GP Abu Dhabi: Times, standings, track info, weather forecast

Times GP Abu Dhabi

After a few races to the west of us, Formula 1 is now traveling east. Racing takes place in Abu Dhabi under the setting sun, but because of the time difference you have to switch on a little earlier than sunset here in the Netherlands. The race starts at 2 p.m. Dutch time. You should also take into account that this weekend is again a traditional race weekend, unlike last week. That means that qualifying is again on Saturday afternoon and there will be no sprint race.

Championship mode

Next weekend it will be all or nothing for various drivers and teams. There are still a few positions to be determined in the championship. The most exciting battle for many fans will be the one between Sergio Pérez and Charles Leclerc. They are tied in points and both have a chance of winning second place in the championship. Both Pérez and Leclerc have never finished so high before. Behind that, it is still exciting between the two Mercedes drivers. In theory, George Russell can still finish third at the last minute, should Pérez and or Leclerc drop out and Russell win the race with the fastest race lap (26 points). Lewis Hamilton has to do the same and needs a retirement from his teammate to take fourth place from Russell. Carlos Sainz, in turn, still has a chance to knock Hamilton out of fifth place in the final standings.

There are also some shifts possible in the teams. Mercedes is close behind Ferrari for second place in the championship and – especially given the performance of the last race – can still hope to beat Ferrari. Given the start of the season, that would be both an embarrassment for Ferrari and an unexpectedly good result for Mercedes. Alpine seems to be taking fourth place, although given the reliability of the French boldies, it could just turn around at the last minute. Behind them, Alfa Romeo and Aston Martin will give their all for P6 and Haas will have to go all out to hold on to eighth place.

Circuit

Yas Marina Circuit near Abu Dhabi is far from the most popular circuit on the Formula 1 calendar, but it is a track that makes for beautiful pictures. If it is not because of the spectacle on the track, then it is because of the special buildings next to and above the track. For example, the drivers drive from Turn 13 to Turn 14 under the state-of-the-art hotel and have to go through a tunnel to exit the pit lane. The circuit opened 13 years ago and cost a whopping $1.3 billion to build. According to some drivers, it wasn’t worth that money when it comes to racing opportunities, although Abu Dhabi has managed to provide a spectacle at times not only because of its standing in the championship. For many Dutch fans, the circuit will in any case evoke good associations because of the denouement last year. Incidentally, there were spectacular denouements for the world championship here longer ago, think of 2016 (Rosberg) and 2010 (Vettel). 2010 was especially special, because no less than four drivers still had a chance to win the title. Vettel eventually took the top honours. The same Vettel, four-time world champion with Red Bull, will say goodbye to Formula 1 this weekend. The Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi is his last race.

Next weekend there will be rest at the front as far as the championship is concerned, as Max Verstappen already secured his second world title in Japan. Anyway; there are still 58 race laps ahead this year and they lead the drivers over a total distance of over 306 km. The fastest race lap was clocked last year by winner Max Verstappen; he crossed the track in 1:26.103. He also took pole position the day before, with a lap time of 1:22.109.

Weather forecast

It probably won’t surprise you, but the teams don’t have to have the intermediate and rain tires ready next weekend. The whole weekend it will be partly cloudy in Yas Marina Bay, with temperatures of around 30 degrees. Friday seems to be the hottest day yet, with a maximum of 34 degrees. The drivers will again be happy that the race takes place a little later in the day.