[deetjohn]

After eight months and 18 races that have seen two childhood friends battle it out for the greatest prize in Motorsport, the season finale in Abu Dhabi will take place this weekend - with the driver's world championship still to be decided.

The Drivers


And the incredible W05. What a car!


Lewis is on the verge of his second world title, six years after his first, with a 17-point lead over Mercedes team-mate Nico.

The season thus far


Lewis has won 10 races to Nico' 5 this season, but has a relatively small advantage over the German as a result of a suffering more problems over the season.

And with controversial (and really stupid) double points on offer for the final race - 50 for the winner - at Yas Marina, along with the threat of mechanical issues creeping in following a long season, the 2014 title could still go either way.



The British driver's task is made harder because of the double points - otherwise, Lewis would need to finish only sixth to clinch the title even if Nico won.



The Circuit and the Race

Originally Posted by Andrew Benson, BBC Sport

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix exists in a pristine bubble, the sort that Formula 1 too often resides within but which has been punctured by the troubles of recent months.

The arguments currently dominating F1 - the cost of the sport, the survival of the small teams and engine developments - will seem incongruous set against the sheen of wealth and privilege represented by the gleaming Yas Marina circuit.

But the track is in some ways a fitting place to end the season. Just as in F1 itself, a veneer of glamour generally hides a more uncomfortable reality, so the glimmering, colour-shifting Yas Viceroy hotel and perfect-painted borders of the track distract from the fact that as a venue to generate good racing, Yas Marina is sadly lacking.

A great "facility" it may be, as almost everyone in F1 will say. But despite an effectively bottomless budget, a great race track it is not.

Circuit Layout

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKE4MldSJJo

Strategy Insights
Abu Dhabi is a tough circuit on which to overtake, even with the DRS rear wings. There is a higher than average chance of a safety car and a lot at stake at this race with the double points bonus on offer, meaning higher risk strategies are more likely for some.

Soft and Supersoft tyres have produced the most strategically varied races so far in 2014, with some 3 stoppers, so that could still be an outside possibility for this race given a large enough performance difference.

Race Strategy Briefing



TV Listings

Q: 22nd Sat, 6:20 PM, SS4 & SS HD1
R: 23rd Sun, 5:30 PM, SS4. No HD telecast for the finale! SS got to be kidding!

And Go Lewis Go!!!

Courtesy: F1Fanatic, JAonF1, F1-Fansite, BBC Sport, suntimes

[negativeH]

Nico takes pole, Bottas surprises into 2nd, Hami below.
Should spice up the race.

No HD... :O
Crystal Palace vs Liverpool could probably be swapped with the F1 finale.

Also hoping that Kimi can possibly finish ahead of Alonso for a better morale at Ferrari.
And Vettel gets a farewell podium. 4 years of dominance deserve to go out with more grandeur.

[Fullrevs]

Originally Posted by deetjohn

Lewis is on the verge of his second world title, six years after his first, with a 17-point lead over Mercedes team-mate Nico.

Never thought of it this way. Imagine the plight of Hamilton to know that he is coming for his 2nd crown. Right place at the right time for sure.

Originally Posted by negativeH

No HD... :O
Crystal Palace vs Liverpool could probably be swapped with the F1 finale.

That would be a disaster. The cricket is over though, maybe star sports HD 1 or HD 2 would show it?

I never thought I would say it, but its quite crucial for Vettel or Kimi to score a good result. Really hope they beat their team mates in the finale.

[negativeH]

Originally Posted by Fullrevs

maybe star sports HD 1 or HD 2 would show it?

Yea, as per the Schedule loaded currently on the SS site, HD1 and 2 would be broadcasting the Liverpool match (EPL) and the ISL.

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace shouldn't have an appeal more than the F1 finale!!

[Fullrevs]

Originally Posted by negativeH

Yea, as per the Schedule loaded currently on the SS site, HD1 and 2 would be broadcasting the Liverpool match (EPL) and the ISL.

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace shouldn't have an appeal more than the F1 finale!!

Absolute disaster! Its going to be really annoying watching the regular telecast. The telecast is actually a little shortened on the regular channels. It could be one of those days where the immediately cut to the EPL or ISL matches right after the checkered flag is shown. Time they brought out another HD channel.

[el lobo 6061]

This should make it simple. #44 all the way!

[Hatari]

Was looking forward to the Thursday press conference and it was an interesting one for sure. Answered a few questions on Alonso's decision to leave. He mentioned having spoken about it in 2013 to Luca M and thats probably when the Vettel pre-contract was signed, knowing Alonso would leave if the car was too slow in 2014.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECSKQbtjyK8

and
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlin.../11/16650.html and

[zenren]

Originally Posted by el lobo 6061

This should make it simple. #44 all the way!

Attachment 1310790

Isn't it simple? Lewis would win if he finishes this race without any issues. The car would take car of the rest.

[deetjohn]

There is no holding back when the title is at stake, and it showed in FP1.

Both Mercedes put daylight between them and the next car. Get this!

1 Lewis - 1:43.476
2 Nico - 1:43.609
3 Alonso - 1:45.184

I don't think I have seen such a gap in FP1. That Ferrari is a whopping 1.7 seconds behind.

[Fullrevs]

It was sad to see Alonso sit out all of FP2. Two laps is all he got. The Red Bulls seem to have good pace on this circuit and the Mclaren has really improved a lot. Great to see Caterham back on the track.

FP3 and Qualifying are on Star Sports HD 1.

[SilentEngine]

Originally Posted by zenren

Isn't it simple? Lewis would win if he finishes this race without any issues. The car would take car of the rest.

Most likely it won't end up being that simple for Lewis. Last two times in 2007 and 2008 he knew exactly what to do (like finishing 6th or something) and when you race with that as the objective instead of focusing normally like any other race, usually it won't go well.
That said, i do like to see Lewis winning it simply because he has been the better driver than Nico over this season.

[zenren]

Originally Posted by SilentEngine

Most likely it won't end up being that simple for Lewis. Last two times in 2007 and 2008 he knew exactly what to do (like finishing 6th or something) and when you race with that as the objective instead of focusing normally like any other race, usually it won't go well.
That said, i do like to see Lewis winning it simply because he has been the better driver than Nico over this season.

He had reliability issues in 2007. In 2008, he finally managed to finish at right place, even if it was a championship handed over to him in a platter at the final corner.

Both those years, other cars around him were not sitting ducks like this season. Williams is probably the only car that can hold off the Mercs this year. Even for them, it would be for a few laps, unlikely for an entire race. Also, there was no DRS back then to cruise past the other cars.

[ecenandu]

Both redbull relegated to the back of the grid. Their front wing failed the deflection test.

[arun_josie]

Originally Posted by ecenandu

Both redbull relegated to the back of the grid. Their front wing failed the deflection test.

This means now its difficult for Vettel to hold his P4 in drivers standing. Currently its Vettel - 159, Alonso - 157 and Bottas - 156

[zenren]

Originally Posted by arun_josie

This means now its difficult for Vettel to hold his P4 in drivers standing. Currently its Vettel - 159, Alonso - 157 and Bottas - 156

There are a lot of battles up and down the grid for the final standings. Ricciardo in P3 and Hulk in P9 are probably the only ones who would not change with this race.

For P4-P6, the final order might be Bottas, Alonso, Vettel.

Massa might overtake Button to finish P7.

P10-P12 is also close between Magnussen, Raikkonen and Perez with Raikkonen having a chance to finish P10. Kimi's current P11 is worse than his standings in his debut season! Great job by Ferrari.