Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Talking points ahead of the season ender

Heading into the final round of the 2015 Formula One season, there won’t be a title decider like last year, and thankfully the ridiculous double points system has been scrapped. There are a few duels left in the drivers and constructors standings that will end this week, and some of the top racers have nothing but pride to race for, especially the Merecedes Duo.

So, what to look forward to at the 7 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

1. Battle of Mercedes

Mercedes have sealed the constructor’s championship in Russia and Lewis wrapped up the Drivers title in Austin. Rosberg has been the driver on form, having won the last 2 races and will no doubt want to get his maiden victory at the Yas Marina circuit. Momentum is on his side as he has finally been able to consistently out-qualify and finish above his teammate. However, Lewis does have the experience of tasting victory here, having done so in 2011 and 2014.

2. Sebastian to spoil the party?

Yas Marina circuit can suit Sebastian. There are a few places the Mercedes can really pull away but the Ferrari has been able to close on them well in the corners, which will play to Ferrari’s strength here.

Vettel has won here thrice with Red Bull, and his 2010 victory sealed his maiden world title. He knows victory here and will be eyeing the opportunity to end the season with 4 wins, to cap off an incredible debut season with Ferrari. He has been the only driver that has been a threat to Mercedes throughout the season. Can he really get a win here? Maybe, as Ferraris tend to really close in on the latter stages of a race on the Silver Arrows.

3. Battle of the Finns for 4 in the Drivers

Finns, Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen are sitting 4 and 5 in the Drivers Championship with 136 and 135 points respectively. Kimi has had a good season with Ferrari following a dismal 2014 outing. Bottas, compared to 2014, was not able to perform at the same level, and will be finishing much below his 186 point haul.

The track, should be better suiting to Kimi to finish ahead of Bottas, to secure 4 in the Drivers’ Championship and ensure that the Ferrari drivers will finish 3 and 4 in 2015. It would also mean that Williams will have its drivers 5 and 6, with Massa nowhere near the Finnish drivers.

4. The Alpha Red Bull Driver

Despite hardly finishing on the podium, Red Bull have always been in the news. This time, Daniil Kvyat, as the new boy sits above his teammate Ricciardo with 94 points, to the 84 of Ricciardo (similar to how Ricciardo also, as a new boy outscored Sebastian Vettel, a 4 time world champion last year).

Its possible, that Daniil Kvyat might be considered the alpha driver for the team (which has assured they will be on the grid next year), unless Ricciardo can finish strong at Abu Dhabi and outscore his teammate by 10 points.

5. Can Verstappen finish 10 in the Drivers’ Championship?

Currently, Nico Hulkenberg sits 10 with 52 points, with Romain Grosjean and Max Verstappen sitting 11 and 12 with 49 points. The 18-year old youngster has proven what an amazing talent he is this season, and if he can race with the raw pace and aggressiveness he has shown this season, he is more than capable out finishing well in the top 10, and probably outscore the Hulk and Grosjean by more than 3 points.

6. Torro Rosso vs Lotus for 6 place

Both teams will be improving their overall constructor’s positioning in 2015. Currently, with 76 points, Lotus have a 9 point edge over Torro Rosso. However if the young talents of Torro Rosso can outscore the Lotus team by 9 points, it’s a shock but pleasant 6 finish for the Italian Team.

Lotus, given their financial woes they have experienced throughout the season, they will want to get the extra few millions from the constructors positioning, which could help them settle some of their bills, and possibly allow Renault to go ahead and acquire the team.