F1 Fanatic

Short run-offs means little room for error at Abu Dhabi

The first race at a new circuit is always something special – which is just as well because F1 is turning up at the last race of the season with both the titles decided.

Each new venue the world championship visits has to out-do the last for splendour. As the last newcomer was the spectacular Singapore night race, Abu Dhabi has its work cut out.

But not only have the race organisers created an impressive facility, the track itself looks an interesting proposition – not least because of the limited run-off areas.

The first pictures and video of the completed Yas Island circuit show some of the corners have little room for drivers to make mistakes.

This is because of the widespread use of Tecpro barriers around the circuit. The barriers have been in use in F1 for several years at tracks including Monza, Circuit de Catalunya and Singapore.

The Abu Dhabi track is among the first purpose-built facilities to use them extensively. Their improved impact absorption capabilities compared to standard barriers means run-off areas don’t have to be as large, the crowd can get closer to the action – and a mistake is potentially more costly for the drivers. (See videos of the barriers in action here).

That will be especially worrying as they’ll only have four hours of practice to get used to the circuit. And, being a new venue, it’s likely to be ‘green’ and very dusty.

That’s especially true of the pit lane where the drivers face another challenge – a tight and quite narrow exit that dips under the circuit. What are the chances of a spinning car blocking the exit at some point during the race?

With no data to go on besides simulations, all the teams are going to be feeling their way a little bit. But based on what we know about the circuit we can make some predictions of performance.

There’s a bias towards slow corners at the track, but with a couple of long straights too. That favours McLaren, partly thanks to their KERS.

But you can’t ignore the form of Red Bull, winners of the last two races. Nor Force India, for that matter, though as ever their potential depends upon Adrian Sutil not getting caught up in another unnecessary accident.

Drivers to watch

Jenson Button – Newly-crowned champion, what can he do now the pressure is off? If Rubens Barrichello really is leaving Brawn, Button won’t want to end the season getting beaten by him.

Robert Kubica – BMW were back on form in Brazil and Kubica took an excellent second. The team’s future is in grave jeopardy but they’ve been stronger since their Singapore upgrade. Could Kubica even be a dark horse for victory?

Romain Grosjean – Various drivers have been linked with his seat at Renault after a shaky start to his F1 career and a particularly unimpressive race at Interlagos. Needs a result or his seventh Grand Prix could be his last.

Giancarlo Fisichella – Probably his last F1 start, certainly his last chance to score a point for Ferrari.

2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

• Abu Dhabi F1 track – first video lap
• Abu Dhabi F1 track revealed in pictures
• Of course the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is sold out, they’ve only got 50,000 seats
• Abu Dhabi Grand Prix launch pictures
• New Abu Dhabi F1 track video
• Abu Dhabi Grand Prix circuit video lap