Grand Prix Formula 1 In Abu Dhabi

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THE FORMULA 1™ SEASON COMES TO AN EXCITING CLIMAX IN ABU DHABI THIS NOVEMBER. NOT ONLY COULD THE RACE PROVE THE TITLE DECIDER, BUT IT MARKS AN EVEN GREATER SUCCESS – THE FIRST FORMULA 1™ EVENT TO TAKE PLACE IN THE UAE. BY // GEORGINA WILSON-POWELL

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Come

November 1, the

but the debut race at Yas Marina also

region

the

coincides with Formula 1™ as a sport,

world’s eyes will be focused on the race

embracing a wider audience and

track to see which driver and team will

marketing itself differently – motor

be crowned as Formula 1™’s world

sports are now accompanied by music

champions. The seventeenth and final

concerts, entertainment arenas and

race of the 2009 season has attracted

family friendly fun. While always deemed

an awful lot of attention, since it was

glamorous events, their avid audience

announced two years ago that Abu

has broadened decidedly in recent years

Dhabi was to join the select few cities

and President and CEO of the Formula

around the globe where the Formula

One Group Bernie Ecclestone is keen to

1™ juggernaut rolls into town.

expand it further. The recent Singapore

and

For those based in the UAE, the last

night race saw spin off Formula 1 Rocks

two years has witnessed much discussion

concerts with artists such as Black Eyed

and debate take place, all of which has

Peas play to thousands of fans.

led to a deafening crescendo. Race day

The race also tapers well with a

is almost here, the track is finished,

push from within the UAE to cement

it’s been tested and every time we hear

Abu Dhabi as a world class destination,

updates from Abu Dhabi Motorsports

for both tourism and business. Yas

Management (the organisers of Formula

Marina is coming online ahead of the

1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand

more cultural Louvre and Guggeinheim

Prix and the operators of the Yas Marina

projects but alongside airport terminal

circuit), something more has been

expansions. It proves along with the rise

added… another race, another concert,

of the UAE’s flagship airline carriers

another first.

(such as Etihad Airways who are

Abu Dhabi is fast establishing itself

sponsoring the race for the next three

as a city that likes to push boundaries

years) that Abu Dhabi and the UAE as

and go where no one has gone before.

a whole are world players, capable of

In two years Yas Island has been

not only hosting global events but also

developed as a multi functional motor

building the infrastructure to make

sports track, complete with hotels,

these events not just plausible but also

attractions and modern facilities that

successful and entertaining.

makes the older racing tracks look

The actual track itself is another

merely like unloved tarmac compared

first. Built by Hermann Tilke and Aldar

to this shiny new layout.

Properties, the circuit is 5.5km long,

Yas Marina isn’t the first Grand Prix

has 21 bends and offers an estimated

to be held in the Middle East of course,

top speed of 317km/h. Tilke, as the

Bahrain joined the team in 2004 and

designer, takes into account the race

held a great race earlier this season,

action from a spectators’ point of view,

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so Yas Marina boasts four grandstands at

ONES TO WATCH

prime positions as well as VIP buildings

With the driver’s title proving to be a hotly contested affair once again this year, Premier finds out who is on the grid to take pole position. JENSEN BUTTON: British driver Jensen Button has had a spectacular season. Prior to Lewis Hamilton’s startling arrival on the Formula 1™ scene, Button was billed as Britain’s hottest motor racing talent, however, he struggled to live up to this tag. This season he has arisen Phoenix-like to claim the top spot on the podium of six Grand Prixs and to lead the table in the driver’s championship. While the Brawn GP driver appeared to have things wrapped up early season, his form has slowed over recent races, ensuring that the climax to the 2009 season is more exciting than ever. LEWIS HAMILTON: McClaren-Mercedes driver, Lewis Hamilton, has had by his standards a below par season. Having capitivated and at times, infuriated, the racing world over the last couple of seasons, the British driver who last year became the youngest world champion in F1 history, has struggled this season. With just two wins and less than a handful of top five finishes to his name, Hamilton has also clocked up a disqualification. A number of places behind Button in the leadership stakes, it is certain that the defending champion will be relinquishing his title. RUBENS BARRICHELLO: Brazilian Rubens Barrichello is chasing hot on the tyre tracks of his Brawn GP team-mate Button in the bid to be crowned top driver. While he has only claimed two races this season, his consistency has seen him finish among the top five places in at least eight Grand Prixs. Barrichello is an experienced player in the Formula 1™ world, having previously driven for Ferrari, together with Michael Schumacher, and finishing runnerup to the title in the 2002 and 2004 seasons. As a driver with over 15 years experience in Formula 1™, Barrichello could still yet snatch the title from his team-mate.

and paddocks. Given Abu Dhabi’s arid climate, all four grandstands will be covered, the first time a track has done so. Tilke is the mastermind behind plenty of the most recent F1 tracks. He designed Bahrain’s track (which was later commended as the safest in its inaugural year in 2004) as well as helping in the creation of Singapore’s unique circuit and now Yas Marina is completed he will be working with Cape Town to create something special in South Africa. The track features a waterfront section, a straight that runs through the on-island hotel and a pit exit that partially runs under the track. Abu Motorsports

Management’s

CEO, Richard Cregan calls the track,

which looks set to make the Abu Dhabi

“technical and amazing.” His favourite

race one of the biggest, if not the

turn is number three. “It really is at the

biggest, international event in the UAE’s

top of a hill, you’re about 18 metres

history. The island circuit can seat just

from the start / finish straight and you

under 50,000 ticket holders but many

look towards the North grandstand. It’s

more people from all over the world will

stunning.”

flood into the capital to be a part of the

The track design has been well

build up to the motoring melee. Those

received by Formula 1™ drivers who have

visiting the capital will certainly not

praised its challenges as well as its safety

be disappointed. Organised by Flash

and spectator considerations. Felipe

Entertainment, Yasalam (meaning wow

Massa and Jenson Button have already

or amazing), will be an unparalleled

visited to see what they are up against.

programme of entertainment events

Another first announced in August

inspired by the Formula 1™ event and

by Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management

culminating with concerts from Beyoncé

was that the Yas Marina race will be

(on October 29th) and Aerosmith (on

motorsport’s first twilight race – starting

November 1st). The Yasalam build

in daylight and ending in darkness,

up to the race will officially kick off

enabled by an intelligent lighting

on October 16th and its programme

design system. The beautiful Arabian

promises enjoyment for all.

sunset will be a stunning backdrop to

“Yasalam will offer residents and

the excitement and adrenaline pumping

visitors to Abu Dhabi a unique experience

round the track.

which will be unmatched by any host

“Yas Marina circuit has been built

city, anywhere in the world. Yasalam

from the outset to host day and night

is also more than just entertainment

time activities,” says Cregan. “Staging

– it is a celebration of our diverse and

Formula 1’s first ever day / night

beautiful city and further proof, if any

race offers us the unique opportunity

were needed, that Abu Dhabi has arrived

to demonstrate the circuit’s inbuilt

as a truly international destination for

flexibility and state-of-the-art facilities.

entertainment and leisure. Yasalam

It has always been our intention to

will help to create a legacy for the

showcase to the world this spectacular

entire country to enjoy for years to

venue and this decision allows just that

come,” commented Ossama Khoreibi,

opportunity.”

Chairman of Flash Entertainment at

So as the sun sets on the final race

the launch of Yasalam.

of the 2009 season, spectators in Abu

Back on the track the Formula 1™

Dhabi will be treated to an extravaganza

finale isn’t the only race on offer over the

of music, carnivals and entertainment

weekend. It will be supported by various

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Above: An illustration of the impressive Yas Marina circuit. Right: A glimpse of drama racing fans will be in for in Abu Dhabi is provided by the action from the Belgian Grand Prix.

IMAGES: ADMM. GETTY EDITORIAL & SHUTTERSTOCK

Dhabi

“AS A DRIVER THERE’S A LEVEL OF ANTICIPATION INVOLVED IN COMPETING IN A NEW CIRCUIT... IT IS IMPORTANT TO QUICKLY COME TO TERMS WITH THE CIRCUIT.” other motor racing events, such as the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, the GP2 Asia Series and the Chevrolet Supercars Middle East Challenge, all of which are similar single seat cars and are often a training ground for future Formula 1™ champions like Lewis Hamilton. Chevrolet Lumina CSV Middle East Champion, Tarek Elgammal is very excited about getting down on the ground, “as a driver there’s a level of anticipation involved in competing in a new circuit. Without prior knowledge and having only seen track maps, it is important to quickly come to terms with the circuit. Finding areas to possibly gain or lose a few tenths of a second, identifying potential passing opportunities, making changes to the set Above right: Rubens Barrichello behind the wheel of his BrawnMercedes car. Right Jenson Button. Below: Lewis Hamilton

up of the car are some of the formidable challenges of a new circuit.” As well as having state-of-theart facilities on the track, off the track the island boasts a dedicated hotel, a media centre which will receive up to the minute images for 600 journalists to disseminate around the world, team areas and a dragster track. For those that want to really make an occasion of this superb event, VIP tickets are available from the Formula 1 Paddock Club which includes dedicated parking, air conditioned hospitality, panoramic viewing areas including a roof terrace, complimentary food and drinks inclusive of a lunch buffet and access to the pit lanes. VIP suites can also be branded for those wishing to make the most of business opportunities track side. VIP tickets cost between $3,940 for one day per person and $4,520 for three days per person. WWW.YASMARINACIRCUIT.COM

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