Former Formula One driver Heikki Kovalainen, who raced for McLaren, Renault, Lotus and Caterham between 2007 and 2013, will be writing an exclusive column for Sport360 this season. Here he looks at the F1 storylines ahead of this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
– INTERVIEW: Ricciardo learning lessons from a difficult season
– Yas Marina Circuit: A track record of F1 drama and innovation
– Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Circuit guide infographic
I’m sure most of the drivers are looking forward to this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The track at Yas Marina may not have really exciting corners, but it’s a smooth circuit where you can run the car low. The infrastructure around the circuit is fantastic with one of the best views of the season; the track looks good from the car and it makes for a comfortable race. Favourable weather is also guaranteed which makes it a more straightforward weekend.
Unfortunately, when you arrive at the paddock and pits at Yas Marina, you don’t have time to look at the scenery and get comfortable with the surroundings. You miss quite a lot of nice places around the world because you’re only really splitting your time between the circuit and the hotel. If you want to enjoy a certain city then you usually stay a few days before or after the race. Otherwise, it’s all business from the airport to the hotel, and the hotel to the track.
PHOTOS: Excitement building @ymcofficial! #AbuDhabiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/wqo2rFaURc
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 26, 2015
ON COURSE FOR VICTORY
Before I became a resident in Abu Dhabi, I used to come here a couple of days before the race to play golf and to enjoy the downtime. In 2011, Lewis Hamilton and I played golf the morning of the race. We teed off at 7am, had a rest after the round, and arrived at the track for the race. I think I won the golf but Lewis won the Grand Prix that year. We both won something, but Lewis got the bigger win.
As the curtain comes down on the F1 season, I think drivers’ opinions vary as to whether they are happy for the year to end. If a driver has had a bad campaign with a bad car then they are quite content to end the season. But in someone like Nico Rosberg’s case I’m sure he’d be quite happy to continue his strong run of from.
Most of the drivers will be back at the factory the week after Abu Dhabi. When I was driving I’d always go back just to finish off some simulator work and to see the team staff at the office. Then you’d have some time off, and before you know it, you’re already starting to prepare for the new season in mid-December.
CAN McLAREN CLOSE THE GAP?
With much talk about next season already, one of the teams I’m looking forward to following is McLaren. There’s lots of talk about potential improvements and I think this will only be good for the sport in order to make it more competitive at the front of the field. McLaren’s relationship with Honda has proved tetchy and they haven’t been able to exploit the best out of each other this year. Initially, I felt the strategy they took with Honda was a risky one but it could potentially work out if they go on to beat Mercedes and Ferrari in the future. It takes quite a lot of patience to get it working and get close to fighting for podium finishes.
Nowadays, it’s even harder to make progress with all the testing restrictions in place. The simulation work has replaced some of the circuit testing and it’s pretty effective in assessing the car. Not everything can be tested as well as bringing the car around the track though, and this is one of the downsides to the restrictions. To change the concept of the car in the middle of the year is difficult and that’s one of the reasons why you nearly always have to wait until the beginning of next year if the car isn’t performing during the season. In the past, you were able to redesign the whole car during the year, but now it’s more complicated and takes a lot of patience.
LAST HURRAH
I think Nico will continue his strong run in Abu Dhabi, but Lewis will be determined to remind everyone why he’s the champion. It’s not just a Grand Prix for Lewis but a chance to set his momentum for next year too. I’m sure he knows he needs this victory to finish the year on a greater high.
After Sunday, most teams will have their end-of-season party to celebrate their respective campaigns. The end-of-season party is a great chance to socialise with colleagues and friends after a long year. We had quite a few good end-of-season parties, but one that stands out for me was in Sao Paulo when Lewis won the championship in 2008. There was a Finnish rockband called Nightwish touring Brazil at the time and they attended the race that day and then came to the McLaren after-party. It was a great night, and from what I remember the Finns took control of it very nicely!
HEIKKI’S PREDICTIONS
1. Lewis Hamilton
2. Nico Rosberg
3. Valtteri Bottas
