Abu Dhabi GP: When the cars speed under a 5-star hotel!

A few hours before the curtain rises on the Yas Marina Circuit, this Abu Dhabi Grand Prix promises to be one of excess and grandeur. Ideally positioned as the final race of the season, this event will leave a lasting impression during the off-season. It will be held at twilight, with a daytime start and nighttime finish, which is also a novelty following the night race in Singapore or the late afternoon race in Melbourne.

The layout will feature the longest straight of the season, measuring 1.2 kilometers, and turns 11, 12, and 13 will be the most technically interesting. Finally, Yas Marina is divided into two parts with a fast section first, followed by a layout characteristic of the largest urban circuits such as Monaco or Valencia.

Fernando Alonso, what are your first impressions of the new Abu Dhabi circuit?

It seems relatively difficult for the drivers. There will be 20 turns to manage and some of them seem challenging to me. But I am making these comments by looking at the track map, it’s only when I walk the circuit for the first time that I will start to really understand it.

How do you prepare for a new circuit?

« The simulation data is very useful and I am working closely with the team to understand the track layout, much more so than for a layout I already know. I think the preparation time for this Grand Prix will be five times longer than normal. Walking the track on foot will be very important for me and my engineers. »

Which turns caught your attention?

« Turns 11, 12, and 13 look interesting. When we first saw the track layout, this sequence reminded us of Turn 10’s chicane in Singapore. Turns 8 and 11 will be two important braking zones, and there will certainly be overtaking opportunities in these areas. »

How long does it take to learn a new route?

« It doesn’t take very long. The first time we are behind the wheel on the track, we already know it by heart because we studied it well beforehand. After three or four laps, we understand the layout and the braking zones. I would say that five laps are enough to know a new track well. But it is true that you learn a little more after each lap, especially on how you can master it to get the most out of it. Generally, we perform better during the last laps of the race; we then have a very good grasp of the layout. »

The engineer’s point of view with Alan Permane: Alan, tell us about the technical preparations for this new circuit…

Generally, we start preparing about two months before the race. This is when we obtain a detailed map containing the layout and features of the circuit. This allows us to get a first idea of the necessary setup in terms of aerodynamic downforce, brake and engine requirements. We then input the circuit data into our computer programs to create a virtual circuit that will allow us to run simulations on our computers. This helps us evaluate a number of setup options that we can easily change to help us find a good baseline setup.

« Once on the circuit, and once the car has run during free practice, we will send real circuit data back to the factory, where it will be used to develop more accurate simulations. Friday’s data can also be used on our dynamic chassis rig to allow us to explore chassis characteristics based on various settings. The results may suggest improvements regarding damping, spring stiffness, or anti-roll bars. Setup alternatives will be sent back to us from the factory by Friday evening so that we can test them on Saturday morning, before the qualifying session. »

What are your first impressions of the Abu Dhabi circuit?

« It features two long straights, but it seems to be somewhat like the Valencia circuit, with accelerations and braking. As for aerodynamic downforce, it will be quite high but not at the maximum since the long straights, where top speed will be important, must be taken into consideration. »

« The layout features a relatively large number of right-hand turns, but it is difficult to predict what impact this will have on the car as it will depend on the configuration of the curbs. This is one of the things we will examine during our circuit inspection. What we already know is that the drivers will want a setup that provides good traction, especially when exiting the slower corners. The circuit does not feature any high-speed directional changes which would require a stiffer suspension setup. Therefore, to ensure good mechanical traction in the slow corners, the rear of the car will be softer. »

« Regarding the brakes, our simulations indicate similarities with Valencia and Melbourne, which means the circuit will be demanding in this area, but not as much as Monza. »

According to you, which parts of the circuit present the most challenges?

« I agree with Fernando who talks about turns 11, 12, and 13. They will be interesting and will have a big impact on lap times. Drivers always like fast corners, but it’s possible to make good sectors in slow corners, where you spend a lot of time. In summary, this means that turns five, six, and seven are areas where the car will need to perform well to achieve a good overall time.

According to a press release from the Renault F1 Team