My UAE adventure at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2015

Thursday 26th November had arrived and it was time for the start of our grand prix weekend. I woke up late (as usual) to a well pre-prepared breakfast from Graham, we double-scanned the days itinerary before checklisting items into our typical racing fan rucksacks.

The hour or so journey to Yas Island passed with very little incident, bar the short first fuel stop of the holiday which may I add included prices of just less than 20p a litre. Once we’d filled with approximately £10 of fuel (yes a full tank out there) we made on our way for the final part of the journey. Having come from Dubai as opposed to Abu Dhabi I must add that the approach to Yas Island was one of the most spectacular in my life to date. Having arrived from Abu Dhabi in the past, albeit in a taxi, the general view is of essentially desert, one highway and the island itself. Turn it the other way however and you see not just an island of enterprise but the incredible sea, seperate islands and skyscrapers of Abu Dhabi that really do scrape the sky, such is the heat haze.

From here we made our way to Yas Beach, on this day seemingly the best place to park if you have seen the logistics layout of grand prix weekend. Having tried limited parking at Yas Marina, or more precisely none, this had to do. Without the actual use of a bus stop at Yas beach, surprising considering its ever more pressing status on the event itself, we walked what felt like an age (but was actually five minutes) to west gate. Access at last to the pit lane walk!

The initial walk up involved the usual airport style security checks, essential on even a small build up event such as this. There had been a fairly significant attack in the fortnight leading up to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix therefore more security was A expected and B appreciated by the majority of the crowd.

From here we entered the F1 Village, the area of the circuit which is laid out for anything concerning F1 fans for the events four day duration. This day in particular meant you could park-up by the makeshift podium for the team autograph sessions, enjoy a beer or two in the designated F1 bar, buy your favourite F1 merchandise, play F1 2016 in tandem with over 8 other people (of which I won, earning a ride in the actual simulator) and even ride a zipwire. Plus enjoy the annual sponsorship extras from proud race partner Etihad Airways.

Cleverly, the actual pit lane walk itself started at the farthest end of the village, hence forcing you to walk through it before allowing you access to what was the primary event of the day. All layed out specifically for..marketing purposes. The zig-zagged barriers took us at first to the pit lane exit, which here is a sight to behold more than others. That being, the tunnel which goes underneath the track, exiting to the near side. From here you walk to the edge of the start-finish straight with the pit lane directly opposite. It was then a case of taking in the width and length more than anything, of the track itself. Far bigger than you ever realise on your screen at home. Finally you then enter the pit lane, one that actually dips on its egress as opposed to a rise, taking cars below the track, as mentioned.

The walk itself was a good but so-so experience, enhanced by the small going’s on in the various team garages. A lot of the excitement for such walks comes from many thinking they will get up close and personal with the incredible machines we call F1 cars. In reality, those machines are only just starting to take shape at such time. Again, the uniqueness of an F1 car being that it can be built, taken apart, and put back together again, all within the space of a few hours. Like flat-pack furniture, only its not furniture, or a Meccano kids toy, only it’s most definitely not a toy. Track-side of the pit lane actually personally brought my favourite observation of the walk. The ten plus row of team pit walls. Not different walls, but the individually tented computer areas where team personel sit to control their cars during the race. No remotes needed, just wireless computing in todays world. Each one specifically bedecked to represent each teams individualism and a snapshot of what they bring to the sport. Before the walks conclusion we were even lucky enough to see a range of Sauber front wings being trundled down the pit lane. Some would say priceless!

Once this finished, we attempted a variety of photographic pieces involving the grid itself, main grandstand and main straight, not realising we would get the chance again, after the race. I had had such chance the year before, but still, this was a daytime occasion. The after race pit-straight convergence is a night time occurence that brings with it different results, thus different memories if captured.

There was still time to take an afternoon sajourn in the sun via the main grandstand, watching our fellow fans as they experienced their own pitlane participation. Dinner at Yas Mall was to come, but we visited so many restaurants, most of them new, that I am not even going to attempt to review or recall them here. After all, this was not a UAE restaurant holiday nor a UAE restaurant review!

Up next I will endeavor to review the weekend’s 3 on-track days in one. Hopefully the excitement is not too much to contain in one article but on this evidence, might be a challenge!