F1: Abu Dhabi Preview

Sebastian Vettel led Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg to the finish last year at Abu Dhabi

The 2014 Formula One 2014 season will come to a conclusion this weekend at the on Yas Island, outside the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi. It will be the sixth time the 3.451 mile, 22-turn Yas Marina Circuit has played host to the Grand Prix circus, fourth time as a season-finale. Once again, the race will be run as a day into night, with floodlighting illuminating the picturesque circuit.

Of course, this weekend’s race will decide the World Driver’s Championship. Lewis Hamilton brings a 17-point lead over his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg. With the controversial double-points on offer this weekend for the first (and likely last) time, AR1 has created a chart to help you with the scenarios by which either Hamilton secures or second World Championship or Rosberg becomes the second 2nd generation World Champion.

A few other quick facts for this weekend’s race:

• The race will be 55 laps, with 2-3 pits stops expected depending on tire wear
• Pirelli has opted for the soft (yellow) and supersoft (red) tire compounds
• Two DRS zones will be between turns 7 and 8, with the detection spot before 7, and between turns 10 and 11, with the detection zone at the exit of the turn 8/9 chicane

Kimi Raikkonen scores victory in 2012

Which drivers in this year’s race run well at Abu Dhabi?

Only three men have won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, all three will start Sunday’s race. Sebastian Vettel has won three times (2009, 2010 and 2013). Lewis Hamilton won the 2011 race, while Kimi Raikkonen won with Lotus in 2012.

In addition to their wins, Hamilton and Vettel have each won pole position twice at Abu Dhabi. Hamilton finished second in 2010, and Vettel was third in 2012.
Fernando Alonso, who will be making his last start for Ferrari, has come home second twice at Abu Dhabi. McLaren’s Jenson Button who could be making his final start for McLaren, has finished third three times. Rosberg finished third a year ago.

The Yas Marina Circuit has produced some processional racing. Here Lewis Hamilton powers past the row of AR1 yachts

What type of racing should we expect?

Probably, something of a parade.

There is of course, the Mercedes dominance that we have seen at all but a few rounds this season. Also, for all its glorious backdrops and spectacular visuals, the Yas Marina Circuit has never exactly been known for great racing. Perhaps, the best illustration of this was 2010, when Fernando Alonso spent much of the race unable to get past a slower Vitaly Petrov. Alonso ultimately finished seventh four points behind Vettel in the final standings.

Expect Mercedes dominance and not a lot of movement throughout the field.

Lewis Hamilton or Nico Rosberg will emerge as World Champion

What are some of the storylines coming into the weekend?

The championship, of course, will be at the forefront of everyone’s mind. And with a win from pole at the most recent Grand Prix at Interlagos, Rosberg broke a five-race Hamilton win streak, and placed himself in position to challenge Hamilton at Abu Dhabi.

Another story will surely be Vettel’s move to Ferrari next season, Alonso’s all but official move to McLaren, and speculation as to who the Spaniard’s teammate will be.

Anything else to keep an eye on?

Valtteri Bottas

Yes, the battle for fourth in the championship.

Although the order is still up in the air, Hamilton and Rosberg have secured the top-two places in the championship, with Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo locked into third.

However, fourth-place Vettel (159 points), fifth-place Alonso (157) and sixth-place Valtteri Bottas of Williams (156) are locked in quite the battle for fourth in the championship. Considering, that Williams scored a mere 5 Constructors points a season ago, the fact that Bottas has a very realistic shot to beat Vettel and Alonso in the final standings speaks volumes to the resurgence the Grove outfit has enjoyed in 2014.

So, who wins?

Hamilton takes both the title and the race win.

Now, Hamilton can win the championship without winning depending on what Rosberg does. But the Brit has always raced and qualified well at Abu Dhabi.

Of course, Rosberg has had the edge on qualifying relative to the Brit this season. And if Rosberg can put the car on pole, he probably makes things a little uncomfortable for the known-to-be-somewhat-temperamental. Still, I see Hamilton emerging from this weekend with his second world championship.

Brian Carroccio is a columnist for AutoRacing1. He can be contacted at BrianC@AutoRacing1.com.