The Abu Dhabi GP preview

Last year the only disappointment for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix organisers was that their sell-out inaugural Formula 1 race turned out not to be a title decider for Jenson Button wrapped it up with a race to spare.

This time, they get the denouement they wanted, as Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton's chase of the crown will be settled amid the evocative sunset backdrop of Yas Marina's innovative day-into-night race.

While the demands of the track did not quite live up to its billing, with the fast sections not as spine-tingling as the drivers had hoped and the pitlane underpass more a curiosity than a challenge, it did produce good racing - with a very long backstraight for lining up passing, and subsequent complexes allowing the overtaken drivers to fight back.

The facilities also received lavish praise, and in this respect Yas Marina was certainly unique - with the futuristic light displays from the hotel that straddles the track the most notable attraction.

It won't offer the potential weather shocks of Brazil, but it will provide a suitably grand stage for the final head-to-head in this epic title chase.

Although Red Bull arrives as favourite for victory at least based on recent form, Alonso has a slight points cushion behind him, and can rely on team-mate Felipe Massa's support - while Lewis Hamilton has Jenson Button as a willing wingman at McLaren, but will need more than team orders to overcome his title odds.

Behind the title contenders, most of the other positions are settled, with Mercedes and Renault enconsced as the next best teams both in the standings and likely race form.

But there is still the battle at the pack, as Lotus hopes neither of its rival new teams sneaks an attrition-aided 11th place and denies it 10th place in the constructors' championship.

Weather

*The score is calculated by each driver's position (1st = 1 point, 24 for a DNF and 25 if not present). Lowest score wins.

From the forum

"Red Bull are going to have to get off their high horse - in reality, mechanical failures or disasters aside, the WDC goes to Webber or Alonso. If Vettel is faster than Webber, but Alonso is not as fast as Webber (as was the case this race) than Red Bull will have to wave Webber past. End of story."
Bruce

"Vettel will win the race. He is the fastest driver in the fastest car and will have the best engine in Abu Dhabi. No reason for him not to win. The real question will be deciding if he can give the championship to Webber or Alonso. I hope he will be saved from that decision or he will let Alonso have his tainted championship. Webber certainly does not deserve a sacrifice from Seb in my view."
WhiteBlue

"Suppose they're running Vettel, Webber, Alonso on the final lap and Vettel moves over to let Webber through in the final corners. But then Alonso grinds to a halt within sight of the line for some reason and ends up classified 9th or whatever. Vettel will have been denied the title. What a tough call."
wj_gibson