Articles Tagged ‘Abu Dhabi’
Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 - Posted by Jack Sargeant
Michael Schumacher’s manager Willi Weber has confirmed that the 7 time world champion has spoken to the bosses of the new Mercedes team, heightening the speculation that he will come out of retirement to drive for the team.
Weber confirmed Schumacher had spoken to Dieter Zetsche – the Chairman of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, and Norbert Haug – the head of Mercedes Motorsport, at the season finale in Abu Dhabi at the start of the month.
Weber said:
“I know that Michael spoke with Dieter Zetsche and Norbert Haug at the season’s finale in Abu Dhabi.”
It is believed that Mercedes would like an all German ’super team’ next season, with Nico Rosberg and Nick Heidfeld also in the running for the seat.
Tags: Abu Dhabi, Daimler, Dieter Zetsche, Mercedes, Michael Schumacher, Willi Weber
Posted in Mercedes GP, News | 1 Comment »
Sunday, November 1st, 2009 - Posted by Victoria Reid
Sebastian Vettel won the 2009 Abu Dhabi GP after a pit stop strategy gave him the lead over Lewis Hamilton, before the latter had to retire on L17 with brake issues. Mark Webber held of a determined last-lap charge from Jenson Button to finish second. Rubens Barrichello and Nick Heidfeld rounded out the top five, as rookie Kamui Kobayashi’s quick driving and one-stop strategy netted him points for sixth position in only his second race. This win moved Vettel ahead in points, and he finished the season second in the driver’s championship, with Barrichello third and Webber fourth.
(more…)
Tags: 2009, Abu Dhabi, Brawn GP, Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, Mark Webber, Red Bull, Sebastian Vettel
Posted in Brawn GP, McLaren, News, Red Bull | No Comments »
Sunday, November 1st, 2009 - Posted by Formula1Blogger
Lewis Hamilton has had to retire from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from pole position due to possible brake failure.
Hamilton struggled from the start, with Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber hunting him down. Hamilton said after the race,
“I was struggling to stop the car”
Once he pit, McLaren informed Hamilton that they were investigating a possible rear right brake problem. Within minutes they cleared a space for a McLaren in the garage, informing Hamilton that it was too dangerous to continue racing.
Tags: 2009, Abu Dhabi, Lewis Hamilton, McLaren
Posted in McLaren, News | No Comments »
Sunday, November 1st, 2009 - Posted by Victoria Reid
Yet again, the time differences for Formula1 fans in America make it late at night (though not that late when considering the soon to be implemented time change) while early in the morning for Europe, and nearly time to rise for those actually participating in the sport, at the 2009 Abu Dhabi GP. Sunday’s evening race in the Middle East will have Lewis Hamilton on pole position, leading the Red Bulls of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, while the Brawns of Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button finish out the top five. Saturday’s qualifying was an accurate portrayal of the transition at the circuit from day into night, with all the lights on while it was still light and keeping everything bright as darkness fell.
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Tags: 2009, Abu Dhabi
Posted in Opinion | No Comments »
Saturday, October 31st, 2009 - Posted by Jack Sargeant
Lewis Hamilton will line up alongside Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel for tomorrow’s inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina circuit after setting an electrifying lap in Q3, more than 0.5secs faster than the rest of the field.
Hamilton set a 1:40.948 after the chequered flag had dropped in Q3 compared to Vettel’s 1:41.615. The fellow Red Bull driver Mark Webber will line up 3rd alongside Rubens Barrichello and World Champion Jenson Button will start 5th.
Hamilton’s teammate Heikki Kovalainen will start 13th, despite topping Friday Practice 2, although this is because he suffered a brake problem in Q2.
Elsewhere it was a reasonably impressive qualifying session in BMW Sauber’s last ever Grand Prix with Kubica and Heidfeld making it an all BMW 4th row. They qualified 7th and 8th respectively.
Ferrari had another nightmare with Giancarlo Fisichella in particular, who will start last on the grid and Kimi Raikkonen who will start an average 11th on the grid.
It was a disappointing session for Renault as both of their drivers failed to get through Q1. In twice former world champion Fernando Alonso’s final qualifying for Renault he qualified 16th. His teammate Romain Grosjean will start 19th.
The full classification is below.
(more…)
Tags: Abu Dhabi, BMW Sauber, Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, Giancarlo Fisichella, Heikki Kovalainen, Jenson Button, Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton, Nick Heidfeld, Red Bull, Renault, Robert Kubica, Romain Grosjean, Rubens Barrichello, Sebastian Vettel, Yas Marina
Posted in BMW Sauber, Brawn GP, Ferrari, Force India, McLaren, News, Red Bull, Renault, Toro Rosso, Toyota, Williams | No Comments »
Friday, October 30th, 2009 - Posted by Jack Sargeant
Today was the first time there has ever been a Formula 1 session at the new Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi on today’s Friday Practice day. I have compiled a few of the driver’s thoughts on the new complex.
The McLaren team seemed impressed with the circuit, Lewis Hamilton who recorded the fastest time in Free Practice 1 said:
“They’ve done an incredible job here. It’s a really nice circuit to drive – there are a lot of technical corners, where braking stability is important. It’s a great track and I really enjoy driving it. The only bit I don’t like is the tunnel – but it’s a challenge!”
And the former world champion’s teammate Heikki Kovalainen who topped the timesheets in Free Practice 2 said:
“The circuit is cool – it’s very smooth with good grip and the kerbs are nice. Turns Two and Three are not easy-flat, but, with the good balance of the car, they’re fun.”
(more…)
Tags: Abu Dhabi, Brawn GP, Ferrari, Giancarlo, Heikki Kovalainen, Jenson Button, Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, Red Bull, Rubens Barrichello, Sebastian Vettel, Yas Marina Circuit
Posted in Brawn GP, Ferrari, McLaren, News, Red Bull | No Comments »
Friday, October 30th, 2009 - Posted by Formula1Blogger
Sebastian Vettel has come out of Friday’s Abu Dhabi GP practise sessions with renewed enthusiasm for this weekends race, where he fights for second place in the drivers world championship. Vettel, who currently leads Rubens Barrichello by 2 points was pleased with his car’s performance during practise 1 & 2, giving a nod to engine maker Renault,
“I’d like to say thanks to Renault – many people didn’t believe that we’d succeed without having to change an engine, but here we are having completed a lot of miles on another Friday without a single problem.”
Vettel has had a number of engine problems and DNFs throughout the 2009 season which ultimately lost him the chance at the driver’s title. He has also used up his allotted engine allowance for the season, re-using old engines in order to not incur a grid penalty for a brand new one.
Vettel managed 3rd and 4th respectively in the Friday practise sessions in Abu Dhabi, only the McLaren and Brawn GP cars giving him a run for his money.
“It seems as though we’re quite competitive, although we will have to wait to see how competitive. Even though it’s a new track, it was a normal Friday practice and we were testing which tyre works best.”
Tags: 2009, Abu Dhabi, Red Bull, Sebastian Vettel
Posted in News, Red Bull | No Comments »
Thursday, October 29th, 2009 - Posted by Formula1Blogger
With the final Grand Prix of the season in Abu Dhabi just days away, and both world championships already wrapped up – the final race will be a free for all to grab some final points, and also lay it all on the line.
Sebastian Vettel and Rubens Barrichello will both be looking to secure 2nd place in the drivers championship. With Brawn GP and Jenson Button already securing the other top spots in the championships Brawn will work hard to make it happen for Barrichello, to finish off an amazing (kind of) debut year for the team.
Lewis Hamilton will undoubtedly drive his heart out as he always does, with his McLaren car really coming up to speed in the latter part of the season, he should be one of the favourites to get the win!
Kimi Raikkonen is also taking part in his final race for Ferrari in Abu Dhabi, so could be looking to seal that with a win, for old times sake. He’s up against it though as Ferrari haven’t updated the car since June.
Our money would be on Hamilton, Vettel or Barrichello – but they’re so many fast cars out there now, it could be any of them? Take a vote:
Which driver will win the Abu Dhabi 2009 Grand Prix?
- Lewis Hamilton (39%, 15 Votes)
- Rubens Barichello (21%, 8 Votes)
- Sebastian Vettel (13%, 5 Votes)
- Kimi Raikkonen (11%, 4 Votes)
- Mark Webber (5%, 2 Votes)
- Jenson Button (5%, 2 Votes)
- None of the above! (6%, 2 Votes)
Total Voters: 38
Loading ...
Results close at 1200 GMT Sunday.
Tags: 2009, Abu Dhabi, Brawn GP, Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton, Rubens Barrichello, Sebastian Vettel
Posted in Brawn GP, Ferrari, McLaren, Poll, Red Bull | No Comments »
Monday, October 26th, 2009 - Posted by Formula1Blogger
With the final race of the 2009 Formula 1 season looming, the drivers have begun to speak about the forthcoming race. Hot on the heels of his win in Brazil last weekend, Mark Webber is now looking forward to the finale in Abu Dhabi, with another Red Bull Racing success in mind.
“I’m expecting Red Bull Racing to be pretty strong in Abu Dhabi. We’ve been pretty strong since Singapore, so there’s no reason to suggest that we can’t be fighting towards the sharp end again, no question about it. As usual, qualifying will be very important on a street circuit and then we’ll see how the race goes from there. We’re looking to finish off on a high for the team.”
A win is hardly optimistic for Webber or Sebastian Vettel (his driving partner), they both proved worthy competitors in Brazil and demonstrated to everyone on the grid that the current car has what it takes. On the Abu Dhabi circuit itself Webber added,
“I’ve heard the Yas Marina circuit has some nice undulations, which sounds good. It’s got a few fast sections to it and a slow section to finish off. I think it will be pretty dusty, but we’ll clean it up pretty quick; it’s always nice to go to a new track.
The last race of the year will be very interesting to go to, as no-one’s raced there before and it’s another street circuit – it sounds fascinating.”
Webber has won his first 2 Grand Prix in this 2009 season, and is clearly looking forward to what he and his Red Bull team can do in 2010,
“I think it will be a good finale to the season and a timely end to the Championship. We’re all ready to start next year now, as the Championship titles are decided.”
Webber was speaking with redbullracing.com
Tags: Abu Dhabi, Mark Webber, Red Bull, Sebastian Vettel
Posted in Red Bull | No Comments »
Monday, October 26th, 2009 - Posted by Formula1Blogger
As previously reported last week, Timo Glock is due for a medical test early this week in order to determine if he will be able to return to racing, and more specifically to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend.
When speaking with Glock’s manager Hans Bernd Kamps, he told the DPA news agency that Glock’s chances were “90 per cent”.
Glock will be very keen to get back in the car, what with Toyota now hunting for new drivers next season. That said, Glock’s current race partner Jarno Trulli would be more likely to leave the team than him if one was to stay. Toyota are yet to confirm drivers for either race sat for 2010, with Kimi Raikkonnen also in the frame.
Tags: Abu Dhabi, Timo Glock, Toyota
Posted in Toyota | No Comments »
