Abu Dhabi's 16-turn 5.2km circuit underwent a few changes ahead of last year's race to improve the track's flow and boost overtaking opportunities.
But there were no modifications to the circuit's two lengthy straights, including the 1.2km back straight between Turns 5 and 6 where cars reach maximum speeds in excess of 330 km/h.
Downforce is less of an issue at Yas Marina, with most teams running reasonably high levels of drag on their car but not the biggest wing.
That means drivers can tackle the slow corners as well as possible, while still breezing down the straights and hitting a good top speed.
As has often been the case this season, a Williams topped the speed trap readings in qualifying, with Alex Albon clocking in at 334.2 km/h but only setting the 19th quickest time in Saturday's evening session, which tells us once again all we need to know about the FW44's typical lack of efficiency in the corners.
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But Red Bull's RB18 was also once again in a predictable position in the rankings, with Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen achieving the second and fourth top speeds in qualifying.
Ferrari's contenders were smack in the middle of the field, but front tyre degradation - especially the softs - remains a concern for the Scuderia in race trim.
In the Mercedes camp, the team proclaimed itself disappointed with its single lap pace, a relative weakness underscored by George Russell and Lewis Hamilton's equally sluggish maximum velocities.
However, the Brackley knew beforehand that its perennially "draggy" W13 silver arrow would be facing a few challenges in Abu Dhabi.
Sunday's race is likely to be a two-stopper according to Pirelli, with a medium-to-hard-to-medium combination theoretically the quickest way to the checkered flag.
But regardless of the strategy, all bets are on Red Bull and Max Verstappen securing a record 15th season-win in Abu Dhabi.
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