8/14/2019 Grand Prix Formula 1 in Abu Dhabi

1/2

46

SP O R T

Comeworlds eyes will b

track to see whic

be crowned as

champions. The s

race of the 2009

an awful lot of a

announced two

Dhabi was to join

around the globe

1 juggernaut ro

For those base

two years has witn

and debate take p

led to a deafening

is almost here,

its been tested anupdates from Ab

Management (the

1 Etihad Airwa

Prix and the opera

circuit), somethin

added another r

another first.

Abu Dhabi is f

as a city that like

and go where no

In two years Ya

developed as a m

sports track, co

attractions and m

makes the olde

merely like unlov

to this shiny new

Yas Marina is

to be held in the M

Bahrain joined th

held a great race

THE FORMULA

1 SEASON COMES TO AN EXCITING CLIMAX IN ABU DHABI THIS

NOVEMBER. NOT ONLY COULD THE RACE PROVE THE TITLE DECIDER, BUT ITMARKS AN EVEN GREATER SUCCESS THE FIRST FORMULA 1 EVENT TO TAKE

PLACE IN THE UAE.BY // GEORGINA WILSON-POWELL

8/14/2019 Grand Prix Formula 1 in Abu Dhabi

2/2

48

SP O R T

Above: An illustrationof the impressive YasMarina circuit. Right:

A glimpse of dramaracing fans will be in

for in Abu Dhabi isprovided by the action

from the Belgian GrandPrix.

AS A DRIVERTHERES A LEVELOF ANTICIPATIONINVOLVED INCOMPETING IN ANEW CIRCUIT... ITIS IMPORTANT TOQUICKLY COMETO TERMS WITHTHE CIRCUIT.

so Yas Marina boasts four grandstands at

prime positions as well as VIP buildings

and paddocks. Given Abu Dhabis arid

climate, all four grandstands will be

covered, the first timea track hasdone

so. Tilke is the mastermind behind

plenty of the most recent F1 tracks.

He designed Bahrains track (which

was later commended as the safest in

its inaugural year in 2004) as well as

helping in the creation of Singapores

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

Dhabi Motorsports Managements

CEO, Richard Cregan calls the track,

technical and amazing. His favourite

turn is number three. It really is at the

top of a hill, youre about 18 metres

from the start / finish straight andyou

look towards the North grandstand. Its

stunning.

The track design has been well

received by Formula 1 drivers who have

praised its challenges as well as its safety

and spectator considerations. Felipe

Massa and Jenson Button have already

visited to see what they are up against.

Another firstannouncedin August

by Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management

was that the Yas Marina race will be

motorsports firsttwilight racestartingin daylight and ending in darkness,

enabled by an intelligent lighting

design system. The beautiful Arabian

sunset will be a stunning backdrop to

the excitement and adrenaline pumping

round the track.

Yas Marina circuit has been built

from the outset to host day and night

time activities, says Cregan. Staging

For mula 1s firs t e ve r day / night

race offers us the unique opportunity

to demonstrate the circuits inbuilt

flexibility and state-of-the-artfacilities.

It has always been our intention to

showcase to the world this spectacular

venue and this decision allows just that

opportunity.

So as the sun sets on the finalrace

of the 2009 season, spectators in Abu

Dhabi will be treated to an extravaganza

of music, carnivals and entertainment

which looks set to make the Abu Dhabi

race one of the biggest, if not the

biggest, international event in the UAEs

history. The island circuit can seat just

under 50,000 ticket holders but many

more people from all over the world will

floodintothe capital tobea partof the

build up to the motoring melee. Those

visiting the capital will certainly not

be disappointed. Organised by Flash

Entertainment, Yasalam (meaning wow

or amazing), will be an unparalleled

programme of entertainment events

inspired by the Formula 1 event and

culminating with concerts from Beyonc

(on October 29th) and Aerosmith (on

November 1st). The Yasalam buildup to the race will officially kick off

on October 16th and its programme

promises enjoyment for all.

Yasalam will offer residents and

visitors to Abu Dhabi a unique experience

which will be unmatched by any host

city, anywhere in the world. Yasalam

is also more than just entertainment

it is a celebration of our diverse and

beautiful city and further proof, if any

were needed, that Abu Dhabi has arrived

as a truly international destination for

entertainment and leisure. Yasalam

will help to create a legacy for the

entire country to enjoy for years to

come, commented Ossama Khoreibi,

Chairman of Flash Entertainment at

the launch of Yasalam.

Back on the track the Formula 1

finaleisnttheonlyraceonofferoverthe

weekend. It will be supported by various

ONES TO WATCHWith the drivers title proving to be a

hotly contested affair once again this

year, Premier findsoutwhois onthe

grid to take pole position.

JENSEN BUTTON: British driver

Jensen Button has had a spectacular

season. Prior to Lewis Hamiltons

startling arrival on the Formula 1

scene, Button was billed as Britains

hottest motor racing talent, how-

ever, he struggled to live up to this

tag. This season he has arisen Phoe-

nix-like to claim the top spot on the

podium of six Grand Prixs and to

lead the table in the drivers cham-

pionship. 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-Mer-

cedes 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 numberof plac-

es behind Button in the leadership

stakes, it is certain that the defend-ing 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 placesin atleast

eight Grand Prixs. Barrichello is an

experienced player in the Formula

1 world, having previously driven

for Ferrari, together with Michael

Schumacher, and finishing runner-

up 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.

Aboveright:RubensBarrichellobehindthewheelofhis Brawn-Mercedescar.RightJensonButton.Below:LewisHamiltonIM

AGES:ADMM.GETTYEDITORIAL&S

HUTTERSTOCK