Lewis Hamilton has looked unbeatable all weekend and qualified seven tenths of a second faster than P2 man Sebastian Vettel.
Vettel and team mate Mark Webber, in P3, have more fuel than Hamilton. Vettel has three extra laps, Mark has one. Still, I think Hamilton's pace is such that he will be able to build a considerable lead before his first stop.
The Brawns of Barrichello and Button will be there to scoop a podium should one of the red Bulls flounder.
Heikki Kovalainen lines up in 13th place. His Q2 lap was 1.3 seconds slower than his team mate. It will almost certainly be his last race for McLaren, and after his poor performance in the second half of the season - in contrast to a series on inspired drives by Hamilton - will make it very difficult for other teams, even new ones, to take him seriously. As one of the most impressive drivers to come out of GP2, this is a real shame.
A bad day for Ferrari too, who have brought a huge entourage with them this weekend. Kimi could do no better than 11th spot, while Fisichella lines up last. I'm told by a source close to Fisi, though, that this will not be the Italian's last race and he is being lined up to take a race seat with another team using Ferrari engines next year. Perhaps a return to Force India then, particularly if Adrian Sutil goes to McLaren.
Will Abu Dhabi have much overtaking? There was in the GP2 Asia race and none of these guys have anything to lose. In fact, many are fighting for their careers.
Nevertheless, I think it could be a bit dull at the front.
My podium prediction:
1. Hamilton
2. Vettel
3. Webber
Vettel and team mate Mark Webber, in P3, have more fuel than Hamilton. Vettel has three extra laps, Mark has one. Still, I think Hamilton's pace is such that he will be able to build a considerable lead before his first stop.
The Brawns of Barrichello and Button will be there to scoop a podium should one of the red Bulls flounder.
Heikki Kovalainen lines up in 13th place. His Q2 lap was 1.3 seconds slower than his team mate. It will almost certainly be his last race for McLaren, and after his poor performance in the second half of the season - in contrast to a series on inspired drives by Hamilton - will make it very difficult for other teams, even new ones, to take him seriously. As one of the most impressive drivers to come out of GP2, this is a real shame.
A bad day for Ferrari too, who have brought a huge entourage with them this weekend. Kimi could do no better than 11th spot, while Fisichella lines up last. I'm told by a source close to Fisi, though, that this will not be the Italian's last race and he is being lined up to take a race seat with another team using Ferrari engines next year. Perhaps a return to Force India then, particularly if Adrian Sutil goes to McLaren.
Will Abu Dhabi have much overtaking? There was in the GP2 Asia race and none of these guys have anything to lose. In fact, many are fighting for their careers.
Nevertheless, I think it could be a bit dull at the front.
My podium prediction:
1. Hamilton
2. Vettel
3. Webber