Unfamiliar territory will determine the championship
In the winter tests, at the very beginning of the year, it already seemed to be an exciting season. But who would have thought then that Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton would start the last race with the same number of points? This year’s Abu Dhabi GP will decide the championship. This Sunday we will have the first Dutch F1 world champion ever or Lewis will have a new record with his eighth title. And for the third consecutive GP we don’t know what to expect from the track.
One last surprise: a new layout
Where the F1 cars first raced in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi is actually not unfamiliar territory for the teams. However, important adjustments have been made since Verstappen dominantly took the win there last year. In the past overtaking proved to be quite difficult on this track at times. That’s why a number of tight corners have been removed before the first straight and after the second straight. The idea is that the cars can follow each other better as a result and overtaking becomes easier.
The other effect of the changes is that the track takes on a whole new character. Where the slow corners used to be an important part of the circuit, there are now mainly corners with higher speed. It remains to be seen who will benefit more from the new layout. One thing is certain: Verstappen will have to give everything to become world champion this weekend. He will also not have to make any chunks. Or yes, of course.
The new layout of the Yas Marina Circuit
⏳ #NewMoves coming very soon
About 50% of the construction works have been completed. And the New Moves of the 2021 #AbuDhabiGP are starting to come to life. 🔥🚧
take a #SneakPeek at the North and South Circuit layout changes. 👀@etihad @AdnocGroup #F1 #Formula1 @F1 pic.twitter.com/xAyubq6gXO
— Yas Marina Circuit (@ymcofficial) September 15, 2021
