Comments on: Drivers’ reactions to new Yas Marina circuit

By: john g

john g — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:35:38 +0000

well, to me another valencia, but prettier. you know there’s something wrong when the camera’s and commentators spend more time on hotel than the racing. tilke had a blank canvas and produced yet another boring monotomous track. the OWG has said that track design is massively important to racing. drivers will be able to tell you at which corners on which circuits there is an overtaking opportunity. what’s the point, when spendign millions on a brand new circuit, of designing something that just produces field spread.

several drivers have said that a real circuit is one that punishes mistakes. painted blue car park sized run-off areas isn’t exactly a thrill.

By: Kedar

Kedar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:47:10 +0000

Just to have the pleasure of saying “I told you so” This was posted before even the qualifying session.

By: Trent

Trent — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:23:45 +0000

I thought the circuit looked extremely impressive on TV, which perhaps took attention away from the fact that the race was not first rate. I was pleasantly surprised that in a couple of places the barriers were quite close to the track. The cars are safe enough nowdays and if there’s one thing that kills the impression of speed, in my opinion, it’s large runoff areas. Safety is paramount and we never want to see serious injury, but (I’ll risk saying it) if there’s no consequence to going off the road the respect for the ability and bravado of the driver is greatly diminished.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:56:10 +0000

Watched the race on the BBC. They spent the entire programme saying what a wonderful place Yas Marina was.

From my point of view it was by far and away the ugliest creation on the planet. A jumble of architects’ whims. A tasteless mess really. And all of it garish and loud. I’m sure the place looked far far better when it was a desert island. And the track itself was an indecipherable collection of alternative routes when seen from the air so you actually had no idea where the cars were going next.

Think of Spa, weaving through the forest, and compare it with that grotesque eyesore.

Only good thought is that it won’t last long. Just like the tower blocks which sprung up everywhere in the 60′s, forty years down the line it’ll be considered a monstrosity and spectacularly demolished. Or maybe it’ll be abandoned and the desert will reclaim its own.

By: Vannman

Vannman — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:44:50 +0000

“Fans’ reactions to new Yas Marina circuit, Yawn……

By: Andy

Andy — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:56:15 +0000

I wonder how much of this is PR driven and what they really think. I am sure we will find out after the event.

By: C.M.

C.M. — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:22:45 +0000

Kimi has said it’s pretty boring circuit.

By: James Allen

James Allen — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 07:21:35 +0000

Interesting. I also heard that the shuttle buses didn’t turn up after quali to take punters from grandstands to car parks, meaning a 40 minute walk.

By: andyF1

andyF1 — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:20:32 +0000

It may have been reported as a sellout for Race day but on the evidence of Qualifying, I think we will be lucky to see it full!
It reminds me of the 1st races in Bahrain and China where the stands were filled either with school children (given a day off school) or people receiving free tickets that were shipped to both these venues 1st races to make the grandstands look full.

By: andyF1

andyF1 — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:18:24 +0000

Although the circuit may look great, especially when lit up under the lights I have to make a comment that they in no way made it easy for the TV crew to setup their equipment!
The commentary booths are nice and large however TV runs on cables and in Abu Dhabi some brainless idiot thought it would be a good idea to install the worst cabling system to the booths from any of the tracks!
I just wish Herman Tilke and his company would ask someone from TV next time what they would like and what would work best.