Yas gears up for F1 spectacle

Dubai Business News — In less than a fortnight, Sebastian Vettel will be back at his favourite race circuit bidding to complete a hat-trick even as the Yas Marina Circuit management is positioning the Yas Island from an event-based to a commercially viable venue.

Vettel, who won here in the inaugural year in 2009 and then crowned himself the youngest Formula One World Champion last year, has already retained this year's crown and will be starting off as the favourite to make it three in a row. Though the November 13 showdown in the day-night race will now essentially be a battle for second place, the Yas Circuit CEO Richard Cregan feels the event will be an exciting contest.

Speaking to Gulf News in an exclusive interview, Cregan said the Yas circuit was now not only relying on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix but the island was set to attract more visitors as a leisure venue. "What has been a big change for us from last year has been the Yas Marina Circuit moving from an event-based to a commercial-focused organisation," Cregan said.
Niche events

"To carry on the business, you have to become commercial for sustainability. And we are successfully moving through that transition. In the last year, we have established ourselves commercially and that will come into force very much next year," he predicted.

"It means we are having more and more experiences on the track, we are having different types of experiences. It is not only about experiences on the track, we have a lot of niche events, we had the World Economic Forum here, the National Bank of Abu Dhabi held their world forum here, Etihad Airways as well …so there is also a market on that front," the CEO said.

"The biggest change for this year from previous years is also the fact that Yas has now been established as a leisure destination. So the great thing that is supporting us here at Yas Marina Circuit is the fact that the Golf Links is fully operational, the Ferrari World is fully operational, the Marina and the hotels," Cregan said.

"The Yas Hotel is now called the Viceroy Hotel [under a different management] and a lot of these things have helped us facilitate and increase the awareness that Yas does exist.
"Added to this is the whole programme from Flash and the concerts which have really brought thousands of people to the island. And as a destination, how these things are managed and delivered is world class," he said. "In the coming years the water park is coming on, the retail park is coming on, and even simple things like the establishment of IKEA — that is a clean step forward in terms of attracting people on to the island."

"While they may come there for the retail experience they certainly come to know that there is a lot of leisure activity as well," said Cregan. Speaking to reporters during the announcement of the Rotax Max Challenge finals to be held in Al Ain later this month, Cregan said, "I think we're going to have a great event this year. The championships have been decided but now it's really an all out challenge to win."

"A lot of teams are looking at testing items that they're going to use next year so I think we're in for a really exciting race weekend. "The fact that the championships have been decided, that for me is never a worry because drivers have achieved their championships, the teams have achieved their championships, but they're hungry for wins and nothing can compensate for a top place on the podium.
"So they will always be striving to achieve that and I think winning at Yas Marina is always very special. It's a beautiful event and a beautiful trophy and as I said drivers always want to win."

Reports from GulfNews.com.