Yas Marina Circuit opens its doors tomorrow for the start of four thrilling days of racing action, live performances and trackside entertainment
Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, November 25, 2015: The world’s greatest theatre-on-wheels rolls into Abu Dhabi for the start of the 2015 FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX.
Over the next four
days, the global motorsport spotlight will once again turn to Yas Marina
Circuit as it hosts what is sure to be an epic finale to the 2015
Formula 1® season.
A crowd of 60,000
people is expected to soak up the unique atmosphere of Grand Prix racing
as the world’s most talented drivers take to the iconic circuit. And an
all-star line-up of the biggest acts in entertainment will thrill
crowds with a series of live performances.
“It’s hard to describe
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race weekend at Yas Marina Circuit - there are so
many things for so many different people to enjoy,” said Al Tareq Al
Ameri, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit. “The whole circuit is buzzing and it’s
a special time for Abu Dhabi, its locals and visitors.
“Over the next four
days, thousands of people from more than 170 countries will be soaking
up the history, technology, glamour, bravery and skills associated with
Formula 1®. Ever since we hosted the first day-night
Grand Prix in 2009, we have seen incredible scenes unfold at Yas Marina
Circuit – and I’m sure this year will be no different.”
The drama kicks off on Thursday,
26thNovember with a line-up of regional artists representing the Arabic
language’s best vocalists. The music icon Cheb Khaled will be joined by
the Emirati songstress Aryam, the Lebanese star Fares Karam, and the
guru of Arabian electronic dance music DJ Said Mrad.
Then on Friday, 27thNovember, the Formula 1®
cars will take to the circuit in the first of two practice sessions to
hone their engineering and aerodynamic settings. Later that evening, the
singer, songwriter and actor Enrique Iglesias, known as the King of
Latin Pop, will perform at du Arena.
The action heats up a notch on Saturday 28thNovember when Saturday
Qualifying decides how the race grid will line up. Mercedes driver Nico
Rosberg will be pushing hard to make it a third pole position in a row.
The British Indie-rock band Florence + the Machine will take to the
stage that evening.
Then the day that Abu Dhabi has been waiting for: the 2015 FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX on Sunday, 29thNovember.
Who will come out on
top in the battle between World Champion Lewis Hamilton and his
resurgent teammate Nico Rosberg for honour and momentum leading into
next season? Will Ferrari drivers Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen
send a signal to the grid that they’re back on form? Who will win the
titanic scrap for mid-table drivers’ and constructors’ championship
points? Blur, one of the most successful British bands of the past two
decades, will provide a dramatic conclusion to the race-day action with a
live performance of their hits at du Arena.
The Formula 1®
finale at Yas Marina Circuit is supported this year by GP2 and GP3,
with the GP3 series coming to Abu Dhabi with the drivers’ championship
still very much alive.
While ART have already
secured the teams’ crown, their French driver Esteban Ocon is just two
points behind Trident’s Italian star Luca Ghiotto with the two Yas
Marina Circuit races to come. Ghiotto has won three times in 2015 while
Ocon has not won since the very first round in Spain – but an
astonishingly consistent season has seen the French driver on the podium
on 12 other occasions to keep him firmly in the hunt.
There’s plenty more
off-track entertainment at four themed Oasis areas that feature
activities including autograph sessions, F1 simulators, hair and nail
makeover stations and an area where you can learn about the UAE’s
culture and heritage.
Complementing the
musical performances are a host of street and stunt acts. The parkour
zone provides an interactive challenge, while acrobats, street dancers,
and a bartender show ensure there are activities for the whole family to
enjoy.