"I arrived in Abu Dhabi yesterday evening, straight from Sao Paulo," writes world championship leader Fernando Alonso in his latest blog for Ferrari. "It was a long flight but I still managed to rest. Then I made a quick trip to the circuit where I met the team and fitted in a lap of the track on a bicycle.

"Our approach hasn't changed for this all-important race," he continues, "we know that if we get everything perfectly right, then we will have the chance to reach the target that we set ourselves at the beginning of the season. The Interlagos result allows us to be in charge of our own destiny: with a win or a second place we won't need any more calculations. We can do it, even if we know our principal opponents are very strong: so far, perhaps apart from one race, theirs has been the best car on every type of circuit. That still doesn't mean we expect to be beaten - anything but.

"This evening, after taking part in an event organised by our partner Shell, I visited Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the theme park dedicated to Maranello that towers next to the circuit. The structure already dominated the view last year but to see it finished offers another impression altogether. Inside you can really live the emotion of a day inside the Ferrari world, from the speed of Formula 1 to the style and technology of the road cars.

"From tomorrow however, we will concentrate totally on preparation for this race. We are at the final round of a season that will remain wonderful whatever happens. We aim to complete it in the best way - and rest assured we'll be giving everything to achieve it!"