After a GP in Brazil where there was no lack of surprises, with the victory going to Max Verstappen and the podium being composed by Pierre Gasly and Carlos Sainz Jr. (after Hamilton was penalized), the “circus” of Formula 1 reaches the last race of this season, the Abu Dhabi GP.
As in Brazil, the Abu Dhabi GP will practically “run with beans”, as both the drivers' and the constructors' titles have been handed over for a long time. Even so, there are two "fights" with special interest to follow in the race played in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
After the Brazilian GP, the accounts for the third and sixth places in the drivers' championship were even more heated. In the first, Max Verstappen was 11 points ahead of Charles Leclerc; in the second, Pierre Gasly and Carlos Sainz Jr. are both with 95 points, this after having debuted on the podiums in Brazil.
The Yas Marina Circuit
As in Singapore, the Yas Marina Circuit also runs at night (the race starts at the end of the day).Subscribe to our newsletter
Inaugurated in 2009, this circuit has been hosting the Abu Dhabi GP for 10 years, having been the second Formula 1 circuit in the Middle East (the first was in Bahrain). Extending over 5,554 km, it has a total of 21 curves.
The most successful riders at this circuit are Lewis Hamilton (won there four times) and Sebastien Vettel (won the Abu Dhabi GP three times. These are joined by Kimi Räikkönen, Nico Rosberg and Valtteri Bottas each. with a win.
What to expect from the Abu Dhabi GP
At a time when teams, riders and fans have their eyes set on 2020 (incidentally, next year's grid is already closed) there are still some points of interest in the Abu Dhabi GP, and for now, up the first practice session.
FP1 CLASSIFICATION @ValtteriBottas tops the charts, in an all @MercedesAMGF1 and @redbullracing top four #AbuDhabiGP ?? #F1 pic.twitter.com/seoSD4ZyM8
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 29, 2019
For a start, as we've already mentioned, the fight for third and sixth places in the drivers' championship is still very much alive. Adding to this, Nico Hülkenberg (who already knows that next year he will be out of Formula 1) should try to reach a podium for the first time, something that will be difficult if we take into account Renault's performances throughout the year.
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It will also be interesting to see how Ferrari will perform at the Abu Dhabi GP, especially after another season below expectations and a GP in Brazil in which a clash between its drivers dictated the abandonment of both.
As for the tail of the peloton, no big surprises are expected, the main point of interest being the farewell of Robert Kubica from Formula 1.
The Abu Dhabi GP is scheduled to start at 1:10 pm (mainland Portugal time) on Sunday, and for Saturday afternoon, from 1:00 pm (mainland Portugal time), qualifying is scheduled.