Formula One news

'Yas will sort men from boys' - Coulthard

David Coulthard believes that the field must approach the new Yas Marina circuit with caution this weekend as the Abu Dhabi track is not likely to be one which is forgiving to driver errors. The Scot, who will complete his first season as a BBC television pundit this weekend, believes that a number drivers could receive a shock on the final race weekend of the season.

With the championships already sewn up, the principal battles this weekend will include McLaren and Ferrari fighting for third in the Constructors' title race, Sebastian Vettel attempting to fend off Rubens Barrichello for the Drivers' runner-up placing and former Champions Hamilton and Räikkönen dueling for a top five overall result.

"It will really sort out the men from the boys," Red Bull Racing consultant Coulthard, who has already driven the desert track, told The Mirror. "It will really surprise a lot of the guys, just how tight it is in places; drivers have got used to having tracks with lots of run-off and then they go to Suzuka, which is a track with not a lot of run-off, and kids are throwing it in the wall - we need an element of that in Formula One to maintain respect for the people watching, that if you drop it you are going to have a big shunt.

"For the drivers, there has to be a price to pay for making a mistake but not a big crash that ends up hurting someone."

The already infamous Yas Marina pit exit

With the Arabian Gulf venue sporting revolutionary ProTech crash barriers, though, Coulthard is confident that there are no doubts over driver safety. "Abu Dhabi has redefined the FIA safety standards because of the safety barriers.," he explained.

'DC' also spoke of the much talked about pit exit, which sees the route navigate its way downhill, around two corners and through a tunnel at unlimited speed before rejoining the race track. "You can look at it and say it's challenging but the bottom line is that it's actually a bit silly," he said. "It's the width of a car and it's a 90-degree left at the bottom of a tunnel after a blind hill - it is one of those things where someone has thought, 'the FIA doesn't stipulate the amount of run-off area for the pit exit so let's put some landmines in the wall'...it's a bit silly."

more news

• 28 Nov.
  • Lola ready to enter Formula 1
  • Raikkonen close to Citroen WRC deal
  • Tung looking for 'useful' test
• 27 Nov.
  • Montreal seals Formula One contract
  • GPUpdate TV: Domenicali - high hopes for 2010
  • Jerez test: The cast
  • Wurz plays down USF1 link
  • Renault to test Baguette, Tung and Di Grassi
  • Alonso makes second visit to Ferrari
  • Force India confirms Sutil and Liuzzi
  • All new teams now FOTA members
  • Sauber buys team back from BMW
  • De la Rosa pushing for race drive
  • Ecclestone: I won't buy Donington
  • Haug becomes part of F1 in Schools
  • Volkswagen to provide F1 engines?
• 26 Nov.
  • Alguersuari: 2010 contract is signed
  • Conway and Ericsson to test for Mercedes
  • 4 driver options left for Lotus
  • 'F1 in need of Schumacher return' - Verstappen
• 25 Nov.
  • 'Fantastic opportunity' - Di Resta on Force India test
  • Recap: N.Technology court bid fails
  • BMW testers excited about Jerez
  • Brawn disappointed with Button drives, ponders Lauda
  • Piquet to drive in Massa kart race
  • Brawn aero chief wins award
  • Gillett disappointed with government position
  • Mercedes hopes to confirm line-up by Christmas
• 24 Nov.
  • Briatore verdict expected in January
  • Donington still hopeful over F1 race
  • Montreal race confirmation imminent
  • Massa names drivers for karting event
  • Campos car passes FIA safety tests
  • Strong test could seal drive, says Mallya
  • Force India to test di Resta and Hildebrand
  • Courts to hear Briatore case
  • Silverstone GP deal forthcoming
• 23 Nov.
  • GPUpdate TV: Sam Michael - building on 2009
  • Theissen waiting on entry decision
  • Mercedes delighted with Rosberg confirmation

Homepage