This 12 months’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will happen on a brand new and improved format, after the Yas Marina Circuit introduced the observe shall be reconfigured in time for this 12 months’s race – the season finale.
The circuit, which opened in 2009 and held the primary Abu Dhabi Grand Prix the identical 12 months, will bear important alterations over the subsequent few months, particularly in three areas: the north hairpin (Flip 7), the south marina (starting at Flip 11), and the resort part (starting at Flip 17).
The redesign is meant to assist overtaking alternatives on the circuit the place Mercedes received six occasions in a row between 2014 and 2019, earlier than Max Verstappen took victory for Purple Bull ultimately 12 months’s race.
As you possibly can see within the video under, the important thing adjustments are:
- Eliminating the chicane and widening the hairpin at Flip 7
- Eradicating the 4 sharp corners at Turns 11, 12, 13 and 14 to get replaced by one lengthy banked flip
- Opening up the radius of 4 corners (Turns 17, 18, 19 and 20) to create a quicker flowing part of the observe.
Yas Marina reveal main adjustments to trace format
The observe operators say the widening of Flip 17 will enhance overtaking alternatives, whereas the adjustments to Flip 20 will create a full-throttle nook, permitting vehicles to observe nearer collectively. The tweaks on the resort part are designed to permit for nearer racing which in flip ought to result in extra overtaking alternatives.
Saif Al Noaimi, Appearing CEO, Abu Dhabi Motorsports Administration, stated: “As a venue, we’re regularly figuring out methods during which we are able to evolve, maintain our product choices contemporary and retain the assist of our loyal fanbase.
“This programme, which represents a vastly essential chapter within the Yas Marina Circuit story, will contain work being carried out in three separate sections of the observe, rising the chance for drivers to overhaul and amplifying the aggressive nature of all motorsport occasions held on the venue.
“Work will happen over the summer time, with completion anticipated nicely upfront of this 12 months’s Components 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and we stay up for showcasing our new-look observe to motorsport followers each regionally and internationally within the coming months.”
Ross Brawn, Managing Director, Motorsports at Components 1 added: “As host of the Components 1 season-finale since 2009, Yas Marina Circuit has established itself as some of the well-liked venues for motorsport followers world wide to attend.
“We’re totally supportive of the choice to make enhancements to the observe, with the intention of enhancing the general motorsport expertise throughout the board, together with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, for each opponents and spectators.
“Given its place as the ultimate race within the Components 1 season, it’s all the time a particular date on the calendar, and with this 12 months’s occasion set to be the primary on the new-look observe and the final race earlier than we enter the brand new period of F1 in 2022, there may be added incentive to stay up for the spectacle.”
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