Abu Dhabi makes its debut on the Formula One Grand Prix

Abu Dhabi makes its debut on the Formula One Grand Prix calendar this year. Nitin Nair goes on a site visit to bring you this update.

Grandstand Views

Philippe Gurdjian, CEO of Abu Dhabi Motorsport (ADMM) and the man behind the design of the Yas Marina Circuit, says one of the key ideas he had in mind while conceptualising the design was to "bring motorsport closer to the spectators".

The Western Grandstand will feature a superb run-off area that will actually have cars disappear under the spectators' stands when they veer off the racing line.

The three Grandstands can seat a total of 50,000 people. Richard Cregan, general team manager, ADMM says that one of ADMM's key objectives would be to make sure that the circuit becomes an active hub for motorsport all year long.

Swish set viewing

Though initial reports suggested that Abu Dhabi would have a Monaco-style street section on the 5.5km race-track, that idea was spiked on the design table.

What it does have in common with Monaco is the opportunity for the region's glitterati to watch the race from the luxury of their yachts at the marina – the circuit will host a sophisticated marina and a yacht club. So rest assured, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be high on the celeb quotient this year given the rather glamorous settings.

Pride and joy

One thing's for certain – by the end of this year, the Yas Marina Hotel will be on the 'Must-Visit' list for every motorsport fan. The iconic hotel will be the only one in the world that actually has an F1 track running through the hotel. So for a good price, guests at the hotel can lounge around and watch Hamilton and Co. burn up the tarmac.

When completed, Yas Island (Yas Marina Circuit is a part of the larger development) will have a Ferrari theme park, a Warner Brothers theme park, a water park, links golf courses, polo clubs, apartments and villas.

Identifying the icon

Most F1 circuits have one iconic landmark instantly recognisable to TV viewers. Closer to home, the Bahrain circuit has the disinct Sakhir tower.

Gurdjian thinks this may be difficult with the Abu Dhabi track, given that it has a few distinct landmarks. However, the Sun Tower, the solar-powered VIP hospitality facility that stands at one end of Start-Finish straight is a top candidate for that recognisable landmark tag on the Yas Marina circuit.

By February this year, the barely clad Main Grandstand and the pit buildings that stand on either side of the Start-Finish straight were already taking shape.

In numbers

7000: People working 20-hour shifts on the track

50,000: Grandstand seating capacity

01-11-2009: Race Day in Abu Dhabi, the last race of the 2009 F1 season