An impressive display of wealth in waters close to the circuit, with humongous yachts having moored up in the Marina. 

I watched a programme last night about some yachts in Monaco and the size of them is ridiculous, gyms and cinemas on some of them. 

How the other half live.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Yas Marina

“The 2015 season is nearly over and still there is no announcement from Red Bull about which engines they will have in their car. In fact, on the face of it, owner Dietrich Mateschitz has even seemed to imply in recent days that there remained doubt even over the team’s participation next year, saying he ‘cannot give a definitive answer’ and that ‘at some point even we have had enough’ of the saga.

“Somewhere along the line, though, messages are getting mixed at Red Bull, because team principal Christian Horner continues to insist that the team will be in F1 next year and it is an open secret that they will continue with Renault engines, despite the fact that the relationship between the two partners almost collapsed totally earlier this year.

“Red Bull have reverted this weekend to the previous spec Renault engine after what was called the ‘D-spec’ upgrade proved to have less power in Brazil at the last race. Daniel Ricciardo, the guinea pig in Brazil, said it was a sensible choice and observed about Renault’s hopes of being able to compete with Mercedes ”

Daniil Kvyat was the first out this morning, but has yet to complete a timed lap, one of six drivers to do so, Kvyat's Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo one of them. 

Nico Rosberg swiftly improves with a 1:44.102, Lewis Hamilton's then slots in P2 with his first timed effort, 1.8s slower than his team-mate.

It seems Hamilton is not feeling completely happy in his cockpit in the moment, having complained of his seating position feeling a bit raised.

Several other drivers have completed timed laps now, with Sergio Perez (1:45.822) the best of the rest.

Almost 15 minutes into the session and Nico Rosberg puts down the first timed lap.

An early sighter, as he clocks 1:55.130. For a comparison, the fastest lap in this session last year was 1:43.4, set by Lewis Hamilton.

Speaking of Kimi Raikkonen, he is battling it out with Valtteri Bottas to be the highest-placed Finn this season.

Raikkonen has admitted he has been "pretty average" this season, with the 2007 world champion 131 points behind team-mate Sebastian Vettel.

"Must do better" will be the words on Raikkonen's end of term report.

Interesting addition on Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari. Two lights under his car by the rear tyres. Like it. 

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Yas Marina

Image source, Getty Images

“Lewis Hamilton’s back-to-back titles with Mercedes have come about because he made the momentous decision to leave McLaren at the end of 2012. There are various theories as to why Hamilton made that call. Hamilton says he was convinced by non-executive chairman Niki Lauda and then-team boss Ross Brawn of Mercedes’ future potential; Jenson Button, Hamilton’s McLaren team-mate at the time, says it was an emotional decision made after he retired from the lead of the 2012 Singapore Grand Prix with gearbox failure. There may well be an element of truth in both of those views.

“What is certain, however, is that part of Hamilton’s decision was a desire to remove himself from the controlling - some would say suffocating - influence of McLaren boss Ron Dennis. And this week Dennis has given a good example of why. Accepting an award from the Marketing Society, Dennis expressed his dim views of Hamilton’s globetrotting celebrity lifestyle: ‘If he was at McLaren he wouldn’t be behaving the way he is because he wouldn’t be allowed to... He's shaking off some chains he didn’t want to have.’

“Dennis added: ‘I look at him with mixed emotions. It was an interesting experience for everybody and it wasn’t completely smooth and harmonious, and I don’t approve of everything he does or says. But nevertheless great athletes are great because of the sacrifices they have to make. And sometimes sacrifices are in a very formative part of their childhood - they don’t always emerge with the all the right social process or behaviour or tendencies that you like.’

“More than a few in the paddock would suggest Dennis was somewhat lacking in self-awareness in those remarks.”

Off we go then. Green light on and Daniil Kvyat leads a train of cars out onto the circuit for the final first practice of the season.

Couple of driver changes to tell you about, with Jolyon Palmer in Romain Grosjean's Lotus for FP1.

Meanwhile, Roberto Merhi is back in the Manor for the entire weekend, with Alexander Rossi racing in GP2.

Image source, Getty Images

Brilliant, bright sunshine in Abu Dhabi. Glorious day.

Up and running with live pictures and coverage on BBC Two, and on this page. Get on it.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Yas Marina

“More on the Mercedes drivers and their intra-team battle. 

"Nico Rosberg made it clear that while the results in these final races have no bearing on this year’s championship, they could well do for next year. 

"‘The rules are staying the same for next year so whatever we learn this year applies for next year,’ Rosberg said. ‘That’s not my priority - I want to win the race. But if I do well this year it can’t but help for next year so it does come into it. And over the winter the new car a lot of things change. Not a complete reset but partial.’"

Image source, Twitter

Right, (semi) serious business. 

You may or may not have noticed that dotted around the F1 section of our website have been some pieces on the stars of the season.

So far we've had the Nico Rosberg and his cap-gate cap and Sebastian Vettel, for his cheeky teasing of both Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton and his all round impressive performances as 'the best of the rest'.

We reckon you lot can do better. So who, or what, has been the star of the season for you, and why? The quirkier the better! 

Get involved via #bbcf1,, external text in on 81111 (UK only) or post your star of the season on the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Image source, Getty Images

Unlike last year, there's no world championship to be decided in Abu Dhabi, meaning it all feels a bit like the last day of school before the summer holidays. Great days. Non uniform, big telly getting wheeled into the classroom and everyone bringing in a board game (very much pre-handheld computer games here) with them.

If wonder if the F1 lot brought some into the paddock today. I reckon Kimi Raikkonen loves a bit of Twister...

Image source, Getty Images

Right then, for the final time in 2015, here is what we have coming up for Friday practice.

09:00-10:30 GMT: First practice (live on BBC Two from 08:55 and online)

13:00-14:30 GMT: Second practice (live on BBC Red Button and online)