via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku City Circuit, Baku, Azerbaijan – June 6, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen looks dejected next to his car after crashing out of the race REUTERS/Anton Vaganov
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku City Circuit, Baku, Azerbaijan – June 6, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen looks dejected next to his car after crashing out of the race REUTERS/Anton Vaganov
Formula 1 is already marching into a pool of uncertainty citing recent tweaks to the layout of the vibrant Yas Marina Circuit. Hence, along with the intense title showdown between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, the massive changes could well stir up quite a few incidents over the Abu Dhabi GP weekend.
However, the track layout isn’t the only factor to keep an eye out for. Pirelli is all set to tune up the level of excitement for the fans and fear for the teams, thanks to their lack of awareness of the change in the kerbs around the circuit.
Why the kerbs are likely to wreak havoc at the Abu Dhabi GP
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Well, the only circuit that formerly adopted the newer kerb design this season was the Losail International Circuit in Qatar. Consequently, the main race witnessed multiple cars, including that of George Russell, Nicholas Latifi, and Valtteri Bottas suffer punctures after running over the aggressive kerbs.
Now, it’s Abu Dhabi that has preferred a similar kerb design for this race weekend. One might think it doesn’t sound as concerning, but, believe us, it does!
Takımları ve Pirelli'yi Abu Dhabi'de kötü bir sürpriz bekliyor 👀
🇦🇪 Yas Marina'da yapılan yenileme çalışmalarının ardından Losail benzeri kerbler kullanıldı.
Pirelli bu konuda uyarılmadığı için hafta sonuyla alakalı yeni bir belirsizlik oluşmuş durumda.#formula1 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/UeA0Eflm5a
— Motorsport.com Türkiye 🇹🇷 (@motorsportcomtr) December 8, 2021
The tire compounds used for the Qatar GP were the hardest of all; C1 hard tire, C2 medium tire, and C3 soft tire. Had Pirelli known about the kerb changes in Abu Dhabi, they would have opted for much harder tire compounds.
Unfortunately, the drivers will be forced to work with the softest tire compounds of this season; C3 hard tire, C4 medium tire, and C5 soft tire.
Max Verstappen & Lewis Hamilton under risk of puncture?
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There is a significant chance that most of the drivers, including Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, might fall into the ‘kerb’ trap in Abu Dhabi.
via Getty
Kevin Magnussen of Denmark driving the (20) Haas F1 Team VF-20 Ferrari on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)
Considering even the hardest compound of all (C1) couldn’t withstand the kerbs in Qatar, there is a bleak chance that a tire compound as soft as C5 could withstand the pressure at Yas Marina. The teams will advise the drivers to stay off the kerbs as much as possible.
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However, with Verstappen and Hamilton racing for the championship, the duo will look to use every corner of the track to gain an advantage over each other. Hence, the likelihood of either of the drivers suffering a puncture is on the cards. So, are we in for a thrilling end to what has been an exhilarating season?
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