[Official] F1 2009 Round 17 - Eithad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina

[Burnsie]

Hi folks. It's been ages since I've done one of these introduction threads, so apologies if it's rubbish. But in my defence, obviously there aren't many statistics since it's a new Grand Prix! I hope I'm not rocking anybody's boat by creating this thread, but I didn't see one so I thought I'd lend a hand. Anyway, moving on...

Both championships may have already been decided, but there is still plenty at stake as the 2009 Formula One season reaches its climax at the new Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Rubens Barrichello and Sebastian Vettel are separated by only two points in the battle for second place in the Drivers Championship, while in the Constructors Championship McLaren and Ferrari have just one point between them in the battle for third.

Even before the cars started arriving in Abu Dhabi, the venue has received mixed opinons; mainly concering the limited run-off areas, the starting time, and of course the increasingly infamous pit lane exit tunnel. With only a few hours of practice at this new venue between now and Qualifying, how will the grid shape up for F1's first ever twilight race? The action gets underway at 5:00pm local time on Sunday.

Once again Toyota are without Timo Glock, so following his slightly controversial debut in Brazil, Kamui Kobayashi fills the vacant seat.

Finally, I think I should give an honourable mention to Giancarlo Fisichella. After thirteen seasons and three race victories in Formula One, it seems likely that this will be his final Grand Prix. Good luck Giancarlo!

Formula One 2009 - Round 17 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit

F1 World Drivers Championship Standings

Pos.	Driver	Andy Blackmore Image	Constructor	Points
1.	Jenson Button		Brawn Mercedes	89
2.	Sebastian Vettel		Red Bull Renault	74
3.	Rubens Barrichello		Brawn Mercedes	72
4.	Mark Webber		Red Bull Renault	61½
5.	Lewis Hamilton		McLaren Mercedes	49
6.	Kimi Raikkonen		Ferrari	48
7.	Nico Rosberg		Williams Toyota	34½
8.	Jarno Trulli		Toyota	30½
9.	Fernando Alonso		Renault	26
10.	Timo Glock		Toyota	24
11.	Felipé Massa		Ferrari	22
=	Heikki Kovalainen		McLaren Mercedes	22
13.	Robert Kubica		BMW Sauber	17
14.	Nick Heidfeld		BMW Sauber	15
15.	Giancarlo Fisichella		Ferrari / Force India Mercedes	8
16.	Adrian Sutil		Force India Mercedes	5
=	Sébastien Buemi		Toro Rosso Ferrari	5
18.	Sébastien Bourdais		Toro Rosso Ferrari	2

Formula 1 World Constructors Championship Standings

Pos.	Constructor	Points
1.	Brawn Mercedes	161
2.	Red Bull Renault	136½
3.	McLaren Mercedes	71
4.	Ferrari	70
5.	Toyota	54½
6.	Williams Toyota	34½
7.	BMW Sauber	32
8.	Renault	26
9.	Force India Mercedes	13
10.	Toro Rosso Ferrari	7

Yas Marina Circuit

Map	Length	Direction	Turns	Laps	Lap Record
	5.554km (3.451 miles)	Anti-Clockwise	21	55	N/A

External Links

• Local clock and weather
• F1.com Preview
• Circuit Diagram
• Live Timing

Internal Links

• Ten-Tenths IRC Chat
• Predictions
  
• Fantasy F1 Entries & Standings

Enjoy the last Grand Prix of the season everyone!

Paul