Rosberg sets Abu Dhabi pace

Looks can be deceiving sometimes in sport and that was the case for Nico Rosberg on Friday at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Rosberg secured second place in the drivers’ standings with his victory at Interlagos last time out and will be eyeing his first victory at the Yas Marina Circuit this weekend.

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettl is comfortably third in the drivers’ standings behind the Mercedes duo, but fourth spot is still up for grabs, as Williams’ Valtteri Bottas sits just a point above Vettel’s team-mat Kimi Raikkonen.

While Mercedes appear untouchable on one-lap pace, there were hints that Ferrari might be able to take the fight to them in the race.

Rosberg said he was on the back foot for the weekend because he was using an engine that had a higher mileage than the one in Hamilton’s auto.

Rosberg outpaced teammate Lewis Hamilton in the evening session, but he believes the Briton was not showing his real pace. “It is clear that he still has some reserve”, he said.

“It goes without saying that we are already focusing on next year”, said spokesman Alberto Antonini, “but we are in Abu Dhabi to get the best possible result even if the title is already decided”. It was always very close before but now it’s just swinging the other way. “I feel much better prepared for this test, and after a very competitive season in GP2, I can’t wait to show how much I have developed to become a more complete driver”. “Then we determine what the scope of the fly-past is and once we have all the details we work out a flight profile and get in the Etihad Airways simulators to practice the flight”.

“It is very hard to overtake here and like the majority of the tracks it is better to be up in pole, but it doesn’t mean it is impossible to win [from second]”.

Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado was 10th for Lotus, whose participation in the event was only confirmed after F1 commercial ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone paid their expenses.

Although Horner did not elaborate on the specifics of the contract, it is expected Red Bull will now see out the final year of their deal with Renault.

The reigning three-time world champion thinks there is a lot Formula One can learn from NASCAR, especially the access it gives to the fans.