Renault driver Romain Grosjean leaves the pits ahead of Force India's Adrian Sutil and Williams' driver Nico Rosberg at the Yas Marina Circuit on October 30, 2009 in Abu Dhabi, during the second free practice session of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix. (Marwan Naamani/AFP/Getty Images)
"They've done an incredible job here. It's a really nice circuit to drive, there are a lot of technical corners where braking stability is important," McLaren's 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton told reporters.
"It's a great track and I really enjoy driving it. The only bit I don't like is the tunnel... but it's a challenge," he added referring to the pit lane which rejoins the track through a tunnel.
World champion Jenson Button, Hamilton's British compatriot, added: "It's quite easy to make a mistake round here because there are a lot of camber changes.
"It's very challenging. The kerbs are very small so you can really be aggressive over the kerbs," added the Brawn driver after completing the second of two practice sessions.
"I just don't know how good the overtaking will be. We'll have to wait and see on that one, but to drive it's enjoyable."
The season-ending race at the Yas Marina circuit gives the Middle East a second grand prix venue after Bahrain joined the calendar in 2004.
Ferrari's Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen suggested overtaking may prove difficult during the 55-lap race. "There are only a few corners where you can make a difference, near the start of the lap," said the 2007 champion.
"Then there are so many heavy braking points and slow speed corners, where stability on entry and acceleration on exit are the important factors."
Dual Challenge
Drivers will face the dual challenge of adapting to the change from natural to artificial light as the race progresses from dusk into night and also a drop in track temperature.
Button said it would be important to have the right kind of visor.
"I tried a clear visor at the end of the session and I found it very difficult to see because some of the lights are very bright and shining in your face," he said.
"It's quite a hilly circuit, so sometimes you're dropping down, sometimes you're heading up a hill and you have the lights in your face. It's just a matter of choosing the right visor. I think they've done a great job with the circuit."
Hamilton said the lighting was similar to that in Singapore, the only night race on the F1 calendar, which debuted last year.
"They seem to have both done a great job and you don't really notice much difference from one and the other," he added.
Other drivers praised the 5.6km track, although some also raised concerns over the pit lane.
"I've done it at speed a couple of times and it is pretty scary and it's pretty cold down there," said Button.
"It's very cold tarmac, so it will be an interesting one in the race. A lot of practice is needed, not just the pit exit, but the pit entry."
Double world champion Fernando Alonso, preparing for his last race with Renault before switching to Ferrari, described the pit lane as 'extremely slow'.
"The exit is on a corner, but it's the same for everybody," added the Spaniard.
