The GP2 fraternity takes to the track for the final time in 2015 this weekend in Abu Dhabi, to bring down the curtain on a season dominated for the most part by ART’s Stoffel Vandoorne.
But despite taking the series title two rounds ago in Sochi, the Belgian showed no lack of determination last time out in Bahrain, taking a win and a second place in the two races to help secure the Teams’ Championship.
Vandoorne has had a stellar season, breaking the record for total podiums in the series with 25, as well as for most podiums in one season (15). Add to that the series record for pole positions, the 23-year-old couldn’t have asked for a better year.
But there may be one record that motivates him even further ahead of the final weekend. Most series wins.
Already sitting joint top with current Lotus driver Pastor Maldonado on 10, Vandoorne only has two races left to beat that record and become the most promising GP2 winner since Lewis Hamilton.
Yas Marina Circuit Track & Race Info
Length: 4.700 km (2.920 miles)
Turns: 19
Direction: Anti-clockwise
Race 1: 31 laps (start time: 18:40 local time – GMT +04)
Race 2: 22 laps (start time: 14:20 local time – GMT +04)
Rossi has all but secured second in the championship; third still up for grabs
Behind Vandoorne’s potential world record attempt, the battle for third place in the standings is red hot and will almost certainly take centre stage.
Thanks to his superb Sprint Race win in Bahrain last weekend and a fantastic turn of form of late, Mitch Evans finds himself on the cusp of a three-way dogfight with Rio Haryanto and Sergey Sirotkin in front for third. Sirotkin leads the trio on 139 points, with Haryanto a further seven behind on 132 and Evans on 120.
Having relinquished his Manor F1 seat for the final weekend, Racing Engineering’s Alexander Rossi is set to secure runner-up spot in the series if he can avoid a repeat of a nightmarish weekend in Bahrain.
The track
The Yas Marina circuit has actually thrown up some decent GP2 races in the past and with the stakes relatively high, we could be set for a cracker. The long straights which typify architect Hermann Tilke’s circuits are slightly unnecessary for these cars, but the quick opening sector and final, twisty part of the lap have a history of producing close – and often chaotic – action.
