Coulthard's guide to Abu Dhabi
One man has both flown over and driven around the new track at Yas Marina. Luckily for the Red Bull Racing Team, he is their reserve driver. Here’s Mr Coulthard’s views on the new Abu Dhabi circuit…
David Coulthard: “Having had the opportunity to drive the circuit, what struck me is that it’s a two-stage track; the first half of the lap until corner nine is classic new track. There’s the fast section at the beginning from Turn One to the Turn Four tight hairpin with the grandstand literally overhead, giving great viewing for the spectators. The 1.2 kilometre back straight should give an opportunity for some slip-streaming and over-taking and then the backside of the circuit has a real street circuit feel to it where you come along the section that takes you to the hotel and underneath the hotel via a series of 90 degree right-handers, left-handers before opening out to the end of the lap and a medium speed corner on to the start-finish straight.
It’s a very challenging pit in and equally difficult pit out which is actually in a tunnel under the circuit and is going to make it particularly challenging for the drivers coming in and out of pitstops. There are great facilities and air-conditioned garages which will make it a little bit easier and also having an evening race will obviously take some of the heat out of what can be a very hot and humid conditions. I think the twilight aspect of the race will be more of a visual for the spectators and for the TV but I think for the drivers it will be absolutely fine, there is enough overhead lighting it will just blend from day into night, no problem.”
Source Red Bull
