F1 2011 Abu Dhabi GP

[Bartek S.]

2.677 miles (4.309 km)
Number of laps:	71
Race length:	190.083 miles (305.909 km)
Joined F1 calendar:	1973
Previous winner:	Sebastian Vettel
Previous polesitter:	Nico Hulkenberg, 1:14.470
Lap record:	1:11.473 (Juan Pablo Montoya, Williams, 2004)

[TD="class: stats-tbl-left"]Circuit length:
[/TD]

FIA's Charlie Whiting promises DRS will spice up Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

FIA race director Charlie Whiting is confident that the Drag Reduction System (DRS) will make this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix significantly more entertaining than the 2010 Yas Marina race.

Two independent DRS zones will be in operation this weekend, the first on the long back straight between Turns 7 and 8, and the other on the following kinked straight towards the Turn 11/12/13 complex. Activation zones will be before the Turn 7 hairpin and in the middle of the Turn 8/9 chicane.

Last year's Abu Dhabi race was strongly criticised after overtaking proved extremely difficult - with pre-event championship leader Fernando Alonso seeing his title hopes evaporate after he got stuck behind Vitaly Petrov's Renault for most of the race and could only finish seventh.

But Whiting is confident that the DRS choices made this year will ensure a much more entertaining race.

Autosport

 

[Bartek S.]

 

[Bartek S.]

FP1

Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m40.263s 21
2. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m40.389s + 0.126 26
3. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m40.403s + 0.140 27
4. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m40.755s + 0.492 27
5. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m40.801s + 0.538 25
6. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m41.260s + 0.997 17
7. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m41.340s + 1.077 23
8. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m42.130s + 1.867 26
9. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m42.151s + 1.888 28
10. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m42.377s + 2.114 26
11. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m42.633s + 2.370 26
12. Romain Grosjean Renault 1m42.685s + 2.422 29
13. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m43.118s + 2.855 13
14. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 1m43.255s + 2.992 29
15. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m43.389s + 3.126 24
16. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m44.412s + 4.149 28
17. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m44.484s + 4.221 18
18. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 1m44.565s + 4.302 27
19. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 1m44.898s + 4.635 25
20. Tonio Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth 1m46.385s + 6.122 28
21. Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 1m46.532s + 6.269 27
22. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1m48.024s + 7.761 20
23. Robert Wickens Virgin-Cosworth 1m48.551s + 8.288 23
24. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 3

All Timing Unofficial

 

[Bartek S.]

FP2

Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m39.586s 31
2. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m39.785s + 0.199 30
3. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m39.971s + 0.385 20
4. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m39.980s + 0.394 34
5. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m40.104s + 0.518 35
6. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m40.132s + 0.546 26
7. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m40.553s + 0.967 34
8. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m40.951s + 1.365 34
9. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m41.021s + 1.435 37
10. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m41.490s + 1.904 34
11. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m41.565s + 1.979 34
12. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m41.680s + 2.094 33
13. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m41.947s + 2.361 31
14. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m41.983s + 2.397 34
15. Bruno Senna Renault 1m42.369s + 2.783 36
16. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1m42.798s + 3.212 35
17. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 1m42.910s + 3.324 34
18. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 1m43.562s + 3.976 36
19. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 1m44.050s + 4.464 38
20. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m44.265s + 4.679 41
21. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1m45.486s + 5.900 34
22. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1m46.142s + 6.556 32
23. Tonio Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth 1m46.249s + 6.663 21
24. Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 1m46.328s + 6.742 34

 

[Bartek S.]

FP3

Pos Driver Team/Car Time Gap Laps
1. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m38.976s 17
2. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m39.403s + 0.427s 18
3. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m39.427s + 0.451s 18
4. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m39.429s + 0.453s 16
5. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m39.661s + 0.685s 16
6. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m40.135s + 1.159s 19
7. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m40.183s + 1.207s 18
8. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m40.429s + 1.453s 21
9. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m40.511s + 1.535s 19
10. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m40.938s + 1.962s 18
11. Bruno Senna Renault 1m41.509s + 2.533s 21
12. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m41.527s + 2.551s 21
13. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m41.566s + 2.590s 20
14. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m41.594s + 2.618s 18
15. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m41.622s + 2.646s 18
16. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m41.855s + 2.879s 18
17. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 1m42.025s + 3.049s 19
18. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 1m43.409s + 4.433s 22
19. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1m43.861s + 4.885s 5
20. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1m45.262s + 6.286s 23
21. Tonio Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth 1m45.302s + 6.326s 20
22. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1m45.509s + 6.533s 22
23. Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 1m45.732s + 6.756s 20
24. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 1

 

[Bartek S.]

Vettel equals Mansell's record with 14th pole of the season in Abu Dhabi

Qual.

Pos Driver Team Time Gap
1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m38.481s
2. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m38.622s + 0.141
3. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m38.631s + 0.150
4. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m38.858s + 0.377
5. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m39.058s + 0.577
6. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m39.695s + 1.214
7. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m39.773s + 1.292
8. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m40.662s + 2.181
9. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m40.768s + 2.287
10. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes

Q2 cut-off time: 1m40.554s Gap **
11. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m40.874s + 2.440
12. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m40.919s + 2.485
13. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m41.009s + 2.575
14. Bruno Senna Renault 1m41.079s + 2.645
15. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m41.162s + 2.728
16. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m41.240s + 2.806
17. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 1m41.760s + 3.326

Q1 cut-off time: 1m42.605s Gap *
18. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 1m42.979s + 3.197
19. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 1m43.884s + 4.102
20. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1m44.515s + 4.733
21. Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 1m44.641s + 4.859
22. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1m44.699s + 4.917
23. Tonio Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth 1m45.159s + 5.377
24. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosoworth no time


107% time: 1m46.766s
* Gap to quickest in Q1
** Gap to quickest in Q2

 

[Gullwing]

At least qualifying was interesting. Damn you Vettel!

I remember a time when these F1 threads were always 5-7 pages long.

 

[Centurion]

I remember a time when these F1 threads were always 5-7 pages long.

Blame Red Bull's dominance. Qualifying has been a bore this year. Always a predictable Red Bull on top driven by Vettel and 4 drivers in Q3 not even setting a time. Today's race was saved from complete boredom by Vettel's tyre failure and two awfully long and consecutive DRS Zones. Fact of the matter is that Abu Dhabi is the second more boring circuit after Valencia. DRS and KERS + Pirelli tires was the only reason this year's race was somewhat watchable. Funny enough Webber wasn't using his brain when squabbling with Button. He overtook him a few times in the first DRS zone, only for Button to get the same opportunity in the second DRS zone, thereby cancelling the out the Webber's overtaking attempt. Good to see Lewis win a race though Alonso did a stellar performance too.

Next week will be judgement day for Di Resta and Sutil. Them two and Hulkenberg will find out who will be driving for the team next year. Although Hulkenberg has potential I see few reasons for Force India to fire either, unless Hulkenberg has the backing of sponsors.

 

[Deleted member 25]

You said it all Luw, i sincerely hope both spanish gp will go, Portimao is a much more intresting circuit.

 

[Centurion]

You said it all Luw, i sincerely hope both spanish gp will go, Portimao is a much more intresting circuit.

With Austin debuting next year, Russia and New Jersey in the 2013, a few circuits will have to be taken off the calendar. Bahrain will unlikely happen next year, so that's one race off. Korea are on their knees beggin iron-fisted Bernie to discount the hosting fee, despite that they signed up for F1 barely a year ago. That means that one more circuit will have to bow down and I'm counting on that being Valencia. All these Tilkedromes are boring.

 

[Bartek S.]

Hamilton dominates the Abu Dhabi GP as Sebastian Vettel retires

PROVISIONAL RACE RESULTS

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Yas Marina, United Arab Emirates;
55 laps; 305.355km;
Weather: Clear.

Classified:

Pos Driver Team Time
1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1h37:11.886
2. Alonso Ferrari + 8.457
3. Button McLaren-Mercedes + 25.881
4. Webber Red Bull-Renault + 35.784
5. Massa Ferrari + 50.578
6. Rosberg Mercedes + 52.317
7. Schumacher Mercedes + 1:15.900
8. Sutil Force India-Mercedes + 1:17.100
9. Di Resta Force India-Mercedes + 1:40.000
10. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari + 1 lap
11. Perez Sauber-Ferrari + 1 lap
12. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth + 1 lap
13. Petrov Renault + 1 lap
14. Maldonado Williams-Cosworth + 1 lap
15. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1 lap
16. Senna Renault + 1 lap
17. Kovalainen Lotus-Renault + 1 lap
18. Trulli Lotus-Renault + 2 laps
19. Glock Virgin-Cosworth + 2 laps
20. Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth + 2 laps

Fastest lap: Webber, 1:42.612

Not classified/retirements:

Driver Team On lap
Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 49
Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 19
D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 18
Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1

World Championship standings, round 18:

Drivers:
1. Vettel 374
2. Button 255
3. Alonso 245
4. Webber 233
5. Hamilton 227
6. Massa 108
7. Rosberg 83
8. Schumacher 76
9. Petrov 36
10. Sutil 34
11. Heidfeld 34
12. Kobayashi 28
13. Alguersuari 26
14. Di Resta 23
15. Buemi 15
16. Perez 14
17. Barrichello 4
18. Senna 2
19. Maldonado 1

Constructors:
1. Red Bull-Renault 607
2. McLaren-Mercedes 482
3. Ferrari 353
4. Mercedes 159
5. Renault 72
6. Force India-Mercedes 57
7. Sauber-Ferrari 42
8. Toro Rosso-Ferrari 41
9. Williams-Cosworth 5

 

[Bartek S.]

 

[MoSs]

Congrats to Hamilton, a well diserved win, now this time waking up at 5 am for the race was worth it.

Drs was kinda stupid, the slower driver still has a chance on the second drs zone.

 

[Gullwing]

Great race for Hamilton and Button.
Was one of the more interesting races.

 

[Bartek S.]

 

[Monster]

The on track action was a lot more interesting than last year, it is better than expected but nothing too exciting. The battles for the constructors championship is still not finalized yet. Renault is in danger of losing their 5th place in the championship, clearly the team is not able to match their rivals' rate of development over the season and dropping Heidfeld half way through the season is looking like a misjudgment. Force India has rediscovered their speed and they are a solid mid field team now. Toro Rosso was strangely off the pace in this race and Sauber has returned back to form. Williams is in a mess, they will need a Brawn style comeback to rescue themselves from becoming oblivion.

 

[Centurion]

Although an improvement on 2010 the excitement fell short of the GP2 race that took place the same week. It was sperm race of pre-mature ejaculation by teenagers.

Just look at the madness in the final 2 laps, and this is without gimmicks like KERS and DRS. I'll definitely follow GP2 next year.

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[Deleted member 25]

Didn't foloow te last 2 races, but i don't think i would ave missed it, it's amazing how they spend such titanesque amounts on bling bling and infrastructures and cannot build a track that matches it.

 

[Centurion]

Didn't foloow te last 2 races, but i don't think i would ave missed it, it's amazing how they spend such titanesque amounts on bling bling and infrastructures and cannot build a track that matches it.

The problem is not only the track but performance gaps between the team. Here are the tiers of F1:

1st Tier: Red Bull
2nd Tier: Macca & Ferrari
3rd Tier: Mercedes
4th Tier: Force India, Renault, Torro Rosso, Sauber & Williams
5th Tier: Lotus & Virgin
6th Tier: HRT


In 2011 the field has been so segmented that the results every race weekend have been rather predictable.

 

[FromageFrais]

Wonder how drivers tiers go?

1st Tier: Vettel & Hamilton & Button & Alonso
2nd Tier: Webber & Rosberg
3rd Tier: Schumacher, Di Resta, Sutil, Buemi
4th Tier: Massa