Aldar hands over Yas Marina track for Abu Dhabi GP

Property developer Aldar Properties has officially handed over the Yas Marina Circuit for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to venue operator Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management (ADMM).

According to a media release, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces attended the official handover.

He was accompanied by ADMM chairman Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak and Aldar chairman Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh as he took part in an inspection of the track and its facilities.

As part of the handover ceremony, the party witnessed the first official lap of the track by a Formula One car, driven by racing driver Bruno Senna, nephew of motorsport legend Ayrton Senna.

ADMM is a joint venture between the Abu Dhabi government and Abu Dhabi-based Aldar Properties. The company has been established to oversee the construction of Yas Marina Circuit, home of the 2009 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and the successful ongoing operations of the track.

ADMM will manage the circuit’s racing properties as well as all other facilities on the circuit grounds, including the drag strip, driving academy, and karting. ADMM’s management team, consisting of leading industry professionals, is committed to delivering a world-class and state-of-the-art motor sport venue.

Sheikh Mohamed expressed his satisfaction with the work completed to date and conveyed his anticipation for seeing the facility operate at a world-class standard at the inaugural Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the media release said.

Al Mubarak said “We congratulate Aldar Properties on delivering one of the most sophisticated motorsport circuits ever built anywhere in the world, which will serve as an international centre of motorsport excellence. Yas Marina Circuit is an impressive example of the home-grown initiatives taking place in Abu Dhabi.”

Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, chairman of Aldar Properties added: "This is a significant milestone for Aldar Properties and Abu Dhabi, demonstrating the Emirate’s ability to deliver a world-class project of this magnitude in record time. It is my great honour to handover this spectacular circuit to Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management and look forward to the inaugural Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.”

Yas Marina Circuit is the home of the highly-anticipated inaugural Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that will take place on October 30–November 1, 2009.

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