Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island
A scenario from a thousand and one nights, with a race that starts in sunlight and runs through the Arab night, a setting that is a real scene stealer. The race can consist of a long train of cars unable to overtake on the 5.554 kilometre track, unless the drivers are prepared to take a risk at turn 7. With the arrival of DRS on the Formula 1 scene, the show improved. The first sector is home to the fast corners, then come some very heavy braking zones before the chicane at turn 5 and a final sector where high downforce is required and the drivers need to be very precise, because it’s easy to run wide off the racing line. In Abu Dhabi, one also has to manage the fact that track temperature gradually drops over the course of the race. This has to be kept in mind when it comes to set-up, so the car can deal with the reduction in track temperature.
So far this has been an unlucky track for Scuderia Ferrari, which has never won here: the best results are a couple of second places for Fernando Alonso in 2011 and 2012. Sebastian Vettel finished third last season, while Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen also completed the podium in 2015, behind the two Mercedes drivers. The Maranello team will therefore be looking to score a first win at the Yas Marina Circuit, regardless of the situation from the Driver Standings and the Constructor Standings.
The long straight (after turn 7)
It’s very difficult to overtake here. There are two DRS activation zones, but only one is a real passing opportunity: after turn 7 comes the very long straight where overtaking is relatively easy.
Pit lane exit
It’s been nicknamed the exit to the shopping centre. It consists of an underpass with a corner in it that runs under the track. Drivers brush the wall every time. Beware of a lapse of concentration, as disaster is just around the corner.
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