It is a circuit that has become legendary. From the straight line to the first corner, to the last curves before the finish, F1 fans have learned the Yas Marina track by heart by rewatching the last lap of 2021 countless times. The one where Max Verstappen stole the title under the nose of Lewis Hamilton. Two years later, the drivers are back in Abu Dhabi – and it has become a habit – to close the 2023 season.
For this 15th meeting in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, the drivers will compete for victory on the same 5.281 km track as last year. In this game, Max Verstappen, winner and pole holder for the last three editions in Abu Dhabi, will start as the big favorite. It is also the Dutchman who holds the track record in 1′26″103.
His Red Bull with its high-powered DRS should be elusive in the two main lines before turns 6 and 9, modified in 2021, which should be the scene of many battles between the drivers. “The track has been modified to make it faster and smoother, which has also created additional overtaking opportunities, as we have seen in the last two races (…) The layout is not very demanding for the tires,” explains Mario Isola, director of Pirelli Motorsports.
A pole position synonymous with victory?
Last year, the final race of the season gave rise to 113 overtakes on one of the tracks most conducive to attacks. On the program for this Sunday, the drivers will set off on the 16 turns of the circuit, for 58 laps. Watch out for errors in the last sector which will almost systematically cost an intervention by the safety car. The chances of the “Safety Car” appearing are estimated at 38% for the Grand Prix.
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Key point of the weekend, pole position will be decisive in trying to fly away. Over the last five editions, the “poleman” has systematically won. The first straight after the lights go out, and before the first turn, is too short (194 m) to risk a maneuver, but can already cause chaos at the back of the grid. The pilots should, however, have peace of mind regarding the weather with plenty of sunshine and heat expected all weekend.
Last special feature on the Yas Marina: the exit from the stands. One of the longest of the season! After stopping, the drivers will pass under turn 1 to emerge on the track just after turn 2, at full speed. In 2015 in GP2, Sean Gelael caused a sensation, in the wrong way, by missing the entrance to the tunnel… If all goes well, in total, the drivers will lose a little more than 22 seconds when returning to the pits. Enough to favor “undercuts” (the act of overtaking the car in front through pit stops, by stopping one lap before it). Yas Marina promises a show! See you on Sunday at 2 p.m. (French time) for departure.
