Abu Dhabi: Yas Marina Circuit CEO Richard Cregan and his team are a highly excited lot with the 2010 Formula One Championship to be decided at the Etihad Airways Grand Prix here on Sunday.
With just about 24 hours left before the drivers get out on to the 5.5km Yas Circuit for their first session of practice runs, Cregan told Gulf News in an exclusive interview that the excitement was enormous.
"I think it adds enormously to the excitement. We should be very proud that Abu Dhabi and the UAE is getting to host the deciding race for the drivers' title, especially since this is the first time four drivers have ever been in contention for the Championship at the final race," Cregan said even as the circuit and the equipment the teams have brought along are getting the final touches.
Wonderful
"This is the most exciting F1 title battle I can remember, and it's wonderful to see it settled here," Cregan added.
The Yas Marina Circuit on the Yas Island opens its doors today to three-day Grand Stand ticket holders with a series of Pit Lane Walks and autograph sessions to be held between 12 noon and 6pm.
Commenting on the sell-out of tickets to the F1 event and the support races, Cregan said, "We sold out yesterday [Tuesday], just 24 hours after saying we had only 200 tickets remaining. I think they would have sold by today regardless, but I am sure the closeness of this title fight in such a compelling F1 season made sure they sold super-fast."
With Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, Red Bull-Renault's Mark Webber and Sebastien Vettel and McLaren's Lewis Hamilton all fighting for the Drivers' Championship, the viewership for Sunday's final race of the 2010 season is expected tobe huge.
