Lewis Hamilton on pole for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton will line up alongside Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel for tomorrow’s inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina circuit after setting an electrifying lap in Q3, more than 0.5secs faster than the rest of the field.
Hamilton set a 1:40.948 after the chequered flag had dropped in Q3 compared to Vettel’s 1:41.615. The fellow Red Bull driver Mark Webber will line up 3rd alongside Rubens Barrichello and World Champion Jenson Button will start 5th.
Hamilton’s teammate Heikki Kovalainen will start 13th, despite topping Friday Practice 2, although this is because he suffered a brake problem in Q2.
Elsewhere it was a reasonably impressive qualifying session in BMW Sauber’s last ever Grand Prix with Kubica and Heidfeld making it an all BMW 4th row. They qualified 7th and 8th respectively.
Ferrari had another nightmare with Giancarlo Fisichella in particular, who will start last on the grid and Kimi Raikkonen who will start an average 11th on the grid.
It was a disappointing session for Renault as both of their drivers failed to get through Q1. In twice former world champion Fernando Alonso’s final qualifying for Renault he qualified 16th. His teammate Romain Grosjean will start 19th.
The full classification is here.
Senna confirmed as a Campos driver for 2010.
We broke the rumour a few days ago but today it has been confirmed – the name ‘Senna’ is back in Formula 1 courtesy of the nephew of the late, great Ayrton – Bruno Senna. It has been confirmed als that he will drive for the new F1 team, Campos. The Campos chief executive Rodriguez de Castro said:
“It is an extraordinary honour to return the name of Senna to Formula 1. The deal with Senna confirms and re-enforces our prime objective of being not only the first Spanish Formula 1 team, but rather the first Iberian-American F1 team.”
And Bruno Senna had this to say:
“I’m absolutely delighted to fulfill a lifetime dream. Now it is time to set new targets.”
Brawn GP have title sponsor for next season.
Ross Brawn has said that his team – the new Drivers and Constructors champions Brawn GP have a title sponsor for next season.
So this season Brawn GP have had only one permanent sponsor, (and that is only a minor sponsorship deal) Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, but Branson is taking his Virgin brand to new team Manor Grand Prix for 2010. Brawn GP have also tended to sign one race sponsorship deals.
However team boss Ross Brawn has confirmed that they will have a title sponsor for next season. He said:
“We have got a title sponsor, that will become clear over the winter, and we are looking good in other areas.”
My Thoughts
Fisi refuses to rule out move back to Force India.
Many people believe that this will be Giancarlo Fisichella’s last weekend in Formula 1 now he has left Force India for a drive at Ferrari while Felipe Massa is recovering from injury. However Felipe Massa will be back for next season and he will drive alongside Fernando Alonso who is replacing the outgoing Kimi Raikkonen, so where will the 36 year old Italian Fisichella go now?
He has had a less than impressive time since joining Ferrari, but he is refusing to rule out a move back to Force India. He said:
“Why not? It is open. It could be Force India. There are a lot of teams without drivers so far.”
“It is a bit frustrating,” he said. “I would be disappointed, but I am doing my best. It is not easy to jump from Force India and jump to the Ferrari car, which has completely different handling and completely different behaviour.
“I have driven for 14 years in F1 how I want and now I need to change, in braking and downshifting, my style of driving. I am doing my best. In the last couple of races, the race pace was good, the problem was the qualifying session. Here in the long runs I had the same pace as Kimi.”
Driver’s thoughts on the new Yas Marina Circuit.
Today was the first time there has ever been a Formula 1 session at the new Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi on today’s Friday Practice day. I have compiled a few of the driver’s thoughts on the new complex.
The McLaren team seemed impressed with the circuit, Lewis Hamilton who recorded the fastest time in Free Practice 1 said:
“They’ve done an incredible job here. It’s a really nice circuit to drive – there are a lot of technical corners, where braking stability is important. It’s a great track and I really enjoy driving it. The only bit I don’t like is the tunnel – but it’s a challenge!”
And the former world champion’s teammate Heikki Kovalainen who topped the timesheets in Free Practice 2 said:
“The circuit is cool – it’s very smooth with good grip and the kerbs are nice. Turns Two and Three are not easy-flat, but, with the good balance of the car, they’re fun.”
As for Brawn GP, they also seemed impressed with the circuit. New World Champion Jenson Button had this to say:
“I had a short break in the Gulf region after the Bahrain Grand Prix and went to have a look at the Yas Marina Circuit. Even back then, when the construction work was still underway, the facilities looked outstanding and the organisers have done a great job in creating a spectacular venue. It’s always fun to try a new race track, particularly one which looks as unique as Yas Marina with the unusual pitlane exit and the day/night race. I’m sure Abu Dhabi is going to host an exciting weekend and a great finale to the 2009 Formula One season.”
And Rubens Barrichello said:
“The layout of the circuit seems both fun and challenging and it will be interesting to start the race in daylight and to finish in evening conditions. Our track walk on Thursday will be important to get an initial feel for the characteristics of the circuit and we will spend the first few laps on Friday getting to grips with the layout.”
As for Red Bull, Sebastian Vettel seemed to like the circuit:
“Abu Dhabi is a new circuit, so new conditions – including starting driving in the daylight and finishing the session at night, which is quite exciting. Obviously, the circuit was very green and slippery to begin with, but overall it’s quite a thrill to drive, with some good corners. It’s also pretty special to go under a hotel!”
Ferrari who had a distinctly unimpressive two sessions were more critical of the circuit. Kimi Raikkonen said:
“There is only a few corners which are drivable. I mean the corners are heavy braking with tight corners in low gears. Not many corners you need to go fast through, it could be more interesting.”
And Ferrari’s other driver Giancarlo Fisichella was also less than impressed with the circuit:
“[The circuit is] Better at the end with more grip but there is a couple of places in second gear there is not the chance to have a nice, high speed corner. The first part is the more interesting part of the circuit, turns 1, 2, 3. The middle sector [is a] little bit too many corners in second gear.”
Webber set for another operation.
The Red Bull driver Mark Webber will have another operation in November after breaking his leg in a bicycle crash in the pre season. He has had many operations since the accident such as having had pins removed in February, and screws taken out in separate procedures in both June and August.
The main titanium rod and last artificial pieces in Webber’s leg will be removed next month.
Despite the accident prior to the start of the season, Australian Webber, 33 has been very successful this year collecting 2 wins including his first ever F1 win. Webber said:
“I had the worst preparation ever, but it turns out I’ve had my best season ever. I think next season will start off not a million miles from how we’ve finished this one.”
Abu Dhabi Free Practice 2 classification
| Pos | No | Driver | Team | Time/Retired | Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | Heikki Kovalainen | McLaren-Mercedes | 1:41.307 | ||
| 2 | 1 | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren-Mercedes | 1:41.504 | 0.197 | |
| 3 | 22 | Jenson Button | Brawn-Mercedes | 1:41.541 | 0.234 | |
| 4 | 15 | Sebastian Vettel | RBR-Renault | 1:41.591 | 0.284 | |
| 5 | 10 | Kamui Kobayashi | Toyota | 1:41.636 | 0.329 | |
| 6 | 12 | Sebastien Buemi | STR-Ferrari | 1:41.683 | 0.376 | |
| 7 | 14 | Mark Webber | RBR-Renault | 1:41.684 | 0.377 | |
| 8 | 23 | Rubens Barrichello | Brawn-Mercedes | 1:41.831 | 0.524 | |
| 9 | 16 | Nico Rosberg | Williams-Toyota | 1:41.931 | 0.624 | |
| 10 | 4 | Kimi Räikkönen | Ferrari | 1:41.987 | 0.680 | |
| 11 | 20 | Adrian Sutil | Force India-Mercedes | 1:42.180 | 0.873 | |
| 12 | 17 | Kazuki Nakajima | Williams-Toyota | 1:42.245 | 0.938 | |
| 13 | 6 | Nick Heidfeld | BMW Sauber | 1:42.278 | 0.971 | |
| 14 | 9 | Jarno Trulli | Toyota | 1:42.409 | 1.102 | |
| 15 | 21 | Vitantonio Liuzzi | Force India-Mercedes | 1:42.530 | 1.223 | |
| 16 | 7 | Fernando Alonso | Renault | 1:42.782 | 1.475 | |
| 17 | 3 | Giancarlo Fisichella | Ferrari | 1:42.932 | 1.625 | |
| 18 | 8 | Romain Grosjean | Renault | 1:43.021 | 1.714 | |
| 19 | 11 | Jaime Alguersuari | STR-Ferrari | 1:43.022 | 1.715 | |
| 20 | 5 | Robert Kubica | BMW Sauber | 1:43.708 | 2.401 |
Lotus appoint chief executive.
Malaysia’s Lotus Formula One team has today announced they have appointed Riad Asmat as chief executive who will oversee the team’s motorsport programme.
Asmat who is 38, was a general manager at Proton prior to this appointment, will work with the new Malaysian backed F1 team Lotus, whom are aiming for a roll out of the new car in mid-February to test it before the season opener in Bahrain in March.
Team principal Tony Fernandes said:
“Riad’s expertise, which is a good blend of both corporate experience and motorsports knowledge, will provide the dynamic and success-oriented leadership that the 1Malaysian team requires,”
“I’m confident that his knowledge of motorsports coupled with vast experience will contribute to the success of the 1 Malaysia F1 Team.”
“All of us in the 1Malaysia Formula One Team understand that this is a very important first step for the nation,”
“We’ll make it our key objective to build a very strong and robust foundation moving forward.”
Abu Dhabi post Free Practice 1 thoughts.
From the results of the Abu Dhabi Free Practice 1, here are some thoughts I have noted:
- I think this circuit will be a good one for KERS and this is proven by Lewis Hamilton going well in his McLaren, but why is Raikkonen all the way down in 15th?
- Despite a few doubts, it seems that Brawn GP are right on the money here and will be fighting for that end of season win.
- Toro Rosso are turning in some good times with Buemi 6th and Alguersuari 9th.
- In what is likely to be Fisi’s final weekend in F1, Giancarlo Fisichella has once again failed to impress in the Ferrari, he is 18th.
- In BMW’s final race weekend in F1, Nick Heidfelt looked reasonably good in P5 although Robert Kubica isn’t looking brilliant in P11.
- It is a point to Adrian Sutil in his Jarno Trulli battle on the track with the German finishing up the session in a good 7th. Trulli is 10th and Kobayashi 19th so it seems that Toyota were not as good as they would have liked to have been.
- If you failed to see what Nico Rosberg meant by wanting to move away from Williams to get himself into a ‘winning car’ you surely can see that now, Rosberg and Nakajima are 13th and 14th in their Williams’.
- On a similar subject, Fernando Alonso must be itching to get out of that Renault and into that Ferrari next season as he and teammate Grosjean have had a nightmare session 16th and 20th respectively.
- My Prediction: Finally, my prediction for the Grand Prix. Having the KERS advantage going into this race meant that I thought Lewis Hamilton was going to win the Grand Prix, and him topping the timesheets in FP1 only confirmed this. Who do you think is going to win the Grand Prix? Have your say on the poll in the sidebar.
Abu Dhabi Free Practice 1 classification.
| Pos | No | Driver | Team | Time/Retired | Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren-Mercedes | 1:43.939 | ||
| 2 | 22 | Jenson Button | Brawn-Mercedes | 1:44.035 | 0.096 | |
| 3 | 15 | Sebastian Vettel | RBR-Renault | 1:44.153 | 0.214 | |
| 4 | 23 | Rubens Barrichello | Brawn-Mercedes | 1:44.207 | 0.268 | |
| 5 | 6 | Nick Heidfeld | BMW Sauber | 1:44.667 | 0.728 | |
| 6 | 12 | Sebastien Buemi | STR-Ferrari | 1:44.687 | 0.748 | |
| 7 | 20 | Adrian Sutil | Force India-Mercedes | 1:44.688 | 0.749 | |
| 8 | 14 | Mark Webber | RBR-Renault | 1:44.805 | 0.866 | |
| 9 | 11 | Jaime Alguersuari | STR-Ferrari | 1:44.955 | 1.016 | |
| 10 | 9 | Jarno Trulli | Toyota | 1:44.958 | 1.019 | |
| 11 | 5 | Robert Kubica | BMW Sauber | 1:44.988 | 1.049 | |
| 12 | 2 | Heikki Kovalainen | McLaren-Mercedes | 1:45.123 | 1.184 | |
| 13 | 16 | Nico Rosberg | Williams-Toyota | 1:45.649 | 1.710 | |
| 14 | 17 | Kazuki Nakajima | Williams-Toyota | 1:45.679 | 1.740 | |
| 15 | 4 | Kimi Räikkönen | Ferrari | 1:45.704 | 1.765 | |
| 16 | 7 | Fernando Alonso | Renault | 1:45.865 | 1.926 | |
| 17 | 21 | Vitantonio Liuzzi | Force India-Mercedes | 1:46.239 | 2.300 | |
| 18 | 3 | Giancarlo Fisichella | Ferrari | 1:46.267 | 2.328 | |
| 19 | 10 | Kamui Kobayashi | Toyota | 1:46.364 | 2.425 | |
| 20 | 8 | Romain Grosjean | Renault | 1:46.411 | 2.472 |