Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi practice

October 30, 11:53 PMFormula One ExaminerTerrence Connolly

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Formula One 2009 World Champion Brawn GP driver Jenson Button of Britain steers his car during the second free practice session at the Yas Marina racetrack , in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 30, 2009. The Emirates Formula One Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, Nov. 1. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen put the McLaren team at the top of the time sheets for both practice sessions for Formula One's debut at the stunning new circuit at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi. While it was no surprise to see 2008 World Champ Hamilton with the best time in the first session, it was indeed a surprise to see Kovalainen with the best time of the second session. Word around the paddock is that Heikki may very likely be driving a McLaren for his last time at Abu Dhabi, and it appeared as if he would like to make the McLaren team think twice about setting him loose with his terrific practice today.

But the story on Friday was the new circuit, there was universal praise from all over the grid about the spectacular new facility. Here is Martin Whitmarsh, team boss from McLaren, “I think everybody in the Formula One paddock has been overwhelmed by the scale and ambition of the Yas Marina circuit - it sets standards within our sport that I think will be almost impossible to eclipse. It is a truly fantastic facility, and a fine testament to the incredible vision of our hosts here in Abu Dhabi, who have treated everyone in our team with enormous warmth and hospitality.”

McLaren Mercedes driver Heikki Kovalainen of Finland steers his car during the second free practice session at the Yas Marina racetrack , in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 30, 2009. The Emirates Formula One Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, Nov. 1. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

The track has a near street-circuit feel, yet at the same time, there are plenty of wide sections of track with asphalt runoffs that seem well suited to overtaking. Yas Marina also features a super-long straight, which at just over 1 mile, is the longest current straight on the F1 calendar. Heikki and Lewis were both very enthusiastic about the new circuit.  Kovalainen 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. On the straight, KERS gives us an additional benefit. We can use it for maximum performance and it’s worth three-and-a-half to four tenths.”

Lewis seemed to like the track just as much as Heikki and Martin, “It looks like we might be quite competitive here - our long runs appear to be good, the car feels great and the track is great - it’s quite interesting coming from daylight into nighttime, you don’t notice the difference through the twilight. 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! We’ll have to see what happens tomorrow, because the track conditions are always changing, but we feel quite comfortable with the pace we have.”

Yachts are seen in the marina during the second free practice session at the Yas Marina racetrack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 30, 2009. The Emirates Formula One Grand Prix will take place here on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. (AP Photo/Gero Breloer)

Yas Marina is another anti-clockwise circuit, but what will make this race even more interesting and visually appealing will be the starting time of the race. For the first time in F1 history, a race will start at twilight, and will then finish at night under spotlights. With the bright lights of the super- futuristic hotel glittering off the waters of the yacht-filled marina alongside the race track, this event will be another photographers dream. The race also seems like it could be up for grabs again, with Lewis, Heikki, newly crowned 2009 World Champ Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel and even rookie Toyota driver Kamui Kobayashi looking really fast in the second session. There were a total of 10 drivers with times under 1 minute 42 seconds in the later practice, so it seems as if the track is adding grip and rubber quickly and the drivers are adjusting very nicely to the new circuit. As usual, qualifying near the top will be key, any of the top ten time setters might emerge with a pole on Saturday.

BBC broadcasting legend Murray Walker offers one of his classic previews this week, and talks about what truly is the state of the art race track in the entire world that was created at Abu Dhabi in the UAE. Walker points out that the entire vast facility, which also features Ferrari World , was built on an island that itself was designed and constructed completely just for motor racing. There was literally no limit on a budget for the circuit, which according to Walker means this jawdropping new track is the ultimate of all race tracks.

For viewers in the US, and anyone else not in the UK, you will need to click on the link on the Murray Walker video page marked: IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE THE UK, CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO

Oct 30 - First free practice session times from
the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi
1. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) McLaren - Mercedes 1 min 43.939s
2. Jenson Button (Britain) Brawn - Mercedes 1:44.035
3. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) RedBull - Renault 1:44.153
4. Rubens Barrichello (Brazil) Brawn - Mercedes 1:44.207
5. Nick Heidfeld (Germany) BMW Sauber 1:44.667
6. Sebastien Buemi (Switzerland) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:44.687
7. Adrian Sutil (Germany) Force India-Mercedes 1:44.688
8. Mark Webber (Australia) RedBull - Renault 1:44.805
9. Jaime Alguersuari (Spain) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:44.955
10. Jarno Trulli (Italy) Toyota 1:44.958
11. Robert Kubica (Poland) BMW Sauber 1:44.988
12. Heikki Kovalainen (Finland) McLaren - Mercedes 1:45.123
13. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Williams - Toyota 1:45.649
14. Kazuki Nakajima (Japan) Williams - Toyota 1:45.679
15. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari 1:45.704
16. Fernando Alonso (Spain) Renault 1:45.865
17. Vitantonio Liuzzi (Italy) Force India-Mercedes 1:46.239
18. Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) Ferrari 1:46.267
19. Kamui Kobayashi (Japan) Toyota 1:46.364
20. Romain Grosjean (France) Renault 1:46.411

Oct 30 - Second free practice session times from
the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi
1. Heikki Kovalainen (Finland) McLaren-Mercedes 1min 41.307s
2. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) McLaren - Mercedes 1:41.504
3. Jenson Button (Britain) Brawn - Mercedes 1:41.541
4. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) RedBull - Renault 1:41.591
5. Kamui Kobayashi (Japan) Toyota 1:41.636
6. Sebastien Buemi (Switzerland) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:41.683
7. Mark Webber (Australia) RedBull - Renault 1:41.684
8. Rubens Barrichello (Brazil) Brawn - Mercedes 1:41.831
9. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Williams - Toyota 1:41.931
10. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari 1:41.987
11. Adrian Sutil (Germany) Force India-Mercedes 1:42.180
12. Kazuki Nakajima (Japan) Williams - Toyota 1:42.245
13. Nick Heidfeld (Germany) BMW Sauber 1:42.278
14. Jarno Trulli (Italy) Toyota 1:42.409
15. Vitantonio Liuzzi (Italy) Force India-Mercedes 1:42.530
16. Fernando Alonso (Spain) Renault 1:42.782
17. Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) Ferrari 1:42.932
18. Romain Grosjean (France) Renault 1:43.021
19. Jaime Alguersuari (Spain) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:43.022
20. Robert Kubica (Poland) BMW Sauber 1:43.708