Verstappen Suggests Changes To Abu Dhabi Circuit To Make It More Enjoyable

Tuesday, 28 November 2023 at 16:00

During the press conference ahead of the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Max Verstappen suggested a few changes to the Yas Marina Circuit.

First held in 2009, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has become a regular part of the Formula One calendar, and the season's last race tends to take place at Yas Marina Circuit.

The track is also part of the Formula 2 Championship, so all the F1 drivers on the grid, even rookies, are familiar with the circuit's layout.

The track has been criticized in the past for not offering the biggest racing spectacle, as we often see a DRS train form, and it is hard to follow the cars in front in the last sector. Asked what he thinks about the race, Max Verstappen told the media:

"It's always very chilled. I guess that also has to do with the end of the year. Good temperatures, nice people, and then the track itself."

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While he mentioned the track brings out special memories for him, the Dutchman suggested he would like to change some corners, especially the off-camber ones.

"I think the only thing I would like to change is just the off-camber corners. A bit more banked corners would help."

Off-camber corners are the corners in which the apex is higher than the rest of the turn, so the road slopes away from the direction of the corner. Verstappen added:

"So around the hotel, they need to bank that instead of off-camber. And at, what is it, Turn 7, that little crest, it always throws you off a little bit, and especially when you're behind, you just lose a lot of traction. So that corner also, just bank it a bit. That would help."

Ultimately, the Dutchman dealt the best with off-camber curbs at the Yas Marina circuit as he sealed his 19th win of the season to finish the 2023 year on a high.