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The only way is up for World Champion, Sebastien Vettel, after a weekend storyline that could have been written on the nearby Ferrari rollercoaster. Having spun off the track during first practice he recovered to claim a record-equalling 14th Pole Position of the season.
At the visually stunning Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, much has been made over the weekend of Vettel matching Nigel Mansell’s record. Yet the relevance of this was harshly demonstrated shortly after the first bend as the World Champion succumbed to a puncture and early withdrawal.
To his credit, Vettel had claimed that the congratulatory note from Mansell was worth more than the accolade itself. However, to put his achievement into perspective, he has taken two additional races (18 compared to Mansell’s 16) to achieve this figure in an era when the qualifying format has changed.
The new structure does place an emphasis on achieving a single fast-lap, aided significantly by a dominant car, although it should be remembered that even Michael Schumacher in his pomp failed to match this feat.
In addition to the glamorous architecture and high-rise yachts on display, Abu Dhabi boasts additional unique features for the 19 race series. It runs in an anti-clockwise direction, changing the perspective for drivers and also runs from day, through twilight into night, bringing additional challenges to the whole team.
Never mind the track direction, the clocks could have been turned back in time with Jenson Button’s new Movember facial addition giving him the appearance of a racer from the 60s. As you closed your eyes while peering into the setting sun you could almost picture him with oily goggles draped loosely around his neck!
Vettel’s retirement from the race on the first lap allowed Hamilton to take an early lead that he failed to relinquish, despite intermittent pressure from Fernando Alonso who squeezed past Button.
As the shadows lengthened across the track, Webber was making the most of being released from the dark clouds cast by his teammate this season as he swarmed all over the back of Button’s MacLaren.
There was hope in the Ferrari garage that Alonso could nip past Hamilton in the first pit stop although, alas, this was not to be.
Webber’s challenge, and podium place, he claimed, was confined to the bin following a disastrous first tyre-change which took a full five seconds longer than those of his nearest rivals.
If proof were needed that even the most glamorous of tracks can come in for criticism, drivers and spectators have complained that there are insufficient areas for overtaking at the Yas Circuit.
The introduction of two new DRS zones this year provided numerous opportunities. Webber’s early maneuver on Button was the first, although Button quickly returned the favour later on the same lap. This proved to be a common feature of the race, best demonstrated by the battle between former Bahrain resident Sebastien Buemi and the Scottish driver racing for Force India, Paul Di Resta. Three times in succession Buemi passed Di Resta, only to see the latter reclaim his position in the second DRS zone racing out of the chicane.
With Hamilton and Alonso largely untroubled at the front, it was left to the cooling track to provide the drama as the temperatures dropped in the tyres, reducing traction and favouring the cars with greater downforce.
Having been left to battle with Massa, Webber’s car started to find additional speed, leaving the Ferrari in his dust and giving the MacLaren garage palpitations that he may catch Button. A final stop for the different compound of tyre put paid to that. Lewis Hamilton was left to cross the line first. As he stood, victorious, on the podium, his diamond earrings provided a fitting, glittering end to the race weekend.
On a day when war veterans remembered their departed friends, it was perhaps fitting that Button claimed the internal McLaren Battle of Britain, reminding Hamilton that success can be short-lived.
