Following a short break, the F1 paddock will reconvene at the glamorous Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi this weekend for the final round of the 2015 season.
It is the circuit’s seventh time hosting a Formula 1 race, having debuted in the sport in 2009, and is one of several events on the calendar to take place at night.
The Singapore Grand Prix is the only race on the current schedule to take place completely at night. Rounds in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi both start as the sun sets and conclude under dark skies.
24 floodlights standing at 40 metres tall are used to create a seamless transition between night and day. The stunning Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi Hotel also provides a beautiful spectacle with 5000 LED panel shell that changes colour throughout the night.
Three drivers on the current grid have won in Abu Dhabi. Sebastian Vettel was victorious in 2009, 2010 and 2013 during Red Bull’s incredible run of dominance. Meanwhile Kimi Raikkonen has one win at the track when he was driving for Lotus in 2012.
Lewis Hamilton increased his tally of triumphs last year, scoring his second victory at Yas Marina and claiming the 2014 world title in the process, thanks to double points. The controversial rule was binned after the season concluded.
Hamilton heads into the final round with very little pressure on his shoulders. He wrapped up the championship several races ago, so the only thing left to do is end the year on a high with another first place finish. But his team-mate Nico Rosberg will be eager to do the same.
A lap of the 3.450 mile circuit starts with a run down the pit straight. Turn 1 is a 90-degree left-hander and can cause contact on the opening lap. A short straight follows before the fast left-hander of Turn 2. This flat-out corner leads onto the long right-hander of Turn 3.
Unusually, the pit exit feeds cars back out on track on the outside of the third corner, as it features a tunnel and goes under the circuit at first turn, with drivers having to negotiate a tight and tricky downhill hairpin.
Turn 4 is a barely-there kink and is followed by the braking zone for the left-right chicane that makes up the fifth and sixth corners, which kick off the second sector.
This is a decent overtaking spot, particularly on the opening lap, but the narrow track layout can cause contact. Turn 7 is a slow hairpin, with good traction being vital for a strong exit onto the long back straight. This is where the first DRS zone will be positioned.
Turn 8 is a slow left-hand hairpin and is the best overtaking opportunity on the circuit. The run-off area actually runs under the large grandstand at the end of the straight. It leads immediately on to the slow right-hander of Turn 9. This is where the second DRS zone is located, meaning a driver can overtake into the eighth corner and be re-passed on the following straight.
Turns 11, 12 and 13 make up a tricky left-right-left chicane and kick off the third sector. Turn 14 is a slow left-hander and is followed by a short straight, before the hugely challenging triple-apex right that makes up turns 15 to 17. The first part is taken flat-out before speed is gradually scrubbed off for the final apex.
The next left takes cars under the illuminated Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi Hotel with its unique design and light panelling shell.
Turn 19 is another left-hander that leads alongside the hotel and to the penultimate corner, which is a fast right. The final corner is a third-gear right-hander that leads on to the pit straight. The pit entry is to the right.
The technical track layout typically requires a medium-downforce set-up, with a compromise between top speed and cornering grip. It is hard on the engines and fuel consumption is often high. As it is the final weekend of the year, expect plenty of power unit penalties.
The soft and super-soft Pirelli tyres will be used in Abu Dhabi and a two-day test by the Italian manufacturer will take place after the race, with all 10 teams taking part, giving them a chance to trial new compound constructions.
The Yas Marina Circuit is certainly a spectacular venue, with modern facilities. However, the track layout is far from the best on the schedule, with too many stop/start sections and a lack of character.
Despite the two championships being secured, there are still other positions in the standings to play for and everyone will be hoping to end what has been a difficult year for the F1 paddock on a positive note.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Fact File:
Location: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Track Length: 3.451 miles
Direction: Anti-clockwise
Turns: 21
Laps: 55
First race: 2009
Lap record: Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing, 2010: 1:40.279
Tyre compounds: Soft and super-soft
2014 race winner: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2014 pole position: Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 1:40.480
2014 fastest lap: Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, 1:44.496
Live on: Sky Sports F1 and BBC One
 |
| © Octane Photographic |
The Singapore Grand Prix is the only race on the current schedule to take place completely at night. Rounds in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi both start as the sun sets and conclude under dark skies.
 |
| © Octane Photographic |
24 floodlights standing at 40 metres tall are used to create a seamless transition between night and day. The stunning Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi Hotel also provides a beautiful spectacle with 5000 LED panel shell that changes colour throughout the night.
Three drivers on the current grid have won in Abu Dhabi. Sebastian Vettel was victorious in 2009, 2010 and 2013 during Red Bull’s incredible run of dominance. Meanwhile Kimi Raikkonen has one win at the track when he was driving for Lotus in 2012.
Lewis Hamilton increased his tally of triumphs last year, scoring his second victory at Yas Marina and claiming the 2014 world title in the process, thanks to double points. The controversial rule was binned after the season concluded.
Hamilton heads into the final round with very little pressure on his shoulders. He wrapped up the championship several races ago, so the only thing left to do is end the year on a high with another first place finish. But his team-mate Nico Rosberg will be eager to do the same.
A lap of the 3.450 mile circuit starts with a run down the pit straight. Turn 1 is a 90-degree left-hander and can cause contact on the opening lap. A short straight follows before the fast left-hander of Turn 2. This flat-out corner leads onto the long right-hander of Turn 3.
 |
| © Octane Photographic |
Unusually, the pit exit feeds cars back out on track on the outside of the third corner, as it features a tunnel and goes under the circuit at first turn, with drivers having to negotiate a tight and tricky downhill hairpin.
Turn 4 is a barely-there kink and is followed by the braking zone for the left-right chicane that makes up the fifth and sixth corners, which kick off the second sector.
This is a decent overtaking spot, particularly on the opening lap, but the narrow track layout can cause contact. Turn 7 is a slow hairpin, with good traction being vital for a strong exit onto the long back straight. This is where the first DRS zone will be positioned.
Turn 8 is a slow left-hand hairpin and is the best overtaking opportunity on the circuit. The run-off area actually runs under the large grandstand at the end of the straight. It leads immediately on to the slow right-hander of Turn 9. This is where the second DRS zone is located, meaning a driver can overtake into the eighth corner and be re-passed on the following straight.
Turns 11, 12 and 13 make up a tricky left-right-left chicane and kick off the third sector. Turn 14 is a slow left-hander and is followed by a short straight, before the hugely challenging triple-apex right that makes up turns 15 to 17. The first part is taken flat-out before speed is gradually scrubbed off for the final apex.
 |
| © Octane Photographic |
The next left takes cars under the illuminated Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi Hotel with its unique design and light panelling shell.
Turn 19 is another left-hander that leads alongside the hotel and to the penultimate corner, which is a fast right. The final corner is a third-gear right-hander that leads on to the pit straight. The pit entry is to the right.
The technical track layout typically requires a medium-downforce set-up, with a compromise between top speed and cornering grip. It is hard on the engines and fuel consumption is often high. As it is the final weekend of the year, expect plenty of power unit penalties.
The soft and super-soft Pirelli tyres will be used in Abu Dhabi and a two-day test by the Italian manufacturer will take place after the race, with all 10 teams taking part, giving them a chance to trial new compound constructions.
The Yas Marina Circuit is certainly a spectacular venue, with modern facilities. However, the track layout is far from the best on the schedule, with too many stop/start sections and a lack of character.
Despite the two championships being secured, there are still other positions in the standings to play for and everyone will be hoping to end what has been a difficult year for the F1 paddock on a positive note.
 |
| © Formula 1 |
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Fact File:
Location: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Track Length: 3.451 miles
Direction: Anti-clockwise
Turns: 21
Laps: 55
First race: 2009
Lap record: Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing, 2010: 1:40.279
Tyre compounds: Soft and super-soft
2014 race winner: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2014 pole position: Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 1:40.480
2014 fastest lap: Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, 1:44.496
Live on: Sky Sports F1 and BBC One
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