Formula One cars are expected to travel around the newly constructed Yas Marina Circuit in about 1 minute and 38 seconds when they race on November 1.
Staff at Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management say the qualifying laps on October 31, when the cars will be at their quickest, could be even faster. On the other hand, the two-seat vehicle I rode in, which had been converted from a Minardi chassis that actually competed in F1 races, was outdated. Less competitive tyres and the extra weigh of a passenger - me - slowed things down too ... all the way down to 1:59.
So as much action as my trip around the 5.5km circuit in the back seat of a two-man F1 car seemed to pack in, the ride was as brief as it was exhilarating. This is how my experience of a lap of Yas Marina unfolded: 12.30pm I am kitted up in my Yas Marina-themed overalls and ready to head to the pit garage. 12.32pm One of the mechanics helps put on my helmet and tells me to enjoy the ride, as I apparently look terrified.
12.34pm Getting in the tight nook that comprises my seat proves interesting, but somehow I am quickly saddled up, with my legs just inches below the arms of the driver, Jamie Campbell-Walter. 12.36 We leave the pit lane. 30 seconds in (pit lane to turn three) I have a microphone in my helmet, and had hoped to do a full lap audio commentary, but any hope of successfully doing that stayed in the pit lane. I'm left breathless by the sheer force of the acceleration as Campbell-Walter throttles up just past turn two and joined the racing line at turn three.
40 seconds in (turns fives to six) Campbell-Walter, steady at the wheel, speeds down towards turn five, where I first experience the car's powerful braking as we slow suddenly before making a sharp left turn. Then it's back on the power as I struggle to keep my head pointing anywhere near straight ahead. 50 seconds in (turn seven and start of back straight) The slow left hander in front of the North Grandstand leads onto the long, 1km back straightaway, and it feels like being on a rocket ship as Jamie puts his foot down and allows the 700 horsepower engine to really push.
65 seconds in (back straight) The car is reaching speeds between 280kph and 300kph halfway down the straight, and the pressure on the car and driver is immense: my helmet is being pushed upwards, and despite being strapped on tightly, feels like it might fly off. 70 seconds in (turn eight) Then it's more hard braking down to 70kph for the slow left-hander at turn eight in front of the West Grandstand. My head is pushed forward violently by the sudden change in speed.
80 seconds in (straight leading to turn 11) The second long straight, away down to the South Grandstand, again puts real pressure on my head before another sharp left comes into play. 100 seconds in (turns 12 to 20) Now a series of short straights and corners come. The highlight is driving under the hotel in the centre of the track before a left-hander leads towards the end of the lap. Constant sharp bursts of acceleration and hard braking make my head feel like a pinball as it is thrown from side to side, the G-forces pushing my neck hard. You barely get the chance to experience the hotel as you flash underneath it for maybe a second at most.
115 seconds in (turn 21) Coming down to the final corner onto the start-finish straight, the car fights for grip as it hugs the inside kerb before blasting away, again pushing the driver and passenger back in their seats as the car builds up speed to start another lap of Yas Marina. One lap is exhausting, but the F1 drivers will cover more than 100 during the race weekend as they complete practice sessions, qualifying and the race itself.
Maybe after more than an hour of racing and hundreds of kilometres travelled, they will feel as exhilarated - and sore - as I do. gcaygill@thenational.ae
