Abu Dhabi GP - Rain in the desert?
Credit: Ferrari S.p.A. (http://www.ferrari.com)
Yas Island, 12 November – In a season packed with unexpected and surprising incidents, it was perhaps inevitable that these would continue to occur right up to the final flag of the season. Here in Abu Dhabi, scene of the final round of one of the most closely contested championships in recent years, today’s surprise was a meteorological one as it rained, actually quite heavily, in the period leading up to the first free practice session of the weekend. That’s not what one expects in the deserts of Arabia!
Although Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, like most of the teams, kept their cars in the garage for a while after completing an installation lap to check the F10s were okay after their Sunday in Brazil, no real time was lost and Fernando Alonso got through his programme, in terms of evaluating the two types of tyre and working on car set-up and the aero configuration. His team-mate Felipe Massa was having his first experience of this circuit, having missed last year’s Abu Dhabi debut after his accident in Budapest. Time spent in the circuit simulator at the factory and even using computer racing games at home, paid dividends as the Brazilian soon got to grips with this unusual track, surviving a 180 degree spin in the afternoon, as he pushed to find the limits of the F10. However, before doing his final long run, his session was cut short because of a problem on the fuel injection system, but it was only a minor inconvenience.
Whenever a championship is closely contested, going down to the wire, it is uncanny how the leading drivers always seem to get themselves to the top of the time sheets and that is exactly what happened to day, with the four men still hoping to wear the 2010 crown all heading the classification: Lewis Hamilton was quickest in the McLaren, ahead of Sebastian Vettel in the Red Bull and Fernando in the Ferrari. Last of the contender was Mark Webber, fourth in the second Red Bull, while Robert Kubica and Felipe completed the top six. This afternoon’s session began in daylight and ended in the dark, under floodlights, as the rules dictate that practice has to take place in conditions that replicate those that will be encountered in qualifying and the race. Tomorrow, the final hour of free practice gets underway at 14h00, with the final and most important qualifying session of the year starting three hours later.
Credit: Ferrari S.p.A. (http://www.ferrari.com)
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