I'm very pleased to be getting another taste of summer and will be flying out to Abu Dhabi a few days earlier. I'm really excited about the new circuit. Everyone who's been there already has described it as an incredible place. I think it's always great to discover a new track. The circuit in Abu Dhabi has a whole series of predominantly slow and medium-speed corners, but also two very long straights. Since the track is also very wide, we can probably look forward to a lot of overtaking moves. 

I haven't found the lack of a simulator to be a disadvantage at other new circuits like Valencia and Singapore in the last season. This way it's even more exciting when you drive out of the garage for the first time. Of course, we have carried out the usual simulations like every time when there is a new racing track on the calendar. Based on the circuit data, the anticipated ideal line was plotted with the aid of a computer program while lap times were simulated in varying vehicle configurations. For the mechanical set-up, the weight distribution as well as spring and damper settings were determined, and based on the calculated speed, the gear ratios were also fixed. Taking downforce levels and track characteristics into account, the lap simulation was able to establish the extent of brake wear, and on this basis the brake materials and cooling requirements were determined.

One significant unknown is how the tyres will respond on the new asphalt. We will only discover the answer to this question during the course of the weekend. In part, the last two races were very rainy, we must not take that into account. Although the race is not scheduled to start until 5.00 pm, we can still expect the outside air temperature to be well over 30 degrees Celsius. It will be also very interesting that the race will start in daylight and finish under artificial light.

This will be a very special race for all of us in the team. So far I haven't really had that feeling of saying goodbye. But that will change in Abu Dhabi for sure, and will probably be quite intense. I very much hope that the team is given a place on the grid for 2010 soon.

Yours





 

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