Tickets go on sale for Formula One’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Formula One’s first double points race will be watched by the largest crowd in the history of the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November.

People watching the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from Abu Dhabi Hill at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

ABU DHABI // Formula One's first double points race will be watched by the largest crowd in the history of the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 23.

The capacity at Yas Marina Circuit has gone up from 55,000 to 60,000 thanks to an increase in space on the standing area on the Abu Dhabi Hill, as well as more room in the Paddock Club.

Al Tareq Al Ameri, Yas Marina's chief executive, is confident the sixth staging of the race will match the success of the previous five, which have all been sell-outs.

“Every year we strive to make this showpiece event better and offer more to the fans,” he said.

“We are constantly responding to what people want and this year we’re launching even more ticketing options and specially created packages that really mean there is something for everyone.”

The capacity on Abu Dhabi Hill has been extended by 3,000 following the success of last season’s launch of the area, when 5,000 people stood at the race for the first time, with more space for corporate guests completing the increase in numbers.

Al Ameri, who was introduced in the role earlier in the year as replacement to Richard Cregan, is confident the event will see its sixth successive sell-out, with a strong chance of seeing the world championship decided at the race thanks to the regulations change.

The regulation change means 50 points goes to the winner of the 55-lap race rather than the 25 that is available to the victor at the other 18 races of the season.

The move has been done to create excitement in the F1 finale after Sebastian Vettel’s domination last season was such that he won the title with three races to spare.

Yas Marina already holds the record for having the most drivers in contention for the title at a final round, after Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber, all had a shot at the championship in 2010, and Al Ameri welcomed the new opportunity for the circuit to write its name into the history books.

“First of all this is something that is up to FOM [Formula One Management] and something they decided on,” he said.

“The fact they came to us as the last race that’s good for Abu Dhabi, it will keep things exciting to the last minute.

“Abu Dhabi as a race in the calendar will count a lot. The feedback we have had is positive and excited for both drivers and the community that follow this championship.”

Ticket prices have been frozen from 2013, with a 30 per cent reduction on ticket prices being offered if purchased before May 31.

Two-day and three-day tickets are available in all grandstands, starting from Dh1,315, with tickets to the Main Grandstand, which faces the pit lane and the start-finish line, starting at Dh2,200.

One-day tickets are also available for the Abu Dhabi Hill, as well as two and three-day passes in the area that was first introduced last year.