There was a certain curiosity about the new look of the Abu Dhabi circuit, the subject of a restyling in recent months aimed at making the track faster and more conducive to overtaking.
The interventions concerned the section that included the sequence of curves 5, 6 and 7, now transformed into an extension of the straight coming from the 4, and in a single curve, the 5. The few professionals who today faced the 5,281 meters (new track length) also ran into a surprise destined to have a significant impact on the race weekend.
At the exit of ‘5’ some very high (7.5cm) stepped external curbs have been created, placed right on the line that the drivers use to take the maximum possible speed out of the curve.
Detail of the curbs of the Yas Marina circuit approaching turn 12
Photo by: Roberto Chinchero
These curbs are very reminiscent of those placed in some points of the Losail circuit, the results of which triggered a series of problems that emerged in the last third of the race.
“Based on the findings obtained so far – he informed the investigation carried out by Pirelli after the GP – the origin of the deflation that occurred during the Qatar Grand Prix is mainly due to the prolonged time the tires remain on the curbs,” routes at high speed and with high lateral and vertical loads, conditions determined by the unique characteristics of this circuit “.
“The stresses induced by the curbs, the intensity of which cannot be deduced from the data available before the race, damaged the construction of the tires themselves, triggering a loss of pressure from the inner side which caused, after several seconds, the collapse of the structure”.
Three weeks after the Losail weekend, teams and drivers could find themselves facing a similar situation, and without warning.
From rumors gathered today in the Yas Marina paddock even Pirelli itself was not aware of the changes to the curbs until the arrival in Abu Dhabi, and for the technicians of the Milanese manufacturer it is not very welcome news.
Another area modified by the restyling is that which in the old configuration contained curves 11, 12, 13 and 14, now become curve 9 which also offers a slight banking for its entire extension. Also in this case at the exit there is a long stretch of stepped curbs, which the drivers will hardly avoid since it will be necessary to exit as fast as possible to get to the braking of the ’12’.
There is not only a risk for the grip of the tires in the race, but also for the frames if a driver ends up wide passing with the bottom of the car over the curb. In Losail, Mazepin and Leclerc had paid the price, forced to change the body, and considering the spare parts stocks reduced to the bone before the last race of the season, this is not good news.
The average of the circuit will be much faster than in previous editions. In the paddock there are those who claim that the simulations in the ‘qualifying’ configuration would have given feedbacks of a lap time between 1’20 “and 1’21”, a much faster time than the pole position conquered twelve months ago by Max Verstappen in 1’35 “246.
Detail of the curbs of the Yas Marina circuit, at the exit of turn 9
Photo by: Roberto Chinchero
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