Hello fellow F1 fanatics, we have reached the finale and it’s the last F1 Newsbites for the year. Let’s get into the latest from the Abu Dhabi paddock.

 

 

F1 2019 Driver Market Update – Williams Martini Racing confirm Kubica as race driver for 2019

We start the F1 Newsbites Abu Dhabi Grand Prix edition with a bang of an announcement from Williams Martini Racing who have confirmed that Robert Kubica will be driving for the team and partnering George Russell in the 2019 FIA Formula One World Championship season.

 

Kubica impressed Williams after completing several tests in 2017, before taking up a Reserve and Development role with the team for the 2018 campaign after the squad selected Sergey Sirotkin for the race seat post the 2017 Abu Dhabi end of season tyre test. During this time, the Pole has spent plenty of time working trackside and at the factory, also having the opportunity to drive the FW41 racer at official tests and various Free Practice 1 sessions.

 

The 2017 tests confirmed Kubica’s return to driving an F1 car after suffering severe injuries in a rally accident in 2011, which temporarily put his racing career on hold.

 

Prior to his accident, Kubica scored a total 12 podiums in the sport before in 2008 claiming a maiden pole position at the Bahrain Grand Prix and victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, with the Polish driver finishing a career high of fourth in the World Driver’s Championship standings.

 

The Grand Prix winner made his debut in 2006, where he clinched a podium finish in the first three races, making him one of F1’s most promising young talents at the time.

 

The Pole has completed an extreme rehabilitation program to prepare for the upcoming campaign and is looking forward to teaming with Russell, who enters the sport as a rookie for 2019.

 

You can read the full statements from Kubica and Williams Deputy Team Principal Claire Williams at the link: https://www.williamsf1.com/racing/news/2018/11/williams-martini-racing-confirms-robert-kubica-as-race-driver-for-2019

 

How the 2019 grid is shaping up

 

Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport – Lewis Hamilton & Valtteri Bottas

Scuderia Ferrari – Sebastian Vettel & Charles Leclerc

Aston Martin Red Bull Racing – Max Verstappen & Pierre Gasly

Renault Sport F1 Team – Daniel Ricciardo & Nico Hulkenberg

Haas F1 Team – Romain Grosjean & Kevin Magnussen

Racing Point Force India F1 Team – Sergio Perez & TBC

McLaren Renault F1 Team – Carlos Sainz & Lando Norris

Scuderia Toro Rosso-Honda – Daniil Kvyat & TBC

Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team – Kimi Raikkonen & Antonio Giovinazzi

Williams Racing – George Russell & Robert Kubica

 

McLaren reveal one-off livery for Alonso’s final race

 

 

For this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, McLaren have revealed a special one-off livery for Fernando Alonso who will be driving for the team one last time.

 

To celebrate the Spaniard’s final curtain on a distinguished 18-year career in Formula 1, the Woking-based outfit opted to honour the occasion with a unique paint-design on his MCL33 racer.

 

Based on his distinctive yellow, blue and red from his helmet colours (the colours of his native Asturias in northern Spain), the livery is decorated on the engine cover, and includes a special FA intial on the top and sides of the cockpit.

 

One-off liveries in Formula 1 were relatively common in the past but have become incredibly rare.

 

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is the first time the Woking-based squad has ran a one-off livery once since 1986 when the team entered a yellow-branded car for Keke Rosberg at the Portugese Grand Prix.

 

You can read the full statement by McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown at the link: https://www.mclaren.com/formula1/team/fernando-alonso/inspired-by-fernando/

 

Ricciardo on impending Renault move “change is scary”

 

 

This weekend marks the end of an era between Daniel Ricciardo and Red Bull Racing. After 10 years with the Milton-Keynes based-outfit, a long stint, which has seen the Australian score seven victories and 29 podiums. The Abu Dhabi finale will be his 100th Grand Prix and last for Red Bull before moving onto Renault in which he describes as ‘scary’.

 

Ricciardo caused a major shakeup during the sport’s summer break when he announced he will be departing Red Bull at season’s end, having formed a aggressive partnership with team-mate Max Verstappen and joined Renault for 2019.

 

Although Ricciardo does not regret his decision leaving the Milton-Keynes squad and admits that there will be teething issues with Renault, he believes the move had to be done.

 

“I needed to listen to my heart, I needed to go it alone and make my own decision. Change is scary — it’s ****** terrifying,” explained Ricciardo. “And I know the next part of my journey won’t always be easy, but I had to take this step to try to be the best version of me. That’s all it was. It was the next step, the next leap, a new challenge.”

 

“I’m going to Renault next year, and I’m going with an open mind and a full heart. Nobody has a crystal ball, or can predict the future or the results of my decision, but nonetheless a decision was made.”

 

“But for now I want to end this year strong. It’s not going to be easy, mentally. I know that. Each lap I turn in the car will mean one lap closer to my last in a Red Bull race suit. And when I get out for the final time in Abu Dhabi.… I think I’m going to have a right good cry. Maybe a few of ’em. Then winter will come, I’ll go meet my new Renault friends, and I’ll start anew.” Ricciardo said.

 

Ricciardo reflected on his time at Red Bull Racing and paid tribute to the team ahead of his final race with the Anglo-Austrian outfit.

 

“At times, this season has been incredibly difficult. I’ve talked about rolling with the punches … but man, even I get sore after a while. I’m human,” Ricciardo continued. “But I really want you all to hear this: I hope everyone understands that Red Bull is so much more than a brand. It’s a family, it’s a statement of what’s possible. If a team can do all this; win football leagues, build the fastest cars, sign the best gamers, run air races, what are we all capable of? Red Bull just does rad s***, and I have loved being a part of it.”

 

“I feel incredibly privileged to have driven for Red Bull Racing and been part of the Red Bull family for 10 years. They gave me my break, and without Dr. Marko spotting me all those years ago, I don’t think I would have been able to make my way to F1, to my dream job. I will remember this team, these great people, this family, forever.”

 

“And that thought, right there, is when I found clarity. I’ve done so much with Red Bull.… I’ve become who I’ve always wanted to be, right by their side. And I know, I know, that I can leave having given them my everything and having received the same in return.” Ricciardo concluded.

 

Haas launches protest against Force India cars ahead of Abu Dhabi finale

 

 

Haas F1 Team have launched a protest against rivals Racing Point Force India for their cars ahead of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

 

The sport’s governing body, the FIA have required representatives from both teams to report to the stewards at the Yas Marina Circuit at 11am on Friday morning in relation to the protest.

 

No further information on the matter was given with both outfits declining to comment before the upcoming meeting.

 

Heading into the season ending Grand Prix, Haas sit a comfortable fifth in the Constructors Championship while Force India are seventh, having had their points reset for the Belgian Grand Prix when they were transformed from administration into a new entity (Racing Point Force India).

 

The two squads have been fighting over prize money on whether Force India remain eligible to receive the payment.

 

Sainz to make McLaren debut in Abu Dhabi test

 

 

Carlos Sainz described his McLaren move as a ‘dream come true’, and next week it will become a reality as the Spaniard who is leaving Renault at season’s end will be making his debut for the Woking based-squad at the post-Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Pirelli tyre test.

 

Sainz who has been on loan at Renault from Red Bull in 2018, will soon begin his new chapter at McLaren replacing his fellow Spanish compatriot Fernando Alonso who is hanging up his F1 helmet at the end of the season.

 

Sainz will get a feel for what to expect when he pilots the Renault-powered MCL33 at the Yas Marina Circuit next week, sharing duties with soon-to-be team-mate Lando Norris and although the Woking-oufit have not decided their programme yet, the Spaniard is keen to get behind the wheel.

 

“It’s great news, explained Sainz. “An important test, especially for any driver it’s important to get a head start before even this season finishes.”

 

“To say what you like, what you don’t like, what you would like to change, your seat ahead of next season, your comfort in the cockpit, the steering wheel, the controls – there are many things I think you can advance with a winter ahead. I will be able to do so on Wednesday.”

 

“I have no idea on the programme [yet]. It’s been decided to do it but we haven’t decided yet on the run plan.” Sainz said.

 

Sainz made the switch from Red Bull’s junior team Toro Rosso to Renault for the final four races last season in order to get used to his surroundings very quickly at the Enstone-based squad, having never driven for his new team before hopping into the car for FP1 at the United States Grand Prix.

 

The Spaniard took confidence from that experience and his hopeful that this post-season test and full winter testing with McLaren will help him be better prepared for the 2019 campaign.

 

“When I changed from Toro Rosso to Renault, it was a whole new world. It will be the same [at McLaren],” Sainz continued. “When I arrived here last year, I had four races to just get going with what I had.”

 

“And to be honest I was very pleased with how fast I adapted and how quickly I was on the pace straight away. But then I had to find the last tenth, the last two tenths on qualifying, and you really need to understand all those settings, all those little details that in the end help you go those two tenths faster.”

 

“That’s what I am expecting to hopefully get sorted. First learn them in the test, then go to Barcelona, keep tuning them and get them to my liking for Australia.” Sainz concluded.

 

Sainz will be looking to finish his season on a high with Renault with the Spaniard currently 12th in the Driver’s Championship and five off the top ten with fellow Spanish compatriot Fernando Alonso occupying tenth.

 

Verstappen has no regrets over Ocon shove

 

 

Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen has defended shoving Esteban Ocon after their fiery encounter at the Brazilian Grand Prix, saying this happens in all sports and could have been a lot worse.

 

The Dutchman was furious with Ocon who was a lap down in the race and attempted to unlap himself, which caused the two to collide and put Verstappen out of the lead.

 

Verstappen tracked the Frenchman down at the end of the Grand Prix and shoved him in the chest, resulting in the Dutchman receiving two days of public service from the FIA.

 

Two weeks on from the incident, the Dutchman was asked if he regretting pushing the Force India driver: “No not really because I was after an apology and I got a different response,” explained Verstappen. “We are all emotional and just at the time I lost the victory so I think from my side I was really calm. It could have been a lot worse. I think pushing in any sport, it happens. I actually saw a few days ago in football again, so from my side I thought it was quite a calm response.”

 

“What do you expect me to do, like shake his hand? Say thank you very much for being second instead of first. I think it’s quite a normal response. OK I got my two days with the FIA, which we will find out what we are going to do. But you guys don’t actually hear what’s being said at the scales, you just see me pushing but if you understand the whole conversation it’s a bit different.”

 

When asked about what Ocon said to Verstappen that fired him up he responded: “Something I didn’t expect to hear. It doesn’t matter what it was at the end of the day because it clearly p—-d me off, instead of let’s say an apology. Maybe after the race, it’s still in your body, you maybe don’t get the right answer.”

 

“We’re not robots, we have emotions and it will always be unless you put robots in the car but I don’t think we want that.” Verstappen concluded.

 

Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team preview the Abu Dhabi GP

 

 

Having made great progress throughout the year, the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team are looking to end the season on a high by adding more points to it’s tally at the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

 

The Hinwil based-outfit currently sit eighth in the Constructors Championship and is confident with the potential of it’s Ferrari-powered C37 racers at the Yas Marina Circuit.

 

One of the glamour events of the year, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is a transitional race from sunset to night and the changing conditions pose a tough challenge for the drivers and the teams with the Yas Marina Circuit featuring some highly technical characteristics.

 

The opening practice session will see Antonio Giovinazzi take the place of regular Charles Leclerc before the Monegasque driver steps back in the C37 for Free Practice 2.

 

Soon-to-be IndyCar driver Marcus Ericsson looked ahead to his final race for the team: “We are off to the last Grand Prix of the year – the last race for me in this stint in Formula One. It will be a special weekend, and I aim to finish it on a high. We have had some good results recently, and our form is strong. The car is competitive, and we will push to bring home some more points. I look forward to this season finale very much.” Ericsson concluded.

 

On the other side of the garage, Leclerc (also in his last race for the team before joining Ferrari for 2019) is keen to hit the ground running at the Yas Marina Circuit.

 

“I am looking forward to going to Abu Dhabi,” explained Leclerc. “I know the circut and enjoy driving there. It is the last race of the season, and the ambience is always great.”

 

“I also like the city very much – it is one of my favourite destinations on the calendar. The track is quite technical, and hopefully we will be as competitive as we have been in the past few races.” Leclerc concluded.

 

Ferrari look ahead to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

 

The final round of a very long 21 race calendar comes to an end Sunday night at the picturesque Yas Marina Circuit and Ferrari are hoping to end it on a high as they head into the winter break. However, the 2018 on-track action won’t be over by then due to the midweek Pirelli tyre test on Tuesday and Wednesday where the Abu Dhabi circuit will see the teams evaluate and develop the new compounds for the upcoming 2019 season.

 

At the season-closing test, Ferrari will be represented by their 2019 driver lineup in Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc.

 

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be Kimi Raikkonen’s last race in a red suit, after eight seasons with the Scuderia. The Finn will be off to Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team for the next two seasons and the Finn reflected on his time with the Maranello-squad.

 

“This is my last race with Ferrari, I’m excited and will try to have a good weekend,” explained Raikkonen. “At the moment, though, I don’t feel any different to any other end of season race. I’m leaving the team, but we have a very close relationship in many ways.”

 

“Last night the team organized a party for me, it was a really nice surprise, it was great to have all the team together. It’s so nice to see how much they all appreciate my efforts and I wanted to thank all of them. I don’t see any reason why I should be sad; we’ve had a great time together in two different periods of time, with some difficult days, but that’s all part of the game and I think it makes it even nicer. We won the Drivers’ Championship and two Constructors’ Championships together, I couldn’t ask for more; I’m glad that we managed to do that, it’s great what we achieved.”

 

“It’s going to be special memories, in the future we are all going to be friends and that’s also important. We’ve come a long way since I returned to Ferrari in 2014; we made a huge step forward and today, everything is definitively going in the right direction. Some things still need to be improved, but it’s the same with everything, the work never ends and we always try to do better”. Raikkonen concluded.

 

On the other side of the garage, Vettel looked back on the year: “Overall, I think this has been a good year, but not as good as we wanted, which is clear if you finish second in both Championships,” explained the German. “We had a season of highs and lows, so naturally you would like to finish the year on a high.”

 

“Then we’ll have to focus on how we can do our best for the next one, but first of all, I want to do well here this weekend. I hope the car will be strong and hopefully we can have a good race here in Abu Dhabi. I haven’t thought about the future yet, but the most important thing for me will be to start the new season happily.”

 

“I think we’ll need a stronger package, as sometimes this year we lacked a bit of speed, but we are working hard to make that step forward and make the difference. All the people working at Ferrari are passionate about their job and feel privileged to be part of this team!” Vettel concluded.