THE MAIN EVENT

Perhaps the high-water mark of the Bernie Ecclestone era’s eastward expansion, the Yas Marina circuit is nothing if not grand in scope and ambition. A bespoke construction on reclaimed land, and designed from a clean sheet of paper by F1’s architect of choice, Hermann Tilke, the home of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix would be an impressive enough facility even if it wasn’t located next to a vast Ferrari theme park whose Rosso Corsa roof is visible from space.

Yas Marina has hosted the season finale six times since it first appeared on the schedule in 2009. No doubt the powers that be keep their fingers crossed in the preceding months that the championship comes down to the wire, and that nerves jangle to make an epic day-into-night race.

The track is characterised by three distinct sections: the first sequence of corners is quick, followed by two long straights punctuated by heavy braking zones and chicanes. The final part, which passes underneath the Yas Viceroy Hotel, is a technical section that demands good traction.