Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit has confirmed that changes will be made to the track ahead of this year’s Formula 1 Grand Prix in a bit to improve overtaking.

The track came in for criticism from both F1 teams and FIA president Jean Todt following the 2010 race, which saw several clearly quicker drivers fail to find the opportunity to pass cars in front.

Yas spokesman Peter Rae told C&P that there were already changes planned for the summer in order to better suit motorbike racing. “While we’re making those it makes sense to look at one or two other changes to accommodate requests from F1 teams and help improve overtaking,” he said. “The teams have already been consulted and we’re now talking to circuit designers and contractors.”

Peter said that several designers would be consulted over the changes, not just Tilke Engineering, which designed the Yas tracl in the first place. The firm, headed by Hermann Tilke, is oft-maligned by some F1 fans for creating what they feel are sterile tracks that don’t encourage overtakes.

Yas chief executive Richard Cregan told ESPN that the changes were discussed with F1 officials during the Malaysian Grand Prix and would focus on the area between turns 6 and 9, which would include the slow left-right chicane at the end of the long back straight.

We should know more in the next month or so.