The FIA has shared the F1 Abu Dhabi GP race note with track limits details, DRS zones, stewards names along with a special reminder and new deal.
With no track limits in F1 Saudi Arabian GP, it is back for this weekend’s Abu Dhabi GP as per the FIA Race Directors’ pre-weekend notes. The monitoring will take place at Turn 7, Turn 9, Turn 15 and Turn 16 where Turn 9 showcases where the track line is.
Track Limits:
Drivers are reminded of the provisions of Article 27.3 of the Sporting Regulations.
Support Category Pit Exit – Entry to Turn 9 –
a) The dotted white line across the support category pit lane pit exit is the track edge line.
Turn 7 –
a) A lap time achieved during any practice session or the race by leaving the track and cutting behind the apex of Turn 7, will result in that lap time being invalidated by the stewards.
Turn 15 Exit –
a) A lap time achieved during any practice session or the race by leaving the track on the exit of Turn 15, will result in that lap time being invalidated by the stewards.
Turn 16 Exit –
a) A lap time achieved during any practice session or the race by leaving the track on the exit of Turn 16, will result in that lap time and the immediately following lap time being invalidated by the stewards.
General – Turn 7, Turn 15 Exit and Turn 16 Exit –
a) A driver will be judged to have left the track if no part of the car remains in contact with the track.
b) Each time any car fails to negotiate Turn 7, or Turn 15 Exit, or Turn 16 Exit by using the track, teams will be informed via the official messaging system.
c) On the third occasion of a driver failing to negotiate Turn 7 and/or Turn 15 Exit and/or Turn 16 Exit by using the track during the race, he will be shown a black and white flag, any further cutting will then be reported to the stewards. For the avoidance of doubt this means a total of three occasions combined not three at each corner.
d) In all cases detailed above, the driver must only re-join the track when it is safe to do so and without gaining a lasting advantage.
e) The above requirements will not automatically apply to any driver who is judged to have been forced off the track, each such case will be judged individually.
Looking at the track changes, since three corners have had a revamp which could see more than 10s being slashed off the lap time, the FIA is taking it as a brand new F1 circuit. The two DRS zones, though, remain same from last year’s race.
The first detection zone is 40m before Turn 7 and activation 270m after Turn 7, as the second’s detection zone is 50m after Turn 9 and 165m after Turn 9. The FIA stewards panel will be led by Garry Connelly with Felix Holter, Derek Warwick and Mohamed Alhashmi.
As for the PU elements, in terms of ICE, majority are on their fourth element leaving Alfa Romeo and Haas duo who are on their third, while Valtteri Bottas has six and Lewis Hamilton has five.
Looking at TC and MGU-H, majority are on their fourth leaving Hamilton, Alfa Romeo and Haas with three and Bottas with five. As for MGU-K, it is mixed bag with seven on their fourth, five on their third and remaining eight with just two used.
In terms of ES, 12 drivers are on their second with seven on their third and only Sergio Perez with four used uptill the weekend in Saudi Arabia. And finally for CE, 10 are on their second, nine on their third and only Perez with four.
In addition to the usual notes, FIA Race Director Michael Masi reminded the two F1 title contenders about some of the articles mentioned in the International Sporting Code regarding their behaviour on track in terms of deciding the championship.
All Competitors and Drivers are reminded of the various requirements detailed in the FIA International Sporting Code. In particular I would like to remind you of the following articles detailed below:
- Article 9.15.1 – “The Competitor shall be responsible for all acts or omissions on the part of any person taking part in, or providing a service in connection with, a Competition or a Championship on their behalf, including in particular their employees, direct or indirect, their Drivers, mechanics, consultants, service providers, or passengers, as well as any person to whom the Competitor has allowed access to the Reserved Areas.”
- Article 12.2.1 – Breach of Rules and in particular Article 12.2.1.l – “Any infringement of the principles of fairness in Competition, behaviour in an unsportsmanlike manner or attempt to influence the result of a Competition in a way that is contrary to sporting ethics.”
- Article 12.4.5 – “For all the FIA Championships, cups, challenges, trophies or series, the stewards may also decide to impose the following penalties: Suspension for one or more Competitions, withdrawal of points for the Championship, cup, challenge, trophy, series.”
- Article 12.4.5.a – “Points should not be deducted separately from Drivers and Competitors, save in exceptional circumstances.”
Here’s the full list – includes EX: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2021%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20PU%20elements%20used%20per%20driver%20up%20to%20now.pdf
Here’s the FIA Race Directors’ note: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2021%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Race%20Directors’%20Event%20Notes%20Version%202.pdf
The F1 and the FIA also chose the day to announce a contract extension of the Abu Dhabi GP to remain at Yas Marina circuit and on the calendar for until the 2030 season, with Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management.
“We are delighted to confirm that we will be racing in Abu Dhabi until 2030 under this new agreement,” said Stefano Domenicali. “We are hugely looking forward to the season finale this weekend when more Formula 1 history will be made.
“The promoter, ADMM, always creates an incredible show for the final race of every F1 season and combined with the changes made to improve the racing on the Yas Marina Circuit we are excited for many years of racing in Abu Dhabi that is ahead of us.”
At the same time, Saif Al Noaimi added: “The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Yas Marina Circuit continue to introduce hundreds of millions of spectators and TV viewers to Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates.
“The signing of a new multi-year deal with the Formula One Group not only represents the strength of our relationship but reaffirms our commitment to delivering an unparalleled and world-class race weekend experience for all visitors to enjoy.”
Alfa Romeo, meanwhile, will have a special livery for the retiring Kimi Raikkonen and outgoing Antonio Giovinazzi for their last race with the F1 team.
https://twitter.com/alfaromeoracing/status/1468913464664109058?s=20
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