Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix Options

[Russell Sheldon]

The battle for the F1 World Championship for both driver's and constructors may have been settled in Brazil, but it certainly hasn’t detracted from the excitement in the build up to this Sunday's Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix.

Jenson, girlfriend Jessica, dad John, and friends Chris, Richie and Mike (also Jenson's physiotherapist) arrived in Dubai last Friday, and while I was expecting the worst in terms of all night partying, things have been very calm and relaxed. They had a great day on Saturday when they went out on a catamaran, sailing around Palm Island and anchoring off the Burj Al Arab to swim. Yesterday saw them strolling through Dubai Mall, the world's biggest shopping mall, and only a handful of people (all Brits!) interrupted their privacy for autographs and photo opportunities, which Jenson handled in his usual charming manner. Tonight we will have some fun with 4x4s in the desert, followed by a barbeque.

The BrawnGP advance guard also arrived in Dubai yesterday, and has spent all of today unloading the cars and equipment, flown in by Emirates directly from Sao Paulo, and setting up the garage. Ross and the rest of the team arrive late on Wednesday night.

I have been very fortunate to spend time with the team this year, celebrating both the high and the low moments, but celebrating Jenson's WDC title and Brawn's WCC title was quite the most fantastic experience imaginable.

As a memento to myself, I commissioned Dave Jones, well-known on this forum for his superb resin body shells, but perhaps less well-known as an artist of the calibre of the likes of Michael Turner, to paint a picture of Jenson's car. Amazingly, the beautiful painting was delivered in just five days!

Here's a picture of the painting:-


Jenson signing the painting:-


Myself and Jenson displaying it:-


Dave's work is simply awesome and if anyone were interested in commissioning a special painting, I wouldn't even think of recommending anyone else.

With kind regards,

Russell

[JEXY1]

Have fun Russell.

Had several invites for the weekend, but only just finished 10 days in Dubai (DWTC - Gitex) and it clashes with Wye Valley Slot Rally - so Wales it is.

Track looks fantastic - flying into Abu Dhabi airport gives a great view.

[Graham Lane]

What a fabulous memento of a fabulous year! I can't think of a better way to remember it. My compliments to Dave Jones. All the best for a fantastic weekend. Wish I could be there.

[Russell Sheldon]

Last night we headed out into the desert for some dune bashing and a barbeque:-


JB survived the dune ride quite well:-


To get to our final destination, we needed to use a more reliable mode of transport:-


JB let Jessica do the driving:-


While John's mount just wouldn't move, so we got a spare:-


We set up camp just over the next dune:-


The belly dancer gripped everyone's attention:-


Jessica and JB enjoyed the local "stuff:....:_


After dinner we headed back home:-



Kind regards,

Russell

[Russell Sheldon]

F1 cars took to Abu Dhabi's incredible new Yas Marina circuit today for the first practice, for the world's first day / night Grand Prix. The circuit, built on Yas Island, was completed in just over two years and boasts the most amazing facilities – even the pit garages are air-conditioned! Abu Dhabi has certainly raised the bar considerable in terms of layout and infrastructure.

Thanks to a new type of crash barrier being used, the grandstands, which comfortably seat 50,000 spectators, are up close to the circuit, with the run-off area at the end of the 1.2 km long main straight actually going underneath the grandstand!


The centrepiece of the circuit is the luxurious 5-star Yas Hotel, which the cars drive under before entering the Monaco-style harbour.


A view of the race control centre.


Yas Hotel at dusk, with the harbour in the foreground.


Yas Hotel at night.

Lap times were predicted to be around 1 min 44 secs, but the F1 cars were soon doing 1 min 41’s, with less than half a second separating the top 8 cars. McLaren used their KERS power boost to good effect on the long straight with Kovalainen finishing fastest, just 0.197 ahead of Hamilton.


Heikki Kovalainen


World Champion Jenson Button was third fastest, a mere 0.234 down on Kovalainen. Button gets a new gearbox tomorrow (no penalty, he hasn’t used his full allocation for the year yet) so is pretty upbeat about his prospects tomorrow for qualifying.


Rubens was doing long runs today and ended down in 8th place but should be a force to reckon with – he has his eye on taking 2nd place in the World Driver’s Championship.


Ferrari struggled today.


I can’t believe that Fisi is still struggling with the car…


Force India


It’s Fernando Alonso’s last race for Renault.


Romain Grosjean


Jaime Alguersuari

The only part of the track to draw some criticism was the controversial underground section of the pit exit – a curving tunnel that goes underneath the track -despite remaining incident-free.



Much to my delight, there was a 300 foot long 4-lane Scalextric track for the fans to try!







With kind regards,

Russell

[GRAH1]

Great pics Russell. Daves work is as ever superb and with Jensons signature makes it even more so .
For the benefit of the new forum members who arnt aware of Daves work ,Dave also is responsible for much of the art work on Airfix packaging his aircraft and battleship paintings are outstanding ,plus hes a real nice guy

[Graham Lane]

Yet another awesome and, dare I say, intimate set of photos there Russell. Many thanks. You really make us feel part of the action.

[Wingzero]

I agree Graham! It is great to see a driver living life outside of the track every now and then. A genuine smile on everyone's face...Congrats again to Jenson and team

[RecklessRacer]

thanks for the "behind the scene" tour with Brawn!

Your photos of the current F-1 cars are some of the best I've seen, I don't know if it is the angle of lighting or the lenses you're using, but you can really see the character of the different team designs in your shots .... much more so than on the TV. Well done!

[RichG]

Much to my delight, there was a 300 foot long 4-lane Scalextric track for the fans to try!

3 PB-Pro Powerbases with the S-H Power mod were taken out last week, so hopefully no power problems.


Rich

[Russell Sheldon]

In my haste to get to the circuit on Sunday, I left my camera at home.....! Anyway, here are a few pictures taken on Saturday.

A Scalextric race underway:-


A view of Ferrari World, set to be the world’s largest indoor theme park when it opens in 2010:-


The yachts in Abu Dhabi are almost twice the size of those is Monaco!:-


The Force India girls:-


John Button... next year it will be number one on the car!:-


Yes, Jackie, I know that you won the World Championship three times...:-


The FIA's Doctor Gary Hartstein prepares to go out in the medical chase car:-


Rubens' car being prepared for the last time:-


Fisi leaving the pit lane:-


Renault practice their pit stop:-


Toyota in the pits:-


Alonso dives into the pit lane tunnel:-


The start -- taken using my mobile phone camera -- Hamilton hits the KERS button...


...and dispears around Turn One...:-



With kind regards,

Russell

[Doug]

I actually missed the GP - as I was working in Paris yesterday afternoon - yes working!

The photos here make up for missing it. Thanks for posting them Russell.

A good finish to the year for the Brawn team and drivers.

[Ed.]

The photos here make up for missing it.

If you took the 'wow look at the circuit' factor away it was a boring race until the Button vs Webber scrap at the end