Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi preview

October 30, 8:15 PMFormula One ExaminerTerrence Connolly

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Yas Marina hotel is seen from the circuit at the Yas Marina F1 complex about 20 km north of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Wednesday Oct. 28, 2009. The Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix will be on Nov. 1. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

Formula One ends the 2009 season this weekend at the spectacular new circuit at Abu Dhabi. Since the championship for both Drivers and Constructors was decided in Brazil, this weekend’s only real drama will be determining who will finish in second place in the Driver’s standings, and whether or not Ferrari or McLaren will finish in 3rd place in the Constructor’s standings. Martin Whitmarsh thinks the new circuit will suit the McLaren's teams hopes for third place well, “We may have just overhauled Ferrari in Brazil to move into third place in the constructors’ championship, but, being just one point ahead with just one race remaining, means that we go into the Abu Dhabi weekend fully focused on scoring the maximum possible points to consolidate that position. As usual, there has been no let-up from the team in its preparations. We head to Abu Dhabi not only extremely encouraged by the improved pace we showed in Brazil but also very optimistic that the final race of the season offers us another opportunity to challenge for victory.”

Sebastian Vettel and Rubens Barrichello will be fighting for second place in the Driver’s championship, since Jenson Button enters the race as the new World Champ. All the drivers and teams are looking forward to christening the new track at Abu Dhabi, which features several unique aspects, including part of the track passing underneath the super futuristic Yas Marina hotel. This race will also mark the first ever twilight race in Formula One history, the race will begin around sunset local time, and will finish under night time skies.

Formula One 2009 World Champion , Brawn GP driver Jenson Button of Britain, gestures, in the paddock of the Yas Marina racetrack, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009. The Emirates Formula One Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, Nov.1. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Jenson Button certainly was pumped up about the new circuit and his new World Championship status, "It's a fantastic feeling to be going into the final race having achieved my ambition of winning the drivers' championship and with the team having wrapped up the constructors' championship in Brazil. We want to finish the season in style with a great result but we can be a little more relaxed in our approach to the weekend! 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 pit-lane 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."
 

An unidentified man skates on the Yas Marina racetrack, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Oct.29, 2009. The Emirates Formula One Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, Nov.1. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Kimi Raikkonen will race his final race for Ferrari at the Yas Marina circuit,“The race in Abu Dhabi will be my last Grand Prix with Ferrari and as usual I will give it everything to gain the best possible result. We’ll try to conclude this difficult year with a good result, hoping that it will be enough to gain the third place in the constructors’ championship, McLaren took over in Brazil. It will be difficult, because the competition is very strong. Furthermore in Brazil the two titles have been assigned, so maybe there are certain drivers, who will risk a little bit more, as everything has been decided already.”

Should be loads of fun to watch, except for the fact that this race is the final F1 event for 2009. Seems like the historic upset by Brawn in Australia was just yesterday. Well, as always, there will be plenty of news in the world of Formula One in the off-season.

Here is the SpeedTV 3D look at the Yas Marina circuit: