Abu Dhabi F1 track has everything but loopdy loops
Click above for high-res gallery of the Abu Dhabi F1 track
The last round of the Formula One Grand Prix has in recent years been held in Brazil. Next year's provisional calendar makes Brazil the penultimate round, and puts the final race in Abu Dhabi at the country's brand new track. The F1 circus runners got a chance to see the track where next year's championship will be decided (cross fingers), and as one might expect from something out of the Middle East, it's got everything and then some.
Designed by the man who created the Bahrain, Sepang and Valencia tracks, the Abu Dhabi circuit gets a course that runs through a hotel, a pit lane that runs under the track, and boasts 20 turns. Around the track will also be Ferrari World, the Yas Island Marina, a water park and sports facilities. All of that is fantastic, but we want the one thing we haven't heard about yet and that we didn't get from the new tracks in Valencia and Singapore: passing. Check out the galley of high-res images below and see if you think that enormous back straight will do the trick.
Gallery: Abu Dhabi Formua 1 Circuit
[Source: F1 Fanatic]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Swede 5:09PM (10/31/2008)
That track looks all kinds of awesome. And I like the pocket on the sheiks dress.
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hashiryu 5:21PM (10/31/2008)
I agree too that it looks cool, but like vvv..Chairman, said, where are the elevation changes?
I also wonder if the straight is longer than Fuji? I hope this track supports better racing, because there is pretty much no hope of rain to liven things up here. Also, being from the same guy that designed valencia, that doesn't inspire much hope.
chairman 5:10PM (10/31/2008)
It looks too sterile with no elevation changes.
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Bryan 12:34PM (11/02/2008)
No, didn't you hear, the pit is underground. ;)
jimbo 5:10PM (10/31/2008)
Let's hope everyone brings their bucket and spades.
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raz 5:11PM (10/31/2008)
So how long untill terrorists will target westeners there?
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bduddy 6:10PM (10/31/2008)
Several centuries. Abu Dhabi knows where their money comes from.
Khalid 6:13PM (10/31/2008)
1. In case you are not aware, not all arabs are terrorists.
2. Over 90% of the population of the United Arab Emirates are expatriates, nearly 50% being westerners.
3.Enjoy F1 and stop trying to create nonsensical political remarks in response to automotive articles.
Biomech 8:12PM (10/31/2008)
Screw off.
Quan 9:26PM (10/31/2008)
Way to make yourself look like a jackass. Maybe it's that kind of attitude that some terrorists target, hmm...
Chad 9:30AM (11/03/2008)
WOW Quan, I really like your manner of thinking. If you have the wrong attitude terrorists will target you!!!! Way to go freedom of speech!!!!!
Brad 5:24PM (10/31/2008)
BOO!!! Abu Dhabi. Shows what money can buy you. Meanwhile classic F1 tracks like Montreal, France, and even Silverstone fall by the wayside.
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Mike 5:43PM (10/31/2008)
If they're going to take a race away, how about punishing the Spanish racists?
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Swede 6:56PM (10/31/2008)
Que?
ack154 7:58PM (10/31/2008)
Wow... I thought this was just a proposal or something based on the pics... then I saw the rest of the pics. This is actually started!
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DC 9:11PM (10/31/2008)
A pit lane running under that track? Wat? Where?
There is a road running under the track, not the actual pit road.
I like it, can't wait to see it happen. Hopefully they will make lights around it so that we can see another night race. (With hopefully the word passing being used)
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brock 9:15PM (10/31/2008)
That sure is going to be one slippery track when all the surrounding dirt and dust blow onto the track.
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IOMTT 9:11PM (11/02/2008)
I believe they actually spray a substance that acts to "glue" the sand near the track. I saw this when Moto GP ran the night race in Qatar. Still, a high wind would bring in grit from further away.
arturo 9:20PM (10/31/2008)
I can only hope to see this in gran turismo 5.
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James 10:56PM (10/31/2008)
Passing is more a function of the car's aerodynamics than track design. All the drivers say the cars get real twitchy and lose grip when they get too close to the car in front. Since Max and Bernie are intent on ruining the sport, they should decree that all cars should have the aerodynamics of a brick. Problem solved.
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