THE Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in the UAE brings to an end 20 interesting visits around the world.
We already know that Lewis Hamilton is world champion and that Mercedes Benz has won the constructors’ championship, but we don’t know who the winner will be this weekend.
Last year Hamilton won, Nico Rosberg achieved pole position and Daniel Ricciardo did the fastest lap. All three should be in contention this weekend and I think Hamilton will deal the final blow with a win.
News off the Internet is that Sebastian Vettel, who has just won the Race of Champions event at London’s Olympic stadium, says that the surprise of the season comes from the two Toro Rosso drivers. Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz.
Verstappen’s aggression and ability with some huge overtaking manoeuvres, particularly in the Belgian Grand Prix where he went around the outside of Felipe Nasr’s Sauber at Blanchimont Corner, was outstanding.
Vettel was talking with inside knowledge in particular of Sainz but was hugely impressed by the super young Verstappen.
McLaren’s challenge to get their car and the Honda engine together with its KERS component working to the optimum is going to be hugely important during the off season.
Testing of the cars early in the new year is going to be most interesting before we head ‘Down Under’ for the start of the 2016 season in Melbourne, Australia.
Back to this weekend – it will be most interesting and exciting to see whether Ferrari, Williams and Red Bull can show some fight.
Ricciardo showed some promise with the new Renault engine but his results were disappointing.
He and Daniil Kvyat should put on a better show on Sunday. I expect Vettel to lead the attack on the Silver Arrows and perhaps even split them with Kimi Raikkonen not far behind.
Both Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas will be making a very big effort to convince their sponsors that they will be a force to be reckoned with in 2016.
As for the rest of the field we should have more excitement from both Verstappen and Sainz, as well as a good showing from Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez in the Force India.
Lotus is the only other team that I think could make it into the top 10.
Race day should be hot and dry with tyre strategy very important, particularly because of the heat, so intelligent tyre management will bear good results.
I hope you all enjoy a great race before the rest period.
The race start is scheduled for 3pm on Sunday with qualifying about the same time on Saturday.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
If you are reading this on your cellphone and there are telephone numbers provided in the text, you can call these simply by clicking on them.
To receive news links via BBM, add us using the pins 58F3D7A7 OR 58F25573. The South Coast Herald is also on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and Instagram – why not join us there?
