The F1 Fan Zone at Yas Marina Circuit in 2023, a year in which the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix drew a record number of fans across the weekend.
The F1 Fan Zone at Yas Marina Circuit in 2023, a year in which the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix drew a record number of fans across the weekend.
The F1 Fan Zone at Yas Marina Circuit in 2023, a year in which the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix drew a record number of fans across the weekend.
The F1 Fan Zone at Yas Marina Circuit in 2023, a year in which the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix drew a record number of fans across the weekend.

Abu Dhabi GP tickets in high demand with plans to turn Yas Island into 'festival city'


Amith Passela
  • English
  • Arabic

The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will celebrate its 10th anniversary of hosting the final race of the season this year, as well as marking 15 years since the Yas Marina Circuit began staging races in 2009.

As host of the season finale to the world's premier race series, each year organisers look to up the stakes to deliver the best entertainment for fans.

Last year’s race drew a record of more than 170,000 fans across the weekend and organisers are expecting an even bigger crowd for the 16th grand prix, which will take place at Yas Marina Circuit from December 6-8.

It is standard practice to begin work on the following year's event after the chequered flag is waved to end the season. Saif Al Noaimi, chief executive of Ethara, the management company behind the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, says they aim to transform Yas Island into a week-long carnival for race week.

“The entire area will be like a festival city during the race week with plenty of activities for the fans to spend an entire week or weekend without a dull moment,” Al Noaimi told The National.

“Of course, the main attraction is the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix but fans will have access to theme parks and the Louvre, musical concerts, and with the F2, F1 Academy and F4 Trophy races providing more action on the track.

“We just released the tickets on our website and we're seeing a significant demand as in last year, with some of the categories in the main and northern grandstands and some of the other products already sold out.

“Our ticket sales are well ahead of any previous years. The demand is extremely high and anybody who wants a ticket should act quickly.

“There's significant demand for the products. We've seen the return of many popular products from the last few years, and some of the ones that we launched last year.”

Saif Al Noaimi, CEO of Ethara, says demand for Abu Dhabi F1 tickets is greater than ever. Victor Besa/The National
Saif Al Noaimi, CEO of Ethara, says demand for Abu Dhabi F1 tickets is greater than ever. Victor Besa/The National

With 24 races, the 2024 calendar will be the biggest-ever season in F1 and Al Noaimi is hoping for the championship to reach an exciting conclusion in the UAE capital.

Red Bull's triple world champion Max Verstappen has made a flying start to his title defence by winning the first two races, in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, and it looks like the 26-year-old Dutchman will once again dominate the drivers' championship.

Al Noaimi said: “This will be the longest-ever F1 season. So, between now and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a lot's going to happen, a lot's going to change.

“The development of the car is also going to change between now and the summer. It'll be interesting to see that growth and that change. It's going to be a nice mix of racing.

“Hopefully it will be a championship-deciding race for us and hopefully it will be an interesting wheel-to-wheel battle in Abu Dhabi.”

Plans to ensure the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix achieves net-zero carbon status as an event and venue by 2030 are progressing well, Al Noaimi said, with more than 30 per cent of Yas Marina Circuit's annual power consumption generated from solar.

“We're seeing the return of all our sustainability initiatives that we had in previous years. We have a commitment and a strategy that will get us to net zero by 2030,” Al Noaimi added.

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  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
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Fighter profiles

Gabrieli Pessanha (Brazil)

Reigning Abu Dhabi World Pro champion in the 95kg division, virtually unbeatable in her weight class. Known for her pressure game but also dangerous with her back on the mat.

Nathiely de Jesus, 23, (Brazil)

Two-time World Pro champion renowned for her aggressive game. She is tall and most feared by her opponents for both her triangles and arm-bar attacks.

Thamara Ferreira, 24, (Brazil)

Since her brown belt days, Ferreira has been dominating the 70kg, in both the World Pro and the Grand Slams. With a very aggressive game.

Samantha Cook, 32, (Britain)

One of the biggest talents coming out of Europe in recent times. She is known for a highly technical game and bringing her A game to the table as always.

Kendall Reusing, 22, (USA)

Another young gun ready to explode in the big leagues. The Californian resident is a powerhouse in the -95kg division. Her duels with Pessanha have been highlights in the Grand Slams.

Martina Gramenius, 32, (Sweden)

Already a two-time Grand Slam champion in the current season. Gramenius won golds in the 70kg, in both in Moscow and Tokyo, to earn a spot in the inaugural Queen of Mats.

 

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TOP 5 DRIVERS 2019

1 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 10 wins 387 points

2 Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 4 wins, 314 points

3 Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 3 wins, 260 points

4 Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 2 wins, 249 points

5 Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 1 win, 230 points

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Conflict, drought, famine

Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.

Band Aid

Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.

Updated: March 21, 2024, 7:30 AM`