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First onboard images of the new layout of the Yas Marina Circuit

2 December 2021 at 07:14
Last update 2 December 2021 at 09:21
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  • GPblog.com

The first onboard pictures of a lap around the renewed Yas Marina Circuit clearly show the changes. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be a lot faster, but mainly to the advantage of the high powered cars.

Abu Dhabi has been on the Formula 1 calendar since 2009 and has often been the final venue of the season. This will also be the case in 2021, although the circuit has been slightly modified. In recent years there have been many complaints about the impossibility of overtaking in Abu Dhabi, and the team wants to improve this situation.

Overtaking in Abu Dhabi

The images show that the technical first sector is now much faster. Some bends have been removed to allow a faster approach to the first long straight. This should make following the straight easier, allowing overtaking on the straight. After the first straight the biggest overtaking opportunity seems to be.

But then you have to take into account that you have to defend on the second straight. There is another long straight, but the slow, narrow chicane which normally follows this one, is replaced by a wide one. More lines are possible here, but the question is if the speed in F1 isn't too high to really outbrake someone here.