Changes need for ‘flawed’ Abu Dhabi layout – Whitmarsh

The actual track layout of the impressive Yas Marina venue in Abu Dhabi is “flawed”, according to Martin Whitmarsh.

“It is a great facility and everything else, but as we saw in GP2 and as we saw in F1 it is almost impossible to overtake here,” the McLaren and FOTA boss is quoted by The Guardian.

1992 world champion Nigel Mansell agrees, arguing that the lack of overtaking last Sunday meant an anti-climactic finale to the otherwise thrilling 2010 title.

“The two protagonists, Alonso and Mark (Webber) just didn’t pass anybody,” he told the Daily Mail.  “It was a very boring race.

“Alonso is known for his charging, and to have a car which seems to be quicker than the car in front and not being able to overtake doesn’t make sense,” added Mansell.

Whitmarsh said he thinks the Yas Marina layout should therefore be changed.

“I personally would like to see it changed.  I think it is a fantastic facility that we come to, but the end of the straight they need a wide challenging corner, not a chicane that has got one line through it,” he argued.

“You could see that when we first saw the plans.  There is a massive commitment here to making this a great venue, so in the scheme of things priority should be given to looking at the circuit,” said Whitmarsh.

Circuit boss Richard Cregan did not rule out layout changes for the future.

“We have already extended the exit of turn eight and we are now studying the other various elements that we can improve,” he is quoted as saying by Auto Hebdo in French.
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