F1: Looking back at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

With the title already decided, the entire grid will now turn their attention to finishing as high up the standings as possible. During qualifying, Webber piped Vettel to pole, with a Red Bull 1-2. Their toughest competitors, the Mercedes of Rosberg and Hamilton, sat in the second row, with another one of Red Bull’s competitors, the then one stopping Grosjean sitting in P5. As the flags dropped, the German duo got past Mark, while Hamilton struggles to get past the fast starting Lotus of Grosjean, who passed him going into the first corner. Further down the field, Kimi hit the back of Van Der Garde’s Caterham, damaging his suspension and forcing him to retire on the first lap of the race, something he has not done since the 2006 US Grand Prix. Button hit the back of Di Resta, damaging his front wing, which rather ruined his strategy. The 2009 champion started on the primes and was probably going for a longer 1st stint. With his front wing damage, he had to limp back to the pits to change the front nose cone on lap 2. The team took the opportunity to put on a set of fresh options on his MP4-28, which would aid him in getting back up the field. Meanwhile further up the field, and as tensions build, the Ferrari duo are battling hard, with Massa in P7 and Alonso in P8. No team orders issued for that very battle, and it is a battle that lasted nearly the entire race. While they were going wheel to wheel, the pit window has open for the chaps at Williams, which called Maldonado in for a fresh set of tyres on lap 5. One lap after Maldonado boxes, Mclaren decided to cover themselves and call Perez in.

OneShift Editorial Team

04 Nov 2013

While the teams and other drivers were fussed up about when to box, Grosjean piloted his E21 right up Webber’s RB9. They were tantalising close now, as Grosjean attempts to pass Webber but to no avail. Both cars pull in on lap 8, but Red Bull’s faster stop meant that Webber could stay ahead. Webber managed to get out in a bit of clear air, but Grosjean is stuck behind the Sauber of Gutierrez. This meant Webber could pull out a gap to Grosjean, who managed to pass the Sauber after 3 laps. Webber managed to catch the Force India of Sutil up, but struggled to get pass due to the way the DRS zones are located. After 3 laps of action, Webber finally dispatched Sutil, while his Red Bull teammate pits from a 30 second lead. The likes of Newey and Horner would be relieved to find that Hamilton was losing precious time stuck behind Gutierrez, while Hamilton was radio-ing his team to report Gutierrez for excessive weaving. While all that was happening, Raikkonen is seen getting into a car which he would use to get to the airport. This may be his last race of the 2013 season, with rumours that he will not attend the final 2 rounds of the season as he has not been paid.

Back to on track action. Webber passed the Toro Rosso of Vergne to take 6th. A couple of laps down the road, as a few others pit, Webber passed Rosberg for P3. As Di Resta has yet to stop, Webber is effectively in P2. Hamilton was told to push by his Mercedes team, for they were predicting a Ferrari 1 stopper for Massa. Team orders were issued at Caterham, as Pic is holding up Van Der Garde. He eventually dispatches Pic under DRS the following lap. A couple of laps passed as the Sutil train got DRS on one another. This eventually led to both Sutil and Bottas going off the train, with many perceiving that Sutil actually gained an advantage off the track. Perez managed to get pass Bottas, but Sutil was ahead. Sutil was given no penalty.

Lap 32 and the Red Bulls sit in P1 and P2. Hard charging Rosberg was 3 seconds behind Webber, although Webber has been opening the gap up to Rosberg. Rosberg stopped on lap 33 for his final box, and Webber did the same. This allowed Grosjean to pass them both. However, Grosjean soon struggled for grip with his scrubbed tyres and boxed for a fresh set a few laps later. He comes out in front of the Ferrari duo, who are still battling hard.

Ferrari eventually pulls Massa in for a fresh set of tyres- weird as there is little sign of the tyres going away. Still, this allows Massa to have a fresh set of boots to rely on towards the end. Alonso stays out.

Hamilton passed Vergne on Lap 44 and was charging to close the gap to Di Resta as Alonso boxes for fresh rubber. He charges out of the pits and narrowly avoids Vergne. His car was airbourne for a brief moment as he swerves to avoid the Toro Rosso. A couple of laps down the road and Hamilton has been consistently reeling in Di Resta. Alonso was reeling Hamilton in as well. Romain was setting fastest laps in P4 as he tries in vain to close the gap to Rosberg. Hamilton eventually catches up with Di Resta and is now stuck behind his countryman. Vettel sets the fastest lap of the race, and at this point, the top 4 will finish where they are if none of their cars break. Vettel crosses the line in P1, with Webber and Rosberg filling up the podium. Vettel celebrates by doing a few donuts, but avoids penalties as he is doing in within the regulations.

Results:
1.Vettel 2.Webber 3.Rosberg 4. Grosjean 5. Alonso 6. Di Resta 7.Hamilton 8.Massa 9.Perez 10. Sutil
11.Maldonado 12.Button 13.Gutierrez 14.Hulkenberg 15.Bottas 16.Ricciardo 17.Vergne 18.van der Garde 19.Pic 20.Bianchi 21. Chilton RET Raikkonen

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