F1 Diary: Kvyat’s test and Prost’s tweet

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  • The final line up of the season: The 2015 drivers line up before yesterday’s race.

    One of the more interesting features of Formula One is the drivers’ parade that takes place before each Sunday race.

    Grouping all the competitors in one place and getting them to chat in front of each other just a short while prior to the action is a brilliant opportunity for the fans and it often results in some fun and light banter.

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    While Lewis Hamilton sat alone at the front of the float and discussed his Christmas plans with former driver, Sky Sports’ Johnny Herbert – his break involves quality time with his family in the mountains with a “super tall Christmas tree” apparently – the rest of the lot were mingling as they lapped Yas Marina Circuit.

    As Herbert spoke to Lotus’ Romain Grosjean, 18-year-old Max Verstappen of Torro Rosso interrupted them to say the Mercedes engine on the Lotus is “really annoying”.

    “We’ve had a few battles recently and that was fun, and I won all of them so…” Grosjean fired back with a laugh.

    “We’re equal on points, so be careful,” Verstappen reminded him. “That’s a fair point,” Grosjean added, giving the young Dutchman a hug. McLaren’s Jenson Button followed that up by saying: “I just said to Max, Grosjean will have to get past me first to get to him.”

    Water under the bridge
    Vettel and Webber.

    Meanwhile, former Red Bull teammates Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber caught up in the paddock. Vettel, now a Ferrari driver, and Webber, who just won the World Endurance Championship with Porsche had a touchy relationship when they raced for the same marque but it seems it’s all water under the bridge. Webber posted a photo of them together in Abu Dhabi and captioned it: “Just sorting out a Porsche road car for him.”

    Kvyat’s narrow miss
    Elsewhere, the current Red Bull duo, Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat were given a test on how well they knew each other. Kvyat was asked to guess Ricciardo’s birthday and his answer was very close but he still landed on the wrong driver. “July 3rd?”said Kvyat. “That’s Sebastian Vettel’s birthday,” laughed Ricciardo. Oops!

    Place to be
    Kevin Hart, Ludacris and co. in Abu Dhabi.

    The Abu Dhabi paddock was swarming with dignitaries and celebrities all weekend, ranging from former kings to popular comedians.

    His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai attended yesterday’s race, with his son Sheikh Hamdan, Dubai crown prince. They were shown around by F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone and said hello to Fernando Alonso right before the action started.

    American comedian Kevin Hart and rapper/ actor Ludacris were guests of Red Bull while Spain’s former king Juan Carlos was seen with Ecclestone on Friday.

    Former drivers are always around in the paddock but my favourite sighting has got to be Alain Prost. The Frenchman takes the award for tweet of the year as he posted a photo of himself running with Dubai Marina’s famous twisted Cayan tower in the background. 

    Unmatchable wit from the French legend!

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