014 RESULT
Pole position: Nico Rosberg (Mercedes), 1:40.480
Top three: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), Felipe Massa (Williams), Valtteri Bottas (Williams)
Fastest lap: Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull), 1:44.496
SESSION TIMES (All times local)
FP1: 13:00 - 14:30
FP2: 17:00 - 18:30
FP3: 14:00 - 15:00
Qualifying: 17:00 - 18:00
Race: 1700
TYRE CHOICES
WEATHER FORECAST
Incredibly, the majority of the paddock set-up ahead of this weekend’s race has taken place in the rain as overcast and windy conditions brought showers to Abu Dhabi. By Friday the weather is forecast to have returned to normal, with hot temperatures and plenty of sunshine predicted, though there remains the 20% chance of more rain on Saturday. The biggest challenge for the teams is the drop in track temperatures with FP2, qualifying and the race taking place at sunset and the track temperature dropping markedly from the start to the end of the race.
PODIUM PREDICTION
1st - Sebastian Vettel
2nd - Valtteri Bottas
3rd - Daniel Ricciardo
2014 BEST SHOT
Technical feature: Exclusive pictures of the Ferrari power unit
Unfinished business at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
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