Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Sneak peek of race flypast aircraft

Etihad Airways has offered a glimpse of one of the planes – and the lead pilot – that will be taking to the skies ahead of the race on Sunday

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  The Dreamliner with its Formula 1 livery. All photos courtesy Etihad Airways

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  Captain Al Tamimi and his co-pilot on the flight deck.

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  The traditional flypast at the 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Victor Besa / The National

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  Captain Al Tamimi flies the Dreaminer jet in 2019. Victor Besa

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  Last year's flypast.

The low-level flypast at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has traditionally been one of the most popular of the many events that take place in the run up to the race.

As such, there will no change in its inclusion this year, despite the challenges posed in staging the event by the coronavirus pandemic.

Etihad Airways has released a handful of pictures of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with its Formula 1 livery, that spectators at home can expect to see when the flypast happens on Sunday.

The plane will be piloted by Captain Mohammed Ahmed Al Tamimi, who will also be flight deck leader.

This year, preparation for the flypast started three months in advance of the race, with two months spent practising in the air.

Captain Al Tamimi said: "The planning involves many different stakeholders, including the GCAA, air traffic control, the training department, the flight operations division and other concerned teams.

“Training consists of three rehearsals in the simulators in Etihad’s Training Academy, and one rehearsal flight."

Captain Al Tamimi and his crew will fly over Yas Marina Circuit’s start line at 220 knots indicated airspeed, 600 feet above the ground, with the total elapsed flight time taking almost and hour and a quarter.

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Video: Preparing Yas Marina Circuit