F1 circuit
Most people who follow the F1 will know that Abu Dhabi has its own designated F1 track since 2009. It’s 5.3km and is ordinarily used to host the final race of the season. Even though it is held in December, which is a cool month in the UAE, the race starts at sunset to avoid the heat of the day, meaning the drivers are first racing with daylight and then transition into night racing with the floodlights on.
We actually know the circuit quite well, because most of the year it is open every Monday and Wednesday evenings to the public. Anyone can access the entire track and go for a walk, a run or ride a bike. You need to register and get yourself a barcode, but the access to the track is completely free. And, if you are a tourist in the UAE, or simply don’t have a bicycle, you can even use one of their bikes. Also for free. They have a fleet of mountainbikes, hybrids and racing bikes that can be borrowed for a ride on the track. And if you want a better bike, or don’t want to wait in a queue (it has become popular now), there are also a few shops where you can rent a bike for a few hours.
some of the bikes available to use for free on the circuit
Jon using one of the bikes available to ride the Yas Marina Circuit
Jude riding the F1 for the first time, this is the corner we were sitting during the F1 event
We try to go often, as we enjoy the ability to ride without cars around, or traffic lights. And of course we take our visitors there for a lap too if it is open. They usually play some tunes over the loudspeakers, and of course all the floodlights are on. It’s a fun experience that we enjoy very much.
cycling with Pat and Paul
with Vai, Lauren and her parents
with Philip and Paul
cycling with Jo who came to visit us from Australia
But a few weeks before the F1 weekend, the track is usually closed in order for them to prepare everything around the big event. In 2024 we missed the race as we had been way too late to even consider buying tickets, but in 2025 Jon was lucky enough to receive some corporate tickets through work as they are one of the main sponsors. He had two tickets for qualifying day, so we both went on Saturday morning to the Yas Marina Circuit. We parked our car in the nearby shopping centre and decided to walk the short distance to the entrance, but there are free buses available too if you don’t want to walk.
It was not busy at all, as most people only show up much later to watch the qualifying laps and there were only a handful of people in the corporate stand. We explored the area a bit, and then watched from the grandstand until it was time for lunch. This was of course all included in the corporate hospitality, and we enjoyed some great food.
Jon and Jude at the qualifying for the Abu Dhabi F1
Jude enjoying some of the excellent food at the F1 event
We then walked around the circuit, enjoying a chocolate tasting experience from Ecuador, tried our hand at replacing a F1 wheel as fast as possible, and just enjoyed the atmosphere. We weren’t bad at replacing the wheel, but we don’t think they will be offering us a job on the team unfortunately.
Jon enjoying the story and chocolate from Ecuador
we exchange one of the tyres of a F1 vehicle
The rest of the day we enjoyed hanging out in the grandstand, watching the qualifying, taking some photos, enjoying the hospitality, and playing the games in the games room. We had been one of the first to arrive, and we were one of the last to leave as we even watched the opening song from the Metallica concert. It had been a fun day.
oops
qualifying is also at night for the Abu Dhabi F1 event
Metallica plays after qualifying, we can watch from the circuit
Unfortunately there was only one ticket available for race day, it seemed it was a bit more popular to attend, and so only Jon made the trip to the Yas Marina Circuit again on the Sunday. He enjoyed the same hospitality and grandstand as during qualifying, but this time surrounded by more colleagues in a much busier grandstand.
Jon during race day with Mez and Philip
the sun sets on race day at the F1 in Abu Dhabi
the race continues after dark
After the race (won by Max Verstappen, but Lando Norris won the overall season) Jon joined several colleagues at the Kate Perry concert who was the main headline act for the F1 event. It had been a fun event to attend, and it was interesting to see the circuit we normally cycle around in a different setting. Not sure we would be willing to pay the high fees for a standard entry ticket though….
Jon at the Kate Perry concert after the Abu Dhabi F1