Formula One has announced that the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will look different in December with Yas Marina Circuit set for alternations, in a bid to try and improve the quality of racing.
Drivers, teams, media and fans vocally criticised Yas Marina Circuit following a poor race to climax the 2020 Abu Dhabi season, with the lack of overtaking a notable concern shared by all.
F1 and circuit organisers have since held discussions and have agreed on a series of changes around the circuit, which will be put in place ready for this year’s race across 10-12 December.
The chicane of turns five and six will be completely removed with the Turn Seven hairpin widened in order to try and create a better overtaking spot.
F1 will also remove the sharp twisty four corner section of Turns 11, 12, 13 and 14 and convert that area into one long banked turn, with the aim of increasing overtaking opportunities into the final sector.
Turns 17,18, 19 and 20 will also be tweaked in radius in order to open up the track to create a ‘faster flowing section’ of the circuit to conclude the lap, with Turn 17 set to be widened whilst Turn 20 will become ‘a full throttle corner’ in order to allow for cars to follow each other closer with minimal dirty air turbulence.
Acting CEO of Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management, Saif Al Noaimi described these changes as a step towards “… identifying ways in which we can evolve, keep our product offerings fresh and retain the support of our loyal fanbase.”
F1 Managing Director, Ross Brawn meanwhile welcomed these changes and is “fully supportive” of their aim to enhance the racing on offer for both teams and spectators.
Brawn also noted that with Abu Dhabi currently set to host this season’s finale, he believes that these changes will provide “added incentive” in terms of hype as F1 prepares to say farewell to this current hybrid era ahead of a major technical revamp in 2022.
Mercedes have dominated six of the last seven races in Abu Dhabi but it was Red Bull’s Max Verstappen who won what was now the final race on the original layout in 2020.
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