FIA – Abu Dhabi Takes Promotional Awards
December 11, 2009 by Christine
Filed under Press Releases
Alongside the FIA champions, two trophies were presented for best promoter and best race broadcaster at the FIA Gala in Monaco.
The Race Promoters’ Trophy went to Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for providing Formula One with a state-of-the-art circuit in a stunning setting and for organising the first-ever twilight race. The award was collected by His Excellency Abdulla Khouri, Board Member of the Yas Marina Circuit.
His Excellency Abdulla Khouri said:
“I’m honoured to receive this trophy on behalf of the Yas Marina Circuit and the many organisations and people back in Abu Dhabi who were involved in organising the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. I thank all of those who supported us and helped to make our event such a success, which led to receiving this prize here in Monaco.”
The twilight concept and the spectacular setting of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix also proved popular with television viewers across the world. Formula One Management took the Television Trophy for its outstanding coverage of the event, with the award presented to FOM TV Director Dean Locke.
Rounding Off the Season?
December 9, 2009 by Christine
Filed under F1 Big Picture
The Yas Marina hotel awaiting it’s next opportunity to light up a Formula 1 session. CEO of the circuit Richard Cregan has requested that the FIA rethink the 2010 calendar, and give the season finale back to the Abu Dhabi circuit, rather than Brazil.
Credit: Yas Marina Circuit
The Sun Sets on Brawn GP’s Debut Season
October 31, 2009 by Christine
Filed under F1 Big Picture
Rubens Barrichello navigates the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi during Saturday’s practice and qualifying action. The Brawn team all appear to be enjoying their weekend, now that the pressure is off them and they can go out there to have fun, rather than worry about points. Barrichello still has the chance to pick up second in the championship though, if he finishes a few places ahead of Vettel.
Credit: Brawn GP
Scuderia Amongst the Shadows
October 31, 2009 by Christine
Filed under F1 Big Picture
The racing action in Abu Dhabi has yet to be seen, but what we do know is it’s a photographer’s dream. Jaime Alguersuari steers the Toro Rosso around the Yas Marina Circuit. Buemi proved that the STR chassis can hold it’s own and next year, the team will be even more separated from Red Bull. They have been building up their design personnel, and I’m intrigued to see the results.
Credit: Paul Gilham/Getty Images
Webber Expecting Win
October 31, 2009 by Christine
Filed under F1 Big Picture
The racing action in Abu Dhabi has yet to be seen, but what we do know is it’s a photographer’s dream. Mark Webber prepares for the day ahead at the Yas Marina circuit. Webber, amongst others, is sure that he can end the season in style with a win, and go into the off-season with plenty of motivation.
Credit: Paul Gilham/Getty Images
Ready and Waiting
October 28, 2009 by Christine
Filed under F1 Big Picture
The Yas Marina hotel sits in wait of the first taste of F1 action on Friday. The track is unique in many ways, including it’s pit lane exit tunnel, the longest straight on the calendar, plus some run off area that actually goes underneath the grandstand seating. I don’t know about you, but I find this slightly worrying.
Credit: Yas Marina Circuit
Two Seater Testing
October 26, 2009 by Christine
Filed under F1 Big Picture
An F1 2 Seater navigates the brand new Yas Marina Circuit, at the opening ceremony of the track. Various journalists were invited to enjoy a few laps at the hands of Bruno Senna and Martin Brundle. They all seemed to enjoy it, which bodes well for the lap itself.
Credit: Yas Marina Circuit
Bridgestone Motorsport Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Preview
October 26, 2009 by Christine
Filed under Press Releases
Bridgestone heads to Yas Marina for the first ever Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on October 30 – November 1, where the medium and soft compound Potenzas will be exploring this exciting new 5.5 km circuit.
This is the final race of a thrilling season which began in Melbourne in March. The combination of medium and soft has been seen previously this year in Belgium and Italy.
Hiroshi Yasukawa – Director of Bridgestone Motorsport, said:
“It is wonderful for us to be ending the season at a fantastic new venue and all credit to everyone involved with the Yas Marina circuit for creating a superb new facility to be seen by millions of television viewers around the world. The Middle East is a strategically important market for us and we will be welcoming a large number of important customers and guests to this race.”
Hirohide Hamashima – Bridgestone Director of Motorsport Tyre Development, said:
What are the challenges of Yas Marina?
“This will be the first ever race meeting at this circuit so it is very much a step into the unknown. Of course, we work very closely with the circuit and teams with simulations and evaluations of the layout, and we have been working with a sample of the track surface. We will also have some data from the GP2 Asia Series test which takes place the week before the Grand Prix. In terms of expected lateral forces we can say that the circuit is similar to Valencia. The track surface is similar to Barcelona or Fuji. Our ambient temperature predictions place Abu Dhabi as being similar to Bahrain. The track is new so very dark in colour, meaning it could get quite hot. We expect to see a lot of surface evolution.”
What are the primary tyre performance considerations?
“The circuit layout is a typical stop and go street course so there will be traction demands. As with any new surface we can expect the possibility of graining early in the weekend. We have brought the medium and soft compound Bridgestone Potenza tyres as they sit in the middle of our tyre range. It is difficult to know exactly what the temperatures will be, especially the track surface temperature with such a dark new surface.”
Stats & Facts
Number & Spec of tyres brought to Abu Dhabi 1800 (Medium & soft dry. Intermediate/wets)
I Bet Your Scalectrix Set Didn’t Have One of These
June 30, 2009 by Christine
Filed under F1 Big Picture
Ex-manager of Toyota Richard Cregan explains to Timo Glock the layout of the Abu Dhabi circuit. Cregan moved on to management at the new Yas Marina circuit, who have today revealed a new game to introduce fans to the track.
Credit: Toyota Motorsport GmbH
30-Jun-09: Abu Dhabi Release More Track Info
June 30, 2009 by Christine
Filed under Daily F1 News
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It’s the 30th June 2009 and this is F1 Minute.
The Yas Marina Circuit released an online game today, which supposedly allows fans to have a go round the track and try and set a fast time. I couldn’t get it to load, so we’ll have to take their word on that. Meanwhile, ex-Toyota employee and CEO of the track management Richard Cregan has offered an insight to the game which presumably translates to the real life track as well: “Whether you are accelerating down the longest straight on any Formula 1 circuit, skidding off the track under the grandstand, tackling the tricky Marina and Yas Yacht Club corners or driving beneath The Yas Hotel, every lap offers a challenge.”
Also, yesterday it was confirmed that Kimi Raikkonen will appear in the World Rally Championship in Finland, competing against Sebastien Loeb and Mikko Hirvonen. Kimi has taken part in a couple of non-championship events but will take to the stage with a Fiat in the gap between Hungary and Valencia at the end of July.
That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
