With the eyes of the world on Yas Marina Circuit this weekend, it is the job of Chief Executive Officer Al Tareq Al Ameri and his team to make sure the 2015 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix goes exactly as per plans and delivers the highest satisfaction and comfort to all stakeholders involved in the event.
Al Ameri spoke to Sport360 on eve of the Grand Prix, on what it takes to host an event of this stature and what successful organisation means to Yas Marina Circuit and Abu Dhabi…
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What is the importance of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to Yas Marina Circuit, and to the city of Abu Dhabi?
The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is extremely important to Yas Marina Circuit. It is our biggest event of the year where the eyes of Formula 1 fans and sports fans from all over the world will be watching.
We have worked extremely hard to make this an event that everyone can be proud of and we just want to create something people will want to come back to time and time again.
Since we first started in 2009, we have been working hard each year to make race weekend the region’s biggest and best sporting and entertainment proposition.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is obviously a fantastic showcase for Abu Dhabi on the global stage and we are very proud of what we have achieved since the inaugural race.
We do have a world-class facility here at Yas Marina Circuit, and with our full schedule of community events such as StartYAS, TrainYAS and GoYAS each week, and many other public events, we feel that Yas Marina Circuit, as a venue, is for the people as much as it is home to state-of-the-art racing.
We are happy for people to enjoy our circuit all year round and we do everything possible to encourage them to do so.
What can the first-time Abu Dhabi GP spectator look forward to?
They can expect a huge array of world-class entertainment on and off the track. With the GP2 and GP3 racing supporting the season finale of the world’s only twilight Formula1 race across the weekend there will be plenty to see for racing fans.
Additionally, we have an actionpacked schedule of entertainment including some of the biggest international and Arabic artists in the world. Not to mention our Oasis areas full of entertainment around Yas Marina Circuit, with more than 30 world-class street entertainers thrilling the capacity crowds of 60,000 people.
If you have to list three must-do things for the fans at Yas Marina Circuit during the F1 week, what would they be?
It’s hard to list just three, we have a lot to offer once again this year.
Obviously, the on-track action will be something no F1 fan will want to miss. For those visiting the UAE for the first time, I would recommend they pay a visit to our Emirati heritage and culture zone in the Oasis areas as we count down to UAE National Day. Finally, of course, the amazing line-up of world-class artists performing after each day of racing over the whole weekend.
Is there something new that the fans can experience this year at Yas Marina Circuit?
Our theme for 2015 is ‘Go Beyond’ and we are trying to do that across the board. While our ticket allocation is 60,000, the same as last year, we have upped our game with new additions across the board – from introducing new corporate hospitality and individual ticket packages, to bigger and better entertainment in the Oasis areas, to A-list international artists and much more.
We are also celebrating the UAE’s heritage and culture in the lead up to UAE National Day with special zones around the track
We have also upgraded our YasHUB smartphone app that allows race goers to ignite their weekend and control every aspect of their experience – from seating, entertainment, as well as the most up to date news and team/driver news – all at the touch of a button.
Hard to believe that we’re about to see 60,000 #F1 fans over the next few days. Are you ready for the #AbuDhabiGP? pic.twitter.com/ks6tog7273
— Yas Marina Circuit (@ymcofficial) November 26, 2015
During the F1 week, is Yas Marina Circuit a family-friendly place? What are the things that children can do during the week? Absolutely, it’s a brilliant experience for the family and kids. I’ve mentioned the many Oasis areas around the track and they will be a source of fun for the family right across the venue. Abu Dhabi Hill is now a superb area to watch the action where you can have plenty of room and relax in the middle of one of the world’s most famous circuits. The Pit Lane walk on Thursday for three-day ticket holders is an amazing time for kids as they can see up close and personal and see teams working on the cars in each garage before the racing gets underway on the Friday.
How much time does it take for Yas Marina to put together a week like this? Can you give us an idea about what goes it to make it logistically possible?
The planning for each Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend really begins as the last one ends. Last year was an incredibly successful event which of course saw the culmination of the season ending with Lewis Hamilton picking up his second world championship. Only a few days after that race, we all sat down and began to look at how this year could be even better.
Whilst we can’t plan what happens on the track, we learn each and every year on how to make the event even better than the last.
Logistically, it’s about team work. Everyone from our team, from the F&B department, track maintenance, team liaison through to the volunteers, photographers and media all work together in making sure we deliver the most exciting and smooth Formula 1 weekend possible each year. And it is also about successfully working together with all of the Abu Dhabi stakeholders.
What are the yardsticks or parameters you have of measuring success? From Yas Marina Circuit’s perspective what would have to happen to consider this year a success?
Well, we are well on course for another sell out weekend as our capacity of 60,000 is almost full. We have sold out year-on-year, and that is testament to the way we do things here in Abu Dhabi.
For me, it’s delivering a smooth event that everyone enjoys and leaves having enjoyed the unique sporting and entertainment experience that Yas Marina Circuit offers. A high customer satisfaction is key.
From the very beginning, we wanted this event to be something that people wanted to return to again and again. To do that, you need to cater for everyone. I believe we do that and to see the 60,000 fans fans leave with smiles on their faces is the greatest measure of success for us.
