Abu Dhabi GP track changes "bring spice" to "home of F1"

Alpine driver Esteban Ocon has hailed the Yas Marina Circuit changes that have brought "spice" to the "home of Formula 1".

Ocon finished second in the final Friday session after stringing together a stunning qualifying simulation lap as others around him struggled for balance in the Abu Dhabi twilight.

The circuit has undergone extensive changes, with the turns five, six and seven complex adapted to a sweeping left-hander, whilst almost the entire final sector has been modified to increase the track's flow.

Turn 14, in particular, has followed the recent trend of bringing back banked corners to the sport following the inclusion of such features in Zandvoort and Jeddah.

Assessing the changes, Ocon said: "It is good fun, to be fair.

"It was very exciting to relearn the track. Abu Dhabi is like the home of Formula 1.

"We know the track so well, we test here a lot and to revisit it like this has been interesting. It brings spice to it.

"Definitely, turn 14 is a hell of a corner to take and you take it very close to the rail. I had quite the moment in FP1. So far, it has been good fun."

Ocon's stellar practice pace comes a week on from his heartbreaking podium near-miss in Saudi Arabia, where he was pipped to third on the line by Valtteri Bottas.

Asked if Alpine's speed was real, the Hungarian Grand Prix winner replied: "It is only Friday.

"It is good signs for sure, we had both cars into the top 10 quite easily in that session. That feels good but the important is to be in there tomorrow when it counts.

"Today has been fun, for sure, we had a good time. It is nice to see ourselves on top as well but we need to push hard tomorrow."

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