(Bernard Asset DPPI for Renault Sport F1)
Infiniti Red Bull Racing head to the final Grand Prix of the season in Abu Dhabi next weekend where the curtain will fall on what has been an absolutely fantastic era in the teams short history as it will reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel's final race for the Milton Keynes bases outfit. Vettel made the step up to Red Bull Racing from their junior team Toro Rosso in 2009 to replace David Coulthard who retired at the end of the 2008 season.
Vettel scored his first of many victories for the team in his third race with the team when he lead home team mate Mark Webber to score the teams first ever 1-2 finish.
The 2010 Formula One season was a breakthrough season for the German as he scored five wins on his way to his first of four drivers championships with the team completing dominating the sport from 2010 - 2013.
Vettel has scored 38 victories during his time with Infiniti Red Bull Racing including at last seasons Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The German endured an extremely difficult season in 2014 and was comprehensively beaten by team mate Daniel Ricciardo who is currently in third place in the championship while Vettel is currently in fourth place.
His decision to leave Red Bull was because he was looking for a new challenge and had nothing to do with the team struggling this season. Speaking in the build up to next weekend's race in Abu Dhabi Vettel said:
'I personally have very special memories of the Abu Dhabi circuit and race; it was here in 2010 that I became World Champion for the first time in my favourite F1 car, the RB6. That was a weekend I will never forget and this year the race will mark another big moment in my career; my last race with Infiniti Red Bull Racing. Of course it will be an emotional weekend as we have great memories together, but I’ll enjoy the weekend with the team and with a bit of luck maybe we’ll get a final podium.
The circuit itself is impressive. The five star Yas Marina Hotel spans the marina and across the track and is a spectacular landmark. One of the challenges of the track can be turn one which is very difficult to see and very fast. Also, turn 10, after the long straight which we take in first or second gear depending on the gear ratios, can be a good overtaking opportunity.
I will arrive a bit earlier for the weekend as we have a show run with Infiniti in Dubai on Wednesday, which gives me a bit longer to enjoy the sunshine and warmth before we go back to winter in Europe!'
Daniel Ricciardo heads into the final race of the season following an extremely successful first season with Infiniti Red Bull Racing having won three Grand Prix in Canada, Hungary and Belgium. The Australian has scored eight podium finishes.
When he was announced as Sebastian Vettel's team mate it was not expected that he would come out on top in the inter team battle with Vettel especially as the German went into the 2014 season off the back of four world championship titles but Ricciardo proved all the skeptics completely wrong.
Speaking ahead of the final race in Abu Dhabi next weekend Ricciardo commented:
'Like many modern circuits it’s obvious that a lot of thought has gone into making the Yas Marina Circuit as safe as it possibly can be. Of course that’s absolutely the right thing to do but the consequence is that there’s lots of run-off. It’s the way it’s got to be but you never feel like you’re putting the car on the line.
However Yas still manages to get the adrenaline going. I really like the third sector, around and under the hotel. It’s got a bit more of a street circuit vibe and it’s good fun. Plus there’s the whole twilight racing thing. That’s a great idea; it seems to give the whole place a really good atmosphere and is quite different to anywhere else.'
© Ben Johnston 2014
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