Poll: Official 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Thread - Yas Marina Circuit - Round 23

Rate the final race of the year out of ten

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chrismscotland

chrismscotland

chrismscotland

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Yas Island​

When was the track built?​

In 2006, plans were announced to develop Yas Island, located just to the east of Abu Dhabi, into a new tourist destination, with a major part of the plans centring around a 5.5km race track. The diggers rolled into what would become the Yas Marina Circuit in May 2007, with the project completed by October 2009.

When was its first Grand Prix?​

In 2009. The track debuted as that year’s Formula 1 season finale, with Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel winning from team mate Mark Webber and the already-crowned 2009 champion Jenson Button. Vettel would go on to secure his first title in Abu Dhabi a year later, amid much crying.

What’s the circuit like?​

The Hermann Tilke-designed track is dominated by its 1.2km straight between Turns 5 and 6 – which, with slow-speed corners marking its beginning and end, makes it a honeypot for overtaking moves. Other highlights include the tricky run through Turns 10 and 11 into 12, which forces the drivers to brake hard with bags of lateral load still on the car. Track modifications ahead of the 2021 race, shortening the lap slightly to 5.28km, have only added to its excitement.

Why go?​

Yas Island was a blank canvas for developers to turn into a tourist attraction, and 11 years and $40 billion later, they’ve nearly finished doing just that. Seven hotels, Ferrari’s indoor theme park, a mall, a water park, a golf course, a beach, a concert arena and a nightclub, all framed by perfect Emirati weather. What more could you want?

Where is the best place to watch?​

Assuming you can’t get a room with a trackside view in the spectacular whale-shaped Yas Hotel – or a berth in a boat’s cabin in the marina – opt for a spot in the West Grandstand, a great place to watch all the overtaking action into Turn 6. Or if you’re more there for the atmos, stick yourself in the Main Grandstand overlooking the start-finish straight and enjoy Abu Dhabi’s famed pyrotechnics. It might be worth trying to get a seat high up in whatever grandstand you choose, though, if you’re looking to keep out of the sun.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023 - Schedule Information & TV Broadcast Times​

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Channel 4 Highlights - Broadcast Times​

Saturday 25th November - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Qualifying - 19:00
Sunday 26th November - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Race Highlights - 17:30


Weekend Weather Forecast​



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Track Diagram & Information (Yas Marina Circuit)​



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Previous Race Highlights​

Drivers Championship​


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Constructors Championship​


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Just a reminder, but consider it a warning - can we not have any further derogatory name calling of drivers, team bosses and the like. We don't expect you to like every driver/team, but at least keep comments respectful.

If you don't follow this warning, you will lose access to the race thread and the thread for the following race as well.

This includes but is not limited to such terms including Lulu, Crashstappen, Karen Horner, Whingey Spice etc.
 
Last edited:
Scam said:
I say this as a compliment to the RB engineers but I can’t fathom how every other team goes up and down every race with these regs (look at McLaren last race), yet the RB is consistently brilliant at every circuit. Bar Singapore!
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I do think Adrian Newey should get a lot of credit, one of the very few who had any real life experience with ground effect (from his time in Indycar in the 80's)
 
Quite a few changes for FP1 with a number of young drivers taking part:

Red Bull: Jake Dennis & Isack Hadjar
Ferrari: Robert Shwartzman
Mercedes: Frederik Vesti
Alpine: Jack Doohan
McLaren: Pato O'Ward
Haas: Oliver Bearman
Alfa Romeo: Theo Pourchaire
Aston Martin: Felipe Drugovich
Williams: Zak O'Sullivan
 
Mr Jack said:
On another note, re: F2, it's ridiculous that they are wrapping up the same weekend as F1. Surely the feeder season should wrap up in good time so the drivers can make their pitch for an F1 driver before all the seats are wrapped up for the next year?
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Not sure it makes much odds these days, the F1 teams have usually decided long before the last race of the season if they're hiring an F2 driver, and its normally "their" junior regardless.
I'd rather see a calendar that doesn't have a huge 4 month gap in the middle of the F2 schedule.
 
Mr Jack said:
It makes a big difference if they need the points for a super-license.
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Yeah I suppose that's true, it just feels like its been something of a non-issue the last few years, with so few F2 drivers getting the chance to go straight into F1 now.
I think since the rules changed following Max' entry into F1 (having to be 18) its become less frequent because drivers are spending longer in F2, its only really been mentioned in recent years in relation to drivers like Herta or O'Ward because the US drivers don't get as many points racing in Indycar.
 
Bit of an odd practice session with so many regular drivers sitting it out but of the usual drivers Ricciardo looked fast in P3, hard to say if Russell is actually quick or not with no other front running driver to compare.

Drugovich outpacing Stroll wasn't a surprise and Shwartzman looked pretty handy in the Ferrari, as did Doohan just a tenth off Gasly.
 
AlphariusOmegan said:
the RD has made a tweak to the Event Notes now, change in bold text. i can see potential issues with that wording, any driver can now in quali go through the pit exit doing 3 mph and no-one will be allowed to overtake, this could screw over teams wanting to get over the line with seconds to spare for the best rubbered track, we've seen them get it wrong in the past and now there's a legal way for teams to hinder others. rather than state no overtaking unless a car has an obvious problem it should have been "no overtaking and minimum speed of X, if below X then get a penalty unless the car has a problem"

Qualifying
As per article 33.4 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations, drivers are not allowed to driveunnecessarily slowly, that includes stopping a car in the fast lane of the pit lane. Additionally,overtaking is prohibited in the pit exit road unless a car slows with an obvious problem.
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It'll probably result in a Ferrari holding up a Ferrari and both not getting an extra qualifying lap knowing them!
 
Incredible season for Max and Red Bull, I hope it'll be closer next season but I won't hold my breath, a lot of work to be done by Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes over the winter just to reign Red Bull in and I have no doubt Newey and the rest of the RB team will have plenty to say about it.
 
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