Speedcafe.com Race Guide - 2011 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

2011 FORMULA 1 ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX (Yas Marina Circuit) 11-13 November 2011

Inside

Driver profiles

Statistics

F1

F1 Photos and more!

Pitstops Who is the fastest of all?

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Abu Dhabi introduced twilight racing to Formula One when it first graced the calendar in 2009. Last year, Sebastian Vettel cut his way through the sunset to take his first World Drivers’ Championship crown.

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Round 18 - Abu Dhabi I Introduction

Over to you, DRS...

Abu dhabi

The introduction of the fast-degrading Pirelli tyres alone had completely changed the way a modern Grand Prix unfolded, leaving the DRS to play a mere token role in the record levels of overtaking witnessed.

EDITOR: Stefan Bartholomaeus DESIGN:

As the season has worn on however, a combination of the teams and drivers better understanding the Pirellis, and the Italian company reducing the aggressiveness of its compound choices, has seen the importance of the DRS increase.

Kirstie Fuentes SALES/MARKETING: Leisa Emberson

All eyes will certainly be on the systems this weekend in Abu Dhabi. The Yas Marina Circuit has proven extremely hard to pass on across its opening two years on the Formula One calendar, with last year’s processional title decider leading to discussions on how the circuit could be modified in order to improve the show.

IMAGES: Scuderia Ferrari Red Bull Racing Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

The combination of slow speed corners and long straights that failed to entertain last year should prove the perfect mix for the DRS and the Pirellis this year however.

Mercedes GP Lotus Renault GP Virgin Racing

There will be two zones in play, one between Turns 7 and 8 and the other between Turns 11 and 12, while the emphasis on traction will ensure the tyres play their part in the process.

Hispania Racing Team PARTNERS: Castrol EDGE, IRWIN Tools, Jack Daniel’s, Orrcon Steel, Pirtek,

During the first half of the 2011 Formula One season, it often didn’t look like the sport needed its new Downforce Reduction Systems.

If the drivers aren’t able to make passing moves on Sunday evening, it really is time to bring in the bulldozers...

Vodafone, HDT, Norton 360, Toshiba, Armor All

Green means go!

Stefan Bartholomaeus G R O U P

Journalist, M Speedcafe.com E D I A Editor, Speedcafe Race Guides

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The Ra. One The Force India F1 Team joined forces with Indian filmmakers Eros Entertainment to promote the Indian science fiction film Ra. One at the recent Indian Grand Prix. Ignoring the fact that the car is British and the driver is German, it was truly an all-Indian affair.

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Round 18 - Abu Dhabi I Cover Story

Analysis:

Pitstops to the fore in 2011

The Formula One pit crews have been under pressure like never before this season.

pitstops in order to discover what has really been going on in the lane.

While the ban on refuelling introduced in 2010 saw the emphasis shift from fuel fill time to the speed of the tyre changes, the introduction of the Pirelli rubber has changed the game once again.

Here are their findings:

The total number of pit stops has risen steeply, with an average of 58 stops per race being recorded over the season’s opening 17 races.

Before the Formula One circus headed to Yas Marina for the penultimate round of the season, Mercedes GP statisticians turned their computers towards the issue of

- There have been 1013 trips through the pits in the 17 races so far this season. Of these, 25 were accounted for by penalties - 21 drive-through and four stop-go’s. This leaves the total number of pit stops in the 2011 season at 988.

- The races with the most pit stops were Hungary (85), Turkey (80) and Spain (77).

The fewest stops were made in Italy (35), Monaco (41) and Australia (44).

- A total of 25 penalties have been served

during the races this season: 21 drive-through penalties and four stop-go penalties. The stewards have imposed a total of 49 penalties during the season, including eight reprimands and two exclusions. The offence which has occurred most often is that of ‘Causing a collision’, which has been penalised 12 times during the races.

- Two separate factors can be evaluated when assessing pit stop speed: the ‘wheelstop’ time, i.e. the time taken to change all four wheels from the point when the car reaches a standstill in the pits, and the total pit-lane time - i.e. the time between entering and leaving the speed-limited section of the pit lane. Teams measure wheel-stop times using in-house methods - and a stop

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below three seconds in race conditions is considered extremely competitive. The total pit-lane times are measured centrally, and therefore form the most reliable basis for comparison.

- In 17 races, Red Bull has recorded the fastest individual stop on eight occasions.

Mercedes GP has done so seven times (including in three of the last four races), and McLaren and Ferrari once each.

However, in order to build a complete picture of pit stop speed, the average pit stop time is more representative. The team calculates this using a method that discounts repair stops, which require different procedures and are not therefore ‘clean’ tyre changes. Additionally, stops

carried out under the safety car are ignored if pit lane traffic significantly affected performance.

- Red Bull set the fastest average time of the weekend nine times (Malaysia, Turkey, Spain, Canada, Europe, Hungary, Belgium, Italy, India). Mercedes GP did so five times (China, Germany, Singapore, Japan, Korea). McLaren has twice been fastest (Australia and Britain) and Force India once (Monaco). In seventeen races, the fastest single stop and the fastest average stops have been set by the same team nine times. Using the average stop-time calculations, an overall league table can be drawn up, reflecting the consistency in speed of each team.

After 17 races, it stands as follows: =1 =1 3 4 5 6 7 =8 =8 =8 11 12

Red Bull Mercedes GP McLaren Force India Ferrari Renault Williams Lotus Sauber Toro Rosso Virgin HRT

Best Best + 0.3s + 0.4s + 0.5s + 0.9s + 1.1s + 1.3s + 1.3s + 1.3s + 1.6s + 3.2s

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Round 18 - Abu Dhabi I Track Details

Key Characteristics

Set-up Insight

l High percentage of low and medium speed corners l Similar to Budapest but with two long straights l Limited high speed corners (T2-T3 & T20) l High fuel effect l Medium-high brake energy l Braking stability is very important l Requires high power braking & cooling l No major bumps l No high kerbs but landing from kerb is very important for traction l Initially (FP1) track will be dusty and green but circuit evolves very quickly l Main observation is track temperature change. Early 2010 sessions (FP1 on Friday and FP3 on Saturday) had a ground temperature of around 50째C, while FP2, Qualy, and Race were around 35째C -an important consideration for tyre evaluation and setup work.

Bumpiness Overtaking chance Kerbs Engine severity Gearbox severity Lat/long grip sensitivity Aero efficiency ratio Weekend grip evolution Aero settings Brake wear sensitivity Brake cooling necessity Pirelli tyre compounds

Low T8, T11 Smooth Medium High Lateral High High High Medium/High High Soft and Medium

Data supplied by Team Lotus

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Round 18 - Abu Dhabi I The Bag Man

SPEEDCAFE.COM’S

THE BAGMAN RECENT FORM - TRACK FORM - BAGMAN’S SAY

Round 18 - Abu Dhabi I Driver Profiles

RED BULL RACING

THE BAGMAN’S SAY

Sebastian Vettel

It’d take a brave individual to bet against Sebastian Vettel triumphing in this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Nationality: German Wins: 21 DoB: 03/07/1987 Poles: 28 Debut: Indianapolis, 2007 Fastest Laps: 9 Career Highlights: 2010 World Drivers’ Champion, 2nd 2006 F3 Euro Series, 2nd 2004 Formula BMW ADAC

The 24-year-old German dominated proceedings in India, cruising from pole position to his 11th win of the season.

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Vettel and Red Bull Racing are also undefeated at the Yas Marina circuit, having won the race on both occasions since its inception in 2009. For team-mate Mark Webber, a podium finish would be a strong result. The Australian continues to struggle in the final stages of qualifying and the opening stint of the races - leaving him with just two top three finishers in the last five races.

Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber Nationality: Australian Wins: 6 DoB: 27/08/1976 Poles: 9 Debut: Albert Park, 2002 Fastest Laps: 10 Career Highlights: 3rd 2010 World Drivers’ Championship, 2nd 2001 International F3000, 1st 1996 British FF Festival

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Chassis: Red Bull RB7 Engine: Renault RS27-2011 Base: Milton Keynes, UK Team nationality: Austrian Team principal: Christian Horner Technical leader: Adrian Newey Debut: Albert Park, 2005 Wins: 26 Poles: 36 Fastest Laps: 20 Constructors’ Championships: 1

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Round 18 - Abu Dhabi I Driver Profiles

McLaren Mercedes

THE BAGMAN’S SAY Jenson Button was the only driver able to keep Vettel remotely honest in India, and should shine again in Abu Dhabi.

Lewis Hamilton Nationality: British Wins: 16 DoB: 07/01/1985 Poles: 19 Debut: Albert Park, 2007 Fastest Laps: 11 Career Highlights: 2008 World Drivers’ Champion, 2006 GP2 Champion, 2005 F3 Euroseries Champion

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The last time the Soft and Medium tyre combination was used, the Briton came out on top, and with the Abu Dhabi race sitting on the edge of being a two or three stop race, Button’s tyre preservation skills could well come to the fore.

Lewis Hamilton meanwhile has shown impressive qualifying pace of late qualifying among the top two in both Korea and India.

The 2008 World Champion is a likely podium finisher, provided he can steer clear of Felipe Massa...

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

Jenson Button Nationality: British Wins: 12 DoB: 19/01/1980 Poles: 7 Debut: Albert Park, 2000 Fastest Laps: 6 Career Highlights: 2009 World Drivers’ Champion, 1st 1998 British FF Festival, 1998 British FF Champion

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Chassis: McLaren MP4-26 Engine: Mercedes-Benz FO 108Y Base: Woking, UK Team nationality: British Team principal: Martin Whitmarsh Technical leader: Paddy Lowe Debut: Monte Carlo, 1966 Wins: 174 Poles: 147 Fastest Laps: 148 Constructors’ Championships: 8

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Round 18 - Abu Dhabi I Driver Profiles

Ferrari

THE BAGMAN’S SAY

Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso was again outstanding in India, dragging the Ferrari to third on the grid and third in the race.

Nationality: Spanish Wins: 27 DoB: 29/07/1981 Poles: 20 Debut: Albert Park, 2001 Fastest Laps: 19 Career Highlights: 2005 and 2006 World Drivers Champion, 1st 1999 Euro Open by Nissan

Repeating that performance will be a highly difficult task however, with the Red Bull and the McLaren now clearly superior to the Spaniard’s machine.

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While the possibility that Button can secure second place in the championship standings with a strong result this weekend is unlikely to phase Alonso, it’ll be a significant disappointment for the team.

Felipe Massa meanwhile undid his good work in the preceding three races with a shocker in India and should be focussed on staying out of trouble.

Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro

Felipe Massa Nationality: Brazilian Wins: 11 DoB: 25/04/1981 Poles: 15 Debut: Albert Park, 2002 Fastest Laps: 14 Career Highlights: 2nd 2008 World Drivers’ Championship, 1st 2001 Euro F3000, 1st 2000 Formula Renault Eurocup

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Chassis: Ferrari 150th Italia Engine: Ferrari 056 Base: Maranello, Italy Team nationality: Italian Team principal: Stefano Domenicalli Technical leader: Pat Fry Debut: Monte Carlo, 1950 Wins: 216 Poles: 205 Fastest Laps: 227 Constructors’ Championships: 16

Round 18 - Abu Dhabi I Driver Profiles

Mercedes

THE BAGMAN’S SAY

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER Nationality: German Wins: 91 DoB: 03/01/1969 Poles: 68 Debut: Spa, 1991 Fastest Laps: 76 Career Highlights: 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 World Drivers’ Champion, 1st 1990 German F3

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NICO ROSBERG

Just five points separates Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher in the World Drivers’ Championship standings following the Indian Grand Prix.

Schumacher came out ahead in a racelong battle with his younger compatriot at the Buddh circuit by running a long penultimate stint - ensuring the seventime World Champion his third top five finish in six races.

Rosberg meanwhile hasn’t seen the top five since the fourth race of the year in Turkey, and will need a big result this weekend to fend off Schumacher.

Qualifying could be Rosberg’s trump card however, with Schumacher admitting his Saturday performance in India left something to be desired.

Mercedes GP Petronas F1 Team

Nationality: German Wins: 0 DoB: 27/06/1985 Poles: 0 Debut: Sakhir, 2006 Fastest Laps: 2 Career Highlights: 2nd 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, 2005 GP2 Champion, 1st 2002 Formula BMW ADAC

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Chassis: Mercedes MGP W02 Engine: Mercedes-Benz FO 108Y Base: Brackley, UK Team nationality: British Team principal: Ross Brawn Technical leader: Bob Bell Debut: Albert Park, 2010 Wins: 0 Poles: 0 Fastest Laps: 0 Constructors’ Championships: 0

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Round 18 - Abu Dhabi I Driver Profiles

RENAULT

THE BAGMAN’S SAY

BrUno Senna Nationality: Brazilian Wins: 0 DoB: 15/10/1983 Poles: 0 Debut: Sakhir, 2010 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 2nd 2008 GP2 Series, 3rd 2006 British F3 Championship, 5th 2008 GP2 Asia Series

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A point-less weekend was the last thing that Renault needed from the Indian Grand Prix as the team attempts to sure up fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship.

Renault has scored just two points from the last four races compared to 15 for the sixthplaced Force India, with the gap between the two teams now sitting at a reduced, if somewhat comfortable, 21 points.

The black and gold team insists that the R31 had more pace than it showed at the Buddh circuit, where mechanical issues and driver errors scuttled both Bruno Senna and Vitaly Petrov’s weekends.

Abu Dhabi’s mix of low-speed corners and long straights could see either Petrov or Senna sneak into the bottom of the top 10 this weekend.

Lotus Renault GP

Vitaly Petrov Nationality: Russian Wins: 0 DoB: 08/09/1984 Poles: 0 Debut: Albert Park, 2010 Fastest Laps: 1 Career Highlights: 3rd 2011 Australian Grand Prix, 2nd 2009 GP2 Series, 3rd 2008 GP2 Asia Series

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Chassis: Renault R31 Engine: Renault RS27-2011 Base: Enstone, UK Team nationality: British Team principal: Eric Boullier Technical leader: James Allison Debut: Silverstone, 1977 Wins: 35 Poles: 51 Fastest Laps: 31 Constructors’ Championships: 2

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Round 18 - Abu Dhabi I Driver Profiles

WILLIAMS

THE BAGMAN’S SAY

Rubens Barrichello Nationality: Brazilian Wins: 11 DoB: 23/05/1972 Poles: 14 Debut: Kyalami, 1993 Fastest Laps: 17 Career Highlights: 2nd 2002 and 2004 World Drivers Championship, 1991 British Formula 3 Champion

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Pastor Maldonado Nationality: Venezuelan Wins: 0 DoB: 09/03/1985 Poles: 0 Debut: Albert Park, 2011 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 2010 GP2 Champion, 3rd 2006 Formula Renault 3.5, 1st 2004 Formula Renault 2000 Italia

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The 2011 season reached a new low for Williams in India where Rubens Barrichello made contact with the back of team-mate Pastor Maldonado at the first corner.

The main interest in this team over the rest of the season is the fate of Rubens Barrichello, whose seat may yet be taken by 2007 World Drivers’ Champion Kimi Raikkonen.

Meanwhile, Maldonado’s chances of scoring his second points finish of the year in Abu Dhabi are virtually nil following a 10 place grid penalty for using a ninth engine.

AT&T Williams Chassis: Williams FW33 Engine: Cosworth CA2011 Base: Grove, UK Team nationality: British Team principal: Frank Williams Technical leader: Sam Michael Debut: Buenos Aires, 1978 Wins: 113 Poles: 126 Fastest Laps: 130 Constructors’ Championships: 9

Round 18 - Abu Dhabi I Driver Profiles

FORCE INDIA

THE BAGMAN’S SAY

Adrian Sutil Nationality: German Wins: 0 DoB: 11/01/1983 Poles: 0 Debut: Albert Park, 2007 Fastest Laps: 1 Career Highlights: 2006 All-Japan F3 Champion, 2nd 2005 F3 Euroseries, 2nd 2005 Masters of F3

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Paul di Resta Nationality: Scottish Wins: 0 DoB: 16/04/1986 Poles: 0 Debut: Albert Park, 2011 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 2010 DTM Champion, 2006 Formula 3 Euroseries Champion, 1st 2006 Masters of F3

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Force India enters the final two races of the season with significant momentum, with at least one of its two drivers having scored points in seven of the last eight races.

Adrian Sutil put team-mate Paul di Resta in the shade on home soil, out-qualifying and out-racing the young Scot to give the team some hope of overhauling Renault in the Constructors’ Championship.

The team’s 2012 driver line-up is set to be confirmed over the Abu Dhabi weekend, with test driver Nico Hulkenberg believed to be on the verge of replacing Adrian Sutil.

Regardless of the decision, expect Sutil to score more points this weekend.

Force India Chassis: Force India VJM04 Engine: Mercedes FO 108Y Base: Silverstone, UK Team nationality: Indian Team principal: Vijay Mallya Technical leader: Andrew Green Debut: Albert Park, 2008 Wins: 0 Poles: 1 Fastest Laps: 1 Constructors’ Championships: 0

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Round 18 - Abu Dhabi I Driver Profiles

SAUBER

THE BAGMAN’S SAY

Kamui Kobayashi Nationality: Japanese Wins: 0 DoB: 13/09/1986 Poles: 0 Debut: Interlagos, 2009 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 2008/09 GP2 Asia Series Champion, 4th 2007 F3 Euroseries, 1st 2005 FRenault Eurocup

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Sauber is precariously placed in seventh position on the Constructors’ Championship table with two races remaining - now equal on points with Toro Rosso, having been outscored one point to 12 across the Korean and Indian weekends.

The Swiss team has acknowledged that it needs to improve its qualifying form in Abu Dhabi, after Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Perez started 17th and 20th respectively at the Buddh circuit.

Although the C30 will not sport any upgrades at Yas Marina, don’t be surprised to see either of the team’s drivers sneak into the top 10 on twostop strategies.

Sauber F1 Team

Sergio Perez Nationality: Mexican Wins: 0 DoB: 26/01/1990 Poles: 0 Debut: Albert Park, 2011 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 2nd 2010 GP2 Series, 4th 2007 British F3 Championship Class, 1st 2007 British F3 National Class

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Chassis: Sauber C30 Engine: Ferrari 056 Base: Hinwil, Switzerland Team nationality: Swiss Team principal: Peter Sauber Technical leader: James Key Debut: Kylami, 1993 Wins: 1 Poles: 1 Fastest Laps: 2 Constructors’ Championships: 0

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Round 18 - Abu Dhabi I Driver Profiles

TORO ROSSO

THE BAGMAN’S SAY

Sebastien Buemi Nationality: Swiss Wins: 0 DoB: 31/10/1988 Poles: 0 Debut: Albert Park, 2009 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 2nd 2008 GP2 Asia, 2nd 2007 F3 Euroseries, 2nd 2005 Formula BMW World Final

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Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari both look certain to threaten for top 10 positions in qualifying and the race at Yas Marina after starring across the Indian Grand Prix weekend.

Alguersuari finished eighth in India, and now sits 11 points ahead of Buemi in the Drivers’ Championship - no mean feat considering the Spaniard’s struggles with the Pirelli tyres during the opening half of the campaign.

The team will head to Abu Dhabi highly confident of displacing Sauber in the Constructors’ Championship, although Buemi’s engine failure in India looms as a concern as the teams all reach the end of their planned engine life spans.

Toro Rosso

Jaime Alguersuari Nationality: Spanish Wins: 0 DoB: 23/03/1990 Poles: 0 Debut: Budapest, 2009 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 2008 British F3 Champion, 2nd 2007 Formula Renault Italia, 1st 2006 FR Italia Winter Series

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Chassis: Toro Rosso STR6 Engine: Ferrari 056 Base: Farenza, Italy Team nationality: Italian Team principal: Franz Tost Technical leader: Giorgio Ascanelli Debut: Bahrain, 2006 Wins: 1 Poles: 1 Fastest Laps: 0 Constructors’ Championships: 0

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Round 18 - Abu Dhabi I Driver Profiles

LOTUS

THE BAGMAN’S SAY

HEIKKI KOVALAINEN Nationality: Finnish Wins: 1 DoB: 19/10/1981 Poles: 1 Debut: Albert Park, 2007 Fastest Laps: 2 Career Highlights: 1st 2008 Hungarian Grand Prix, 2nd 2005 GP2 Series, 1st 2004 World Series by Nissan

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2010

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

11

17

Team Lotus has been in the headlines off-track between races, with the highly publicised name dispute finally coming to an official conclusion.

While the team will be known as Caterham next season, it looks set to finish its time under the Lotus name running stronger than ever.

Heikki Kovalainen again did his best to hang onto the midfield runners in India - recording his second consecutive 14th place finish despite still lacking the ultimate race pace of the Williams, Sauber and Renault opposition.

Still needs incredible attrition in order to score points though.

Team Lotus

JARNO TRULLI Nationality: Italian Wins: 1 DoB: 13/07/1974 Poles: 4 Debut: Albert Park, 1997 Fastest Laps: 1 Career Highlights: 1st 2004 Monaco Grand Prix, 1996 German F3 Champion, 2nd 1995 Macau Grand Prix

Recent Grand Prix Form EUR

GBR

GER

HUN

BEL

ITA

SIN

JAP

KOR

IND

20

DNF

-

DNF

14

14

DNF

19

17

19

Recent Yas Marina Form 2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

7

21

Chassis: Lotus T128 Engine: Renault RS27-2011 Base: Norfolk, UK Team nationality: Malaysian Team principal: Tony Fernandes Technical leader: Mike Gascoyne Debut: Albert Park, 2010 Wins: 0 Poles: 0 Fastest Laps: 0 Constructors’ Championships: 0

27

28

TAKE THE LEAD WITH BISLEY.

Round 18 - Abu Dhabi I Driver Profiles

HRT

THE BAGMAN’S SAY

Daniel Ricciardo Nationality: Australian Wins: 0 DoB: 01/07/1989 Poles: 0 Debut: Silverstone, 2011 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 2009 British Formula 3 Champion, 2nd 2010 Formula Renault 3.5

Recent Grand Prix Form EUR

GBR

GER

HUN

BEL

ITA

SIN

JAP

KOR

IND

-

19

19

18

DNF

NC

9

6

19

18

Recent Yas Marina Form 2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Tonio Liuzzi will slip back into his race seat at the Hispania team following Narain Karthikeyan’s one-off appearance in the Indian Grand Prix.

Team-mate Daniel Ricciardo returns to Abu Dhabi for the first time since blitzing the field at the post-season Young Driver Test last year with Red Bull Racing.

The Australian showed strong qualifying pace in India, but was unable to beat Jerome D’Ambrosio’s Virgin Racing entry after losing five places on the grid due to a gearbox change and dropping time in the race with a puncture.

Should be a tight contest between Hispania and Virgin this weekend.

HRT F1 Team

Vitantonio Liuzzi Nationality: Italian Wins: 0 DoB: 06/08/1981 Poles: 0 Debut: Imola, 2005 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 3rd 2008/09 Speedcar Series, 2004 F3000 Champion, 2nd 2001 Formula Renault Germany

Recent Grand Prix Form CAN

EUR

GBR

GER

HUN

BEL

ITA

SIN

JAP

IND

13

23

18

DNF

20

19

DNF

20

23

-

Recent Yas Marina Form 2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

15

DNF

Chassis: HRT F111 Engine: Cosworth CA2011 Base: Madrid, Spain Team nationality: Spanish Team principal: Colin Kolles Technical leader: Tony Cuquerella Debut: Albert Park, 2010 Wins: 0 Poles: 0 Fastest Laps: 0 Constructors’ Championships: 0

29

30

Round 18 - Abu Dhabi I Driver Profiles

VIRGIN

THE BAGMAN’S SAY

Timo Glock

Timo Glock is almost guaranteed of a better weekend in Abu Dhabi than the one he endured last time out in India.

Nationality: German Wins: 0 DoB: 18/03/1982 Poles: 0 Debut: Montreal, 2004 Fastest Laps: 1 Career Highlights: 2nd 2009 Singapore Grand Prix, 2007 GP2 Champion, 1st 2001 Formula BMW ADAC

A broken gearbox in qualifying resigned the 29-year-old German to a rear-of-grid start, before being forced to retire from the race on just Lap 2 after contact with an out-of-control Kamui Kobayashi.

EUR

GBR

GER

HUN

BEL

ITA

SIN

JAP

KOR

IND

21

16

17

17

18

15

DNF

20

18

DNF

Jerome D’Ambrosio meanwhile showed what was achievable for the team, out-qualifying both Hispanias before finishing 16th in the race.

Repeating that performance will be a good result for either of the Virgin cars this weekend.

Recent Grand Prix Form

Recent Yas Marina Form 2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

DNF Marussia Virgin Racing

Jerome D’Ambrosio Nationality: Belgian Wins: 0 DoB: 27/12/1985 Poles: 0 Debut: Albert Park, 2011 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 2nd 2008/09 GP2 Asia Series, 1st 2007 International Formula Master, 1st 2003 FRenault Belgium

Recent Grand Prix Form EUR

GBR

GER

HUN

BEL

ITA

SIN

JAP

KOR

IND

22

17

18

19

17

DNF

18

21

20

18

Recent Yas Marina Form 2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Chassis: MVR-02 Engine: Cosworth CA2011 Base: Dinnington, UK Team nationality: Russian Team principal: John Booth Technical leader: TBA Debut: Albert Park, 2010 Wins: 0 Poles: 0 Fastest Laps: 0 Constructors’ Championships: 0

31

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32

Round 18 - Abu Dhabi I Race Stats

Past Abu Dhabi GP Winners Year 2010 2009

Driver Sebastian Vettel Sebastian Vettel

Last Year in Review In 2010, Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina circuit played host to the final Grand Prix of a scintillating season, with Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton all entering the race in mathematical title contention.

While the build up to the race was dominated by talk of whether Red Bull Racing would backflip on its public stance against team orders, Vettel soon rendered those discussions academic.

Webber’s championship hopes were dealt a huge blow in qualifying, where Vettel scored his 10th pole of the season from Hamilton, Alonso, Jenson Button and the Australian.

After failing to make up ground at the first corner, Webber was the first of the contenders to pit during the race - heading to the lane after just 11 laps. Ferrari, focussed on beating Webber, covered the manoeuvre by pitting Alonso on the following lap. While Alonso stayed ahead of the Red Bull thanks to Jaime Alguersuari’s Toro Rosso holding up Webber on his out-lap, it was to be a crucial mistake from Ferrari.

Nico Rosberg and Vitaly Petrov had taken advantage of an opening lap Safety Car, caused by a heavy clash between Michael Schumacher and Tonio Liuzzi, to pit for the prime tyre, and would emerge in front of both Alonso and Webber once the quartet had all made their stops.

While Vettel and Hamilton retained the top two spots when they pitted just prior to half distance, Alonso and Webber remained behind Petrov for the duration. With the late stopping Jenson Button and Robert Kubica easily pulling a margin over Petrov, they would too rejoin in-front of the championship leaders.

Remarkably, victory for Vettel put the 23-year-old German at the top of the points table for the first time in his career, and made him the youngest Formula One World Champion in perhaps the hardest fought season of all time.

Car Red Bull-Renault Red Bull-Renault

Circuit Yas Marina Yas Marina

33

34

Round 18 - Abu Dhabi I Race Stats

Past Champions Year 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981

Driver Nat Sebastian Vettel GER Jenson Button GBR Lewis Hamilton GBR Kimi Räikkönen FIN Fernando Alonso ESP Fernando Alonso ESP Michael Schumacher GER Michael Schumacher GER Michael Schumacher GER Michael Schumacher GER Michael Schumacher GER Mika Häkkinen FIN Mika Häkkinen FIN Jacques Villeneuve CAN Damon Hill GBR Michael Schumacher GER Michael Schumacher GER Alain Prost FRA Nigel Mansell GBR Ayrton Senna BRA Ayrton Senna BRA Alain Prost FRA Ayrton Senna BRA Nelson Piquet BRA Alain Prost FRA Alain Prost FRA Niki Lauda AUT Nelson Piquet BRA Keke Rosberg FIN Nelson Piquet BRA

Constructor Red Bull Brawn McLaren Ferrari Renault Renault Ferrari Ferrari Ferrari Ferrari Ferrari McLaren McLaren Williams Williams Benetton Benetton Williams Williams McLaren McLaren McLaren McLaren Williams McLaren McLaren McLaren Brabham Williams Brabham

Wins 5 6 5 6 7 7 13 6 11 9 9 5 8 7 8 9 8 7 9 7 6 4 8 3 4 5 5 3 1 3

Poles 10 4 7 3 6 6 8 5 7 11 9 11 9 10 9 4 6 13 14 8 10 2 13 4 1 2 0 1 1 4

Points 256 95 98 110 134 133 148 93 144 123 108 76 100 81 97 102 92 99 108 96 78 76 90 73 72 73 72 59 44 50

35

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36

Round 18 - Abu Dhabi I Race Stats

CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS World Drivers Championship NO

Driver Nat

Car

Points

1

Sebastian Vettel

DEU

Red Bull

374

2

Jenson Button

GBR

McLaren

240

3

Fernando Alonso

ESP

Ferrari

227

4

Mark Webber

AUS

Red Bull

221

5

Lewis Hamilton

GBR

McLaren

202

6

Felipe Massa

BRA

Ferrari

98

7

Nico Rosberg

DEU

Mercedes

75

8

Michael Schumacher

DEU

Mercedes

70

9

Vitaly Petrov

RUS

Renault

36

10

Nick Heidfeld

DEU

Renault

34

11

Adrian Sutil

DEU

Force India

30

12

Kamui Kobayashi

JPN

Sauber

27

13

Jaime Alguersuari

ESP

Toro Rosso

26

14

Paul di Resta

GBR

Force India

21

15

Sébastien Buemi

CHE

Toro Rosso

15

16

Sergio Perez

MEX

Sauber

14

17

Rubens Barrichello

BRA

Williams

4

18

Bruno Senna

BRA

Renault

2

19

Pastor Maldonado

VEN

Williams

1

20

Pedro de la Rosa

ESP

Sauber

0

21

Jarno Trulli

ITA

Lotus

0

22

Heikki Kovalainen

FIN

Lotus

0

23

Vitantonio Liuzzi

ITA

HRT

0

24

Jérôme D’Ambrosio

BEL

Virgin

0

25

Timo Glock

DEU

Virgin

0

26

Narain Karthikeyan

IND

HRT

0

27

Daniel Ricciardo

AUS

HRT

0

28

Karun Chandhok

IND

Lotus

0

World Constructors Championship Pos

Constructor Engine

Points

1

Red Bull Racing

Renault

595

2

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

Mercedes

442

3

Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro

Ferrari

325

4

Mercedes GP Petronas F1 Team

Mercedes

145

5

Lotus Renault GP

Renault

72

6

Force India F1 Team

Mercedes

51

7

Sauber F1 Team

Ferrari

41

8

Scuderia Toro Rosso

Ferrari

41

9

AT&T Williams

Cosworth

5

10

Team Lotus

Renault

0

11

HRT F1 Team

Cosworth

0

12

Marussia Virgin Racing

Cosworth

0

37

38

Sebastian Vettel did it again when the Formula One circus made its first visit to India two weeks ago.

39

40