Abu Dhabi GP: Yas Marina Circuit upgrades on schedule for October reopening

New configuration to facilitate more overtaking opportunities and high-speed battles

Upgrades are being carried out at the Yas Marina Circuit. Courtesy Yas Marina Circuit

The reconfiguration of the track at Yas Marina Circuit is moving along as planned with a third of the work completed ahead of its October reopening.

The work in progress is a crucial marker for Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management (ADMM) as preparations continue for the 13th Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

According to Ali Al Beshir, circuit operations director of Yas Marina Circuit, the asphalt has been removed from three key areas of the track, setting the stage for the new layout to be crafted.

“We are really delighted and excited to see the upgrades progressing through the stages,” he said.

A third of the work at Yas Marina Circuit has been completed. Courtesy Yas Marina Circuit

“The team are working exceptionally hard, and we already have the demolition of the asphalt completed, along with the removal of lights and barriers from the key sections.

The upgrades are set to enhance motorsports events hosted at the venue for both drivers and spectators alike.

Mark Hughes, managing director of Mrk1 Consultants and consultant on the project, said the Yas Marina Circuit and ADMM have taken on board the feedback from fans and drivers.

“The project is a huge undertaking, nobody should underestimate the effort that goes into this,” he added.

“They’re doing it for the benefits of the fans both in the grandstand and watching on TV by creating faster wheel-to-wheel racing and more opportunities to overtake for more thrilling races. It’s massively exciting.”

From Formula One stars like Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, to the general public, thousands of drivers have tested their skills around the Yas Marina Circuit track and they’ll now have a new challenge to face.

Spectators wishing to attend the race, which takes place on December 9-12, can now look forward to a whole new experience, with drivers enjoying more opportunities to overtake, with modifications to the track providing additional avenues for exciting high-speed battles.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen after winning the 2020 season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty

Fireworks go off as Max Verstappen crosses the line to win the race. Getty

Red Bull's Max Verstappen. AFP

Red Bull's Max Verstappen leads at the start of the Abu Dhabi GP. EPA

Race winner Max Verstappen in a press conference after the race. Getty

Third placed Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes. Getty

Second placed Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes. Getty

Max Verstappen of Red Bull. Getty Images

Red Bull's Max Verstappen leads the pack. AFP

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands leeads at the start of the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. AP

Reigning champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes. Getty

Race winner Max Verstappen with second placed Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton who finished third. Getty

Max Verstappen celebrates with his Red Bull team after winning in Abu Dhabi. Getty

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton burns tires after the race. AP

Red Bull's Max Verstappen celebrates victory. Getty

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes during the race. Getty

Max Verstappen celebrates with his Red Bull team after winning in Abu Dhabi. Getty

Mercedes' Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas and teammate Lewis Hamilton do doughnuts after the race. AFP

Mercedes' Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas and teammate Lewis Hamilton do doughnuts after the race. AFP

Mercedes' Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas and teammate Lewis Hamilton do doughnuts after the race. AFP

Red Bull's Max Verstappen celebrates winning the race. Reuters

Left to right: Valtteri Bottas, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Getty

Red Bull's Alexander Albon who finished fourth. Reuters

An Etihad jet flies over the circuit ahead of the Grand Prix. AFP

Action from the start of the race. Reuters

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who finished 13th. AFP

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton during a warm up lap before the race. Reuters

Lance Stroll of Canada on his way to the grid prior to the race. Getty Images

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc during the race. AFP

Renault's Daniel Ricciardo, who finished 7th in Abu Dhabi. AFP

Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas. Reuters

Red Bull's Max Verstappen leads at the start of the race Pool. Reuters

Alexander Albon of Thailand. Getty

Racing Point's Lance Stroll. AFP

Red Bull's Max Verstappen leads at the start of the race. Reuters

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen. AP

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes. Getty

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas. PA

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc makes a pitstop. Getty

Red Bull's Max Verstappen. AFP

Safety car leads the field during the race. Getty

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton. AP

Mercedes' driver Lewis Hamilton. AFP

Red Bull's Alexander Albon. AFP

Red Bull's Alexander Albon of Thailand during the warm-up lap. AP

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel. AFP

ed Bull's Max Verstappen in action at the start of the race. Reuters

Drivers on the starting grid ahead of the race. AFP

Fernando Alonso and Renault Sport F1 team members with his 2005 F1 title winning Renault R25. Getty

Fernando Alonso and Renault Sport F1 team members with his 2005 F1 title winning Renault R25. Getty