Pit Stop | Fascinating 2016 season is in store for Formula One fans

There are some swish cafes fronting the marina in Abu Dhabi. The gossip there, and at the paddock next door, will be about what the 2016 season will hold.

There may still be the season-ending race in the UAE before 2015 is done and dusted, but with championships decided and no double points here (thank goodness), you could be forgiven for letting your mind wander.

There’s much to speculate on, most of which won’t be decided any time soon.

One thing we do know is that there will be a new team on the grid next year: the American Haas F1 team is well prepared for its debut. Ferrari will provide the engines and mechanical components with the Americans sorting the bodywork and chassis.

Romain Grosjean is on board, a man with enough potential to interest Ferrari down the line. It’s also likely that Ferrari’s reserve driver Esteban Guitierrez will have the other berth. They’ve taken their time, aligned themselves with one of the sport’s great teams; perhaps this will be one of the more successful entries into Formula One.

The question is whether we will lose other teams, given the continued inability of the sport to look after its smaller members. Manor will be apprehensive given they’ve just lost their team principal, sporting director and technical chief in the last month.

Abu Dhabi will be the last grand prix for John Booth, Graeme Lowden and Bob Bell at the team. It’s reported that Manor, Sauber and Force India have all asked for an advance on their championship payments for 2016. Let’s hope the powers that be come to their senses and accept we can’t loose any more teams after Caterham and Marussia folded.