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Pardon?

Abu Dhabi is one of the events I enjoy. Apart from all the top infrastructure and the quite brilliant twilight, the track lay-out is ace. First three corners are really good, the chicane before the hairpin is pretty fun too as you carry a lot of speed in. Then, I admit, a not so inspiring section, only to be followed by a brilliant ride along the wonderful hotel and those fantastic final two corners.

There was a practice session a little while ago. Red Bull fastest, Rosberg's Mercedes not too far behind. Couple of spins, Maldonado and Calado.

Alonso's gearbox gave up about halfway in, so he lost time.

Just saw some tv pictures from FP1 this morning. Amazing just how smoggy it is. Sure, I imagine the TV cameras tend to make it look much worse than it really is, but I surely wouldn't want to be living there

Webber: The racing hasn't been super exciting the last few years.

Is he on crack? The bad Pirelli races are still better than 90% of races from the Bridgestone era!

not to mention there were about 50 spectators there, probably less even

Poor drivers being asked what they think of the Indian F1 fans. Really struggling to make positive comments about non-existant fanbase.

Why do these reporters ask these questions?

because they are being sarcastic and can't wait to get away from that sh*thole, just like everyone else.

There's the main grandstand in FP1. Kinds looks like a winter test day.

Poor promotion and tickets to expensive for locals. To be expected really.

Add in tax and Visa issues and it's little wonder why the race won't return.

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Dan Wheldon | 1978 - 2011

It was a local Indian reporter, so just wanting quotes that talk about themselves.

They didn't let Kimi answer what he thinks of the fans, presumably because he'd be too honest.

They mentioned during Sky's coverage of FP1 that there was a great buzz around the event in 2011 & the local fans really seemed into it but that since then interest from local fans has vanished & there's no buzz about the event at all.

Attendance on Sunday is expected to be around 15,000, The 2011 race had around 95,000 (According to Force India's website).

I've seen Karun Chandhok suggest that the decline is in part down to a lack of promotion since the 1st race.

Part of the problem is caused by the massive expanse of some of these new circuits that creates the impression of emptiness even if the crowd attendance is fairly good.

But 15,000 for a Formula 1 race would be pretty poor. I read that it was 95,000 in 2011 and 65,000 in 2012. Years two & three are the hardest and it doesn't look good.

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Dan Wheldon | 1978 - 2011

Should be fun come Russia next year then, where getting a Visa is really nothing close to eating pussy.

Although it is known the fanbase there is huge, I can't help but fear that it takes place in the wrong part of the country. Then again, if the Moscow raceway is the alternative, I'm happy to give the Sochi race track a go.

The 1986 Hungarian GP was brilliant in terms of attendancy. Probably more than 15,000 people in this picture alone

I was talking to someone about that and they said it's a total nightmare already. They've never had to deal with anything like it before.

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Dan Wheldon | 1978 - 2011

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remembering Jeff Krosnoff
>>>>>> 1964 - 1996 <<<<<<

Access to the track would also play a massive part. Places like Sepang, Austin, Singapore, Interlagos, Montreal, Melbourne are in or very close to major cities and airports so you're not travelling for 2 hours just to get to the place.

Button has Sean Edwards' helmet on his helmet.

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remembering Jeff Krosnoff
>>>>>> 1964 - 1996 <<<<<<

Man I hope Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren have been working non stop on their 2014 cars

Much better than the number of points you've scored.