Abu Dhabi confirmed to host 2015 F1 season finale

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  • Crowning moment: The Yas Marina circuit has been named the host venue of the season-ending F1 race for the second straight year in 2015 as per the new calendar.

    Abu Dhabi will once again bring down the curtains on the 2015 Formula One season after the capital was once again named host of the final race of the record-equalling 20-race schedule.

    With return of the Mexican Grand Prix for the first time since 1992, the calendar is again at 20 grands prix, matching that of 2012.

    The announcement, far earlier than normal, comes following the latest meeting of the World Motor Sport Council.

    The race in Mexico forms a double- header with the United States Grand Prix in late October-early November. There is also another double-header in September, with Singapore and Japan to be staged on back-to-back weekends.

    The Indian GP failed to make it back, and the Grand Prix of America – provisionally planned for New Jersey – again is not included.

    Organisers in India had hoped for an early slot in 2015 after sitting out this year. The race in New Jersey has previously been on FIA’s provisional calendar.

    With 20 races, the calendar also has its latest finish since 1963 with the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for November 29.

    This year’s Formula 1 Abu Dhabi GP is scheduled for November 23. It will award double points for the finish for the first time, as a measure to try and keep the title race alive up to the season-finale.

    The FIA press release did not mention whether the 2015 race would also award double points.

    Meanwhile, the FIA is to overtionalhaul its system with regard to the issuance of the super licence required to compete in Formula One.

    The debate has been fuelled by Toro Rosso’s decision to hand Max Verstappen a drive for next season when he will be just 17 years old.

    Verstappen is bypassing traditional routes such as GP2 and Formula Renault 3.5, with the Dutch youngster going straight to F1 from the European F3 championship.

    When questioned earlier this season, not one of the current crop of F1 drivers – apart from Daniil Kvyat who started out with Toro Rosso this year at 19 – said they would have been ready for F1 at the age of 17.

    At present once a driver secures a promotion, all that is required to obtain a super licence is for that person to complete 300 kilometres in a car either two years old or less.

    Following a meeting of the World Sport Motor Council, they have confirmed that “a mandate has been given to the FIA Administration to review the qualification and conditions for the issuing of a super licence, in consultation with all parties concerned.”

    2015 F1 CALENDAR

    March 15 Australia (Melbourne)
    March 29 Malaysia (Sepang)
    April 5 Bahrain (Sakhir)
    April 19 China (Shanghai)
    May 10 Spain (Barcelona)
    May 24 Monaco
    June 7 Canada (Montreal)
    June 21 Austria (Red Bull Ring, Spielberg)
    July 5 Great Britain (Silverstone)
    July 19 Germany (Nürburgring)
    July 26 Hungary (Budapest)
    August 23 Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps)
    September 6 Italy (Monza)
    September 20 Singapore (Marina Bay)
    September 27 Japan (Suzuka)
    October 11 Russia (Sochi)
    October 25 Mexico (Mexico City)
    November 1 United States (Austin)
    November 15 Brazil (Sao Paulo)
    November 29 Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)

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