Red Bull Racing has engines for 2016; fine day for Hamilton; GP3 title still in play at Abu Dhabi

Graham Caygill and agencies

 Engines for Red Bull

The good news coming from Red Bull Racing on Friday was they have an engine supplier finally confirmed for next season, ensuring the Austrian team will definitely remain in the sport. The frustrating news was team principal Christian Horner was unable to announce yet who the team would be working with. “We have an agreement in place for next year so it is great news that we will be on the grid for next year,” he said yesterday at Yas Marina Circuit. “Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond our control we cannot announce what that is.” Red Bull’s future in F1 had been thrown into doubt after they had appeared to be in danger of having no engine supply, having announced plans to end their relationship with current suppliers Renault at the end of the year, but subsequently being unable to arrange deals with Mercedes, Ferrari or Honda, leading to speculation they could remain with Renault after all.

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 Happy birthday

Formula One drivers can often be accused of being a ruthless bunch, but Sebastian Vettel made an effort to disprove that on Friday as he took time out of the second practice to celebrate his race engineer’s birthday. The four-time world champion came over the pit radio as he drove out on his first lap of second practice at Yas Marina Circuit and sang happy birthday, in Italian, to Riccardo Adami. After singing two verses, he signed off by saying “Happy birthday Riccy” before he got back to the day job of driving quickly. The German, who has won three times in Abu Dhabi, was fifth quickest in practice yesterday.

 Testing, testing

Hong Kong racer Adderley Fong will test with Sauber on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi after Formula One’s season-ending race at the Yas Marina circuit, the Swiss-based team said on Friday. Fong will aim to complete 300 kilometres to qualify for the extension of his super licence, the team said in a statement. The 25-year-old racer, whose ambition is to become China’s first F1 driver, tested for Sauber in Valencia and Abu Dhabi last year but has been a development driver for Mercedes-powered Lotus this season.​

 Fine day for Hamilton

While world champion Lewis Hamilton’s impressive pace on Friday in his Mercedes-GP promised much for his race win hopes tomorrow, the Briton did not have a perfect day. He carried a little too much speed in the pitlane during opening practice yesterday, being clocked at 86.8kph where the limit is 80kph. The transgression earned him a visit to the race stewards room where he was fined €700 (Dh2,700).

 GP3 title in play

While the Formula One drivers’ title was decided last month, one championship still up for grabs is the GP3 series. French driver Esteban Ocon boosted his hopes of taking the title as he moved to the top of the standings on Friday by taking pole position for Saturday’s first of two races this weekend. Ocon, who drives for the ART team, set a fastest time of one minute, 55.491 seconds to take pole, which earned him four bonus points. That leapfrogged him ahead of previous leader Luca Ghiotto, who could only qualify fourth, and he will take a two-point lead into the 18-lap race. Italian Kevin Ceccon was second quickest in the qualifying session, with Marvin Kirchofer third.

 Gasly on GP2 pole

Pierre Gasly will start Saturday’s GP2 support race from pole position. The Frenchman, who is yet to win a race this season and is seventh in the standings, set a time of one minute, 47.769 seconds. Stoffel Vandoorne, the Belgian, who has already won the GP2 drivers title was second quickest, with Briton Mitch Evans completing the top three.

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