Yas Marina Circuit was initially planned as a street circuit with a semi-permanent section, however on further re-designs, the vision changed and it was decided that Abu Dhabi had an opportunity to create a purpose built circuit that truly set new global performance and configuration standards. The plan was updated accordingly.

Yas Marina Circuit is a permanent facility where races can be run on one of three configurations. The full Formula 1™ track is 5.55km (3.4 miles) long and comprises 21 turns, 12 left and nine right with an estimated lap time of 1 minute 40 seconds and runs in an anti-clockwise direction.

The second and third configurations of the track are shorter at 3.15km (1.9 miles) and 2.36km (1.46 miles) respectively. The two additional tracks can run independently of each other and make it possible for the Yas Marina Circuit to hold two events simultaneously.

Yas Marina Circuit is collaboration between several different parties. The original plan was evolved by creative mastermind Philippe Gurdjian in conjunction with ALDAR, the builders of the track, and Tilke GmbH.

There are three main parties involved in the development of Yas Marina Circuit:

Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management (ADMM) – ADMM drives the overall vision of the project and is responsible for the creative oversight, communication and management of the Circuit.

ALDAR Properties PJSC – ALDAR is responsible for the build of Yas Island, a project which encompasses the Yas Marina Circuit. They have enlisted the help of many specialists such as Asymptote Architecture for Yas Marina Hotel and Omiros One Architecture for Yas Marina and the Yacht Club. ALDAR has a unique understanding of Abu Dhabi and the vision of ADMM plus the ability to work within the strict time constraints of the project.

Tilke GmbH – led by Hermann Tilke, architect Ulrich Merres carefully translates the ambition of Philippe Gurdjian turning it into a practically applied design response.

The three parties work together holistically to create and deliver the sophisticated and unique Yas Marina Circuit.

We are not in a position to discuss finances at this stage of the project but it’s fair to say that the cost of the development of Yas Marina Circuit is in line with other major sporting venues such as Wembley Stadium and the new Yankee Stadium in New York. There are however a couple of factors that work in our favour, Yas Marina Circuit is part of a larger project, Yas Island and as such economies of scale play a part in keeping the costs down.

The first soil was turned in February 2007.

Yas Marina Circuit is running to schedule and will be finished in plenty of time for the ADMM team to fully test all of the facilities prior to the race in November. The involved parties and the sports governing bodies are confident with the progress so far and the execution of the development.

At present there are 4,000 workers at the site. The peak will be 5,500 by end of 2008. At end of September 2008, 7.9 million man hours have been expended at the site.

Yas Marina Circuit is located on an island east of Abu Dhabi City. Yas Island is just one of the 200 islands that form Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Yas Island is located just 15 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport. A 10-lane highway will connect the airport, Yas Island, Saadiyat Island and Abu Dhabi City Centre. The circuit is approximately a twenty five minute drive from Abu Dhabi city centre.

The ethos behind the project was not only to develop a racing facility that the Formula 1™ community would be proud to visit but also a flagship, a centre of motorsporting excellence, that will showcase the region and highlight the many opportunities in the United Arab Emirates.

One of the most unique features of the track is the Yas Marina Hotel, the only hotel in the World to have a Formula 1™ track running through it, giving an unparalleled view to those lucky guests resident on race weekend.

When complete, Yas Marina Circuit will be one the most technologically advanced circuits in the World. What makes the Circuit even more special is that visitors will experience a mixture of the traditional Arabic culture and welcoming hospitality alongside sensational on-track action.

Standing resplendent at the top of the start finish straight is the Shams Tower, a VIP hospitality facility powered by one of the regions most plentiful resources – the sun. The Sun Tower will become one of the iconic landmarks of Yas Marina Circuit making it instantly recognisable for visitors and viewers around the World.

In addition Yas Marina Circuit features two pit buildings, an innovative dragstrip, a unique butterfly formation karting track, stylish grandstands and sophisticated Marina area including a hotel and yacht club.

Motorsport is a huge part of the sporting culture of the Middle East, Abu Dhabi is delighted to have secured the right and privilege to host a Formula 1™ Grand Prix from 2009 on behalf of all of the United Arab Emirates.

Formula 1™ is one of the only true global sports and compares with only the Olympic Games and Football World Cup in terms of audience reach. There couldn’t be a better time to be a new race on the calendar with the new rule changes turning the Formula 1™ back in to the competitive and passionate sport that millions of people around the World love to watch.

Formula 1™ will showcase and highlight the progressive diversity of Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates, a vibrant rapidly evolving country.

Hosting Formula 1™ brings with it many opportunities, for example on a domestic level it will drive pride and ownership within the region. On an international level it raises global awareness of the United Arab Emirates and will have a knock-on economic impact.

In addition to this, by creating a centre of motorsporting excellence, there will be strong business opportunities in the automotive research and development sector.

ADMM are aiming to set a new benchmark with the 2009 Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix making Abu Dhabi a welcome addition to the FIA Formula 1™ World Championship.

The Grand Prix franchise has been awarded to Abu Dhabi for a renewable seven year term until 2016.

There has been no official interest expressed in the 2009 Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix becoming a night race.

The Yas Marina Circuit is definitely a complementary initiative. We are full of admiration for what the Bahrain International Circuit have achieved over the past five years. They have done a great job of introducing the region to Formula 1™ and building local motorsport in the Kingdom of Bahrain and beyond.

There will be an intensive program of both International and National motorsport racing held at the circuit every year, after all this is not just a Grand Prix venue. The aim of Yas Marina Circuit is to be a vibrant centre of motorsport year round.

Yas Marina Circuit will be much more than a race track, in addition, we will also host major entertainment events such as shows and concerts, as well as providing an exciting venue for corporate events. The Sporting Team is working hard to put together the best possible calendar for 2010.

Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management (ADMM) – ADMM drives the overall vision of the project and is responsible for the creative oversight, communication and management of the Circuit. ADMM is responsible for driving pride and ownership for the project within the region achieving significant Emirati patronage of events at the circuit.

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

Etihad Airways is the title sponsor of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix until 2011.