Jon Noble posted some photos of Yas Marina on his twitter site this am - here's the link http://twitter.com/noblef1 Carol
Just read an article about Abu Dhabi (written yesterday) and it states, that a lot of what's being built/planned won't be finished before 2018. So yes, right now the whole area around Yas Marina is one giant construction site (rumor has it, that only 2 floors of the hotel at the track are actually finished). The biggest thread for the race is sand to be blown onto the track.
Sand as in potential engine problems and/or off track excursions? It will be interesting to get feedback from this event. Our friends from London are staying in Dubai and their seats are in the North Grandstand. Interestingly enough the LMS partial schedule for 2010 was released yesterday with November 19, 20 and 21 as fixed dates but location not yet announced. Speculation is that it's the Yas Marina circuit (or Japan). Carol
My understanding is that sand will be a problem as it will make the track very slippy when not on the racing line, thus making overtaking more difficult. Looks like a fun circuit and a good one to visit. I think the pit exit tunnel will sort the men from the boys!
Before the petrol is off in Arabian countries, a lot off of stunning investments will be located there. I have been twice to Dubai and it is really impressive what they do. I cannot go to Grand Prix this weekend but I hope to go there next year. It is great that Arabian took a chance to use financial power they have.
Jonathon Noble from Autosport has Tweeted this: "NobleF1 Another glorious morning in Abu Dhabi. Have been promised a sneak peak inside the amazing Ferrari World later today" I'll post a link if he puts up any pics.
Can we spend the 10K to attend a F1 race? Yes--------------Will we------------NO. It is no longer known as racing---------------------simply marketing!
Huh? Average ticket prices are about $ 500 for the weekend. If you go to some of the bigger cities like Barcelona, Budapest or Istanbul you won't pay premium hotel prices, but regular prices. Flights to Europe are about $ 700. Altogether about 2k. That said, I have no problem with F1 costing more than other sports. It is supposed to be somewhat exclusive.
My point has been missed---------------------IT'S NO LONGER RACING IT IS ALL MARKETING--------------- If I had a few more years left in me I would sell the 308 and go club racing with the Mini.
It still is racing. These are the fastest cars around a track on the planet. Yes it is a gigantic exercise in marketing. Has been like that since the invention of F1. Grand Prix racing started out as a podium for the nations of Europe (Hitler's silver arrows ring a bell?). In the fifties it became more of a battle of car manufacturers as automobiles became affordable in the post war era. The sixties saw the first sponsorship stickers on the cars and once JPS livery appeared on the Lotus, the professional era was rung in. The nineties just took the sport to a more global level and raised the professional bar. Nothing new here.
Looks a fantastic place to me and set to get better, which in a sense is a pity but what the hell if I was sat on that much oil I would pay Bernie to have it my back garden, thats the way the cookie crumbles. Lets hope Bernie does the right thing and TRY's to get the right balance of paying of the debt's and keeping some nostalgia within the sport.
