Well, it's finally over. Some of you wished for it to end sooner, some enjoyed the few amazing races that blessed us throughout the season (jewels in the dirt). We just have 55 laps left... Will Vettel overhaul Rosberg? Will Bottas make a name of himself by toppling Kimi? Who will finish in the top 10 of the 2015 F1 championship? I have never looked forward to winter testing as much than now. please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Number of times held 6 First held 2009 Most wins (drivers) please log in to view this image Sebastian Vettel (3) Most wins (constructors) please log in to view this image Red Bull (3) Circuit length 5.554 km (3.451 mi) Race length 305.470 km (189.810 mi) Laps 55 Tyres Supersoft and Soft. LIVE ON THE BBC (TIMES-GMT) FP1-12PM FP2-1PM SP3-10PM Q-1PM R-1PM 10 Points: di Fredsta!, DHCanary, 9 Points: happyal, El_Bando, 8 Points: dhel, jonnybaws, ched999uk, 7 Points: exfat, SgtBhaji, Pie!, 6 Points: Dell Boy, Max Whiplash, EternalMSC, St. Slicks of Stoneham, dicostu333, 5 Points: eddie_squidd, PaulK, 4 Points: fevriul, 3 Points: ErnieBecclestone, Paco Montoya, 2 Points: StGeordie, Smithers, TheJudeanPeoplesFront, Eat Sleep Watch F1 Repeat, 51LV3R8RR04, BrightLampShade,Quagmireuk, 1 Point: BojackHCAFCman, TomTom94, allsaintchris, Mystic Nutmeg, cosicave, taeleon, St. LewisFTW, smhbcfc, WestCoastBoogaloo, Random92, ForzaBianchi, SpacePhoenix
I'd go for Vettel, seems a fitting way to end a promising season. Hamilton off the ball for the end of the season. Don't see Nico extending his combo.
Don't see Nico extending his run, and can't see anyone get close to the Mercs. So Lewis for me. Sort of hoping I'm wrong and the Mercs take each other out, I would like to see Botas get a win.
Hamilton. Let's hope Merc let the drivers go for it and pick whatever strategy they want. If this happens it's Hamilton for me. Would be good for him to end the season on a high and I think he'll be keen to put Nico in his place.
Kimi Raikkonen and his nephew at Ferrari World ahead of the Grand Prix. please log in to view this image
Nico was down 4kph in the speed traps, thought it may have bee set up but apparently down to engine change. Wasn't aware he was carrying this deficit in the previous races? Nico Rosberg says he is expecting a difficult Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after having to revert to an old engine for the remainder of the weekend. The Mercedes driver topped the times in second practice on Friday, but revealed he is using an "extremely old" power unit that is hindering his performance on the straights. Rosberg outpaced teammate Lewis Hamilton in the evening session, but he believes the Briton was not showing his real pace. "It has been a good start to the weekend, even though Lewis did not show his pace on one lap," said Rosberg. "It is clear that he still has some reserve. Today is not the real picture. "In general it is going to be difficult because I have an extremely old engine, as I lost my fourth engine of the year, and the one I have has a lot of miles on and that is costing me straightline speed. "So it is going to be a difficult weekend as a result. I just have to go quicker in the corners." The winner of the last two races added: "I am just always slower on the straights the whole weekend as I have very, very high mileage," he said. "And it is very old the engine – and this track is an engine track. "In Brazil it was difficult and the race before, but here is the ultimate engine track so it costs more laptime. But it is what it is, we just have to do our best."
Just watched the classic Bahrain gp on bbc 2 and wish the Mercedes drivers would be allowed to race like that again
Seems like Merc have lodged a protest with FIA re Ferrari using Hass wind tunnel time to assist in 2016 Ferrari development and some interesting staff transfers. FIA passed protest off to race stewards!!!!! Stewards asked for any interested parties to meeting today. Stewards will make decision before quali!!!! Once again looks like FIA passing buck...... It needs a proper investigation not just a chat with people. What's the betting Ferrari again found a hole in the rules and are exploiting it like the no date for homologation this year? If they have well done to them, hopefully give Merc a bit of competition for 2016