![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DWD77NOQOJK3SZPQNRPOMAIVZ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=fedf25af52861c833f44113417618193eee06417f249e5c3f3368b9b576ae933&width=400&height=225)
Formula One drivers get ready to begin the race at Yas Marina Circuit.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SP3XUHSF4EHPNFDEYSK5GTEQXI.jpg?smart=true&auth=4e2dc8c7504973166bde557b0749e827164198f6fdfec1c80b712f2071dba5c4&width=400&height=225)
Yas Island in May 2007 was but four roads. All photos: Yas Marina Circuit
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VMNC7PN4WFPHZFENH7W2CG25RU.jpg?smart=true&auth=769c09a9f64312dd19cdd4d23aef003ad4b1c9fedeecddd7a7ebffd5bccc00e2&width=400&height=225)
In May 2007, Yas Island is barren but for a bridge leading to it.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/R2CWWBKL7HTISIYLB3LISG7O2U.jpg?smart=true&auth=4d88fe873807d5d0cdbcda67ba80d99fa22866ccc23376b4532bb9692fb7db97&width=400&height=225)
Construction begins on Yas Marina Circuit in 2007.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VGHCQA6RRFL76G35EKAW6LENJE.jpg?smart=true&auth=5d090f4e14cea839b9dd414773e030316f71befb5061d87f584918a661f869e8&width=400&height=225)
An outline of the track begins to appear in August 2007.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DFRC4JLOPCY46WPMQ73CSYXTTI.jpg?smart=true&auth=fa4372f68bbc4864d32a76b3f4e705c389424b350be250b2ee8f6e9530f36bb5&width=400&height=225)
In August 2007, tractors dig up sand to make way for what will become the marina.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EAYI5C5URMUSXV7AYLFKQE3TMU.jpg?smart=true&auth=b2f0ebad866b7024ecbb888147fd998e74515ca9ff1d6e8a181dc6a02c67bcdc&width=400&height=225)
In February 2008, buildings slowly begin to emerge around what will become the race track.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5WQ5LCY3RBWMAPMASVZRXNKQ4M.jpg?smart=true&auth=2642756cbafd5dabc9f9cc9ad8be3bf4436703fb1dc2203bf9194f9a6a232f16&width=400&height=225)
As the track is laid down in 2009, the marina slowly begins to take shape. Next, the remaining sand will be dug up and the area flooded with sea water.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S477FRQH5CFVEML3WCQ53I5DSA.jpg?smart=true&auth=be0cceee12d5d5c32e7c63337c7c89e827b251ff861f09b1455912d93b24a450&width=400&height=225)
Canopies begin to be hung up over the start and finish line as the outer shell of Yas Viceroy Hotel is built in 2009. Construction for a complex of hotels to the left of the Viceroy is also under way.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I7PZJUBO6AWRKDA6V3V4HBS65M.jpg?smart=true&auth=01327578ba073788468586f45303f62ac9afd9fe0a722f940dfaea07a236f779&width=400&height=225)
Seating stands rise out of the sand in 2009 at what will become turn seven of the Yas Marina Circuit.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PVQ6ALOTREDHGUJWSXNJYH4ESQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=e42e60469e21166c76e55e51e014e19b321ccaae1769dc47d4655ea342d8f9d7&width=400&height=225)
Formula One drivers race around turn seven at Yas Marina Circuit.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LESFMKY5VG4QRVHRO7ZHWY5TTY.jpg?smart=true&auth=eebd868143171245a2c215e90702568f10e1d8c196b7f69e8289d3cde6167b48&width=400&height=225)
The start and finish line: now ready to welcome tens of thousands of Formula One fans.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LYO5AKIB2ZOK2N4FMSIGN7XP6U.jpg?smart=true&auth=e41b7bfcc63ebe98349587e87c931b39a33b70f6d13baa669c719ba6a91ac045&width=400&height=225)
Yas Viceroy Hotel, which began operating as a W Hotel in 2018, is hugged by the marina - where luxury yachts park for the race weekend.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6YTZHH4XLI7HX27SKUC6NICCHI.jpg?smart=true&auth=b499f3190c4f939d1b4987dfe474a792a422cb76da4363cf1918a2d3d675ccef&width=400&height=225)
Yas Marina Circuit in all its glory at dusk, complete with new coastline.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NMGMG6CTUKVYMDWROMUH5KGO6I.jpg?smart=true&auth=cbdd6ec4f94ec799d2a8bb546218d68acac877ed2412641d4ecbfab70ff08b9d&width=400&height=225)
The sandy island is transformed with grassy hills where Formula One fans can watch the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DWD77NOQOJK3SZPQNRPOMAIVZ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=fedf25af52861c833f44113417618193eee06417f249e5c3f3368b9b576ae933&width=400&height=225)
Formula One drivers get ready to begin the race at Yas Marina Circuit.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SP3XUHSF4EHPNFDEYSK5GTEQXI.jpg?smart=true&auth=4e2dc8c7504973166bde557b0749e827164198f6fdfec1c80b712f2071dba5c4&width=400&height=225)
Yas Island in May 2007 was but four roads. All photos: Yas Marina Circuit
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VMNC7PN4WFPHZFENH7W2CG25RU.jpg?smart=true&auth=769c09a9f64312dd19cdd4d23aef003ad4b1c9fedeecddd7a7ebffd5bccc00e2&width=400&height=225)
In May 2007, Yas Island is barren but for a bridge leading to it.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/R2CWWBKL7HTISIYLB3LISG7O2U.jpg?smart=true&auth=4d88fe873807d5d0cdbcda67ba80d99fa22866ccc23376b4532bb9692fb7db97&width=400&height=225)
Construction begins on Yas Marina Circuit in 2007.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VGHCQA6RRFL76G35EKAW6LENJE.jpg?smart=true&auth=5d090f4e14cea839b9dd414773e030316f71befb5061d87f584918a661f869e8&width=400&height=225)
An outline of the track begins to appear in August 2007.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DFRC4JLOPCY46WPMQ73CSYXTTI.jpg?smart=true&auth=fa4372f68bbc4864d32a76b3f4e705c389424b350be250b2ee8f6e9530f36bb5&width=400&height=225)
In August 2007, tractors dig up sand to make way for what will become the marina.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EAYI5C5URMUSXV7AYLFKQE3TMU.jpg?smart=true&auth=b2f0ebad866b7024ecbb888147fd998e74515ca9ff1d6e8a181dc6a02c67bcdc&width=400&height=225)
In February 2008, buildings slowly begin to emerge around what will become the race track.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5WQ5LCY3RBWMAPMASVZRXNKQ4M.jpg?smart=true&auth=2642756cbafd5dabc9f9cc9ad8be3bf4436703fb1dc2203bf9194f9a6a232f16&width=400&height=225)
As the track is laid down in 2009, the marina slowly begins to take shape. Next, the remaining sand will be dug up and the area flooded with sea water.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S477FRQH5CFVEML3WCQ53I5DSA.jpg?smart=true&auth=be0cceee12d5d5c32e7c63337c7c89e827b251ff861f09b1455912d93b24a450&width=400&height=225)
Canopies begin to be hung up over the start and finish line as the outer shell of Yas Viceroy Hotel is built in 2009. Construction for a complex of hotels to the left of the Viceroy is also under way.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I7PZJUBO6AWRKDA6V3V4HBS65M.jpg?smart=true&auth=01327578ba073788468586f45303f62ac9afd9fe0a722f940dfaea07a236f779&width=400&height=225)
Seating stands rise out of the sand in 2009 at what will become turn seven of the Yas Marina Circuit.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PVQ6ALOTREDHGUJWSXNJYH4ESQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=e42e60469e21166c76e55e51e014e19b321ccaae1769dc47d4655ea342d8f9d7&width=400&height=225)
Formula One drivers race around turn seven at Yas Marina Circuit.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LESFMKY5VG4QRVHRO7ZHWY5TTY.jpg?smart=true&auth=eebd868143171245a2c215e90702568f10e1d8c196b7f69e8289d3cde6167b48&width=400&height=225)
The start and finish line: now ready to welcome tens of thousands of Formula One fans.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LYO5AKIB2ZOK2N4FMSIGN7XP6U.jpg?smart=true&auth=e41b7bfcc63ebe98349587e87c931b39a33b70f6d13baa669c719ba6a91ac045&width=400&height=225)
Yas Viceroy Hotel, which began operating as a W Hotel in 2018, is hugged by the marina - where luxury yachts park for the race weekend.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6YTZHH4XLI7HX27SKUC6NICCHI.jpg?smart=true&auth=b499f3190c4f939d1b4987dfe474a792a422cb76da4363cf1918a2d3d675ccef&width=400&height=225)
Yas Marina Circuit in all its glory at dusk, complete with new coastline.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NMGMG6CTUKVYMDWROMUH5KGO6I.jpg?smart=true&auth=cbdd6ec4f94ec799d2a8bb546218d68acac877ed2412641d4ecbfab70ff08b9d&width=400&height=225)
The sandy island is transformed with grassy hills where Formula One fans can watch the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DWD77NOQOJK3SZPQNRPOMAIVZ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=fedf25af52861c833f44113417618193eee06417f249e5c3f3368b9b576ae933&width=400&height=225)
Formula One drivers get ready to begin the race at Yas Marina Circuit.
Timeframe: when Yas Island was but a bridge and four roads
Fifteen years ago, today's buzzing, family-friendly destination was a construction site
![Katy Gillett](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F0d30538e-8093-483b-9671-b522ebeb7695.png?smart=true&auth=8c7547f4ac03274ba8bbce82d6291f909b38c6ccab7737911edec4058f46eea6&width=70&height=70)
Katy Gillett
20 May, 2022
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