Well it’s been one hell of a season and just because Jenson Button clinched the Formula 1 world title in Brazil 2 weeks ago, it doesn’t mean there is nothing to play for at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

I may have predicted that Rubens Barrichello might pinch the title from Button’s Grasp a few weeks ago, but fair play to Button, he is the deserved champion this year. The Etihad Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be the first ever Formula 1 race to start in daylight and finish in the dark, with sunset due 45 minutes into the race. It’s the first ever Formula 1 race in Abu Dhabi, but it is certainly a city that deserves such attention. Along with the city of Dubai they are making the United Arab Eremites two of the fasted developing countries in the world, becoming a playground for the rich and famous.

On the Subject of wealth, this week saw the publication of the salaries of this seasons F1 drivers which saw some big shockers. Topping the list was 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen (£27.35m), despite having a poor 2008 and 2009 season. Amazingly the Ferrari driver made over 5 times more than his team mate Felipe Massa (£4.85m) who lost out on last years championship by only 1 point. Last years champion Lewis Hamilton was the second biggest earner pocketing £10.9m. New World Champion Jenson Button took home £3.05m putting him9th on the list, but more surprisingly his team mate Rubens Barrichello, the most experienced F1 driver in the championship and set to finish second this year, came near the bottom of the list with a mere £600,000.

Here is the complete list:

  1. Kimi Raikkonen £27.35m
  2. Lewis Hamilton £10.9m
  3. Fernando Alonso £9.1m
  4. Nico Rosberg £5.15m
  5. Felipe Massa £4.85m
  6. Jarno Trulli £3.95m
  7. Sebastian Vettel £3.65m
  8. Mark Webber £3.35m
  9. Jenson Button £3.05m
  10. Robert Kubica £2.75m
  11. Heikki Kovalainen £2.1m
  12. Nick Heidfeld £1.7m
  13. Timo Glock £1.2m
  14. Giancarlo Fisichella £0.9m
  15. Sébastien Buemi £0.9m
  16. Rubens Barrichello £600,000
  17. Jaime Alguersuari £300,000
  18. Vitantonio Liuzzi £0
  19. Adrian Sutil £0
  20. Romain Grosjean £0
  21. Kazuki Nakajima £0