2012 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix preview

Only one week after yet another sensational display of dominance from Sebastian Vettel at the Indian Grand Prix, the Formula 1 fraternity once again moves instantly on to the next venue for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the magnificent Yas Marina circuit. This will be the fourth running of the event, which is F1’s only day/night race.

First held back in 2009, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has quickly become one of the highlights of the season, taking place around the picturesque 5.554km (3.451mile) Yas Marina circuit. Once again designed by popular architect Hermann Tilke, the circuit features several iconic landmarks including the pit exit which passes underneath the track, and the incredibly fascinating Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi Hotel which the track entwines itself underneath.

After Sebastian Vettel’s fourth successive victory last time out at the Indian Grand Prix, the German driver has now extended his lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship to 13 points ahead of the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso. Although the reigning World Champion cannot clinch the Drivers’ Championship this weekend, he can certainly continue to break away from Alonso and poise himself for potential Championship glory at the United States Grand Prix later in the month.

Just like the previous two tracks, the Yas Marina circuit features a fast flowing opening sector, incorporating two extensively long straights. The second of these two straights incorporates the support race paddock, and both will be used as DRS zones throughout this weekend’s race. The opening DRS zone’s detection point will be situated 40m before turn seven, with the activation zone located 390m after turn seven. This will offer the drivers with a tremendous overtaking opportunity into turn eight, which is a tight left-hander.

Immediately after turns eight and nine, the drivers will meet the activation point for the second DRS zone, 50m after turn nine. This will lead onto the second activation zone, which will be located on the apex of turn 10, which is a full-speed sweeping left-hander. Once again, the drivers will have an excellent opportunity to overtake, before they negotiate turns 11 and 12.

After the two DRS zones, the lap becomes increasingly difficult, with slow speed corners coming in abundance as the lap progresses. During the final sector, the track sweeps beneath the glorious sight of the Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi Hotel, which emits a distinctive illumination consisting of 5,389 pivoting LED panels.

Derek Warwick will once again be the FIA driver representative steward for this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and will be making his second appearance in four races after appearing at the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. The Briton raced in Formula 1 between 1981 and 1993 for the likes of Toleman, Brabham and Lotus, achieving four podium finishes. After leaving F1, Warwick competed in the British Touring Car Championship, as well as Le Mans and Sports Cars.

Despite the length of the straights during the early stages of the lap around the Yas Marina circuit, passing is still an issue once the race begins. Last season’s race was decided throughout the opening corners on the first lap, when Sebastian Vettel suffered a mysterious puncture and spun off. This gifted the lead, and subsequent victory, to Lewis Hamilton. Should such excitement occur on the opening lap this weekend, expect a frenetic 55-lap Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Sebastian Vettel has led every single racing lap since Lewis Hamilton’s gearbox failure in Singapore, and is targeting further dominance this weekend. However, after urging his team to improve after the Indian Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso will undoubtedly be close behind the Red Bull driver as this highly entertaining season draws to a conclusion.

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