Race guide for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

F1 Grand Prix, GP Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina Circuit

The 22-race 2023 FIA Formula 1 World Championship finally reaches its climax this weekend with Abu Dhabi hosting the final round of the season. F1Technical's senior writer Balázs Szabó delivers his preview for the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The circuit situated on the peninsula of Yas Island was designed by Hermann Tilke, and is about 30 minutes from the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi. The circuit that is usually referred to as Yas Marina is the second Formula One track in the Middle East, with the first being in Bahrain.

The first ever action on the track was a GP2 test in 2009 which took place one week before Formula One assembled in Abu Dhabi for its inaugural round there. Since then, GP3, GP2, V8 Supercars, Drag Racing, GT1 World and the Gulf 12 Hours have all visited the thrilling complex.

The Moving Circus first came to Abu Dhabi in 2007 in the guise of the first ever Formula One Festival. The event which took place on 3 February 2007 was free, and was the largest gathering of current Formula One cars and drivers outside a Grand Prix. It was announced during that event that Abu Dhabi had won the rights to host a Grand Prix from 2009 until 2016. Later that year, Etihad Airways negotiated a three-year deal for them to become sponsors of the Grand Prix.

The construction of the circuit cost 893 million EUR. The main contractor was Cebarco-WCT WLL and the Hermann Tikle-led company was responsible for the design.

The circuit was the first ever day-night venue in the history of Formula One. The other Middle-East race, the Bahrain GP followed this a few years later. Musco Lighting was responsible for the permanent lighting system which is similar to that installed at the Losail Circuit in Qatar. The letter was the biggest permanent sports venue lighting project in the world, but the Yas Marina system took over this title.

The track surface is made of greywacke aggregate which was shipped from England. This surface was highly acclaimed by the drivers for the high grip level it offers.

The marina-based development includes a theme park, a water park, as well as residential areas, hotels and beaches. The circuit has five grandstand areas (Main Grandstand, West Grandstand, North Grandstand, South Grandstand and Marina Grandstand. The complex also houses a team building behind the pit building, Media Center, Dragster Track, VIP Tower and Ferrari World Theme Park.

The circuit has a unique pit exit. It does not connect to the first corner as it would be too dangerous due to the high speed at which drivers approach the first bend. The exit dips under the main circuit by way of a tunnel.

Of the thirteen races held in Abu Dhabi so far, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has won five while four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has clinched three victories so far. Worth noting that the German secured all his victories with Red Bull Racing.

Another German driver Nico Rosberg claimed the victory in 2015 while the Finnish drivers Kimi Räikkönen and Valtteri Bottas have also an Abu Dhabi Grand Prix victory to their names. Freshly crowned double world champion Max Verstappen have two times with both wins achieved in the last two season.

When it comes to the constructors, Mercedes and Red Bull are the absolute dominant forces around the unique Yas Marina track. The Anglo-German outfit and the Anglo-Austrian teams have won seven grands prix in the Gulf area apiece.

Lotus-Renault and McLaren-Mercedes are the only other teams with victories in Abu Dhabi. The former team won with Kimi Räikkönen behind the wheel in 2012 while the Woking-based squad clinched a triumph when Hamilton crossed the line first in Abu Dhabi in 2011.

The Yas Marina Circuit represents a different set of challenges compared with the previous venue, Brazil’s Autodromo José Carlos Pace. The differing nature of the first two sectors and the last segment of the circuit makes it rather difficult for engineers to find the right aerodynamic balance.

With the increased downforce levels, the majority of the first two sectors are taken at full throttle with only a couple of interruptions thorugh a few slow-speed corners. In stark contrast to the high-speed section, drivers face a long list of medium- and slow-speed turns when they approach Sector 3. While drivers would love to achieve as much straight-lint speed in the opening sections, they present a wish for a stable rear end and high downforce at the conclusion of the 5.554km circuit.

After the relatively short main straight, drivers gently touch the brakes to take Turn 1. Carrying as much speed out of the first corner is important as they complete the next curving section at full throttle thanks to the increased levels of downforce. Representing the first bend of the second sector, the banked Turn 5 invites drivers to only brake gently, carry high speeds and let the car slow down by the engine brake.

The next straight sees car reach speeds of over 320kph before they have to slow down for the combination of the two slow-speed Turns 8 and 9. The exit of this duo of corners plays an important role once again because another long full-throttle section follows.

With Turn 11, drivers approach the difficult third sector where a different approach and rhythm are required. After the first two sectors, tyres have to be in perfect conditions as nothing less than perfect rear grip is essential to master the closing part of the Yas Marina track. A total of eleven corners await drivers and to make their life even more difficult the close walls around the hotel section command high respect.