Abu Dhabi GP circuit could face changes after complaints

The Yas Marina circuit could be set for track tweaks with the aim of improving the spectacle after the latest Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was hit by criticisms from a number of Formula 1 drivers with rare opportunities to overtake.

The host of the 2017 season finale has been met with a backlash in the past due to overtaking being extremely tough at the Hermann Tilke-designed track which was cost £800m to develop and opened back in 2009.

Despite a spectacular visual setting with the race held at sunset, the Abu Dhabi race is a hit with visitors and sponsors but drivers have continually felt the track doesn’t suit itself to exciting race with Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen and Max Verstappen leading the complaints of ‘boring’ racing.

F1 circuit designer Tilke, who has produced the bulk of the new tracks on the calendar, hinted at potential tweaks on Sky Sports F1 but underlined his point that qualifying didn’t provide a shaken-up starting grid which had been the case in recent races due to grid penalties.

“We have an idea to change one corner,” Tilke told Sky Sports F1. “It's a very small change but maybe it has a lot of impact for overtaking. We are in discussion.

“The faster ones were in front of the slower ones, what can you do? If it is lined up in this way, you will never overtake.”

The Yas Marina circuit joined the F1 calendar in 2009 to host the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which has acted as the season finale venue for every season expect 2011, 2012 and 2013. Valtteri Bottas became the fifth different winner of the Abu Dhabi race by converting his pole position into victory while all of the top eight – with the omission of Daniel Ricciardo due to a DNF – all finished in their starting position.