2015 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Championship standings

Both championships are decided. Hamilton leads with 363 points, 66 ahead of Rosberg. Several minor positions in the standings remain open: Bottas holds fourth by one point over Räikkönen, with Massa six points further back still able to take the position mathematically. Kvyat and Ricciardo are ten points apart in the fight for seventh. In the Constructors’ Championship, Lotus lead Toro Rosso by nine points for sixth place; McLaren need nine or more points to overhaul Sauber for eighth.

Previous race

Rosberg won in Brazil from pole position, Hamilton second, Vettel third. Following the race, Felipe Massa was disqualified after his tyres were found to be above the permitted temperature limit; Williams chose not to appeal the decision.

Between-race developments

Renault are in negotiations for a potential takeover of the Lotus team. This is the 150th race for Force India under their current name.

Milestones

This is Force India’s 150th Grand Prix under their current name.

Tyres

Pirelli supplies the soft compound as the prime tyre and the super-soft as the option.

Practice

Hamilton is fastest in the first free practice session in clear and sunny conditions, setting a 1:43.754, more than a tenth of a second ahead of Rosberg. Räikkönen is third for Ferrari; Kvyat takes fourth. Ricciardo switches back to his older Renault power unit specification, having been unsatisfied with the updated unit at Brazil. Jolyon Palmer replaces Grosjean at Lotus but can manage only nine laps due to a water leak.

Rosberg leads the second session on Friday afternoon at 1:41.983, just over a tenth ahead of Hamilton. Pérez is third for Force India but is unable to run in the final twenty minutes due to a brake problem. Alonso finishes ninth, within one second of Rosberg’s time.

Rosberg is again fastest in the Saturday session at 1:41.856, nearly three-tenths ahead of Hamilton, who has two of his laps disrupted by traffic and also spins after clipping the kerb at turn five on a fast lap. Vettel is third, Pérez fourth. Kvyat is unable to set a timed lap after his team work to resolve an electrical problem.