Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Questions

Hamilton favourite to end dream season with a bang

So finally the end is nigh. 2015 is due to draw to a close at the spectacular Yas Marina track in Abu Dhabi, at the end of a fantastic season- if your name is Lewis Hamilton.

The final race of 2015 is in sharp contrast to a year ago, when Hamilton and Nico Rosberg were still fighting over the title. This year, there will be a party atmosphere. A relaxed tone to the after party.

Hamilton has 2015 sewn up a long time ago and he has gone off the boil since. Rosberg has bit back and won the last two races and started on pole in the last five. This weekend he will attempt to win three races in a row for the first time.

Rosberg will be desperate to erase the painful memories of last year, when retirement robbed him of the chance to beat Hamilton to the title. However, he has another hurdle to overcome.

Once again, the German has suffered at the hands of reliability in 2015 and has used more engines than his team-mate.

In Abu Dhabi, the effects might be felt. Rosberg’s engine is far older than Hamilton’s and in Abu Dhabi power matters.

The Englishman has the power advantage and the motivation to stop Rosberg’s winning run

Turbulent future for Mercedes?

While the feud between Rosberg and Hamilton is widely known and scrutinised at every race and public appearance they make together, there is a second, more concerning rift within the Mercedes ranks.

Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda’s relationship has been strained for some time according to reports, and it is unlikely to last much beyond 2015.

Lauda could resign as soon as the end of Sunday’s race. Wolff, who owns 30% of the team, is said to be frustrated with Lauda’s role in the engine debate.

Mercedes were said to have held talks with Red Bull over supplying them an engine- and then didn’t. The pair are believed to have fallen out. Wolff has more power than Lauda within the team and, if they can’t kiss and make up, it is not him who will fall.

Then there is the question of 2016. Will Mercedes remain as dominant as Ferrari continue to make ground. Fractions are appearing, and you sense that the Italian team are preparing an assault next year.

Can Bottas overhaul Kimi and confirm changing of the guard?

Perhaps the most intriguing battle at the final race is the finale of the bubbling battle between Finnish drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Valtteri Bottas.

The pair have collided in two of the last three races and Bottas’ improved form has seen him challenge the Ferrari driver on a consistent basis in recent weeks.

Bottas holds a slender one point lead over Raikkonen in the standings and could earn a massive coup if he manages to better his result on Sunday.

Raikkonen is in need of an injection of confidence. Salvaging this one saving grace would give him reasons to be optimistic next year.

Quiet Kvyat could trump Ricciardo

There will also be a battle at Red Bull as Daniel Ricciardo fights to hold off Daniil Kvyat. Woeful reliability has meant that Ricciardo has struggled in recent races and Kvyat has reeled him in.

On Sunday, the Russian could emerge as Red Bull’s number one driver despite a difficult season. Ricciardo will be desperate to prevent that from happening as it would put a question make against him despite his recent problems.

There is no love lost between the pair, so some wheel to wheel action is very likely!

✅ Check out more posts with related topics: