As the cars race into the sunset this weekend at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the sun will also set on the 2019 Formula 1 season. Abu Dhabi is a unique Grand Prix not only because the Yas Marina circuit is run counterclockwise but also because the race will occur from sunset into darkness, natural light into artificial light. Built on a man-made island and with a hotel straddling the track, Yas Marina is said to be the costliest circuit to construct on the Formula 1 calendar.
Both Red Bull teams enter the last weekend of the season on an incredible high, having both just come off podiums in Brazil and having just signed a one year extension with Honda as their power unit supplier. On the Red Bull side, while a win is technically possible it will be tougher on this circuit, nonetheless a podium should be in the cards. Buoyed by their rare podium finish at Brazil, seeing both Toro Rossos in the points is not out of the question.
Elsewhere on the grid, expect Ferrari to come back strong after their double DNF in Brazil. Mercedes should be right there with them in a tight battle. McLaren should close out their respectable season with a car coming in as best-of-the-rest. Expect a Renault to be close behind them. From there we should see a tight battle with Racing Point and Alfa Romeo. Haas should slot in toward the back unless they can get the tires to work as they did in Brazil. Williams will round out the order as they gladly close the door on another dismal year.
Abu Dhabi marks the end of our 2019 Formula 1 Grand Prix coverage. On behalf of TOV/ TOV Motorsports I would like to sincerely thank everyone who reads these posts and participates in the discussions; we’ve had another great year of conversation and debates. We look forward to 2020 as the partnership between Honda and Red Bull matures and looks set to produce great results. Again, thank you all.
US TV TIMES
Practice 1 – Friday, Nov. 23, 4:55 AM – ESPN2
Practice 2 – Friday, Nov. 23, 7:55 AM –
ESPNU
Practice 3 – Saturday, Nov. 24, 4:55 AM – ESPN2
Qualifying – Saturday, Nov. 24, 7:55 AM – ESPN2
On The Grid – Sunday, Nov. 24, 7:30 AM – ESPN2
Race – Sunday, Nov. 25, 8:05 AM – ESPN2
Encore – Sunday, Nov. 25, 9:00 PM –
ESPNEWS
Encore – Monday, Nov. 26, 12:30 AM – ESPN2
CIRCUIT INFORMATION
Lap data
Lap length: 5.554km (3.451 miles)
Race laps: 55
Race distance: 305.355km (189.739 miles)
Pole position: Right-hand side of the track
Lap record*: 1’40.279 (199.388 kph) by Sebastian Vettel, 2009
Fastest lap: 1’36.231 by Valtteri Bottas, 2017
Maximum speed: 320kph (198.839 mph)
DRS
zone/s (race): Two straights
Distance from grid to turn one: 300m
Car performance
Full throttle: 59%
Longest flat-out section: 1233m
Downforce level: High
Gear changes per lap: 68
Fuel use per lap: 1.8kg
Time penalty per lap of fuel: 0.054s
Strategy
Quickest complete pit stop in 2013: 21.175s by Red Bull (see full list)
2019 tyres: Hard (C3), Medium (C4), Soft (C5) (2018: Supersoft, Ultrasoft, Hypersoft)
*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
Data sources:
FIA
, Williams, Mercedes
2018 RESULTS
Race Info.
Pole: Valtteri Bottas – 1:36.231
Race laps: 55
Fast race lap: Valtteri Bottas – 1:40.650
Podium
1. Valtteri Bottas – Mercedes
2. Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
3. Sebastian Vettel – Ferrari
CURRENT STANDINGS
Drivers:
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 387
2. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 314
3. Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 260
4. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 249
5. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 230
6. Pierre Gasly, Toro Rosso, 95
7. Carlos Sainz, McLaren, 95
8. Alex Albon, Red Bull, 84
9. Daniel Ricciardo, Renault, 54
10. Sergio Perez, Racing Point, 46
11. Lando Norris, McLaren, 45
12. Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo Racing, 43
13. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault, 37
14. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso, 35
15. Lance Stroll, Racing Point, 21
16. Kevin Magnussen, Haas, 20
17. Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo Racing, 14
18. Romain Grosjean, Haas, 8
19. Robert Kubica, Williams, 1
20. George Russell, Williams, 0
Constructors:
1. Mercedes, 701
2. Ferrari, 479
3. Red Bull, 391
4. McLaren, 140
5. Renault, 91
6. Toro Rosso, 83
7. Racing Point, 67
8. Alfa Romeo Racing, 57
9. Haas, 28
10. Williams, 1
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