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Abu Dhabi gets green light for F1
Two Formula One racing cars may have stalled outside Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace Hotel – but there was no stopping the emirate’s ambition to host the Middle East’s second Grand Prix.
Bernie Ecclestone, CEO of Formula One Management, today signed a seven-year contract with the Abu Dhabi government which will see a Grand Prix staged in the emirate.
Thousands of people turned out to watch F1 cars in action outside the hotel, with big-name drivers on show. Two cars stalled; but shortly afterwards inside the hotel, a deal was signed in front of the world's press corps which will see the UAE capital competing with Bahrain as the Middle East’s premier motor racing destination.
Racing will begin in 2009 under a contract with Formula One Management that “is initially for seven years but will probably go on forever,” according to Ecclestone, speaking in a press conference held after the signing ceremony.
Abu Dhabi is thought to have seen off competition from five other countries to gain pole position in the race for the biggest prize in world motorsport, according to Ecclestone.
No financial details were disclosed, but it was revealed that Abu Dhabi-based developer Aldar has won the contract to build the track and extensive surrounding infrastructure.
The 5.6km track will be built by F1 architect Herman Tilke, and will include a street racing and Monaco-style marina section. Spectators will be able to watch the majority of the racing action from the comfort of their own private yachts.
Yas Island – five minutes from Abu Dhabi airport – is a 6,000-acre island that will include 18 hotels, an equestrian centre, and three Championship-standard golf courses, one of which will be a ‘Links’ course - another first for the UAE capital.
“We’ve had the opportunity to build a circuit that we consider will make the best Formula One race,” said Mr Ecclestone earlier.
Bahrain is currently home to the Middle East’s only Formula One event, and has just renewed its Grand Prix contract to run for the “rest of this decade and deep into the next.”
“I’m sure that both Bahrain and Abu Dhabi will work closely together to ensure that F1 works well in this part of the world,” said Ecclestone.
An Abu Dhabi event is likely to be held “towards the end of the year” according to Ecclestone. “We thought about July but I’ve been told it’s probably quite warm.”
This means that the event will not be too close to the Bahrain Grand Prix, which takes place on April 13-15 this year.
"The economic impact of the event on the overall population of Abu Dhabi will be enormous. [It's] the best event that any destination could have." said HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon al Nahyan, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.
Although no figure was given on the economic impact, the Bahrain International Circuit claims that its 2006 Grand Prix generated $394m in direct income to businesses and traders in the Kingdom, worth almost 3% of GDP.
Negotiations between Formula One Management and the Abu Dhabi government are thought to have been ongoing for months. His Excellency Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority said that he "really enjoyed the negotiations with Bernie. From the day we shook hands and agreed verbally, the terms haven't changed."
No local sponsorship partners have yet been revealed, although James Hogan, CEO of the Abu Dhabi-based UAE national airline Etihad, was present at the event but refused to comment to ArabianBusiness.com on whether a deal could be on the cards.
“A Formula 1 Grand Prix is one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events, in the same category as an Olympic Games or World Cup, and is unrivalled in terms of continuous global resonance. That is why this new partnership is such an exciting one for Abu Dhabi and the entire UAE,” said His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in a statement.
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Posted by Kevin Andreassend, Auckland, New Zealand on 3 March 2007 at 14:46 UAE time
Dear Editor
It is exciting to see the developments that have been announced. With the often negative publicity regards to events in the Middle East it is excellent to read the pending developments. Though New Zealand does not participate in the F1 series, we certainly are an active team in the A1 GP series, which as you know has direct links back to your region. When I visited UAE on a familiarisation viist last year I was impressed to observe an environment that was enjoying success. It is this reason that we would like to introduce any potential partners to our concept of F1 car racing simulators. Though the concept is not new we have a entirely new technology solution for the virtual reality display and vehicle construction costs. In addition imagine a car that can race on the road and then when connected to our computer and placed in front of our ICE Digital Daytime screens creates a life like, life size- virtual reality scene for both the driver and audience to become immersed within.These vehicles we have developed are certainly a means of allowing the public to get closer to the spirit and buzz that surrounds motorsports world wide and bridges our diverse cultures.
Regards
Kevin Andreassend
Managing Director
ICE AV Technology Ltd
www.simdeck.com
www.digitaldaytime.com