Discussion
Who's got their tickets then?
Criminally I've never been to Yas for F1 itself - though I was sitting backstage at the du Arena last year watching the BBC feed on my laptop whilst hearing the cars 10 secs ahead of the TV action.
Yas have introduced a new General Admission ticket which gives access to the circuit and the concerts etc, just not a seat in the grandstand. Instead, you can sit up on the grassy hill to watch the action. It's priced at 395 for Friday, 545 for Saturday & Sunday, or 995 (go figure) for all three days. Sounds like a better deal than the 1500 they want for a grandstand ticket.
Criminally I've never been to Yas for F1 itself - though I was sitting backstage at the du Arena last year watching the BBC feed on my laptop whilst hearing the cars 10 secs ahead of the TV action.
Yas have introduced a new General Admission ticket which gives access to the circuit and the concerts etc, just not a seat in the grandstand. Instead, you can sit up on the grassy hill to watch the action. It's priced at 395 for Friday, 545 for Saturday & Sunday, or 995 (go figure) for all three days. Sounds like a better deal than the 1500 they want for a grandstand ticket.
Hey Harris (long time),
I know - I did have press passes for the first year, but I bailed as I was massively jet lagged from a horrendous flight back from Tokyo, so didn't go. From hearing from those who did go as media, I didn't miss much as you're limited to watching from the screens in the media centre.
Though I've moved out of the car game (social media now), it's always been a niggle that I've not gone, but I could never accept to pay 1500Dhs to sit in a grandstand and miss half the action.
Always thought the hill would be a decent spot to view - for those who don't know, it's the one with Abu Dhabi slapped on it on the infleld. You drive past it as you come through the tunnel from the main gate 20. It should have a decent view of the cars from turns 3-4 (the uphill/downhill stretch) and down past the race school/johnny rockets, then back up the main straight.
For 545 Dhs seemed too good an offer to miss out on, actually bought my ticket from Yas today. Double and triple checked that the 2 day ticket gives access on raceday, as the 1 day ticket is a bit pointless tbh.
I know - I did have press passes for the first year, but I bailed as I was massively jet lagged from a horrendous flight back from Tokyo, so didn't go. From hearing from those who did go as media, I didn't miss much as you're limited to watching from the screens in the media centre.
Though I've moved out of the car game (social media now), it's always been a niggle that I've not gone, but I could never accept to pay 1500Dhs to sit in a grandstand and miss half the action.
Always thought the hill would be a decent spot to view - for those who don't know, it's the one with Abu Dhabi slapped on it on the infleld. You drive past it as you come through the tunnel from the main gate 20. It should have a decent view of the cars from turns 3-4 (the uphill/downhill stretch) and down past the race school/johnny rockets, then back up the main straight.
For 545 Dhs seemed too good an offer to miss out on, actually bought my ticket from Yas today. Double and triple checked that the 2 day ticket gives access on raceday, as the 1 day ticket is a bit pointless tbh.
thb said:
Though I've moved out of the car game (social media now), it's always been a niggle that I've not gone, but I could never accept to pay 1500Dhs to sit in a grandstand and miss half the action.
Same here. I just needed to scratch the itch and once I had done, realised I hadn't been missing much. Much as I love motorsports, watching it live leaves me a bit cold. Not a great spectator sport, esp F1. Always found it strange how the whole world watches it. Also strange how people have strong opinions on it, when the skills and technology are so far out of reach of the ordinary fan. I mean, it's not like you once had a mazey run followed by a flukey spectacular goal playing Sunday League on the Hackney Marshes and so you kind of relate to what makes Lionel Messi so brilliant.It's quite good watching it from on a yacht in the Marina whilst supping on a few cold beers 
Although you end up watching the race on the big screen as you can't see the track
We were in South Stand Upper and all the action happened in front of us so going again in the same seats this year I think.
Claire
Although you end up watching the race on the big screen as you can't see the track
We were in South Stand Upper and all the action happened in front of us so going again in the same seats this year I think.
Claire
agree with harris. love driving and the atmosphere at the track but would much rather wath a close race in front a screen.
i was watching the 1973 nurburgring gp on youtube t'other night. now that is a spectacle. looking for some late 80's dvd's to watch f1 as i remember it, powerslides, dodgy handling under braking and the lot.
i was watching the 1973 nurburgring gp on youtube t'other night. now that is a spectacle. looking for some late 80's dvd's to watch f1 as i remember it, powerslides, dodgy handling under braking and the lot.
As I will more than likely be in Abu Dhabi anyway because of work commitments for the concerts, I thought it made sense to go. I just kicked my heels during the day last year when all the action was happening the other side of the grandstands.
To be fair, watching F1 at a track is near-impossible to follow the action, so you end up watching it on screen too. However, as good as a TV might be, you don't get the noise/smells/heat of the action that way.
To be fair, watching F1 at a track is near-impossible to follow the action, so you end up watching it on screen too. However, as good as a TV might be, you don't get the noise/smells/heat of the action that way.
There's 5 hotels on Yas Island itself - but the prices get silly around F1 time. There's some new digs opened up on Sadiayaat Island which would only be a 10 min ride away in a cab. TBH, so long as you don't choose to stay in Qasr Al Sarab which is in the middle of nowhere, any Abu Dhabi hotel would be 'close'.
Alternatively, stay in Dubai - it's only 45mins down the road to get to Yas.
Alternatively, stay in Dubai - it's only 45mins down the road to get to Yas.
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