Paddock Diary: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix day one

@DieterRencken arrives at Yas Marina from Kyalami, which is seeking a return to the F1 calendar, in time to get fresh gossip from the final race of the year.

8am Thursday, Abu Dhabi

I make a slightly late start of the day to adjust to the time zone. I arrived from South Africa at midnight, and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is a twilight race, and so the sessions start around two hours later than is typical elsewhere.

I’d been in South Africa for two reasons: a brief vacation, and visit to the Kyalami 9 Hour Intercontinental GT Challenge, which turned out to be a simply wonderful celebration of the iconic circuit’s return to the international calendar – legendary thunderstorms and all.

Obviously, I’d followed up on the chances of a grand prix at the Highveld circuit, and spoke to the circuit’s movers and some shakers. All I can say is that discussions are continuing, and that an encouraging announcement for South African fans can be expected shortly.

11am

Arrive at circuit and grab my seat in the media centre. Say what you wish about the layouts of Middle Eastern circuits, their facilities are top-class, and they really attend to our every need. Indeed, a number of traditional venues could learn a thing or two from the Bahrainis and Emiratis. Their events are, of course, well-funded – but care is not only about deep pockets, but attitude.

12 noon

Hit the interview trail, with a must-attend being Mick Schumacher’s round-table discussion after the son of seven-time champion Michael extended his Formula 2 contract with Prema for 2020.

I’m particularly keen to clear up the confusion over Mick’s superlicence situation. He ran with green lights during testing with Alfa Romeo, indicating he does not yet have a superlicence, but normal red lights when he drove for Ferrari. As he is unlikely to finish in the F2 top ten this year – the threshold for points – this has prompted queries over whether he will qualify for an F1 superlicence at the end of the year.

It turns out he because he previously amassed sufficient points in F4, F3 and – crucially – the licence is valid for three years, regardless this season’s outcome, he’s sorted should F1 come knocking in the short-term. “I’ve framed the licence, and it’s on my bedroom wall,” he tells me proudly.

I also hear from Antonio Giovinazzi, who for a while was tipped to lose his Alfa Romeo seat to Schumacher for the 2020 F1 season, but has obviously raised his game as the year has gone one and been justly rewarded with a contract extension.

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4pm

[icon2019autocoursempu]I catch up with Romain Grosjean I’d brought him a pack of South African bio ‘red’ tea, his favourite drink due to his not taking caffeinated drinks. I’ve always gotten on well with the Franco-Swiss driver.

FIA press conference, and the perennial Walter Koster of Germany’s Saarbrückner Zeitung pops with his ‘F1’s longest question’ routine – although now retired, he attends a handful of races per year, and has us in stitches with his lines, with today being no exception. The full question – which took over a minute to render – can be found in today’s round-up.

Sebastian Vettel was originally slated to be part of the line up alongside team mate Charles Leclerc. The pair, of course, had some difficulty being alongside each other in Brazil. However the chance to get Vettel’s side of the post-Interlagos fall-out is lost for the best of reasons: He and wife Hannah had their third child yesterday. Congratulations to them.

6pm

Head for the Pirelli Hot Lap area to prepare for my stint with Carlos Sainz Jnr, courtesy of McLaren. I was chauffeured by Lando Norris in Hockenheim, and am keen to compare their respective approaches in similar cars.

Due to repairs to a barrier necessitated after a shunt during an earlier track-day session for locals keen to show off their prowess, we’re restricted to two half-laps rather a single longer tour. However, if anything, I enjoy the experience more as I’m able to fully absorb exactly what makes F1 drivers so special on our second pass.

I’ve had the privilege of being driven by around ten F1 drivers, and it’s been mind-blowing every time. Carlos impressed me particularly in the way he chattily explained the car’s behaviour – even while sideways or as we passed an Aston Martin – at one stage apologising for cooking the brakes. No need for that Carlos: it proves you drove me to the limit.

As we clamber from the cockpit, acrid carbon smoke pours from the front wheels.

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8:30pm

Head for the Jumeirah Beach Resort on nearby Saadiyat Island for F1’s year-end party, and a fun-filled evening it turns out to be. Sir Jackie Stewart – one of my favourite F1 drivers – invites me to his table, which soon fills up as various luminaries such as Adrian Newey and his South African-born wife Amanda and former McLaren F1 driver (and winner) John Watson join us.

Wattie had commentated at Kyalami, and although we chatted briefly after the race, he was deadbeat after motor-mouthing for nine straight hours, so we have a proper-catch up in a relaxing environment.

A great evening – albeit with two minor regrets. Williams simultaneously hosted a get-together courtesy of sponsor Acronis and the Make-A-Wish Foundation had also extended an invitation, but my policy in the event of clashes is to accept the earliest invitation, so my apologies to both for not attending.

At midnight I return to my hotel.

2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

• 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Star Performers
• Leclerc would welcome Hamilton as Ferrari team mate
• Vettel aiming for small improvements and fewer mistakes in 2020
• Perez praises Norris’s driving after last-lap pass
• Dominant Hamilton shows F1’s new generation the way in 2019 finale

Browse all 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix articles