With the longest straight, starting in daylight and finishing at night, and a run-off zone under the grandstand, the spectacular Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi has some special Formula 1 features to offer.
Once a year - at the last Grand Prix of the season - the Formula 1 drivers meet for a showdown in the desert of Abu Dhabi. As one of the most modern and expensive racetracks in the Formula 1 circus, the Yas Marina Circuit forms the appropriate backdrop to celebrate the new Formula 1 world champion.
Right next door is Ferrari World, the world's largest indoor theme park, the next attraction for motorsport fans. Both attractions are among our top 10 attractions in Abu Dhabi.
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PICTURES: Formula 1 Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi
Photo gallery: Formula 1 Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi
Unique in the Formula 1 circus
The Abu Dhabi circuit has a number of special features. For example, it is the only Formula 1 circuit whose pit lane access leads through a tunnel. There are no more gravel beds, all run-off zones are asphalted. One of them even runs under the grandstand. Anyone who drives too fast here offers the audience a particularly spectacular take-off.
Even the good old tyre stacks have been discarded in Abu Dhabi in favour of new types of air-filled plastic barriers as impact absorbers.
The timing is also a novelty at the Yas Marina Circuit. The Abu Dhabi Formula 1 race starts at 17:00 local time and thus in daylight and ends in complete darkness, but illuminated as bright as day. The operators thus effectively set the stage for the impressive backdrop for spectators by day and night.
Longest straight line of the Formula 1 circus
Last but not least, the Abu Dhabi circuit holds the record for the longest straight of any Grand Prix circuit. Between turns 7 and 8, the drivers have the best chances of overtaking on a length of 1.2 kilometres with a top speed of 320 km/h. The so-called "hanging curves" with their track inclination counteract the centrifugal forces also offer the best chances of overtaking. Also in the so-called "hanging curves", whose track inclination counteracts the centrifugal forces, greater acceleration is possible than in normal curves.
Creation of the Formula 1 circuit in Abu Dhabi
The approximately 5.5km long Yas Marina Circuit was designed by German race track designer Hermann Tilke and completed in October 2009. 45,000 people were employed in the construction of Yas Island and the Yas Marina Circuit alone provides 14,600 jobs. The construction of the huge complex cost an incredible 40 billion US dollars.
The ultra-modern and fully covered grandstands offer space for around 50,000 spectators and the 430,000 square metres of green space in the middle of the desert are shaded by 5,000 trees. The Yas Marina Circuit celebrated its Formula 1 debut on 1 November 2009, when Sebastian Vettel celebrated his first world championship title.
Yas Hotel
In order to accommodate the international VIPs from all over the world at the most modern race track in the world, a luxury hotel directly at the Formula 1 circuit must of course not be missing.
The Yas Hote offers its guests 499 rooms and 8 different restaurants with specialities from all over the world. Its curved roof made of thousands of glass panels and steel struts changes colour thanks to integrated light-emitting diodes and is the most striking feature of the entire Yas Marina Circuit.
The 5-star hotel also stands out for its extravagant architecture. It is located partly over land and partly over water and consists of two 12-storey buildings that directly flank the race track.
In order to follow the racing action, the hotel guests do not even have to leave the building. A bridge leads from the hotel directly to the paddock area of the racing stables.
Entertainment offerings at the Yas Marina Circuit
In addition to the Yas Hotel, 6 other hotels have been built on the island. The Yas Waterworld, Ferrari World, a huge shopping centre, golf courses and other leisure facilities provide a suitable social programme around the Formula 1 race.
Motorsport fans can also try out the racetrack for themselves in the 2-seater or race through the bends as a co-driver next to a professional driver. The individual racing experience is possible in an Aston Martin GT4, a Chevrolet Camaro SS or a real Formula 1 car with a V6 engine. The Yas Drift Nights are a great way to let off some steam when drift professionals from near and far get the tyres smoking.
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