The scream of high-powered engines will reveberate around Yas Island today as the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit – the only twilight race on the F1 calendar – gets underway today.
And there could be no better track to hold it at – something Abu Dhabi and the F1 racing community would no doubt attest to following four eventful years at Yas Marina.
The drivers agree.
“The circuit and the whole Yas Marina complex are so impressive and racing from the sunshine into the twilight is quite special,” the former world champion Lewis Hamilton, lying fourth in the driver’s championship ahead of today’s race, told F1.com.
“The Abu Dhabi weekend is a real favourite of mine and it’s a great event for the fans, our partners and the team,” says fellow racer Nico Rosberg, currently in sixth.
With the track running alongside the island’s spectacular marina; passing under the 5-star Yas Marina Hotel and alongside a 70-metre Sun Tower, it’s efficiency had been widely admired by the organisers and the spectators, often referring to the circuit as the “Monaco of Middle East”. Taking inspiration from the city-state, the circuit was built on the 25.5 square kilometre Yas Island which includes large scale commercial and residential development.
“The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is undoubtedly one of the highlights on the Formula One calendar and a weekend that everyone at the team always enjoys,” says Ross Brawn, the Mercedes team principal who is reportedly set to leave the outfit.
“The wonderful facilities at the Yas Marina Circuit make for quite a spectacular show, both for the crowds at the track and for those watching on television.”
The circuit was built by the main contractor Cebarco-WCT, under contract from the local developer Aldar Properties.
The circuit was constructed with a permanent lighting system provided by Musco Lighting, similar to that also installed at the Losail Circuit in Qatar. Yas Marina Circuit is the largest permanent sports venue lighting project in the world; previously that title was held by Losail.
The Brazilian Bruno Senna, the nephew of late three-times F1 world champion Aryton Senna, provided his insight on the track after testing the circuit back in 2009, “Yes it will be like Monaco when the boats are in there, but it’s much more modern than Monaco, the architecture is much more modern. There are some beautiful buildings here, like the Shams Tower, and the hotel which is like a bridge over the circuit.”
When it was first held in the capital in 2009, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix had one novel feature never seen before in Formula One. That race was the first ever F1 day/night GP.
To achieve that unique accolade, technical and economic hurdles had to be overcome and the huge global popularity of the event shows that was successfully done.
Organisers are optimistic about the numbers expected to turn up at the Yas Marina circuit this year, suggesting approximately 55,000 spectators per day would attend the festivities after the capacity was increased by 10 per cent, making for a sell-out weekend.
“Our aim is for 42 per cent of ticket sales to come from visitors living outside the UAE,” says Al Tareq Al Ameri, the senior director of Commercial activities at the Yas Marina Circuit, which is operated Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management.
The combination of exciting on-track action and first-class entertainment gives the Abu Dhabi GP a unique charm. The numerous artists and celebrities drifting past the stands on the track and in the paddock as the teams prepare for the start is testament to the number and quality of performances throughout the weekend.
But has the cost of putting on such a showstopper been worth it?
Christian Sylt, the co-author of Formula Money, an annual report examining all facets of finances involved with Formula One, gets right to the point – it is a win-win situation for both F1 and the host nation.
“The key driver of the growth [of F1] is the fees that come from the circuits [$500 million],” says Mr Sylt.
“Most of these contracts include clauses that increase the rate by up to 10 per cent annually. It’s a clever strategy because if you look at the secrets to F1’s success you can identify several key points. The move to Asia is one.”
He goes on to explain what was behind the inclusion of cities from the emerging world.
“It wasn’t done out of desire, it was much more out of necessity, although I’m sure [Bernie] Ecclestone would say he wanted to go to these countries. Maybe he did.”
Mr Ecclestone, a British billionaire, is the president and chief executive of Formula One Management and Formula One Administration and a part-owner of Alpha Prema, the parent of the Formula One Group of companies.
“The F1 calendar is restricted to 20 races a year – teams refuse to agree to more races – which makes it difficult to exponentially increase revenues,” Mr Sylt says.
“So what Mr Ecclestone did was take races to emerging markets. It became apparent to countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, China, India and South Korea that hosting a Formula One race is a good way to put their country on the global sporting map. F1 is the most watched sport in the world – 500 million viewers a year – so this is a good way to get your country seen on TV, drive tourism and make yourself look credible alongside other sporting nations.”
His argument is backed up by data from the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture authority in collaboration with the World Tourism Organisation that show an increase of 37 per cent in guest arrivals in August compared with the same month last year, with hotel occupancy increasing by 17 per cent.
This raised the total revenue for hotel establishments for August by 32 per cent on August last year to Dh336m. Total revenue generated by hotel guests in the first six months of this year rose by 17 per cent compared with the same period last year from Dh2.8bn to Dh3.3bn.
The race itself has a major impact on tourism figures, too.
Last year, Abu Dhabi Airports Company reported a 17.3 per cent increase in passenger traffic in November compared with the same month in 2011, which was predominantly attributed to the F1.
And with various events taking place during the race weekend, the city has managed to keep almost everyone engaged. With events such as the Fifa U-17 World Cup, the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, the Yasalam Festival, along with theme parks such as Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld in close proximity and Dubai being just a 90-minute drive away, there is always something for visitors to do.
Additionally, top firms in the country have involved themselves in various sponsorships deals, realising the global appeal of Formula One – Emaar being the latest of the bunch.
“Our partnership with the Lotus F1 Team, a remarkable team with impeccable credentials in the racing circuit, is therefore a perfect fit to our own values,” says the Emaar chairman Mohammed Alabbar.
“As they race at the Formula 1 Championship circuits across the world, we are truly honoured to extend our support to the Lotus F1 Team, while also engaging with our international clientele and further defining the global identity of our brand.”
The Abu Dhabi GP gives the world a high-class, exciting and engaging window through which the city and the country can promote their unique appeal.
And it is not likely to lose speed any time soon.
business@thenational.ae
Sri Lanka squad for tri-nation series
Angelo Mathews (c), Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Janith Perera, Thisara Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Shehan Madushanka, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan and Wanidu Hasaranga
england euro squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton)
Defenders: John Stones (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Reece James (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Museum of the Future in numbers
- 78 metres is the height of the museum
- 30,000 square metres is its total area
- 17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
- 14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
- 1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior
- 7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
- 2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
- 100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
- Dh145 is the price of a ticket
If you go...
Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
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Kat Wightman's tips on how to create zones in large spaces
- Area carpets or rugs are the easiest way to segregate spaces while also unifying them.
- Lighting can help define areas. Try pendant lighting over dining tables, and side and floor lamps in living areas.
- Keep the colour palette the same in a room, but combine different tones and textures in different zone. A common accent colour dotted throughout the space brings it together.
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RESULTS
Time; race; prize; distance
4pm: Maiden; (D) Dh150,000; 1,200m
Winner: General Line, Xavier Ziani (jockey), Omar Daraj (trainer)
4.35pm: Maiden (T); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Travis County, Adrie de Vries, Ismail Mohammed
5.10pm: Handicap (D); Dh175,000; 1,200m
Winner: Scrutineer, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
5.45pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
6.20pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Ejaaby, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
6.55pm: Handicap (D); Dh160,000; 1,600m
Winner: Storyboard, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Handicap (D); Dh150,000; 2,200m
Winner: Grand Dauphin, Gerald Mosse, Ahmed Al Shemaili
8.05pm: Handicap (T); Dh190,000; 1,800m
Winner: Good Trip, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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RESULTS
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer)
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jordan Sport, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner: Jungle Cat, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Kimbear, Patrick Dobbs, Doug Watson
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Blair House, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: North America, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m
Winner: Hawkbill, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
Petrarch: Everywhere a Wanderer
Christopher Celenza,
Reaktion Books
The Details
Kabir Singh
Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series
Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa
Rating: 2.5/5
Dubai World Cup Carnival card:
6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) | US$175,000 | 2,410 metres
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (Dirt) | $100,000 | 1,400m
7.40pm: Handicap (T) | $145,000 | 1,000m
8.15pm: Dubawi Stakes Group 3 (D) | $200,000 | 1,200m
8.50pm: Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (T) | $200,000 | 1,800m
9.25pm: Handicap (T) | $175,000 | 1,400m
Challenge Cup result:
1. UAE 3 faults
2. Ireland 9 faults
3. Brazil 11 faults
4. Spain 15 faults
5. Great Britain 17 faults
6. New Zealand 20 faults
7. Italy 26 faults
Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour Calendar 2018/19
July 29: OTA Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan
Sep 22-23: LA Convention Centre in Los Angeles, US
Nov 16-18: Carioca Arena Centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Feb 7-9: Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE
Mar 9-10: Copper Box Arena in London, UK
SPECS
Mini John Cooper Works Clubman and Mini John Cooper Works Countryman
Engine: two-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 306hp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: JCW Clubman, Dh220,500; JCW Countryman, Dh225,500
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million