Yas Marina is ready for F1 (with pictures)

26/10/2009
NEWS STORY

Lauded as one of the most sophisticated motorsport circuits ever built, Yas Marina Circuit is ready to host the highly-anticipated Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in just a few day's time. These photos capture the journey of the past two and a half years.

Picture 1: Aerial View of YMC Before Construction

Located on the North East side of Abu Dhabi's mainland, Yas Island is 2,500 hectares or 25 square kilometres. Prior to 2007, Yas Island had no amenities or facilities - including roads, electricity or water supply. Conveniently located, Yas Island is 20 minutes from the centre of Abu Dhabi, 10 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport and 50 minutes from Dubai.

Picture 2: Aerial View of Yas Marina Circuit May 08

By May 2008, the Yas Marina Circuit foundations are clearly visible from the air.

Picture 3: Aerial View of Yas Marina Circuit May 08

By May 2008, work on the Main Grandstand is underway. More than 6,000 spectators are entertained in the Main Grandstand opposite the Pit Building and garages. For many fans, this is the heart of the action, where the team pit garages and pit stops take place, of course, the location of the start and finish line as well as the victory podium.

Picture 4: Main Grandstand, Pit lane and The Yas Hotel Nov 08

By November 2008, substantial progress continues on the Main Grandstand, Pit Buildings and the Yas Hotel, with Yas Marina clearly defined. The pit buildings contain 40 independent garages, each 140 square metres, fully air conditioned with an air-wall at exit onto pit lane. The pit building houses the team's two race cars, all spare parts, engineering equipment and the computer data storage and analysis equipment. Between 75 and 100 people will work in each respective team's garage.

Picture 5: Night time view from North Grandstand Oct 09

October 2009, the night time view from the North Grandstand, looking down the section of the track where the drivers will wrestle through the chicane and hairpin and exit onto the longest straight in Formula 1.

Picture 6: View along the Main Straight to Shams Tower Oct 09

October 2009, the home straight with Shams Tower in the background. 'Shams' is Arabic for sun, and the tower has inbuilt solar panels to generate electricity for the tower.

Picture 7: Yas Island Masterplan Rendering

When completed Yas Island will be a premier mixed use development with theme parks, golf courses, and world class hotels.

Yas Marina Circuit Fact Sheet

Development Statistics

Work on Yas Marina Circuit began in February 2007, and has included:

Employing a workforce of 14,000

Investing 35 million man hours

Shifting 1.6 million cubic meters of earthwork

Laying 720,000 square meters of asphalt

Pouring 225,000 cubic meters of concrete

Installing 30 kilometres of special electronic ducts

Installing 25 kilometres of electrical cabling

Installing 17 kilometres of drainage

Installing 22 kilometres of irrigation piping

Landscaping 430,000 square meters of ground

Planting 5,000 trees

Setting 40 kilometres of curb-stones

Yas Marina Circuit Facts

Yas Marina Circuit has a unique combination of facilities including:

A 5.55km Formula 1 standard race track

The longest straight of any Formula 1 track

Raised grandstand with run-off area below

First tunnel re-entry back onto the track

Five covered, permanent grandstands

State-of-the-art air-conditioned hospitality facilities

70 garages in two pit buildings

The five-star 500 room Yas Hotel that straddles the circuit

A drag strip (YMC Raceway)

A driving academy

A marina and yacht club

To check out our Yas Marina Circuit gallery, click here