UAE | General
Racing into record books
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix made history as Formula One drivers took part in the first-ever day-night race at the Yas Marina Circuit
- By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
- Published: 00:00 December 2, 2009
- Image Credit: Gulf News archive/Ravindranath
- Sebastian Vettel cruises to victory in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The event was a spectacular success, showcasing Abu Dhabi to the world
Never before has a sporting event in the UAE captured the imagination of the world like the inaugural Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 1 this year. The Yas Marina Circuit stunned the sporting world as the motorsport fraternity was bowled over by the futuristic racetrack and the development around it, including hotels, a marina and structures that made for spectacular viewing.
Ever since the seven-year deal to stage Formula One in Abu Dhabi on an annual basis was signed in February 2007 there was no stopping the capital. Once the red lights went off and the world's 20 best F1 drivers sped through the first lap, success was written all over the remaining 54 laps and after.
It was a success not just in terms of staging the first-ever Formula One race, but success in displaying to the world the organisational capabilities of Abu Dhabi, as well as the great tourist and sporting destination the emirate is becoming. Staging a Formula One is a business and the figures associated with every grand prix event are simply mind-boggling. It is global and local in impact at the same time. The ROI (return on investment) in pure media terms alone is between 1:4 and 1:9. And it appeals to a broad demographic, but critically attracts a valuable audience.
About 600 million people watch each grand prix event. Nearly 90 per cent of households in 188 countries catch the action live. More than 50,000 watched the Abu Dhabi Grand > Prix, which went into the history books for more reasons than one. Apart from being one of the most modern race circuits in the world, Yas Marina Circuit is part of almost an entire motor world on Yas Island — one of the natural islands scattered around the capital. The 2,500 hectare Yas Island will not only be a hub for motorsport fans, but also a major leisure destination.
The original plan for the 5.5km circuit was evolved by Philippe Gurdjian in conjunction with Aldar, the builders of the track, and Hermann Tilke, the architect. The circuit itself has a number of unique features: the pit lane exit includes a tunnel with a 90 degree right turn, one of the longest straights of all circuits on the 2009 calendar of almost 1.2km, and a run-off area at the end of the straight that is partially situated under the West Grandstand. Another unique feature of the track is the Yas Hotel, the only hotel in the world to have a Formula One track running through it.
With the race starting in daylight and ending in artificial light, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix entered the history books as the first-ever day-night race. Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber completed a terrific 1-2 for the Red Bull team in what has been described as one of the best ever races.
That Abu Dhabi has become the new benchmark was confirmed as almost every driver, team principal and FIA official heaped praise, and the incident-free race bore testimony to the astounding success that it was.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix also attracted a lot of celebrity-spectators. There were those who came to experience the special atmosphere of a Formula One race in the desert sunset, such as Beyonce and Boris Becker. But there were also spectators who were hoping to do some business, such as Timo Glock and Jacques Villeneuve, who were exploring their possibilities for a race seat in 2010. And being the final race of the 2009 championship, teams and drivers were also busy looking to forge new deals and partnerships.
Meanwhile, among the other developments on the island itself is the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi — the world's largest indoor theme park when it opens in 2010.
While the developments on the island continue as part of Abu Dhabi's 2030 plan, on the sporting front there is another aim. Richard Cregan, Chief Executive Officer, Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management, sums that up: "Bringing Formula One to Abu Dhabi and the construction of the facilities on Yas Island are part of a bigger picture. It is to engage the emirate population in this iconic facility. The ultimate aim is to produce [a] race driver."
Latest news
- Youngsters dance and raise cash for charity
- Dubai departments upgrade services
- Get yourself a free test for diabetes
- Ensuring a safety net for intellectual property
- Reader's issue addressed
- 5,552 illegals held in Dubai this year
- Man cleared because he took drugs in France
- Man charged with trafficking women
- Auditors to probe Mizin graft case
- Transfusion centre launches new toll free number
- Mirror, mirror show me the way
- Last minute ID rush is on
- Breaking down cultural barriers with photographs
- Car seats for children: Unsafe at any speed
- Abu Dhabi Crown Prince visits Islamic centre
Community Reports
-
Mirror, mirror show me the way
Driver on Salam Street had so many boxes and fruits piled into car, he would not be able to view rear or right side mirrors
-
Parents should be more vigilant
Reader's picture highlights risk of negligence by caretakers
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
