‘Take it up a notch’: Yas Marina evolves as Grand Prix host – from the F1 Magazine

Tareq Al Ameri, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit. Antonie Robertson / The National

Al Tareq Al Ameri smiles when asked to recall his feelings during the 2014 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, his first in the role of chief executive at Yas Marina Circuit.

“I think I took a sigh of relief when Lewis [Hamilton] crossed the line to win the race,” the Emirati says with a laugh. “Before that it was just trying to deal with things left and right and it was just a relief to get the event over with and for it to have been such a successful weekend.”

Twelve months on, and ahead of this year’s race on Sunday, Al Ameri believes he will be better able to enjoy race day.

“I feel much calmer this year,” he adds. “But, seriously, we have a strong team here and they have perfected the formula around organising the event.

“Every year we strive to improve and to take it up a notch. So, hopefully, this year it will more visible to the customers and they can see the difference.

“This year we are more focused and detailed in the kind of experience we want to give the customers.”

As to what is different, he adds: “Now we have focused entertainment packages for people on the Abu Dhabi Hill, and in the main Oasis areas around the different grandstands. So people should see it is more focused on each particular area and the kind of clientele that are buying those tickets.”

While the highlight of the year for Yas Marina Circuit remains the grand prix, the 5.5-kilometre track’s role in the community continues to expand.

Three days of the week it is a venue for the public to take part in health and fitness, with StartYas on Sundays, TrainYas on Tuesdays and GoYas on Wednesdays.

Meanwhile, the fifth staging of the TriYas triathlon took place in February this year, while the Zayed Marathon was held at the circuit in March. In the same month more than 10,000 people took part in the 5km Colour Run.

“With already more than 250,000 visits to the circuit for health and fitness purposes alone, we have developed into a space that offers a wide range of opportunities to get active and stay fit,” Al Ameri says.

Motorsport is not reserved for F1; the Yas Racing Series, karting and track days for cars and bikes are part of the annual schedule.

The TRD 86 Cup, a series in which drivers buy and race their own Toyota GT86 cars in races at the track, has proved to be a success. The second year of the championship began last month.

The aim of the series is to get more local drivers involved in motorsport.

Al Ameri is encouraged by what he has seen.

“We have seen a lot of young Emiratis coming on board,” he says. “They are not professionals, but some of them are giving the professionals a run for their money.”