• The 201-strong Ferrari cavalcade makes its way up the main straight. All photos: Simon Wilgress-Pipe / The National
    The 201-strong Ferrari cavalcade makes its way up the main straight. All photos: Simon Wilgress-Pipe / The National
  • Cars under construction in the pit-lane garages
    Cars under construction in the pit-lane garages
  • Ferraris tear up the main straight during the XX Programme event
    Ferraris tear up the main straight during the XX Programme event
  • Classic Ferraris, two of many, sit around the circuit
    Classic Ferraris, two of many, sit around the circuit
  • The calm before the storm
    The calm before the storm
  • Technicians tune up the cars ahead of the racing
    Technicians tune up the cars ahead of the racing
  • This experimental Ferrari was along for the ride
    This experimental Ferrari was along for the ride

201 Ferrari cars roar into Yas Marina Circuit for racing event


Simon Wilgress-Pipe
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Yas Marina Circuit played host to a record-breaking cavalcade of pricey motoring metal as part of its Ferrari Racing Days event over the weekend.

A total of 201 cars, all models produced by the Italian prancing horse brand, took up the entire main straight when gathering on the track.

Most spectators viewed the vehicles from the grandstands, while others got the opportunity to get up close on the tarmac.

The cars were all owned by UAE residents and filed onto Yas Island in a snake-like formation before entering the circuit.

Technicians tune up the cars ahead of the racing. Simon Wilgress-Pipe / The National
Technicians tune up the cars ahead of the racing. Simon Wilgress-Pipe / The National

The weekend gathering also featured plenty of racing from the brand’s motorsports models.

Spectators were able to see drivers tear around in the track in the F1 Clienti and XX Programme sessions, featuring single-seaters that have competed in the Formula One World Championship with Scuderia Ferrari, alongside experimental cars not suitable for road use.

Meanwhile, owners who wanted to do more than take their cars out on the roads were able to take part in the Passione Ferrari Club Challenge Middle East event.

Winners received their accolades from Ferrari’s current 24 Hours of Le Mans victor, Alessandro Pier Guidi, himself no stranger to Yas having recently been involved in winter testing there.

The racing remained fierce throughout, with the vehicles tearing around the circuit with all the vehemence and ear-splitting sound you’d associate with a loud and competitive motorsports meetings.

After what was a hazy and cool weekend by Abu Dhabi standards, the final events on Sunday evening took place under the circuit’s floodlights, further highlighting the speed and pace of the cars involved.

Updated: February 06, 2024, 4:41 AM