Drivers experience tunnel vision at Abu Dhabi

The already much talked about pit exit in Abu Dhabi is likely to be one of the attractions of the weekend. Unlike any other pit exit in the history of Formula One, Yas Marina's travels through a tunnel before rejoining the track at the third corner. With the pit entrance on the right-hand side of the circuit and the exit to the left, those pitting in Abu Dhabi will skip three corners of the race track. The covered section, however, will be tackled at unrestricted speeds as the pit exit line comes before the tunnel, raising number of eyebrows.
because it's different, but when we actually get there and go through it, it won't be such a big issue," commented Andy Stevenson, Team Manager of Force India. "The one thing that might be a little bit difficult is the temperature of the track, because it's going to be very different in the tunnel, but I like to think it won't be too much of a problem."

Andy went on to mention the pit exit of Interlagos, in which former Champion Lewis Hamilton came close to brushing the barriers during the Brazilian Grand Prix. However, he is not so worried over Abu Dhabi's link back onto track. "If someone hits the barrier, there is a crane that can lift the car out of the way," Stevenson explained.

"The track is also eight meters wide at that point – there's a lot of room – and it releases the cars out onto the track at high speed in a completely safe environment – and that is what it was designed to do.

"It certainly makes it totally original. If it wasn't a tunnel, nobody would be questioning it – I think it's just the fact that the whole thing has got a roof on and you get a claustrophobic feeling!" f1gpupdate.net