World Champion Lewis Hamilton posted the quickest time during the opening practice session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Hamilton clocked a time of 1:43.756 in the first 90 minute session, which took place in daylight, to finish 0.141s faster than Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg. Ferrari’s Kimi Räikkönen was third quickest, albeit 0.746s behind pace setter Hamilton. Daniil Kvyat split the Ferrari drivers by going fourth, ahead of Sebastian Vettel, Nico Hülkenberg, Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Pérez. Pastor Maldonado finished ninth, in front of Williams […]

Romain Grosjean is expecting an emotional final race weekend at Lotus as he brings down the curtain on his 10-year association with the Enstone operation. Grosjean, who will switch to Haas next year, joined Renault's driver development programme prior to the 2006 season and became the outfit's test driver in 2008, graduating to a race seat mid-2009. Grosjean was not retained by the operation after Renault's exit but, having won the GP2 title, he returned to the team under its Lotus guise as a test […]

Lotus' cars will have to be scrutineered by officials in Abu Dhabi on Friday morning after the E23 Hybrids were not ready to be presented on Thursday. Scutineering typically takes place on the Thursday prior to a Grand Prix but Lotus has delayed having its cars approved fit for racing until Friday. "The Stewards have received a request from Lotus F1 Team for a waiver, under Article 24.2 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations, in respect of the scrutineering of cars 8 and 13," […]

The Formula 1 paddock has reconvened for the final time in 2015 at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, which hosts the last round of the season for the fourth time in its history. The championships have all been decided but there is still a Grand Prix victory to fight for, as well as positions further down the standings. The Yas Marina Circuit is not one of the most popular on the calendar but the off camber corners and technical final sector provides a […]

Fernando Alonso says McLaren needs to learn as much as it can during this weekend's season finale in Abu Dhabi as it bids to make progress across the winter. McLaren has endured a difficult campaign since it reunited with Honda at the start of 2015 and Alonso has emphasised that the outfit must continue to push this weekend, in spite of its disheartening position of ninth in the Constructors' standings. "The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend represents many things for us at McLaren-Honda," he explained. […]

McLaren has downplayed the issues which affected its first public day of running with Honda at the post-race test in Abu Dhabi. Test driver Stoffel Vandoorne was unable to head out on track during the morning session due to an electronics issue and his afternoon running was disrupted by a fuel/data exchange issue. Vandoorne ultimately recorded three untimed laps in the MP4-29H/1X1 but the team emphasised that this week's test is about understanding the new Honda Power Unit. "Running a modern Formula 1 car is […]

We rate the drivers for their performance at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton was left emotional after he claimed his second world title with his 11th victory of the season in Abu Dhabi. Hamilton needed to finish second to secure the crown but won the race while title rival Nico Rosberg came home 14th after an ERS issue hobbled his Mercedes. "It's very hard to soak all this up," said Hamilton. "When you're going through the race, when you're coming here this weekend, there's so much pressure from around you, you're just trying to ignore it, […]

Pastor Maldonado says he was disappointed not to finish the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as the pace in the Lotus E22 was better than he expected. Maldonado ran on the fringes of the top 10 but was forced to park by the side of the track when flames poured from the back of his car on lap 27. "That was a surprising race for me," he said. "Our race pace was actually pretty good and I was able to fight with the Ferraris as well […]

Will Stevens says he is pleased to have finished his first race in Formula 1 as he came home in 17th place for Caterham. Stevens was drafted in by the team to race upon their return to the sport following a two-race absence and he briefly battled Fernando Alonso as the pit stops played out. "We completed the objective of the day, and that was to finish the race, which is good not only for me but also for the team – we can be […]

Felipe Massa says he thought Williams had a chance at claiming victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as he finished just a couple of seconds behind newly crowned champion Lewis Hamilton. Massa leapt up to third at the start and inherited second place once Nico Rosberg's Mercedes developed an ERS problem. Massa prolonged the life of his tyres during the second stint of the race and was able to stop late for a fresh set of Options. He closed the gap to leader Hamilton […]

Daniel Ricciardo expressed his elation after he drove from the pit lane to fourth place at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Red Bull was thrown out of qualifying for a technical irregularity but the Australian surged through the field to secure 24 points for the position as he ended the year in third place in the championship. "[I'm] really happy," he said. "I think it was pretty much a faultless race from all sides, from the strategy, to myself and the pit stops, everything was […]