No Abu Dhabi F1 Beats on The Beach concerts for 2017

Sean Paul headlines on Day 2 at Beats on the Beach in 2016. Navin Khianey for The National

The popular free music festival, which has been held at the Abu Dhabi Corniche since the inaugural grand prix in 2009, regularly attracted more than 100,000 visitors during the racing weekend and featured performances by big names including popstars Rita Ora, Nancy Ajram, Akon and Wyclef Jean.

The move means there will be no free concerts as part of this year’s race.

“What we want to do is to create a unique experience for F1 ticket holders and ultimately they will be on Yas Island. Our focus is to make the F1 race even more successful and to give value to F1 ticket holders” confirms Reeva Bains from Flash Entertainment.

“So what that means is Beats on The Beach won’t take place. That’s just for this year and also not to say that it won’t return. It’s just that we want to focus all our efforts on Yas Island.”

While there will be no concerts, the Abu Dhabi F1 still offers the Get Driver Fit programme for free.

Running for its fifth edition, UAE residents can still sign up to the scheme which offers seven weeks of fitness classes spanning a wide range of activities ranging from Intensity Interval Training, boxing, circuit training, yoga and Zumba.

“This is really important because many people cannot potentially afford gym memberships,” Bains said.

“All they have to do is sign up and everything is for free. It is a really great opportunity to get fit and active.”

Bains made the comments as part of Flash Entertainment announcement that British folk group Mumford and Sons will headline the third after race concert at Du Arena on November 25.  While tickets are only available for those purchasing tickets for the corresponding race day, fans now have the option of upgrading their tickets to the Golden Circle category near the front of the stage with prices beginning from Dh195.

Children under 12 years of age can now also experience the Abu Dhabi F1.

Under the Kids Go Free Friday initiative, Grandstand category ticket holders now able to register up to four children, under the age of 12, to enter the Yas Marina Circuit on Friday in addition to free access to Yas Waterworld and Ferrari World.

Tickets are available online at www.yasmarinacircuit.com, through the Yas Marina Circuit Call Centre (800 927) or [phone], as well as through all Etihad Shops and Virgin Megastores, Yas Central Express stand at Yas Mall, and through the YasHUB smartphone app and its Facebook shop

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