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.
“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.
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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
