Abu Dhabi GP talking points: Ferrari's big chance, Robert Kubica in action and George Russell's GP2 title push


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Friday's schedule at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

GP3 qualifying, 10:15am

Formula 2, practice 11:30am

Formula 1, first practice, 1pm

GP3 qualifying session, 3.10pm

Formula 1 second practice, 5pm

Formula 2 qualifying, 7pm

Friday at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is practice day.

The Formula One drivers and teams will be on track for three hours, spread over two sessions, as they work on nailing their set up for the weekend ahead.

But there is also practice and qualifying sessions for the two support series, Formula 2 and GP3, so there is plenty to watch for.

Here is a rundown of the main things to watch for.

Ferrari's chance

Ferrari have never won in Abu Dhabi in nine previous visits. But this should be the Italian team's best chance to change that statistic.

The long straights that make up sector two of the track should suit the strong horsepower of the Ferrari power unit and Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen should be right up there at the top of the timesheets.

The two 90-minute practice sessions should give an early indication of Ferrari's pace.

Both Vettel (2009, 2010 and 2013) and Raikkonen (2012) have won in Abu Dhabi in the past, but with different teams.

Ferrari were off the pace in Brazil, compared to Mercedes and Red Bull, but they were quicker in both the United States and Mexico so this does look like a good chance for Italian delight at the track that is the home of Ferrari World.

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Read more

Explainer: When the F1 cars are on track and what to watch out for at the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

A duel in the desert: Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Al Tareq Al Ameri: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix committed to remaining as the Formula One finale

Ranked: Every Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that has been held since 2009

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Valtteri Bottas under pressure

Valtteri Bottas has not won a race since he prevailed in Abu Dhabi 12 months ago. He is unfortunate not to have done, in fairness, given he lost out in Azerbaijan due to a puncture, a safety car period cost him when he was leading in China, and he was ordered to give him the lead to Mercedes-GP teammate Lewis Hamilton in Russia.

But the Finn is in danger of being the first Mercedes driver since Michael Schumacher in 2012 to go a season without a victory.

He out-paced Hamilton at Yas Marina Circuit last year and he needs another strong display this weekend to give him some momentum for 2019.

Robert Kubica back on track in Abu Dhabi

Thursday was a special day for Robert Kubica as it was confirmed he will be returning to the F1 grid in 2019 with Williams, seven years after he almost lost part of his right arm in a horrific rally crash in Italy.

UAE race fans will get to see the Pole in action on Friday. In his current role as reserve driver he will take part in opening practice at 1pm at Yas Marina Circuit.

Kubica jokingly warned journalists on Thursday not to expect him to be charging around the track on Friday. He will be looking to help set up the Williams for race drivers Lance Stroll and Sergey Sirotkin for Sunday's 55-lap race, as well as beginning his own development ahead of the 2019 season.

George Russell's Formula 2 mission

George Russell spent Thursday looking forward to 2019. He sat in the main news conference alongside world champions Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso and impressed with his mature answers.

The Briton will race for Williams in 2019 in his rookie year and the grin on his face tells you all you need to know about how much he is loving life right now.

But, the 20 year old has other business to take care of this weekend in Abu Dhabi - namely sealing the Formula 2 title.

The support category has its practice session at 11.30am, with qualifying at 7pm.

Russell only needs 12 points going into the weekend to guarantee the title, and fourth in Saturday's feature race will achieve that.

If he takes pole in the qualifying session then he would only need sixth place to be assured of top spot.

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Results

6.30pm: Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh195,000 1,400m | Winner: ES Ajeeb, Sam Hitchcock (jockey), Ibrahim Aseel (trainer)

7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 1,400m | Winner: Al Shamkhah, Royston Ffrench, Sandeep Jadhav

7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 1,200m | Winner: Lavaspin, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

8.15pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 1,200m | Winner: Kawasir, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi

8.50pm: Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 1,600m | Winner: Cosmo Charlie, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson

9.20pm: Handicap (TB) Dh165,000 1,400m | Winner: Bochart, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 2,000m | Winner: Quartier Francais, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe

 

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

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The essentials

What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature

When: Friday until March 9

Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City

Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.

Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.

Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
 

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE v Zimbabwe A

Results
Match 1 – UAE won by 4 wickets
Match 2 – UAE won by 5 wickets
Match 3 – UAE won by 25 runs
Match 4 – UAE won by 77 runs

Fixture
Match 5, Saturday, 9.30am start, ICC Academy, Dubai

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The biog

Age: 46

Number of Children: Four

Hobby: Reading history books

Loves: Sports

MATCH INFO

Fixture: Ukraine v Portugal, Monday, 10.45pm (UAE)

TV: BeIN Sports

Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23

UAE fixtures:
Men

Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final

Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final

Premier League results

Saturday

Crystal Palace 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 2

Cardiff City 2 West Ham United 0

Huddersfield Town 0 Bournemouth 2

Leicester City 3 Fulham 1

Newcastle United 3 Everton 2

Southampton 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Manchester City 3 Watford 1

Sunday

Liverpool 4 Burnley 2

Chelsea 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1

Arsenal 2 Manchester United 0

 

Friday's schedule at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

GP3 qualifying, 10:15am

Formula 2, practice 11:30am

Formula 1, first practice, 1pm

GP3 qualifying session, 3.10pm

Formula 1 second practice, 5pm

Formula 2 qualifying, 7pm