McLaren previews this weekends Formula One race at Circuit De Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.

#14 Fernando Alonso

"Spa is an incredible circuit that definitely deserves its reputation as a legendary place to go racing. You have to have a strong package there, in terms of performance and reliability. 

More than 70 per cent of the lap is spent at full throttle, which will be a challenge in itself, but we’ve shown over the past few races that even on the circuits that statistically should be difficult for us, we’ve worked hard and surprised ourselves with our level of performance relative to our competitors.

“It’s a long lap, with two very high-speed sections and a twistier section, so we have to find the right balance between the two to get the best car set-up. We’re seeing good correlation between the data back at base and in the car on track, so I hope we can continue our momentum and get the maximum out of the weekend. 

This circuit is always a tough challenge for car and driver but if we can pull all the elements together we can enjoy a positive weekend. It won’t be an easy race, but as always we’ll be pushing for points as hard as we can.”

#22 Jenson Button

“I love Spa! Eau Rouge is one of those fabled corners that drivers and fans always talk about – but it really is that special. The feeling of the sweep uphill through the corners is just awesome, every time. 

As well as being the longest circuit on the calendar, it also has an average speed of 230km/h (143mph) so it’s pretty quick! That means it’s pretty brutal on the cars – you’re at full throttle for almost three-quarters of the lap – so all the team and drivers will be working hard to manage all the different aspects of the car and react quickly to anything that crops up during the race.

“The important thing, as always, is reliability, and because of the nature of the Spa circuit it tends to be a race of attrition. The guys and girls back at MTC and also in Sakura are working hard to keep pushing the limits of our package, and I hope we can enjoy a smooth race from that point of view. 

I’ve always loved Spa right from the early days of my career – it still feels mega with every lap you do and never fails to put a smile on my face. It’s easily one of the best circuits on the calendar and definitely one of my favourites, so let’s see what we can do – I hope we can have a solid weekend.”

CIRCUIT STATS

2015 winner	Lewis Hamilton, 43 laps, 1:23:40.387s
2015 pole position	Lewis Hamilton, 1m47.197s
2015 fastest lap	Nico Rosberg 1m52.416s (lap 34)
Name	Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
First race	1950
Circuit length	7.004km/4.352 miles (longest of the season)
Distance to Turn One	265m 0.165 miles
Longest straight	2.015km/1.252 miles, from Turn One, La Source, to Turn Five, Les Combes
Top speed	345km/h/214mph, on the approach to Turn Five
Pitlane length	390m/0.242 miles, estimated time loss 22s
Full throttle	60 per cent
DRS zones	Two, on the approaches to Turns One and Five
Key corner	Turn 10, a double apex left-hander called Pouhon. The approach is downhill and fast – 300km/h (186mph) – and the entry is blind; the drivers need to demonstrate total commitment to be quick
Fastest corner	301km/h (187mph), Turn 18
Slowest corner	64km/h (40mph), Turn Two
Major changes for 2016	None, except for a few changes to the kerbs at Eau Rouge
Fuel consumption	2.3kg per lap, which is high
ERS demands	High. There are several long straights, along which energy deployment is vital, and only a couple of slow corners at which to harvest energy. An efficient ERS is imperative
Brake wear	Low. There are only nine braking events around the lap and plenty of long straights along which to cool the brakes
Gear changes	48 per lap /2,112 per race

CIRCUIT FACTS 

History lesson: 

Spa-Francorchamps is one of only four tracks on this year’s calendar to have featured on the inaugural world championship calendar in 1950. The original circuit was fast and long (14kms/8.7 miles); the modern iteration of the track (7kms/4.3 miles) was opened in 1983 and features many of the original corners such as La Source, Eau Rouge, Stavelot and Blanchimont.

What makes the track unique: 

The long straights and fast corners. There are plenty of both, which combine to produce one of the fastest average speeds of the year – 235km/h (146mph).  

Grip levels: 

Medium. The asphalt isn’t abrasive and, despite the number of high-speed corners, Pirelli is able to take some of its softer tyre compounds to the race.

Run-off: 

When the track re-opened in 1983, it was deemed to have acres of run-off. Other tracks have since caught up in terms of safety and Spa is now considered to have an average amount of run-off.

Watch out for…: 

Turns Three & Four, Eau Rouge. This high-speed flick up the side of a hill has featured on every iteration of Spa-Francorchamps’ challenging layout and it’s always been fast. The cars approach the corner at 300km/h (186mph) and they endure a 1.7g compression at the bottom before heading up the hill.

EVENT STATS

Start time	14:00hrs local/13:00hrs BST
Race distance	44 laps (full world championship points will be awarded after 75 per cent distance/33 laps)
Safety Car likelihood	High. Accidents at Spa-Francorchamps are usually high-speed and, as a result, there’s an 80 per cent chance of the Safety Car
When to press record	Qualifying laps at Spa-Francorchamps are spectacular because it’s a high-speed track and drivers need to be brave to extract the maximum from their cars. The 150mph (241.402km/h) average lap barrier could be broken in Q3 this year; the record currently stands at 149.924mph (241.279km/h), set by Jarno Trulli in 2009
Don’t put the kettle on	Whenever two cars exit La Source nose-to-tail because there’s likely to be an overtaking manoeuvre on the approach to Les Combes 20 seconds later. As for pitstop strategy in the race, the top seven drivers pitted twice last year. The first pitstops came between laps nine and 13, and the second stops came between laps 21 and 30
Weather conditions now	22 degrees
Race forecast	20 degrees with some sunshine. However, the Ardennes region of Belgium has notoriously changeable weather and the teams need to be prepared for all weather conditions
Tyre choices	Supersoft/Soft/Medium, the eighth time this season that this combination has been used at the race

EVENT FACTS

First Belgian Grand Prix: 

1950.

Slogan:

There is no official slogan for the Belgian Grand Prix, but it’s one of the most historic races in F1. It featured on the inaugural world championship calendar in 1950.

Belgium's F1 heritage: 

This is the 61st world championship Belgian Grand Prix and the 49th to be staged at Spa-Francorchamps. The track was first opened in 1921 and in ’25 it staged the European GP, which was won by Antonio Ascari, father of future world champion Alberto. The most successful Belgian driver in history is Jacky Ickx, who won eight grands prix and twice finished runner-up in the world championship standings.

Smallest winning margin:  

0.7s, in 1961. Ferrari dominated the weekend: Phil Hill took pole position, from team-mate Wolfgang von Trips, and the American then headed home a Ferrari 1-2-3-4 in the race, coming home just ahead of his German team-mate.

Sporting legacy:

Given the history surrounding the Belgian Grand Prix, the country has produced relatively few F1 stars. Only 24 drivers have contested grands prix, with just two victors – Jacky Ickx and Thierry Boutsen.

Did you know? 

It was at Spa, in 1997, that F1’s first Safety Car start took place.It's also the home race of McLaren-Honda’s reserve driver, Stoffel Vandoorne.

Don’t forget: 

In 1968 McLaren won its first grand prix at Spa-Francorchamps. Team founder Bruce McLaren came home 12s ahead of Pedro Rodriguez. 

Fan zone:

Jacques, aged 18, from Liege, asks: “After the three-week summer break, how challenging is it to return to business at one of the most challenging circuits in the world?”

McLaren’s answer: “Undoubtedly, Spa-Francorchamps is one of the great circuits in F1. But our preparation is the same for every race, irrespective of the challenge; the only difference for Spa is that much of the preparation work was done three weeks ago, before the factory shut-down.

#14 Fernando Alonso

“It’s time to go racing again! I’ve enjoyed the summer break, spent some time with my family in Asturias and at my kart circuit, enjoyed a break in California and managed to fit in some training too, so it’s been well spent. It’s also been a good opportunity to reflect on the first half of the year, the progress we’ve made, and channel our energy into the second half of the season. As a team, we’re getting stronger and stronger, and I’m looking forward to getting going again.

“Spa is a great challenge and the perfect venue to come to after the summer break. I feel refreshed and raring to go, and ready to take on the incredible twists and turns of this legendary track. There’s a lot to think about at this circuit: strategy, tyres, fuel, power unit management, and then there’s the weather. This is the sort of circuit that always throws up something unpredictable and there’s usually some drama during the race, so I hope we can fight hard and take advantage of any situation that comes our way.”

#22 Jenson Button

“Spa is one of those legendary classics. It fully deserves its reputation as one of the great circuits on the calendar, and it never fails to provide great racing year after year. I often stay in my motorhome next to the circuit at European races. Spa is one of those special places where the atmosphere is incredible – the fans are really passionate and flock from all over, and everyone is itching to see the F1 cars scream past them and race wheel-to-wheel after a few weeks off.

“I’m looking forward to getting back in the car. The summer break has been great – a chance to rest, recharge and spend time with friends and family. I spent most of it in the United States, but still managed to keep up with Team GB’s efforts in the Olympics – incredible! It’s been a great summer of sport and I’m hoping for more positive results as we start the second half of the season. There’s a lot to work on, but we are all pushing hard together towards the same goals, and fighting for more progress. Spa is a great place to get going again, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Eric Boullier

McLaren-Honda Racing Director

“Spa-Francorchamps is a very special race for us, for a number of reasons. It’s the venue where McLaren took its first ever grand prix win at the hands of our founder Bruce McLaren, in 1968. It’s also the home race for our reserve driver, Stoffel Vandoorne, who is sure to have a busy weekend there. Its legacy is richly deserved, a classic circuit with an impressive heritage and a track layout that’s the stuff of legends. The circuit is a huge test of both car and driver, and an incredible spectacle for the thousands of fans that travel there from all over Europe.

“The whole team has had a well-deserved break after the gruelling schedule of 12 races since the start of the season. We are now just over half way through, and ready to fight again to achieve our end-of-season goals. The midfield pack is particularly close, and each team is stronger on different circuits, so there’ll be no let-up in in how hard we push or the developments we bring to the car in our bid to continue our progress through the rest of the season and into next year.

“Together, McLaren-Honda is continuing to push hard, and everything we bring to the car – be it on the chassis or power unit side – is valuable learning for next year. We’ve enjoyed a couple of weeks away from Formula 1, but our ambition is as strong as ever, and we’re definitely ready to go racing again!”

Yusuke Hasegawa

Honda R&D Co Ltd Head of F1 Project & Executive Chief Engineer

“After a hard-earned summer break, it’s exciting to start the latter half of the season at such a magnificent track as Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. This track is as beautiful as it is challenging – probably one of the most challenging circuits on the current F1 calendar. The steep uphill of Eau Rouge to Raidillon, and the fast technical downhill to Stavelot will especially require the ultimate combination of power, car balance and driver performance.

“Though the long and power-hungry nature of Spa won’t suit us, our target for the remainder of the season is clear: to aim for championship points and take further steps forward with each race. We hope that we can continue our positive momentum that we had before the summer shutdown and look to another strong weekend in Spa.”

McLaren previews this weekend's F1 race at The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Canada.

#14 Fernando Alonso

Canada is a great circuit – very demanding and requires absolute concentration at all times. It goes from very slow-speed corners to high-speed corners really quickly, which means a lot of pressure is put on the brakes and power units. 

It’s a pretty tough circuit on the cars generally, so reliability will be the first thing we need to focus on, to make sure there are no gremlins or technical issues that could jeopardise our performance.

“Monaco was a positive result for us; to get both cars home in the points and to keep the chasing pack behind us was very satisfying, but we know there’s still a lot of work to do. 

#22 Jenson Button

We’re definitely making progress, but until we’re fighting at the front, we still need to keep pushing and constantly developing. Montreal is a completely different challenge to Monaco, so I hope we can quickly adapt our package to this circuit and maintain our recent form, but it will certainly be a tricky and unpredictable weekend.”

"Although this is one of the fastest circuits on the calendar, and very power-hungry, one of the strengths of our chassis is stability under heavy braking, so we shouldn’t be fearful of going to a circuit like this and finding ourselves on the back foot. Our development rate is steep and there’s huge work going on behind the scenes to constantly improve the performance of our whole package, so I’m excited to see how we perform in Canada, given how different the circuit’s characteristics are compared to Monaco.

“It’s no secret that I absolutely love this circuit, and it’s the scene of one of my best race wins, in 2011 – definitely up there among my favourites. It’s a real racer’s circuit: tough on cars, tough on drivers, and usually produces stunning racing, whatever the weather. Leaving the final corner unscathed after passing the ‘Wall of Champions’ always feels like an achievement – let’s hope we can achieve that 70 times on Sunday!."

CIRCUIT STATS

2015 winner	Lewis Hamilton, 70 laps, 1:31:53.145s
2015 pole position	Lewis Hamilton, 1m14.393s
2015 fastest lap	Kimi Raikkonen, 1m16.987s (lap 42)
Name	Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
First race	1978
Circuit length	4.361km/2.710 miles (only 4 circuits are shorter)
Distance to Turn One	260m/0.162 miles (longest of season: Barcelona 730m/0.454 miles)
Longest straight	1.16km/0.721 miles, on the approach to Turn
Top speed	350km/h/217mph, on the approach to Turn 13
Pitlane length	400m/0.249 miles, estimated time loss 22s
Full throttle	67 per cent
DRS zones	Two, on the approaches to Turns One and 13
Key corner	The Hairpin, Turn 10, a tight second-gear corner where entry and exit are equally important. The entry is a potential overtaking opportunity, but a clean exit is vital because the longest straight on the circuit follows, along which there is the second DRS zone
Fastest corner	260km/h (162mph), Turn Five
Slowest corner	80km/h (50mph), Turn Two
Major changes for 2016	No major changes
Fuel consumption	1.8kg per lap, making it one of the highest of the season
ERS demands	High
Brake wear	High. There are seven significant braking events around the lap, all from high speed. This is one of the toughest circuits of the year for brakes
Gear changes	56 per lap/3920 per race

CIRCUIT FACTS 

History lesson: 

The Canadian Grand Prix first became a round of the World Championship in 1967, when a 90-lap race was staged at Mosport, Ontario. It moved to its current location on the Ile Notre-Dame, Montreal, in ’78 – a race that was won by Quebecois Gilles Villeneuve. The track was re-named the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in 1982, following the death of the Ferrari star at Zolder.

What makes the track unique: 

It’s the first high-speed challenge of the 2016 campaign. The cars exceed 300km/h (186mph) on four occasions around the lap, placing an emphasis on braking, traction and top speed.

Grip levels: 

Poor. The combination of old, low-grip asphalt and low aerodynamic downforce levels make the cars more skittish than at most other tracks.

Run-off: 

Minimal. The walls are close and they cannot be moved back due to the proximity of the St Lawrence river on one side and a lake on the other. The wall on the outside of the final chicane has been coined ‘The Wall of Champions’ because five world champions have hit it over the years, those drivers being Jacques Villeneuve, Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher, Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel. 

Watch out for…: 

Turns One and Two. They are two of the slowest corners on the track, and it’s rare that the cars pass through this section unscathed on the opening lap of the race. The approach to Turn One is also the first DRS zone, so a lot of overtaking manoeuvres are attempted under braking.

EVENT STATS

Start time	14:00hrs local/19:00hrs BST
Race distance	70 laps (full world championship points will be awarded after 75 per cent distance/52 laps)
Safety Car likelihood	80 per cent. Limited run-off increases the probability of an accident and damaged cars cannot be moved easily out of the way. As a result, 12 of the last 17 Canadian GPs have been Safety Car-affected. It’s worth noting that the Canadian Grand Prix is the spiritual home of the Safety Car because it was at Mosport in 1973 that the Safety Car was first deployed in F1
When to press record	The closing laps of the race. Fuel consumption is tight for every team and brake wear can become a factor if brake cooling has been miscalculated. As a result, teams cannot relax until the chequered flag
Don’t put the kettle on	The top three drivers pitted only once last year. If that proves to be the case again this year, expect the stops to be made on or around lap 25. However, Pirelli is taking its Ultrasoft tyre compound to the race for the first time and this could spice up race strategies
Weather conditions now	22 degrees and sunny
Race forecast	20 degrees
Tyre choices	Ultrasoft/Supersoft/Soft, the same as were used in Monaco at the last race

EVENT FACTS

First Canadian Grand Prix: 

1967

Slogan

There’s no official slogan for the Canadian Grand Prix, but the words written in white paint on the start-finish line are enough to arrest the eyes of all F1 fans: “Salut Gilles”.

Canada's F1 heritage 

The race was inspired by Quebecois Gilles Villeneuve, who made his F1 debut for McLaren in 1977. He won the inaugural race at the Circuit Ile Notre-Dame in 1978, since when the track has featured on the F1 calendar every year, except in 1987 and 2009. World champions have a good record at the circuit, with 26 of the 36 races won by members of that select group. Michael Schumacher has the best record of all, having taken seven victories in Montreal.

Smallest winning margin  

0.174s, in 2000. The Ferraris of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello crossed the line side-by-side after a sensor problem slowed Schumacher in the closing laps and Barrichello was asked to hold station in second place. 

Sporting legacy

The inaugural grand prix on the Ile Notre-Dame took place two years after the Montreal Olympic Games in 1976. Forty years on, evidence of the Games is omnipresent: the rowing lake lies adjacent to the F1 paddock and one of the stadia erected for the Games is used as a car park for the race. Motorsport is well served in the area, with the circuit of Mont Tremblant, which hosted the Canadian GP in 1968 and ’70, just 120km/80 miles from Montreal.

Did you know? 

The Ile Notre Dame is a man-made island, built from stone excavated during the construction of the Montreal metro system.

Don’t forget 

McLaren has enjoyed great success in Canada, having won the Canadian Grand Prix 13 times. The team’s most recent victory was in 2011, when Jenson Button won a rain-delayed race that took 4hrs4m to complete.  

Fan zone

Leigh, aged 38, from Montreal, asks: “Why is brake wear such an issue for all the teams at this race?”

McLaren’s answer: “There are seven big braking events, from high speed to low speed, and the job of the engineers is to maximise brake performance, while trying not to compromise other areas of the car. It’s a delicate balance between cooling and aerodynamic performance, and it’s not easy to get right.”

THE DRIVERS ON: THE EVENT

#14 Fernando Alonso

“I really like spending time in Canada and going back out to North America. Although it falls within the ‘European’ season, the atmosphere does feel quite European – the people are friendly, the food is great and it’s a melting pot of different cultures. 

“There’s really strong competition emerging at the front of the grid, as teams are getting stronger and pushing their development. It’s a really tight pack in the midfield, and a different team seems to have the advantage at each circuit, so it’ll be a tough battle against our nearest rivals both in qualifying and the race. The teams need to work hard to set up the cars to meet the demands of the circuit, and a lot can happen during the course of the grand prix, so let’s see what we can do.”

#22 Jenson Button

“Canada is definitely considered a classic on the F1 calendar. It’s a fantastic city and I love going there every year. The whole city offers an incredible welcome and the buzz is like no other place – the atmosphere is definitely unique to Montreal. It’s always a mightily unpredictable race – the weather conditions, the high walls, the narrow track, the slippery surfaces – it really sorts the men from the boys.

“Although Monaco is an adopted home for me, the race weekend there is always a massive whirlwind, so heading to Canada will be a completely different feeling, and I’m looking forward to the relaxed atmosphere there. We had good reliability in Monaco, and both Fernando and I managed to keep it on the black stuff in some pretty crazy conditions, so I’m hoping the weather will throw up a few surprises and we can get stuck in on track.”

HEAR FROM THE MANAGEMENT

Eric Boullier

McLaren-Honda Racing Director

“Monaco for us was a bag of mixed fortunes. A double-points finish was an encouraging boost for the team and a reward in some way for all the hard work going on behind the scenes in Woking, Milton Keynes and Sakura – but it’s no secret that until we are back at the front, we cannot be satisfied. We had anticipated a stronger performance on the twisty, slower-speed, tricky streets of Monaco, but nevertheless we’ve learned a lot about our car and cannot be too unhappy given the incredibly difficult conditions on race day, which our two world champions coped with so well.

“And now we turn our attention to Montreal, scene of 13 victories for McLaren, and some very memorable races. Like Monaco, it’s a gem of an event and holds a justifiable reputation for creating great racing on its formidable asphalt. That’s where the similarities end, as its demands present a unique set of challenges for our engineers, mechanics and ultimately, drivers.

“On paper, this power-hungry, demanding circuit is not among those that would play to the strengths of our car, but such is our rate of development that we are aiming to continue the momentum we’ve built over the last couple of races, and firmly push for more valuable points. It won’t be easy, and reliability will be key, first and foremost, but our objective is to put on the best show we can for the incredibly enthusiastic Quebecois fans, and put our package to the test at the historic Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.”

Yusuke Hasegawa

Honda R&D Co Ltd Head of F1 Project & Executive Chief Engineer

"The Canadian Grand Prix is always exciting, with its great atmosphere, enthusiastic fans and unpredictable racing. Honda Canada has been a big supporter of this event for a very long time, so we always feel at home there.

“The lush greens and the blue waters around the circuit are beautiful, yet the track there is unforgiving, with its power-oriented nature, stop and start corners, abrasive surface and long straights.

“It’s a very different animal to Monaco, so it will be a challenging weekend for the team, but we will keep our heads down and focus on what we can do to bring out the best in our package."

McLaren previews this weekend's F1 race at The Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi, the final race of the season.

2015 ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX PREVIEW

Round 19/1927-29 November 2015

Yas Marina snapshot

Fernando Alonso “Abu Dhabi is a race I enjoy and, once again, we’ll give it everything to get the maximum result possible to end the season. The configuration of the track won’t necessarily suit our package, but everything we learn now will make us stronger in the future.” Jenson Button “The number of slow and medium-speed corners at Yas Marina means it’s quite a technical racetrack. To be quick you have to be very precise and you mustn’t overdrive the car. This will be another hard race for the team, but we’ll aim to end the year in the best possible way.” Circuit lowdown Yas Marina is one of the most advanced racetracks in the world. Constructed on a man-made island on the eastern side of Abu Dhabi, the 5.554km/3.451-mile track has three unique features: a pitlane exit that passes underneath Turn One, air-conditioned pit garages and the largest permanent lighting system in the world. The track has hosted the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since 2009, during which time the race has always been run in twilight conditions. It starts in daylight at 17:00 (local) and ends after sunset, the night skies being lit up by spotlights that are more powerful than any in a conventional stadium. The day-night nature of the race presents an interesting technical challenge for the teams because the track temperature drops by as much as 15 degrees when darkness falls. That has a big effect on the performance of the tyres, even though Pirelli takes its two softest compounds, the Soft (Prime) and the Supersoft (Option), to the race. The car balance shifts as the track cools and drivers have to improvise as the race progresses. The track is one of only four circuits on the 2015 calendar that runs in an anti-clockwise direction and it’s relatively slow, with an average speed of just 200km/h (124mph). Six of the 21 corners around the lap are taken at less than 100km/h (62mph), of which only Monaco and the Marina Bay circuit in Singapore have more, and there is only one high-speed corner: Turn Two, which is taken at 260km/h (162 mph). As with many Hermann Tilke-designed tracks, the circuit has three distinct sectors. Sector one contains the fastest corners on the lap; sector two is made up of two long straights; sector three has more of a street circuit feel, with some tight corners. As a result, car set-up is a compromise between aerodynamic grip and straight-line speed. McLaren has a good record in Abu Dhabi: it’s one of only four teams to have won the race and it has taken two pole positions around Yas Marina. Both Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button have finished on the podium on numerous occasions.

Abu Dhabi facts & stats

It's all about: the race Start time 1700 (local) / 1300 (GMT) Race distance 51 laps (full world championship points awarded after 75 per cent distance/41 laps) 2014 winner Lewis Hamilton 55 laps in 1:39m02.619 2014 pole position Nico Rosberg 1m40.480 198.988km/h (123.645mph) 2014 fastest lap Daniel Ricciardo lap 50 1m44.496 191.341km/h (118.894mph) Safety Car likelihood Low. Statistically, there’s a 40 per cent chance of a Safety Car and while there wasn’t an SC period last year, there were three in the five years prior to that Don't put the kettle on... on laps 12 or 32. Overtaking is difficult, so a lot of ground can be won and lost at the start. Once we get into the race, expect a two-stop strategy from most cars, which means pitting on or around laps 12 and 32 Weather forecast Hot – we’re in the desert after all. But this is a twilight race and temperatures drop as the race progresses It's all about: the track First race 2009 Circuit length 5.554km (3.451 miles) Run to Turn One 300m (0.186 miles) Longest straight 1,200m (0.746 miles), on the approach to Turn Eight Top speed 325km/h (202mph) on the approach to Turn Eight DRS zones Two – on the approach to Turn Eight and again on the approach to Turn 11 Key corner Turn Seven, the left-hand hairpin that precedes the longest straight on the circuit. The DRS detection zone is at corner entry, so it’s important to remain close to the car in front while also getting good traction out of the corner Pitlane length 360 metres (0.224 miles) Major changes for 2015 None It's all about: the car Fuel consumption 1.8kg per lap, which is on the medium-to-high side Full throttle 60 per cent Brake wear High. There are 13 braking events around the lap, the hardest of which is into Turn Eight, where forces peak at 5.09g Gear changes 68 per lap/3,740 per race

Did you know? The granite used to build the Yas Marina circuit was imported from Shropshire in the United Kingdom. Technical words of wisdom Tim Goss, technical director “If we – the engineers – have one specific challenge in Abu Dhabi, it’s predicting how the tyres will perform in the evening because we don’t get much opportunity to experience those conditions during free practice. “We set up the car in quite hot temperatures during the day, but qualifying and the race are at cooler temperatures during the evening, when the behaviour of the tyres is very different. The grip you get from them changes, as does the balance and the amount of degradation. “As a result of these factors, we go about setting up the car differently in Abu Dhabi. The final free practice session, for example, is not that relevant to qualifying because it takes place in the heat of the day, so we look to free practice two for qualifying simulations because it happens a bit later in the day.” Our most memorable Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: 2011 This proved to be the MP4-26’s sixth and final victory of 2011. Lewis Hamilton qualified second, but took the lead at Turn Two when pole-sitter Sebastian Vettel spun into retirement with a right-rear puncture. Lewis was untroubled for the remainder of the race, crossing the line 8.0s ahead of Fernando Alonso. Jenson Button drove a hard-fought race to third place in the sister McLaren. He qualified third, but was overtaken by Alonso on the opening lap. Thereafter, he had to fend off Mark Webber, which he did so convincingly to come home 25.0s behind team-mate Lewis.

McLaren at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Wins 1 (2011) Poles 2 (2009, 2012) Fastest laps 1 (2010)

Team talk #14 Fernando Alonso Age 34 (July 29 1981) GPs 251 Wins 32 Poles 22 Fastest laps 21 Best result in Abu Dhabi 2nd (2011, 2012)

“The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend represents many things for us at McLaren-Honda: the end of a challenging season and a significant learning curve; the opportunity to collect as much information as possible and continue our learning; and the start of the winter period where we are all focussed on working incredibly hard on next year’s package, and seeing more progress and results from our efforts throughout this year. “Yas Marina is always an exciting racetrack to drive on – it’s one of those circuits that changes its character all the way through the lap, which makes it a lot of fun for the drivers. The spectacle of a twilight race, and feeling the atmosphere change as the light fades during the sessions over the course of the weekend is pretty incredible. Abu Dhabi is a fantastic place to end the season and we are hoping to take what we can from the weekend and enjoy it as much as possible. “After a few difficult weekends, we will of course be pushing hard to finish the year on a positive note, but the whole team knows the work we have to do over the winter, and there’s huge commitment from everyone already to start seeing results. Every session this weekend will be an opportunity to learn more and take that development into next year’s car, so as usual we will continue fighting as hard as we can to the end.”

#22 Jenson Button Age 35 (January 19 1980) GPs 283 Wins 15 Poles 8 Fastest laps 8 Best result in Abu Dhabi 3rd (2009, 2010, 2011)

“It’s great to be heading back to Yas Marina, not least because of the excitement and buzz that the fans bring and the incredible setting Abu Dhabi provides for a racing venue, but also because it is the end of a long and challenging year for the whole team. Although we’ve had some difficult weekends over the past few races, the mood back at MTC is still very upbeat, and everyone is already working hard for next year. “It’s testament to the strength of our team that we continue to come out fighting every race weekend, and Abu Dhabi will be exactly the same. Yas Marina is a tricky circuit with lots of different elements coming together: sweeping faster sections, two long back straights, and a slower-speed tight, twisty infield section at the end of the lap. It makes set-up a challenge and particularly for our package it’s not well suited, but we’re hopeful of a more positive performance there than we found at Interlagos. “If we can push for some points in Abu Dhabi, it’ll definitely be a boost for the team to end the season, and will reward all the efforts from every single member of the team over the past year. We already have our heads firmly on the development push over winter, so anything positive we can take from this weekend will help us start our next chapter together with even more energy. Our motivation is as strong as ever.”

Eric Boullier Racing director, McLaren-Honda “The last race of the season always offers an incredibly unique and exciting atmosphere. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the season that has passed, enjoy the last racing weekend of the year, and turn our attention to the new chapter to come. “Yas Marina is a hugely impressive facility and a superb venue to go racing at, and its twilight backdrop is a fitting way to end the season. We’ll go there on the back of a challenging year, there’s no doubt about that, but with the determination to finish the season on a high and provide the ever-enthusiastic fans with a fantastic weekend of racing. “Although it is the last race of the season, our development has not stopped, and we are still bringing new parts and design elements to the car for the final grand prix. Our development is constant and we place huge importance on learning at every opportunity. All of our efforts this weekend will be beneficial to next year’s car, and it’s essential that we maximise the final sessions of the year, not only to end the season on a high, but to use the invaluable information we can glean from them and channel it into tangible progress over the winter period. “It’s important to thank each and every member of the McLaren-Honda team: those on the road, at the McLaren Technology Centre, in Sakura and in Milton Keynes, for their hard work, enthusiasm and dedication all year. Our energy and commitment will continue relentlessly over the winter, with our shared goal firmly in our minds: to win. Equally, thank you to our Partners, both longstanding and new, who understand our vision and the immense work going on behind the scenes to assure us of more positive results to come. “Last but certainly not least, I’d like to express huge gratitude to our loyal fans, who have demonstrated unwavering support through challenging times, and share our optimism for a successful future ahead. We look forward to an exciting weekend against the stunning scenery of Yas Marina, and the start of an exciting next phase for McLaren-Honda.”

Yasuhisa Arai Honda R&D senior managing officer - chief officer of motorsport “So much has happened since McLaren-Honda's new beginnings here in Abu Dhabi last year. We have come a long way since that first test, and although we have had a difficult and eventful season in 2015, the team is as united as ever. “The amount of changes that have gone into both the car and the power units this year with such speed has been incredible. Both Woking and Sakura have been working tirelessly throughout the year, and together with the drivers, their bond has become stronger as the season progressed. I am thankful for all their hard work, and encouraged by their enthusiasm to improve further over the winter. “Yas Marina Circuit is an entertaining event that is fitting for the final battle of the season. Our focus will be to end the season giving it our all, and to continue making improvements.”