After a lackluster season finale in 2020, the bosses at Yas Marina worked hard to rework the track layout that didn’t allow current F1 cars to drive properly.
With the overhaul scheduled to begin in the summer, the venue changes will focus on three key areas of the route.
* At the hairpin bend, the chicane in front of it is removed – with the width of the track in this area, the width of the track is opened up to allow several ideal lines and potentially more overtaking opportunities.
* At the end of the second back straight, the narrow and angled complex of curves is completely removed and replaced by a fast and wide steep curve.
* Finally, in the hotel area, the surrounding corners are opened so that it becomes faster and smoother.
Saif Al Noaimi, acting CEO of Abu Dhabi F1 Promoters, said the goal of the changes is simply to improve overtaking opportunities – something that has been missing in the past.
“We listened to the spectators and fans and we listened to the teams and the drivers,” he said. “We made these modifications based on the feedback we received.
“Ultimately, our goal is to create more overtaking opportunities, closer wheel-to-wheel races and a faster, free-flowing course.”
Al Noaimi hoped that the banked turn in particular would stand out as something special as he described it as potentially “iconic”.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said the chiefs of the sport had welcomed the changes, which he hoped would help bring more entertainment to fans.
“It’s been an incredible season so far and we look forward to being on the track with the new layout that will certainly give drivers the opportunity to maximize the show,” he said.
Last year, the previous Abu Dhabi layout was criticized by team bosses and drivers after it caused little excitement in the last race.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said at the time: “The amount of messages I received during the race with the sleeping emoji was the highest I have ever received.
“I think we have to look [at it]. It is very difficult to follow the wake in Abu Dhabi. It’s a fantastic venue, the infrastructure is unique and spectacular.
“But as we saw with Alonso and Petrov [in 2010]”It’s so hard to overtake even if the car in front of you is slow.”
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