10 Things You Might Have Missed From The Abu Dhabi Race Weekend

Away from another Vettel victory, we look at the stories that you might have missed from this weekend...

18 May 2015

Image source: Getty Images

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend was packed with action. Not only was the F1 paddock in town, but the GP2 and GP3 support series showed up for their season finales. Here are 10 things you might have missed from the Yas Marina Circuit.

1. Kimi makes a run for it

The main stories emerging from the paddock over the weekend all seemed to centre around one man: Kimi Raikkonen. The Finn wasn't happy with the Lotus team because he hasn't been paid all year. It was so bad that he almost didn't turn up to race.

But when he did, he was excluded from qualifying after failing a floor deflection test. He then crashed out of the race on lap one. The 'Iceman' made a rather swift exit from the track before the race had even hit the half way mark.

2. Return of the donuts

After Vettel's £21,000 donuts at the Indian Grand Prix, the four-time champ was at it again. However, this time he completed his post-race victory celebration on his lap back to the pits and wasn't penalised. Team-mate Mark Webber, who finished second, also joined in on the fun.

3. Alonso lands in hospital

Fernando Alonso was taken to hospital after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. A bumpy and harsh trip across the Yas Marina Circuit kerbs and run-off area on lap 45 set off his FIA-mandated g-force alarm, which only goes off when a driver experiences 15g or more. This meant a compulsory trip to hospital for a check-up. He was later given the all clear for the next round in Austin.

4. Leimer crowned GP2 champion

Image source: GP2 Media

Fabio Leimer was crowned 2013 GP2 series champion in Abu Dhabi. A fourth place finish in race one on Saturday was enough to take the crown from Brit Sam Bird, who stalled on the front-row and finished in 10th.

5. In coming!

The Russian Time team was one car down for the GP2 season finale because of this scary crash between Tom Dillmann and Jon Lanacaster in race one. The latter bounced over the kerb on the first lap at turn six, landing, on top of the Frenchman's helmet. Fortunately he escaped with only minor injuries.

6. Kvyat crowned GP3 champion

Image source: GP3 Media

Six drivers headed to Abu Dhabi with a shot at the GP3 title, but newly-signed 2014 Toro Rosso F1 driver Daniil Kvyat was in a class of his own. He topped practice, took pole position and won race one in Vettel-esque style to take the 2013 crown.

Image source: GP3 Media

Tio Ellinas, who was an early season favourite to take the title, won the final race of the year on Sunday morning. It was close though as the top five were separated by just 1.8 seconds. Dean Stoneman, who hasn't driven a single-seater car for three years after being diagnosed with testicular cancer, finished in second place after a stunning drive. Conor Daly rounded out the podium.

7. What a save

He may have been excluded from the race after this crash with Patric Niederhauser, but this was quite a save by Carlos Sainz Junior. The Red Bull junior driver moved over on his Swiss rival during the first GP3 race of the weekend and the two touched. Sainz Jr span a full 360 degrees before recovering with only minor damage.

8. Vergne makes a new friend

My new friend Lisa, loved it! #F1 #ABUGP #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/3HvhfGlcfn— Jean-Eric Vergne (@JeanEricVergne) October 31, 2013

Despite just four days separating the Indian Grand Prix and first practice for the next round in Abu Dhabi, plenty of drivers took the opportunity to explore Yas Island and its facilities. Jean-Eric Vergne met a new friend and shared this picture on Friday.

9. Sand GP, anyone?

Sky Sports F1 filmed, quite possibly, one of its best features yet with a special Sand Grand Prix. What do you get when you mix two current F1 drivers, two ex-F1 racers, four dune buggies and a whole lot of sand? One epic feature race:

10. FOM trial new camera

After the success of the thermal imaging camera that was introduced at the Italian Grand Prix, Formula One Management went even further in Abu Dhabi by introducing a new 180 degree rotating camera.

It was fitted to Fernando Alonso's car on Friday before moving to Raikkonen's Lotus on Saturday. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see it tested out in the race after the Finn's lap one exit.