Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2022: It's all in the planning

Making sure everything at Yas Marina Circuit is ready is a complicated process for paddock logistics manager James Sullivan and his team

James Sullivan oversees deliveries in the Yas pit lane

Preparation for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is now in the final straight, with thousands of work hours already expended on preparing Yas Marina Circuit for the weekend’s action.

James Sullivan, the circuit’s paddock logistics manager, is just now seeing the results of the many months of planning and due diligence carried out by his team.

His remit covers liaising with race teams, setting up villas and pit garages, and managing all air and sea freight coming in and out of the circuit.

He also has to oversee the track ceremonies such as end-of-season drivers’ photo.

By the time the 26 racing teams arrive in Abu Dhabi, James and his crew will have prepared a total of 277 rooms with more than 3,000 pieces of furniture, fittings or equipment, as well as inspected 65 forklift trucks and programmed more than 200 access cards.

“It’s not an easy task accommodating and setting up such a complex environment in a safe and efficient manner,” he said.

“It’s a non-stop process really, and the preparations begin well in advance of the actual set-up.”

The 47-year-old’s career to date has also included stints as a British F3 crew chief, a spell with Bridgestone Tyres servicing F1 and GP2, as well as a logistics role for Red Bull.

James says his job is to allow race teams to just turn up and, with a few days’ notice, have everything to hand they need in order to run a successful race weekend.

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  Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes arrives at Yas Marina Circuit on Thursday, November 17, ahead of the 2022 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2022. All photos: Victor Besa / The National

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  Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel is all smiles as he arrives at Yas Marina Circuit.

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  Fernando Alonso of Alpine arrives at Yas Marina Circuit.

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  Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas with girlfriend, Tiffany Cromwell, arrive at Yas Marina Circuit.

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  Lance Stroll of Aston Martin arrives at Yas Marina Circuit.

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  Zhou Guanyu of Alfa Romeo

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  Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas with girlfriend, Tiffany Cromwell, arrive at Yas Marina Circuit.

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  Mercedes driver George Russell poses for a picture with a young fan.

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  George Russell arrives in Abu Dhabi an F1 race winner having taken the chequered flag last time out in Brazil.

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  Alpine driver Esteban Ocon arrives at Yas Marina Circuit.

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  Nyck De Vries of Williams

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  Norbert Vettel, father of Sebastian, arrives at Yas Marina Circuit.

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  Visitors arrive to see the drivers arrive at Yas Marina Circuit.

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  Lewis Hamilton fan Sophie Morris

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  Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes signs a cap for a fan at Yas Marina Circuit.

Once on site, officials and participants will take delivery of 4,000kg of dry ice and consume more than 35,000 soft drinks.

James says Yas Marina Circuit is different from other venues as the accommodation for F1 personnel is on site.

“A typical villa set up for a team is to have hospitality and catering space on the ground floor, with a separate suite of private offices for the engineering staff, which, of course, means frosted glass and other special additions to ensure confidentiality.

“On the first floor, alongside rooms for team principals and other senior managers, the drivers will get their own private room, and perhaps an area for their physio or trainer. The roof terraces are typically reserved for team hospitality events and VIP guests.”

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  Yas Marina Circuit will play host to tens of thousands of Grand Prix fans at the 2022 Formula 1 event. Photo: Mark Sutton

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  Seats are checked by a worker at Yas Marina Circuit.

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  Cleaners give the Shams Tower canopy a scrub. Photo: Yas Marina Circuit

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  Solar panels help power the venue. Photo: Yas Marina Circuit

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  Forklift trucks line up outside the constructor team accommodation. Photo: Yas Marina Circuit

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  A robot painter does its duty. Photo: Yas Marina Circuit

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  Workers prepare to clean a canopy in the North Grandstand. Photo: Yas Marina Circuit