Five themes to watch for in Abu Dhabi

Unbeatable Vettel?

This is the third Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. In the previous two races, Sebastian Vettel has won on both occasions and led 79 out of 110 laps. He starts Sunday evening's race from pole position at the venue where he became Formula 1's youngest world champion.

Given that track record, you wouldn't bet against him, right? Well, perhaps not, but the McLaren drivers are upbeat about their machine's race pace, giving reason to expect Vettel to have a real fight on his hands if he wants to bag a 12th victory of the season.

He had to push hard in qualifying to pip Lewis Hamilton by a couple of tenths, with Jenson Button only nine thousandths further behind, and if they both stay close in the race it could create some strategic uncertainty in Red Bull circles if there are two cars to cover. He's certainly favourite, but not by much.

A Hamilton revival

Hamilton has been in fine form in Abu Dhabi © sutton-images.com

Despite yet another clash with Felipe Massa last time out in India, things seem to be coming together for the 2008 world champion.

A close contender for pole position, he remains the most likely challenger to Vettel in Sunday's race.

While a strong second would be a boost, a third victory of 2011 could be massively significant for Hamilton, who said on Thursday that finishing the year with a double victory would play a big part in turning his disappointing campaign into a more satisfactory one. Provided, of course, he and Ferrari number six keep out of each other's way.

Overtaking hopes

Overtaking will not be easy in the race © sutton-images.com

The Yas Marina circuit has not produced classic racing over the past two years, but two DRS zones and Pirelli tyres guarantee that this year's event won't be a universal one-stopper.

Drivers are yet to be convinced whether overtaking will be a common sight in Sunday's race, but the FIA's decision to extend the DRS zone on the long run down to Turn 8 by 75 metres will certainly help matters. But as seen in India, passing is difficult if the field is well-sorted on speed order, and a lot will depend on how many pitstops the teams make.

Estimates vary between one and three, so most likely the majority will opt for two. That's going to make ensuring the best possible track position at the end of the first lap vital.

The battle for sixth (or even fifth)

The battle for sixth is heating up © sutton-images.com

Force India holds sixth in the Constructors' World Championship with an advantage of 10 points over Toro Rosso and Sauber. It also has two cars in the top 10 on the grid. Chances are, a decent points haul for the Silverstone-based squad will guarantee it the position, but it could be a tricky race for the team.

While its cars start ahead, Sergio Perez lines up 11th for Sauber and could well pull off an effective one-stop strategy. Behind him, in 13th and 15th, the Toro Rossos are usually quicker in race conditions and have good straightline speed to rely on. There's an extra incentive for Force India, too, as fifth place in the standings, and a further hike in prize money, is not out of the question.

A 20-point deficit to Renault when you're fighting over scraps from the leading teams is difficult to overturn in two races, but it's not completely out of the question if some frontrunners hit trouble.

Dark day for Williams

Williams is enduring a tough weekend © sutton-images.com

Pastor Maldonado expected to line up on the back row of the grid for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after bolting in an allocation-busting ninth engine of the season this weekend.

But Rubens Barrichello would at least have been expected to be in the midfield. But he would have reckoned without engine problems that effectively ruined two free practice sessions and qualifying for him.

The Brazilian, potentially starting the penultimate grand prix of his illustrious career, deserves better, and it will be fascinating to see how he and Maldonado progress. It's hard to see either car making the points without a tremendous slice (or two) or luck, but expect the pair to create some excitement in the early stages while clearing the slower cars and perhaps an unusual strategy or two.