After eight months and twenty races, we've finally reached the last days of school for the class of 2018, gathered for the occasion in Abu Dhabi.
The venue's end-of-season appeal and magical atmosphere ensure things are smooth around Yas Marina, including the track's surface which isn't particularly demanding on tyres.
Pirelli's selection for the weekend is the red Supersoft, the purple ultrasoft and the pink hypersoft. And it will actually be the last time the purple and pink colors will be seen on an F1 car as next year's compounds will feature only three permanent: white, yellow and red.
"Once again we’re bringing a tyre nomination that’s somewhat softer than previous years, with the hypersoft selected for only the sixth time this year, and for only the third time at a permanent race venue," explains Pirelli F1 boss Mario Isola.
"Nonetheless, the hypersoft is not entirely new to Abu Dhabi, as it was first run there a year ago, making Yas Marina the only track where the hypersoft has previously tested and will now be raced.
"How it actually performs in race conditions at the circuit, especially with regard to strategy, is going to be interesting to see – and of course those tactics will already begin in qualifying on Saturday.
"Once again, the teams will get a chance to test next year’s tyres after the race: of course they will run on 2018 cars, but this test will nonetheless provide a useful taste of the future."
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