The 1.2km straight between Turns 5 and 6 on the Hermann Tilke-designed circuit is a honeypot for overtaking attempts, with slow-speed bends marking its beginning and end. Other highlights are the challenging run through Turns 10 and 11 into Turn 12, which requires the drivers to stop hard while still carrying bags of lateral load. Modifications to the track before of the 2021 race, which reduced the circuit length to 5.28km, have only added to the excitement.
If you can't secure a bed at the stunning whale-shaped Yas Hotel with a trackside view – or a berth in a boat's cabin in the marina – go to the West Grandstand, which is a terrific site to witness all the overtaking action into Turn 6. If you're more interested in the atmosphere, head to the Main Grandstand, which overlooks the start-finish line and is known for its fireworks. If you want to avoid the sun, though, it's worth attempting to obtain a seat high up in whatever grandstand you select.
Yas Island started out as a blank canvas for developers to create into a tourist destination, and 11 years and $40 billion later, they're almost done. Seven hotels, a Ferrari indoor theme park, a mall, a water park, a golf course, a beach, a concert venue, and a nightclub are all set against the backdrop of beautiful Emirati weather. What else could you ask for?