FIA shares Abu Dhabi GP track limits, DRS, circuit changes & more

The FIA shares Abu Dhabi GP details with regards to track limits, DRS zones, changes to circuit, stewards names and more.

The final FIA Race Directors’ note was shared by Niels Wittich for this weekend’s F1 Abu Dhabi GP. For track limits, apart from the white line mentioned, he stated that drivers will have to adhere to track limits at the apex of Turn 16 as and addition.

Failing to do so will lead to lap deletion by the stewards. “Each time a driver fails to respect track limits at the apex of turn 16, will result in that lap time and the immediately following lap time being invalidated by the Stewards,” stated the FIA note.

In terms of the DRS zones, the first zone’s detection is at 250m before Turn 5 while activation is at 210m after Turn 5. The second zone’s detection is at 50m after Turn 7, while the activation is at 165m after Turn 7.

Moving onto the FIA stewards panel, Garry Connelly is to lead the group consisting of Mathieu Remmerie, Vitantonio Liuzzi and Mohamed Alhashmi. There was a change for Thursday when Liuzzi was not available and Dennis Dean filled in for him.

Also missing on Thursday from media duties was Alpine’s Esteban Ocon who was taken sick since the Las Vegas GP’s end. The Frenchman was feeling better on Thursday morning but decided to skip nevertheless and be ready for Friday action ahead.

Moving on to the Yas Marina circuit changes, the FIA listed multiple in the Race Directors’ note, whether it is resurfacing or TecPro shortening and more. While they did not mention it but the circuit has installed a Monza-like brand new podium at finish line.

Here’s list of changes –

• Debris fence at MP4.5 on RHS has been extended by 16 meters.
• All track light panels have been replaced with the newest models.
• Debris fence between Turn 2 until Turn 3 on LHS has been upgraded to 3.5 meters height.
• Resurfacing from entry Turn 6 until exit of Turn 7.
• Resurfacing from entry Turn 10 until exit of Turn 11.
• TecPro shortened by 88 m on RHS at Turn 2.
• TecPro shortened by 71 m on RHS at Turn 3.
• TecPro shortened by 34 m on LHS at Turn 5 and by 19 m at exit of Turn 5.
• TecPro shortened by 33 m on LHS between Turn 5 and Turn 6.
• New pit exit lights.
• Concrete working lane has been repaired in front of garages 16 to 18.

Here’s a snippet of new podium; https://x.com/abudhabigp/status/1724816667207766522?s=20

Here’s FIA Race Directors’ note: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2023%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Race%20Director’s%20Event%20Notes.pdf

Here’s the FP1 driver list –

Red Bull: Jake Dennis, Isack Hadjar

Mercedes: Frederik Vesti (replacing Lewis Hamilton)

Ferrari: Robert Shwartzman (replacing Charles Leclerc)

McLaren: Pato O’Ward (replacing Lando Norris)

Alpine: Jack Doohan (replacing Esteban Ocon)

Aston Martin: Felipe Drugovich (replacing Fernando Alonso)

Williams: Zak O’Sullivan (replacing Alexander Albon)

Alfa Romeo: Theo Pourchaire (replacing Zhou Guanyu)

Haas: Oliver Bearman (replacing Kevin Magnussen)

Here’s FIA warning Toto Wolff and Frederic Vasseur

Here’s McLaren with Abu Dhabi GP livery

Here’s Abu Dhabi GP FP1 runners

Here’s link to a F1 Discord channel, join in to interact