Music on the beach kicks off F1 festivities

ABU DHABI // The Formula One roadshow descended in force on Abu Dhabi yesterday as preparations continue for what promises to be a thrilling climax to the 2010 grand prix season at the Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday.

Five Boeing 747 cargo planes arrived from Brazil, where the last race was held, carrying cars and equipment while Lewis Hamilton, the McLaren-Mercedes driver, was at the Shangri-La hotel for a Bridgestone promotion event.

Hamilton is vying for the title with Mark Webber, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, and all four have a chance in the final race of a turbulent season.

They will have to fully overcome the effects of the 12,000km flight from Sao Paulo if they are to successfully navigate their cars at speeds of 300kph around the Yas Marina Circuit.

"We are all pushing ourselves to the limit," Vettel, the Red Bull-Renault driver, said.

Johnny Herbert, The National's columnist and former F1 driver, is backing Webber, the Australian, to win the title. "Webber has made the fewest mistakes and he has been the most consistent. I think he deserves to take the title and I expect to see him celebrating his first world crown on Sunday."

newsdesk@thenational.ae

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