Mercedes' German driver Nico Rosberg drives at the Yas Marina circuit on November 4, 2012 in Abu Dhabi during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix. (Photo: Getty Images)

Mercedes
Nico Rosberg had some brake problems before qualifying but bounced back to take eighth as Mercedes showed a better performance than of late – and it became seventh when Vettel was penalized. Michael Schumacher had a frustrating Q2 session and could not better 14th, which became 13th. Rosberg collided with Grosjean on the first lap and dropped to the back after a pit stop. He was recovering when he had a heavy crash with Karthikeyan. Carnage ahead allowed Schumacher to move into the points and he was destined for seventh when a puncture led to a stop on under the safety car on lap 41. He finished 11th.

Force India
After a good run of making Q3 Force India has lost a little qualifying pace recently. Nico Hulkenberg was the quickest driver not to make it out of Q2 in 11th, which at least gave him a free choice of tires. Paul Di Resta wasn’t far behind in 13th, the team having changed his chassis in an attempt to resolve recent handling problems. Alas both cars were involved in a first corner incident that also involved Senna and Perez. Hulkenberg retired while Di Resta fell back with a puncture. However from last the Scot put in a good recovery drive and stopping twice he worked his way up to a solid ninth and two useful points by the flag.

Sauber
The tight corners of Abu Dhabi did not play to the strengths of the Sauber, and Sergio Perez could not better 12th. Kamui Kobayashi had handling problems all weekend, and struggling with front brake locking, he qualified a disappointed 16th. Kobayashi gained from the first lap incidents and emerged in eighth, a place ahead of his team mate. Perez got ahead on the fourth lap and was destined for some useful points until he tangled with Grosjean on lap 38. That led to a 10 second stop and go and 15th place at the flag. Kobayashi had relatively trouble-free race, and despite some KERS issues he finished a strong sixth.

Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Scuderia Toro Rosso celebrates with team mates after finishing tenth during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit. (Photo: Getty Images)

Toro Rosso
After a good run of results Toro Rosso has again slipped to the back of the midfield pack. Daniel Ricciardo at least made it out of Q2 to qualify 17th, while Jean-Eric Vergne did not and was 18th, a spin near the end of the session not helping his cause. Both drivers gained from the first lap dramas ahead, with Ricciardo emerging in 11th and Vergne a couple of places behind. The Aussie switched to a two-stop, coming in under the second safety car, and finished 10th. Vergne was still two places behind at the flag and was somewhat disappointed with his afternoon.