by www.redbullracing.com, Nov 9, 2011
In only it's third season on the calendar, Abu Dhabi already feels like a firm Formula One favourite. Especially with us at Red Bull Racing.
In 2010 it was, of course, the place where one of the most dramatic ends to a season played out. Going into the race, Sebastian had only an outside chance of winning the Drivers’ Championship – Fernando Alonso was in the box seat with 246 points, followed by Mark Webber with 238 and then Vettel with 231.
While Alonso and Ferrari’s eyes were on Mark, who they felt posed the biggest threat, Sebastian took full advantage to romp home first across the line. Alonso’s seventh-place finish, just ahead of Mark, wasn’t good enough and Seb took the title by just four championship points, to complete a memorable double title-winning season for Red Bull Racing.
Seb tops the list of those who have triumphed at the Yas Marina Circuit – having won both grands prix there to date. In 2009 he finished a place ahead of Mark for our fourth 1-2 of the season.
Being the most futuristic track on the calendar, and the sport's first twilight race, there’s always magic in the air when the teams go head-to-head in Abu Dhabi.
The track itself was designed with racing in mind. As well as the waterside marina area, there are high-speed sections, tight corners for overtaking, and even a twisty street circuit-style sector. Overall, its diverse elements come together to create one of the longest and most demanding tracks in the world, where close and competitive racing is guaranteed.
This is another anti-clockwise circuit and will put more strain on the driver’s neck muscles. There are 25 turns on its 5.554km lap. The race is 55 laps, a distance of 305.355km. Vettel's 2009 lap time of 1:40.279 is still the one to beat here.
Abu Dhabi is an oasis on the edge of the Rub Al Khali desert. From five-star luxury hotels on Yas island, to camel market in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi is full of contrasts. The largest and wealthiest of the United Arab Emirates, while it has retained many of its local traditions and charms, it's still progressive. Oh, and has great musical taste. Where else in the world would you get Britney Spears, The Cult and Sir Paul McCartney playing at a grand prix? Exactly.
Credit: Red Bull Racing Formula one Team (www.redbullracing.com)
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