The ultimate spherical is drawing ever nearer; Spherical 24 of the System 1 World Championship will conclude on the Yas Marina Circuit to host the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The final leg of the journey was travelling east from Qatar and crossing into the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the capital metropolis of Abu Dhabi. Traversing the northern a part of the capital as much as Yas Island is the enduring Ferrari World theme park, and just some yards south is the enduring Yas Marina Circuit.
So get yourselves prepared. The ultimate race will showcase a duel—not simply any duel, a duel between two of System 1’s most prestigious groups, McLaren and Ferrari.
Historical past of the Yas Marina Circuit
Introduced within the 2009 System 1 World Championship, the Yas Marina Circuit turned the season’s last race. Nonetheless, the thought of the circuit constructed on Yas Island was into consideration in 2006—a creation with the imaginative and prescient of a vibrant vacationer hotspot with a world-class racetrack.
By Could 2007, building crews started shaping the longer term Yas Marina Circuit. After two years of intense work involving 14,000 staff and 35 million man-hours, the observe was full in time for its grand debut in October 2009.
Your entire grandstand space, together with the intensive hairpin seating space, is absolutely lined to guard spectators from the extraordinary desert warmth. Groups are offered top-of-the-line amenities on the pit constructing, which has 40 air-conditioned garages. On account of house constraints at Flip One, the pit lane exit tunnels are beneath the observe, making this circuit notable in its pit lane design.
Evolution of the Yas Marina Circuit
The genius behind the innovation of the Yas Marina Circuit, Hermann Tilke, was visually beautiful. Nonetheless, the observe initially posed challenges for overtaking as a consequence of its abundance of sluggish and medium-speed corners, which made it troublesome for drivers to keep up automobile steadiness.
The important thing modifications are the North Hairpin, South Marina, and Resort sections have been reworked—chicanes have been eliminated, and turns have been changed with smoother, extra flowing curves to permit for extra alternatives for overtaking. So, as an alternative of 21 turns, the driving force navigates 16 turns.
Monitor Format
The previous 5.554-kilometre circuit, now shortened to 5.281 kilometres, consists of 16 corners: 9 to the left and 7 to the best. This anticlockwise circuit will include 58 laps, equaling 306 kilometres of heated motion.
Transferring away from Qatar, the Yas Marina Circuit consists of two DRS Zones. The primary is situated popping out of the North Hairpin of Flip 5. The second seems thick and quick, popping out of Flip 7, heading down in direction of the Southern Grandstand of Flip 8.
Iconic Options of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Undoubtedly, Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit is acknowledged for its smooth design and distinctive racing expertise. The one System 1 race was showcased at twilight, beginning at sundown and ending below floodlights, creating a surprising visible spectacle. The observe characterises a mix of lengthy straights and technical corners. A 1.2 km again straight leads into a pointy braking zone like Flip 8, which affords prime alternatives for overtaking.
One other characteristic that makes Abu Dhabi distinctive is the pit lane exit, situated inside a tunnel beneath the observe, which is uncommon and difficult for such a characteristic. When the races are held at Yas Marina, a waterfront promenade with eating places and bars contributes to the colourful environment throughout these occasions. Moreover, the circuit has a karting observe and a drag strip, making it a extremely versatile facility for motorsports.
Memorable Moments From the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Abu Dhabi has curated so many ending chapters to the System 1 season. Its inaugural race in 2009 marked the debut of System 1’s solely twilight race, transitioning from day to nighttime below the Yas Marina Circuit’s iconic floodlights. Sebastian Vettel received the race, solidifying Crimson Bull Racing’s dominance that 12 months.
A 12 months later, in 2010, it staged a dramatic season finale. Sebastian Vettel claimed the race victory and his first World Championship, changing into the youngest F1 champion in historical past. The race was marked by a strategic miscalculation from Ferrari, which pitted Fernando Alonso early, trapping him behind Vitaly Petrov’s Renault and permitting Vettel to take the title.
Quick-forward to 2012, and Kimi Räikkönen took a memorable victory for Lotus after ranging from fourth. His radio exchanges, particularly the enduring “Simply depart me alone, I do know what I’m doing” quote, made this race a fan favorite. In the meantime, Vettel impressively charged from the pit lane to an unimaginable third place in his essential title battle with Fernando Alonso.
Subsequent up, we’ve the 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. It was a season finale the place double factors have been up for grabs—elevating tensions between title contenders Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. From begin to end, Hamilton received his second driver’s championship and received the race after Rosberg suffered mechanical points. Nonetheless, the German saved his head held excessive and completed the race. Nonetheless, the staff did instruct the quantity six driver to retire the automobile.
2016, the finale turns in favour of Nico Rosberg. In a tense race, the German secured his first and solely World Championship by 5 factors, ending second to Lewis Hamilton, who, in a bid to decelerate late within the race to again Rosberg into the chasing pack, couldn’t make it profitable. Rosberg retired from F1 simply days after successful the title.
However one race that places the cherry on prime of the memorable moments phases round Yas Marina is the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Arguably essentially the most controversial and dramatic race in F1 historical past. Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton entered the race tied in factors. A late-race security automobile, adopted by a contentious restart resolution, allowed Verstappen to placed on a set of soppy tyres and overtake Hamilton on the ultimate lap, stunningly clinching his first World Championship. The race undoubtedly led to vital rule modifications in F1’s dealing with of security automobile procedures.
Reside Timings – British Normal Time (BST)
Friday (sixth December)
9:00 am – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Observe One – (Session begins at 9:30 am)
12:45 pm – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Observe Two – (Session begins at 1:00 pm)
Saturday (seventh December)
10:15 am – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Observe Three – (Session begins at 10:30 am)
1:15 pm – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Qualifying – (Session begins at 2:00 pm)
Sunday (eighth December)
11:30 am – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – (Session begins at 1:00 pm)
If you want to study extra information concerning the world of System 1? Then why not take a look at “One Race to Go! Who Will Be Topped Constructors Champion?” or “Qatar Grand Prix: The Desert Problem in Doha.”
