27/11/2016
NEWS STORY
In 2015 there were a total of 23 overtakes during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, of which 18 were courtesy of DRS. In 2014 there were 26 passes of which 24 were with the aid of DRS. Back to 2013, under the old formula, it was 34 overtakes, again DRS (34) accounting for the majority.
All of which gives you some idea of how 'easy' it is to pass here. Imagine what it would be like with no DRS... well, ask Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard lost the 2010 title - despite a bigger lead than Nico Rosberg going into today's race - because he couldn't get by Vitaly Petrov. A year later DRS was introduced.
Of course, Mercedes will be hoping that the title is decided in a nice, fair manner, not due to a fluffed start, technical failure... or worse.
Sadly however, no matter how thrilling - or processional - the race, few are here to witness it. The only 'fan' shots we get to see are party goers raising their glasses to the cameras or people standing on the various balconies. There is the odd cluster of fans to be found on one of the small patches of grass and there's a decent crowd in the stands, but it's reminiscent of Silverstone at 6am on a Friday not race day for the title decider.
We've said it before and we've said it before, Yas Marina is not fit to host a season finale... especially one at which the title will be decided.
What we want to see is the passion of fans at Monza, Silverstone, Suzuka, Mexico and Brazil, flags waving and air-horns blasting, not endless shots of yachts, infinity pools and the rest.
Other than not being a good circuit technically, the Yas Marina is sterile and not a fitting host for what will surely be the most watched event of the year. Then again, that's the point.
We'll come on to the title fight later, but first, today is a day of farewells.
Farewell to Jenson Button and Felipe Massa, two highly popular members of the travelling circus that is F1. One realised his dream by winning the title, the other came oh so close... handling the subsequent loss with a dignity that others should learn from.
While Button is already questioning his decision, in our humble opinion now is the right time for both to call it quits, certainly as far as F1 is concerned. There is still lots more racing out there, more races and titles to be won... motorsport doesn't revolve around F1.
We also say farewell to the current design rules as we welcome a new aggressive look for 2017, though in all honesty many of the changes are retro and still see the emphasis on aero as opposed to mechanical grip.
A number of drivers bid farewell to their current teams as they head to pastures new, while a couple more have yet to secure seats for next year.
In recent weeks the sport has lost a number of keys figures, first engine guru Paul Rosche, then Aki Hintsa. Sadly, overnight McLaren revealed that its "marketing stalwart" Peter Stayner had passed away. Sad times.
And talking of McLaren, how sad that Ron Dennis has slipped into obscurity so quickly, but sadly that is the business face of the sport, a cold, clinical face that fits in so well here.
Red Bull, quite rightly, has pointed out that even though it is not fighting for the title it will take the race like any other, going for the win and refusing to kowtow to Mercedes. However, over the course of the three practice sessions and qualifying, Ferrari has emerged as a credible force here.
Should the Maranello cars manage the sort of electric getaway witnessed several times last year, we could see a real upset, especially with the Italian team so desperate to take that first (and last) win of the year.
While we appreciate the aims of both Red Bull and Ferrari, and the others, we do not want to see the title decided by anything other than a decent race. Reflecting on the stats of the opening paragraph, we are minded that on a track like this, with so much at stake, 'mistakes' can happen. After 21 races we deserve better.
Sadly, whatever happens today, the 2016 season will forever be tainted, first by the failures that hampered Hamilton and the subsequent conspiracy theories.
Putting all else aside, honestly, may the best man win.
On any given day Hamilton is the better driver, there is need to say anything more. However, to dismiss Rosberg, to say he lucked into this position is utter nonsense.
You can luck into a race win, but you don't luck into a title, not after the busiest season in the history of the sport. Indeed, what madness, that whoever loses the title today will still have won at least 9 races and taken at least 8 poles.
The pitlane opens, and as Massa heads out of his garage his son, kitted out on Williams overalls, is in the pitlane to wave him off.
One by one the drivers head out, Hamilton, Ricciardo and Bottas among the last.
Air temperature is 26 degrees C, while the track temperature is 29 degrees. The race starts at 17:00 local time, the same time as FP2 and qualifying, however it will be interesting to see how much further the track cools from 18:00 and how the tyres react.
According to Pirelli, the most likely strategy is for two pit stops. Unlike those around them, the Red Bulls are starting on the supersofts.
There is a very, very impressive air display as the drivers gather for the anthem, only a couple resist the urge to look up... Hamilton is one of them.
As the field heads off on the parade lap, all are starting on the ultras bar the Bulls, Gutierrez, Kvyat, Nasr and Sainz who are on supers, while Button, Grosjean, Magnussen, Ocon and Ericsson are on softs.
"Both Mercedes drivers have available to them: two new softs, one new supersoft and three used ultrasofts (including start tyres)," confirms Pirelli.
Slowly the grid forms.
They're away.
They get away cleanly and despite a few lock-ups and poor starts from both Red Bull drivers there are no issues, bar Verstappen who spins in the first corner after appearing to hit Hulkenberg, Alonso running wide in the process.
Hamilton leads and Rosberg falls in behind. Good starts from Palmer, Kvyat and Nasr.
As Verstappen drops to last, there is some fierce fighting; Nasr and Magnussen having clashed, while Palmer and Grosjean are also hard at one another, the pair almost tripping up over Button as they scrap.
Also in serious dogfights are the Force India and Williams duos, both pairs of teammates involved in hard fought battles.
At the end of lap 1, Hamilton leads Rosberg, Raikkonen, Ricciardo, Vettel, Hulkenberg, Perez, Alonso, Massa and Bottas. Magnussen pits for a new nose, while Verstappen is up to 17th.
As Hamilton builds a 0.792s lead, Ricciardo is the meat in the sandwich, with the Ferrari duo the bread.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Abu Dhabi, here.
Verstappen is battling with Grosjean, the Haas running wind allowing the Red Bull through to take 15th. Elsewhere, Massa exerting real pressure on his teammate as they battle for ninth.
Grosjean complains that Verstappen clipped his front wing. Told there doesn't appear to be any damage, he complains "bloody ridiculous".
Hamilton posts a string of fast laps, extending his lead to 1.214s after just 4 laps.
Verstappen makes short work of Kvyat as he continues his way through the field.
"Sorry Kev, but we're going to have to retire the car," Magnussen is told.
"Something is wrong with the rear dampers, the car is bouncing like hell," complains Bottas. He is subsequently told to pit but advised "we won't retire".
At the end of lap 6, Bottas duly pits, as do Sainz and Wehrlein.
Palmer is the next driver to be passed by Verstappen, the Red Bull driver now up to 10th.
Hamilton pits at the end of lap 7, as does Raikkonen. He switches to the softs, as does Raikkonen. It's a poor stop for the Mercedes driver who loses time as the Ferrari pits. As Hamilton rejoins in 7th, Rosberg is told to pit.
Next time around Rosberg pits, as do Vettel and Hulkenberg. Again, a Ferrari stop costs a Mercedes driver. The world champion hopeful rejoins in 5th behind Verstappen and ahead of Raikkonen.
After 8 laps, Ricciardo leads Perez, Hamilton, Verstappen, and Raikkonen.
Ricciardo and Perez both pit at the end of lap 9, thereby handing the lead back to Hamilton.
"They are purposely making Verstappen slow," Rosberg is told, "you need to get past him." Red Bull is doing this to aid Ricciardo.
Rosberg makes a move on Verstappen but the Red Bull driver won't have it. Behind, Ricciardo is hunting down Raikkonen while under attack from Vettel.
"Don't take any risks with Verstappen, you're doing the right thing," Rosberg is told.
The slightest mistake would see Rosberg lose places to the Ferraris and Ricciardo.
Button and Perez are battling for 8th, the Briton more than holding his own.
"Look after that right-front tyre," Rosberg is told.
Disaster for Button, his right-front wheel is askance and he runs wide. "We've got a failure guys," he sighs. It looks like a suspension failure possibly after hitting a kerb. He is able to make it back to the pits but his race and F1 career is over.
Meanwhile, Verstappen continues to frustrate Rosberg, who continues to harry the youngster around the track.
In the McLaren garage, Button gets as loving hug from his Mum.
"This is all we need at the moment, all we need," Verstappen is told. "Excellent job, just keep it clean."
Hamilton maintains a 2.673s lead.
"I'm starting to lose the rear tyres a little bit," warns Verstappen.
Out come the yellows as Kvyat grinds to a halt. He parks the car on the back straight.
Replay shows Button hitting a kerb earlier and damaging his right upright.
As Alonso hunts down Grosjean, Kvyat finds a bicycle and heads back to the pits.
Alonso makes short work of Grosjean to take tenth.
Hamilton is warned not to grain his fronts, appraised that temperature front and rear are "cooler than optimum". Previously, the Briton had complained that his tyres were "sliding"
"Maybe Verstappen is thinking about a one-stop race," says Pirelli. "Not the quickest way, but could that work out tactically for Red Bull."
Ricciardo makes a move on Raikkonen in T11 but overdoes it and runs wide, handing the position back to the Finn.
Rosberg is advised that it is now "critical" that he passes Verstappen. "It's getting a little more difficult now," he replies.
The German makes a move but the Red Bull driver won't have it, however, Rosberg won't take no for an answer. He's through. "Good job, good job" he is told. And so it was, the German coming from a long, long way back.
As Verstappen warns that his tyres are gone he is told to stay out a little bit longer.
Verstappen pits at the end of lap 21, switching to the softs. He rejoins in 8th behind the Force Indias.
In clear air, Rosberg posts a new fastest lap (45.975), but remains 4.755s behind his title rival.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Abu Dhabi, here.
"Nico, next three laps are critical," Rosberg is told as it appears Verstappen is on a one-stop and will come back into play after the next round of stops. "How much am I pushing now?" snaps the German.
Vettel is now putting his former Red Bull teammate under pressure as Rosberg posts another fastest lap (45.942)
Ricciardo pits at the end of lap 24, the Australian, still on softs, rejoining in 8th behind his teammate.
In response, Raikkonen pits next time around. The Finn, now on softs, rejoins in 8th behind the Red Bulls.
Verstappen is now all over Perez, the Red Bull driver makes his move in T8 and the Mexican offers little resistance.
Grosjean is unhappy (again) following a wheel banging incident with Sainz which sees the Frenchman run wide.
Hulkenberg pits at the end of lap 26, rejoining in 10th.
Perez now under pressure from both Ricciardo and Raikkonen. The Australian is quickly through and it is only when the Mexican pits that the Finn gets by.
"How is my race looking?!" barks Rosberg as Verstappen posts a new fastest lap.
Hamilton pits at the end of lap 28, staying with the softs he rejoins in 3rd. Next time around teammate Rosberg stops. Gutierrez and Sainz also stop.
Good stop for Rosberg, who rejoins in 3rd, 3.5s down on his teammate but 3.7s ahead of Verstappen.
After 30 laps, Vettel leads however he has yet to stop.
Massa pits at the end of lap 30, dropping for 7th to 10th in the process.
Rosberg closes to within 1.148s, or rather Hamilton appears to be dropping back.
"Wondering why you're so slow," Hamilton is asked, "currently unsafe to Vettel".
Indeed, Vettel, currently 7.1s up the road, is currently setting a strong pace.
"How's this pace," askes Hamilton. "We'd be happy with a 45.3," comes the response. He posts 45.328.
After 32 laps, it's: Vettel, Hamilton, Rosberg, Verstappen, Ricciardo, Raikkonen, Alonso, Hulkenberg, Perez and Massa.
Hulkenberg sweeps by Alonso to take 7th, the Honda no match for the Mercedes.
"Need more management in T1, less in T3," Hamilton is told. WTF?
"These tyres are really starting to go down now," admits Vettel. Elsewhere, Ricciardo goes quickest in S1. However, it is teammate Verstappen who posts a PB (45.310).
Vettel pits at the end of lap 37, switching to supers he rejoins in 6th. Nasr also stops, the Brazilian having clashed with Ocon, leaving some debris on the track which Palmer subsequently runs over.
"You need to get me in before they catch me," snaps Ericsson who has yet to stop. "Don't worry, it's all under control," he is told.
Palmer and Sainz make short work of Ericsson who is still to stop.
As Grosjean pits at the end of lap 38, Ricciardo is closing in on Verstappen.
Ricciardo finally pits at the end of lap 39.
On fresh rubber, Vettel posts a new fastest lap (44.094).
Hamilton leads Rosberg by 1.062as with Verstappen a further 3.42s behind.
A proliferation of blue flags as Hamilton and Co begin working their way through the backmarkers.
Raikkonen almost waves his Ferrari teammate through as Vettel begins his pursuit of Ricciardo who is 7.1s up the road.
"You need to give me the times of other cars please," says Hamilton. Wonder who he means.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Abu Dhabi, here.
The Red Bulls come across the battle for 13th involving Sainz and Palmer. As the Bulls finally get by, Palmer hits Sainz up the rear in T17 and the pair spin. The Briton subsequently pits while the Spaniard almost comes to grief as he gets in the way of a Ferrari.
As Sainz slows, the stewards announce they are investigating the earlier incident. "The gearbox is not working," warns Sainz, who subsequently parks his car by the side of the track.
Another fastest lap for Vettel (43.729) as he closes to within 2.6s of Ricciardo.
Hamilton is told that he needs to up his pace as Vettel remains a threat.
Palmer is handed a 5s time penalty for causing a collision.
After a brief glimpse, Vettel finally makes his move, passing Ricciardo on the back straight courtesy of DRS.
The German is now 2.7s down Verstappen.
"OK Lewis, this is an instruction. We need 45.1 for the win," the Briton is told. "I suggest you let us race," is the cold response.
"Okay Daniel, stick with Vettel. At this pace he will catch Max and the Mercedes before the end of the race."
"This is really slow pace," warns Rosberg. "He's quick in sector one, so it's difficult for me. Maybe we can swap, and if he is still second at the end I will let him back past."
As Rosberg closes on Hamilton, so too Verstappen, Vettel and Ricciardo close in on the Mercedes duo.
Vettel is now on Verstappen's tail.
With 4 laps remaining the tension is palpable.
Vettel just can't get close enough to the Red Bull until finally he nails the youngster, courtesy of a superb move in T11.
"Lewis, this is Paddy (Lowe), we need you to pick up the pace to win the race."
Elsewhere, the two Manors go off in unison after banging wheels.
Vettel is now right on the heels of Rosberg
As Rosberg runs a little wide in T11, Vettel closes in, Hamilton just 0.8s ahead.
"Right now I'm losing the world champion, so not really bothered if I win or lose this race" sighs Hamilton.
Vettel makes his move at T11 but Rosberg has it covered. Hamilton continues to back up his teammate.
"You only need P3," Rosberg is told.
Hamilton takes the flag but Rosberg, who holds off Vettel, the title. Never mind the ante-room before the podium, it's the Mercedes driver briefing we want to hear.
"We did it! We did it!!!" screams Rosberg as first Damon Hill and then his (the German's) wife come on the radio to congratulate him.
Hill welcomes Rosberg not only to the 'world champions club' but the even more exclusive 'sons of world champions' club.
Massa and Vettel perform donuts for the fans, as does Rosberg, who first seeks approval.
"Can I do donuts guys? Is that okay?" he asks. "You're all good, go for it!" comes the reply.
"Thank you so much guys, that's a childhood dream come true. Thank you so much!"
Rosberg runs to his team, who greet him with joy, lifting him into the air and allowing him a bit of a surf.
Hugs appear to be the order of the day, even Bernie Ecclestone gets in on the act, though Rosberg appears to wind him in the process.
"Honestly I feel great," says Hamilton on the podium. "I want to say thanks to everyone who's come out to support us, I want to say thanks to my family and to the team, it's been such a fantastic job... and a big congratulations to Nico... good job man."
"That was definitely not the most enjoyable race I have ever had," admits Rosberg. "With those guys coming up at the end, I'm very glad it's over and unbelievably ecstatic. I want to give this win to my wife and daughter. I'll thank everyone else afterwards... unreal!
"I'm very proud to have done the same feat as my dad achieved," he adds, almost choking on the emotion, "he's coming in about half an hour I think. That's going to be exciting."
"It was tough out there the last few laps, I didn't want to be in his shoes," admits Vettel, on the podium (for real) for the first time since Monza. "I couldn't really unfold my pace in the beginning, but once I had clean air I could unleash the pace I had today.
"I think the whole team deserves this, we've had so much criticism, sometimes right, sometimes not. It's been a tough year but it's nice to finish on a high."
"I want to say congrats to Lewis," says Rosberg, "an unbelievable competitor, its always tough to beat you.
"My mum and dad are coming, the whole family together, it's going to be wonderful!" he adds.
A fitting end to a long, long season... and one which sets us up nicely for 2017.
We can't wait.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Abu Dhabi, here.