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Abu Dhabi 2011 - Race information - Preparing for the penultimate round of the F1 season

Published by Christine

The 2011 season is slowly wending its way towards a conclusion, with just two races left to go. This penultimate round is to be held in Abu Dhabi, with the Yas Marina circuit hosting not only the Grand Prix itself, but also a young driver test in the days that follow. The Abu Dhabi race has something of a reputation for not being particularly entertaining, but the FIA have been tweaking DRS in an attempt to change things.

Event schedule

Along with the young drivers making an appearance next week, we'll also see Robert Wickens taking a turn in the Virgin Racing car for Friday Practice. He'll take the place of Jérôme D'Ambrosio. The battle is on at the back of the championship as well, as Team Lotus eagerly try to cling on to their tenth place championship position. They've got two races left to keep their position as best of the new teams for the second year in a row.

Towards the front, Sebastian Vettel will be keen on adding more pole positions and race wins to his growing statistic and trophy collections. McLaren, Ferrari, and his own teammate Mark Webber will be keen on stopping him, however, Vettel has won both of the two races that have been held at Yas.

Session Timetable
DateDaySessionTime (GMT)Time (Local)
11 NovFridayFree Practice 109:0013:00
Free Practice 213:0017:00
12 NovSaturdayFree Practice 310:0014:00
Qualifying13:0017:00
13 NovSundayGrand Prix13:0017:00

Support racing for this event includes Porsche GT3 Challenge ME, Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, GP2 (non-championship).

The weather

The long range weather forecasts have sunshine throughout the weekend, with temperatures soaring.

clear

Yas Marina Circuit, Friday

27℃

  • Low 16℃
  • Humidity 39%

Sunny days

clear

Yas Marina Circuit, Saturday

27℃

  • Low 17℃
  • Humidity 39%

Sunny days

clear

Yas Marina Circuit, Sunday

28℃

  • Low 17℃
  • Humidity 43%

Sunny days

Circuit map

Yas Marina Circuit Map
Yas Marina Circuit MapCredit: FIA

The circuit

Circuit Data
NameYas Marina
LocationAbu Dhabi
TimezoneGMT +0400
First Race2009
Laps55
Length5.554 km
Distance305.355 km
Start / Finish Offset0.115 km

The Yas Marina Circuit is flat, especially when compared to the elevation changes we saw in India. The race adds something of a challenge as evening turns to twilight turns to night, and floodlights change the visibility completely. Thankfully, the mechanics have the benefit of air conditioning in the garages, as the temperatures can get pretty high during the day.

A long track, with several straights, the circuit lacks overtaking opportunities. However, Charlie Whiting has confirmed the introduction of two DRS zones for the Abu Dhabi race, with two distinct activation points. One will be on the long back straight, and the other on the subsequent straight leading to turns 11 and 12.

2010 Results
SessionDriverTeamTimeLinks
Free Practice 1Sebastian VettelRed Bull1:42.760Live / Results
Free Practice 2Lewis HamiltonMcLaren1:40.888Live / Results
Free Practice 3Sebastian VettelRed Bull1:40.696Live / Results
QualifyingSebastian VettelRed Bull1:39.394Live / Results
Grand PrixSebastian VettelRed Bull1:39:36.837Live / Results
Fastest LapLewis HamiltonMcLaren1:41.274

Tyre compounds

Soft and medium compounds
Soft and medium compounds

Press conference schedule

Official press conferences are organised by the FIA and happen four times during the weekend. The qualifying and post race press conferences will take place after the television unilateral interviews.

Press Conference Schedule
DayTime (Local)AttendeeRepresenting
Thursday15:00Sébastien BuemiToro Rosso
Paul di RestaForce India
Timo GlockVirgin
Heikki KovalainenLotus
Tonio LiuzziHRT
Vitaly PetrovRenault
Friday16:00John BoothVirgin
Ross BrawnMercedes
Stefano DomenicaliFerrari
Saul Ruiz de MarcosHRT
Frank WilliamsWilliams
Martin WhitmarshMcLaren
SaturdayPost qualifyingThree fastest drivers
SundayPost raceFirst three finishing drivers

Race stewards

The FIA stewarding process was changed last year to include a former F1 driver to give added insight. These are the stewards overseeing this weekend's action.

F1 Stewards
NamePosition
Derek WarwickFormer F1 driver and World Sportscar champion
Vincenzo SpanoPresident of the Sporting Commission of Automobile and Touring Club of Venezuela
Paul GutjahrPresident of the FIA Hill Climb Commission

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