Abu Dhabi all set for Formula One finale
By Staff Report
Published: Thu 26 Nov 2015, 11:00 PM
Last updated: Fri 27 Nov 2015, 6:15 PM
Abu Dhabi is all geared up for the Formula One finale with the world's only twilight race, which will be the last of the 2015 season, set to take place this weekend.
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Race director warns driversIn a note sent to teams on Thursday, F1 race director Charlie Whiting made it clear that drivers' behaviour would be monitored closely.
Formula 1 drivers have been warned that the FIA, the world controlling body will take a zero-tolerance approach to any chicane cutting at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The issue of drivers cutting kerbs at Turn 6 (in the stadium section), Turn 9 (at the end of the main straight) and Turn 12 (after the back-straight) has been a regular focus at the Yas Marina circuit.
"Any car which uses a part of the areas behind the apex of turns 6, 9 or 12, and which is suspected of gaining any sort of advantage from doing so, will be immediately reported to the Stewards," said Whiting.
DRS issueWhiting also said that in the heat of the battle, drivers must ensure that if they do run off the track that they do not benefit, either by having a bigger lead afterwards or in getting into the DRS activation zone.
"If two cars are close to each other entering turn 8 and, by cutting behind the apex of turn 9, the leading one rejoins the track with a greater lead over the following car he will be reported to the stewards as having gained an advantage by leaving the track," he said.
"This will apply whether or not the advantage gained had any influence upon the operation of the DRS by the driver in the following car."
He added: "If two cars are close to each other entering turn 8 and, by cutting behind the apex of turn 9, the following one rejoined the track within DRS detection distance of the leading car, that driver may not deploy his DRS in the following activation sector. "Any driver seen to be using his DRS under these circumstances will be reported to the stewards as having gained an advantage by leaving the track."
Grosjean eyes new adventure in 2016For 29-year old Romain Grosjean, who holds dual Franco-Swiss nationality and races under French colours, the last leg of the 2015 Formula 1 season in Abu Dhabi is of added significance.
The Geneva born ace who has been a Lotus driver from the start of his Formula One career will now be moving on to a different platform when he begins a new career with the new Haas team for 2016.
"The career till now has been at home outside my home, namely Lotus. Like a big family it has been for me and the rest all these years where we knew each other so well in varying conditions and situations," said Grosjean at the Yas Marina GP venue on Thursday evening.
"Regarding taking a new path with a different team now and my first time feelings when I first went into F1 four season ago, well it is difficult to say which was easier or more challenging. The feelings are more or less the same for me but I can say the new move is a lot and far easier than my debut season with Lotus," added Grosjean.
He lies 11th after 18 rounds of the 2015 season and the final leg here in the Capital sees him perched in the position on 49 points among the 21 drivers. "I am getting strong again after overcoming the difficulty of having to move on when the announcement was made earlier this season, it's going to be emotional but we have to move on, don't we," added Grosjean whose switch to Haas is likely to put him in contention to join Ferrari in 2017, when he is expected to end up as partner to the redoubtable former world champion Sebastian Vettel of Germany. Four-time world champ Vettel, with three victories and 10 more podium finishes has been one of the most impressive drivers this season.
Regarding his worry about the delay in the building of his cars, he said: "We have gone through this in the past and have always managed to put it on track in time. This spirit of rallying from behind to be up in front with the rest has put us as hard nuts to cracks and gives us the incentive to score bigger points. Suzuka and Brazil, well, we were slightly behind overall but the lads finally worked their way through for some results ultimately."
"Joining a rookie team as an experienced hand, well they may be wanting a hand like me around to get moving on the right note right from the beginning. When I joined as a rookie with Lotus it was a big learning process from scratch," Grosjean continued, "It will be sad to leave Lotus after all these years of comradeship. It's a brand new adventure featuring an American Formula One team. As a rookie I had everything to learn and now I am going to a new team and probably has the stuff to benefit them." -
moni@khaleejtimes.com