Formula One / Thomas Cowie / 29 October 2009 /

Despite the championships being done and dusted, there is still much to play for in Abu Dhabi from both a team and an individual perspective. This will be a weekend of eras - both beginning and ending, writes Tom Cowie.

Abu Dhabi's first GP will be BMW's last amd Kimi Raikkonen's final race for Ferrari before he vacates his seat for the incoming Fernando Alonso, who is taking part in his final race for Renault.

On a more permanent note, Sunday's race will almost certainly bring the curtain down on Giancarlo Fisichella's 14 year F1 career as he swaps racing for testing with Ferrari in 2010. Without a drive for next year and with age against him, it could also be the last race of Nick Heidfeld's F1 career.

The race will also be the last (for the time being at least) to feature refuelling, controversially re-introduced in 1994. From next season, F1 will revert back to tyre stops only, which will put a premium on drivers' ability to look after their tyres, especially when starting the race with a heavy, fuel -laden car.

Singapore gave us the first night race, Abu Dhabi provides the first day/night race. The floodlights will be switched on the entire time, however, so that the transition from day to night is as seamless as possible.

Described as the Arabian answer to Monaco, the Yas Marina circuit becomes the 7th Hermann Tilke designed track on the current calendar. Despite featuring 21 corners, the 3.4 mile lap also boasts the longest straight in F1.

In classic Tilke tradition, this 200mph straight is followed by a tight hairpin - a clumsy attempt at encouraging overtaking. In reality, the combination of driver unfamiliarity with the circuit and sand blown on to the track from the surrounding desert could see this chicane bringing a premature end to a number of drivers' Sunday afternoons.

With many driver line-ups still not confirmed for 2010, this weekend will represent a shootout for those who require a good performance to either stake a claim for a seat, or retain their current one. The fact that the track is a complete unknown only adds to the challenge.

The best thing about this race is that there will be no sandbagging from anyone. In addition to the Formula One Driver's Self Preservation Society in the midfield, the four championship protagonists can now return to driving for the thrill of it rather than playing F1 chess.

As you would expect with a brand new venue, the market is fairly open. Lewis Hamilton is favourite at [3.3] - possibly due to his penchant for driving very fast round twisting, concrete clad circuits like Monaco, and Valencia.

Although it will be of little interest to him, Sebastian Vettel could cement second place in the championship with a strong drive. His leapfrogged Barrachello with his fourth place in Brazil, and at [4.4] the German will be looking to end his best F1 season with a strong performance.

Barrachello is a man in form however, and with his seat at Brawn under threat, he will be out to impress. At [11.5], F1's perennial bridesmaid must put the disappointment of the championship behind him, and focus on securing a top drive next season, which would at least provide a moral victory for the 38-year-old.

For the 2009 World Champion, Abu Dhabi will feel like a victory parade. Whilst his manager attempts to negotiate him a champion's salary for next year, Jenson Button (8.4) will be aiming to sign off the season as he started it way back in March - with a victory. He may not have won since Turkey in June, but if this season has proved anything, it has been that you write off Jenson Button at your peril.

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