The 11th installment of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is set to return to the capital later this month, marking one of the biggest events in the UAE's calendar.
As well as all the racing action and four huge after-race concerts on Yas Island, there will be plenty of other race weekend events taking place across the capital.
Here is our essential guide to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2019:
When and where is the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?
The 2019 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will take place from Friday, November 29 to Sunday, December 1 at Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
The circuit is 5.55km long and drivers will complete 55 laps, making the race just over 300 kilometres.
Formula One schedule for Abu Dhabi
Friday November 29
1pm First practice (90 minutes)
5pm Second practice (90 minutes)
Saturday November 30
2pm Final practice (60 minutes)
5pm Qualifying (split into three parts over 60 minutes)
Sunday December 1
5pm Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps)
(all start times UTC +4)
How do I get tickets and how much are they?
Tickets vary in price from Dh1,250 for the Grand Prix Brunch package on the Friday of the weekend, to Dh21,395 for access to the Paddock Club for all three days, with entrance to the island’s attractions including Yas Waterworld and Ferrari World included.
Many of the earlybird packages for the Grand Prix have now sold out, however there are a limited number of ticket options still available. Marina Grandstand, South Grandstand, North Grandstand, South Club, Main Club and Yas Club are still available here.
Once you buy a ticket you can collect them from your nominated point. You can also pick tickets up from the ticket office during race week. If you buy a three-day Grandstand ticket, one child under 12 will get free Friday access to the selected grandstand. Pre-registration for Kids Go Free is required.
Kids registered for the day will get access to grandstand "free seating" when accompanied by an adult, all entertainment areas including the F1 Fanzone and the Friday Public Support Pit Lane Walk. They will also get free entry to Yas Island Parks if they are a Super Parks Pass holder.
What are the best seats to book?
Veteran race-goers all have their favourite spots. Generally the Main Grandstand - at the thick of the action - is a great place to lap up the on-track atmosphere.
Many are fond of the West Grandstand. While plenty of people enjoy the more relaxed atmosphere on Abu Dhabi Hill.
How to get to Yas Marina Circuit
Yas Island can become jammed with traffic over race weekend, especially on race day itself. It's important to plan ahead and to give yourself plenty of time to get there. There are three main options: by car, taxi, Careem or Uber. Going by car is the easiest because there will be plenty of parking and then shuttle buses which will take you directly to the race track. Taxi is another option but you'll need to possibly plan in advance when you're leaving as to not be caught in a giant queue. Careem and Uber are also available but they can be tricky because they'll only have so many cars available each day.
What's a lap around the circuit like?
See for yourself. We tried out a part of the circuit to experience the thrill of motorsport. And you can too. Obviously not at the same time as Hamilton or Vettel, but check out our guide to track days in the UAE for times and costs.
The after-race concerts
The Yasalam After-Race Concerts take place between Thursday, November 28 and Sunday, December 1. They are held at du Arena on Yas Island, next to Gate 25 of Yas Marina Circuit. All race ticket holders will have access to the Thursday night concert.
Access to the other concerts depends on your tickets. The after-race concerts are exclusive to ticket holders meaning it is not possible to buy tickets individually. Three-day ticket holders will have access to all four concerts, two-day holders can go to the Thursday, Saturday and Sunday concerts. One-day ticket holders can go to Thursday's and Friday's concerts. All ticket holders will need to collect concert wristbands from Yas Marina Circuit.
Who is performing at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after-race concerts?
Thursday November 28: DJ Marshmello
Marshmello – real name Christopher Comstock – is one of the world's biggest names in electronic dance music. With a string of multi-platinum hits, the internationally recognised DJ has had a number of high-profile collaborations with the likes of Bastille, Selena Gomez, Anne-Marie and Khalid. He will make his Abu Dhabi debut after having headlined Dubai's RedFestDXB 2018 in February last year, a gig that The National said "had the crowd leaping in the air from the moment he arrived on stage".
Friday November 29: Gucci Mane and Future
Hip-hop luminaries Future and Gucci Mane will take the Du Arena Stage on Friday night. Both seasoned UAE club performers, this will be the chance for them to put on their biggest UAE shows to date. Future is a star in his own right, and has been at the forefront of launching subgenre trap music to the charts. He will take the Abu Dhabi stage with a fistful of anthems, including Mask Off, Turn on The Lights and Low Life. Fellow Atlanta native Gucci Mane comes to the UAE on the back of his latest hit album: released last month, Woptober II debuted in the US top 10 charts and spawned the club bangers Richer Than Errbody and Tootsies. The stars are a last-minute stand in for Travis Scott, who cancelled his appearance at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 'due to unforeseen circumstances.'
Saturday November 30: Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey will make her UAE debut on the Saturday night of the Abu Dhabi Formula 1. In addition to her smouldering hits Summertime Sadness and Born to Die, the artist, 34, recently released her sixth album, Norman (expletive) Rockwell, a record containing more colour and groove than her normally monochromic compositions.
Sunday December 1: The Killers
The Las Vegas rockers will headline the race day concert in Abu Dhabi, fresh from a summer of headlining festivals around the world, including Glastonbury. With five studio albums under their belts, and plenty of sing-a-long anthems including Mr Brightside and When We Were Young, they are set to put on a huge show that will see the weekend out in style.
F1 brunches and after-parties
If you want to make the most of the weekend's festivities, the capital's many restaurants and hotels are preparing to host a number of before and after-race parties. From brunches with track views at the new W Hotel Abu Dhabi to yacht parties in Yas Marina, see our guide to all the race weekend brunches here.
How is the F1 season shaping up?
On Sunday November 3, Lewis Hamilton claimed his sixth drivers' world championship at the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
The 34-year-old Briton only needed to finish in eighth place to secure the win, but true to form he battled to the final flag, forcing his own teammate off the track and finishing second to Valtteri Bottas.
Hamilton has now won twice as many titles as the next best British driver Jackie Stewart, and is closing in on the same tally as the iconic Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost put together.
The penultimate race of the season will take place on Sunday, November 17 in Brazil, before the season closer in Abu Dhabi the following weekend.
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