The GPKingdom team visited the Yas Marina Circuit Tour, the guided tour of the Abu Dhabi track: here’s our review!
Started in May 2007 and completed in October 2009, Yas Marina Circuit has become a staple on the Formula 1 calendar, marking the final race before the winter break. As such, it has often been the stage for legendary title battles: from 2010 to 2016, and most recently the historic 2021 clash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
The Yas Marina Circuit Tour Experience: Our Review
Among the many experiences the track offers is a guided tour of the facility: starting from Yas Central, the building located before Turn 5, you can enjoy an immersive experience in the modern Emirati circuit, which was modified in the summer of 2021 to facilitate overtaking and increase average speed.
The itinerary begins at Turn 5, the site of the 2021 showdown: here you can first see initiatives related to the F1 School, then head to the grandstands for a view of the entire 1.1-kilometer straight. All transfers are made by bus, so there’s no need for long walks.
Moving on, the second stop is the paddock, where the bus will pause for an extended stop. Here, the guide will first show you the so-called “villas”, thirteen small houses built for the teams to use as hospitality areas behind the garages.
After a short walk through the area coveted by fans during race weekends, it’s time to dive into the heart of the experience: in sequence, you’ll visit the Briefing Room, the Cooldown Room, and especially the brand-new podium area, with the chance to stand on the top step and celebrate as if you were a Formula 1 champion.
After the podium, it’s time to hit the track: a track walk on the main straight allows you to walk where the world’s twenty fastest cars launch at the lights, with the opportunity to snap photos right in the middle of the track.
To finish, the bus you’ve been touring in will take you for a complete lap of the circuit, covering all 16 turns of the new layout.
The Yas Marina Circuit Tour Experience: Is It Worth It?
The price isn’t exactly cheap: the tour starts from 159 AED (just over 40 euros), excluding any track tests or kart races on the circuit’s go-kart track outside Yas Central (CLICK HERE to purchase tour tickets).
However, if you’re a motorsport enthusiast visiting the United Arab Emirates, this is definitely a unique experience. Abu Dhabi is already a key part of Formula 1 history and is set to witness more thrilling world title battles in the years to come.
Photo: GPKingdom