Closing off the 2023 Formula One season is a Grand Prix at Yas Marina. An important round, here is the ultimate F1 23 Abu Dhabi setup.
As with every season in recent memory, 2023 will see the Formula One championship come to a close at Abu Dhabi. With no opportunities to make up for a poor result after this race, it’s important to end the season on a high. That starts with a perfect setup.
Long straights, tight chicanes and a twisty middle sector, the Yas Marina circuit is all about straight line speed and direction change. This certainly provides a challenge for engineers. But it’s even more complicated in F1 23 when the drivers themselves must put together the best Abu Dhabi setup. Here are our tips to accomplishing that goal.
Aerodynamics
As we mentioned, the Yas Marina circuit is made up of many twisty, low-speed sections and a pair of long straights. As a result, low drag and good top speed are crucial to both qualifying and race craft.
With that in mind, the ultimate F1 23 setup for Abu Dhabi features a trimmed out aerodynamic package. I suggest 20 for the Front Wing Angle. In order to remain stable through the opening high-speed sequence of the lap, 21 on the Rear Wing feels like an adequate figure.
Transmission
The Abu Dhabi circuit for 2023 may benefit from a pair of faster sections following the 2021 season changes. But overall, traction out of slow turns is vital to success. In fact, being the first to full throttle will go some way to making you the fastest driver on-track.
Whilst there will be plenty to do with suspension later on, a great way of improving overall traction is thanks to the Transmission settings. In fact, for the slower speed exits, a locked differential is beneficial. I went for 68% On-Throttle Differential Adjustment, though this will need opening in faster turns for better agility. As for the Off-Throttle Adjustment, a more open 50% setup works best at in F1 23.
Suspension Geometry
Due to the long straights, the last thing one needs from the suspension geometry is added rolling resistance. In fact, by adding Camber and especially Toe, the tyres scrub more reducing top-end speed. However, I did find that adding some Toe Out on the front axle does help with turn-in through the tighter sections, which makes up a lot of time.
With that in mind, I raised the Front Toe Out to 0.07°. However, I kept the standard 0.25° Rear Toe In as it provides good stability. If you feel like you can handle more of a loose rear end, reduce this and you will reap the benefits on the straights.
As for Camber, it Abu Dhabi is not a track that requires much angle, especially at the rear with most traction zones being dead straight. Therefore, a Rear Camber of -1.5° is all one needs. The Front Camber setting needs a bit more angle due to the longer turns two, three and eight; -3° works well.
Suspension
Following the recent removal of two chicanes with hefty sausage kerbs, F1 cars can now run much lower to the ground at Abu Dhabi. An overall Ride Height of 35-38 does require some care through the middle chicane but helps dramatically in keeping the car planted through the rest of the course.
Elsewhere, this F1 23 Abu Dhabi setup does see a great difference in stiffness front to rear. This help ensure the front stays agile and responsive whilst allowing for sublime corner-exit traction. In fact, the Front Suspension setting of 35 is far different to the Rear Suspension’s 10.
The same is true for the Anti-Roll Bars where the Front is stiff at 15 which keeps the front wing flat at all times. At the Rear however, I chose to drop it to 4 for a car that digs into the ground well.
Brakes
As ever in F1 23, we advise not to reduce the Brake Pressure setting below 100%. Doing so will simply harm your deceleration from top speed. And with so many tight chicanes at Yas Marina, good braking makes up plenty of lap time.
If you are struggling with front lock-ups however, it is a good idea to push the Brake Bias rearwards. I decided that 60% to the front was a good compromise. But in qualifying in particular, pushing it even further back will also help rotate the car through the final sector.
Tyres
Due to the high temperatures in most shorter distance races in the United Arab Emirates, raising the tyre pressures too high is a death sentence. By doing so, you will simply burn through the rubber in an instant.
Whilst direct and agile handling is a nice dream, one must think of long run pace in F1 23. As a result, lower pressures of 22.7psi at the Front and 20.3psi at the Rear are perfect for maintaining grip on longer stints.
Did this setup guide for Abu Dhabi in F1 23 help you? Tell us on Twitter at @OverTake_gg or in the comments down below!
