Yas Marina Circuit reveals it will host the F4 support races at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2019 for the first time ever, with Moto GP champion Valentino Rossi set to make his Gulf 12 Hours debut
DriveYAS track days extended to six days a-week with new driver experiences and updated fleet with racing classics and an all-terrain vehicle offering more choice and flexibility
Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, September, 2019: Yas Marina Circuit’s 2019-20 calendar will provide more access opportunities for communities to be engaged through focusing on developing local motorsport talent, community fitness, and family entertainment.
Yas Marina Circuit will, for the first time, host the F4 season finale during the five-day FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX 2019, revealed organisers. Providing a global platform for this popular junior series, the races also feature up-and-coming Emirati talent and will put young UAE drivers in the international spotlight.
Highlights of the hotly-anticipated calendar include a comprehensive expansion of the DriveYAS motoring experience days, combining even more flexibility with more customer-centric choice when it comes to driver and passenger thrills. A fleet of the latest Aston Martin supercars will be joined by legendary racing machines and off-road beasts in an extended six days a-week of track days at Abu Dhabi’s home of motorsport.
Meanwhile the circuit’s popular StartYAS, TrainYAS, GoYAS by Daman and TrainAM health and fitness events will be merged under the TrainYAS by Daman banner, with a revamped weekly schedule building on the base already established to encourage visitors to get involved and develop their abilities, with monthly competitive events and group classes by Haddins Fitness.
With an enhanced community focus and the return of motorsport favourites including Yas Racing Series, F3 and TRD 86 Cup, the new calendar cements Yas Marina Circuit’s position as a year-round hub for sport, entertainment, fitness and business, delivering on its ‘Always-On’ promise.
Al Tareq Al Ameri, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit, said: “Yas Marina Circuit is immensely proud to host the F4 series at this year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, especially as it will feature for the first time two Emirati future racing stars and provide an inspiration for younger, developing talent in a globally resonant motorsport arena. In addition, the latest events calendar full of diverse motorsport races, as well as an even wider programme of community events and fitness initiatives provides more opportunities to access and engage with the circuit on a regular basis.
“We also wanted to increase the range of motorsport user-experiences under the DriveYAS banner. By introducing two brand new motoring products that challenge on- and off-road skills, as well as a fleet of the latest Aston Martin supercars, we are underlining Yas Marina Circuit’s status as a hub for the complete track-day experience.”
DriveYAS days will now feature the all-new Caterham Seven 360, a low-slung machine with an open-air cockpit. Professional racing instructors will be on hand to help motorists test the limits of a thoroughbred racing icon. Meanwhile, fans of off-road racing can indulge their passion in the Polaris RZR R1, a custom-made, all-terrain specialist vehicle. Yas Marina Circuit has created a purpose-built track where a professional instructor team will help drivers unleash their off-road monster in challenging driving conditions.
In one of the most exciting announcements of the 2019-20 calendar, Yas Marina Circuit revealed it will host the F4 support series during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – a first in the race’s history. This means that UAE sisters, Hamda and Amna Al Qubaisi, provide a local relevance to this year’s incredible line-up of global stars.
H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Emirates Motorsport Organization EMSO – formerly the Automobile & Touring Club of the UAE – and FIA Vice President Sport, said: “It is crucial to support our young racing talent and provide a platform that allows them to develop under the most professional racing conditions. The F4 races will be a showcase of the technical ability of these young drivers, and today’s F4 racers could become tomorrow’s F1® champions.”
In association with Daman, Yas Marina Circuit has become a hub for health and activity within Abu Dhabi through its weekly programmes. TrainYAS by Daman will continue to provide a base of weekly cycling, walking and running each Sunday & Tuesday, but there will be layers of activity added with monthly competitive fitness events in association with Abu Dhabi Sports Council and group activity classes thanks to Haddins Fitness. TrainAM by Abu Dhabi Cycling will also offer morning club cycles every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday
The most keenly-anticipated event on the 2019-20 calendar is undoubtedly the FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX 2019. Yas Marina Circuit is heading for a sell-out five-day festival from November 28 to December 1. The five-day festival of on-track and off-track entertainment also includes the 48th UAE National Day celebrations, the inaugural R.M. Sotheby’s classic car auction, street performers, plus four musical performances by global A-listers including Travis Scott and The Killers, with more to be announced.
However, the championship-ending race is not the only world-class motorsport to be held at Yas Marina Circuit. The circuit continues to host the Toyota Racing Development (TRD) 86 Cup, a single-make, motorsport championship introduced in 2014 to help amateur racers drive in a professional, competitive environment. Now in its sixth season, the competition features professional and amateur racers in both Gold and Silver classes and registration for drivers is now open.
The Gulf 12 Hours endurance race is also back on 12th-14th December and will feature seven-time Moto GP legend Valentino Rossi, while the Yas Super Street Challenge, Yas Marina Circuit’s local urban racing competition, will return with five categories over four rounds. Other fans favourites include Yas Racing Series, the Rotax Max Challenge, plus Formula Renault.
H.E. Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “Yas Marina Circuit is one of Abu Dhabi’s most important facilities for the promotion of sporting excellence across a range of disciplines. We are committed to working in partnership with Yas Marina Circuit to build healthy and active lifestyles and promote the development of sporting skills and values on an ongoing and regular basis. The inclusion of even more first-hand motorsport experiences in the 2019-20 calendar is an important step and one we support whole-heartedly.”
Triathletes and cyclists can look forward to calendar highlights including the 10th edition of Daman Challenge TriYAS, Daman World Triathlon Abu Dhabi 2020 and the UAE Tour, while community favourites including WALK 2019 and build up events for the ADNOC Marathon make a welcome return.
To find out more about the incredible line-up available at Yas Marina Circuit, please visit: www.yasmarinacircuit.com
Tickets for the FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX 2019 are available online at www.yasmarinacircuit.com, through the Yas Marina Circuit Call Centre (800 927) or +971 (0) 2 659 9800, as well as through all Etihad Shops and Virgin Megastores, Yas Central Express stand at Yas Mall, and through the YasHUB smartphone app and its Facebook shop: www.facebook.com/yasmarinacircuit
Leave a Reply