Yas Marina Circuit gears up to host Abu Dhabi GP under strict protocols

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

A team of experts at the Yas Marina Circuit are busy in making sure that everything is ready and set to go ahead as the iconic track prepares to host the Formula One season finale- the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2020.

Dedicated medical staff, maintenance teams and skilled technical experts putting their best efforts in pursuit to get the mega event delivered successfully.

More than 3,000 people will be working within the biosphere at the track, including seven hotels on Yas Island and 1,100 hotel staff supporting efforts to deliver this year’s event.

SEHA has dedicated 62 personnel supporting the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with teams working both inside and outside the safe zone biosphere.

With 15 COVID-19 testing venues set up around Yas Marina Circuit, with an average of 420 tests per day carried out in the build up before the teams and support crews arrive on site.

The next seven days will see a total of 12,000-plus tests conducted - at an average of one COVID-19 test every 4 minutes.

To help keep people safe, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix title Sponsor, Etihad Airways will also be providing 1,200 wellness kits during the weekend, which will include hand sanitisers, face masks, gloves and a snood.

As one of the world’s well known motorsports venue, it’s vital that Yas Marina Circuit looks its very best for the many millions watching live on TV around the globe.

Squads of painters will work around the clock to apply a fresh coat of paint to the 5.5-km track, especially the world-famous ‘Yas blue’ paint.

Away from track and the grandstands, Yas Marina Circuit’s 275,500 square metres of landscaped areas are also given special attention with teams of gardeners pruning and planting 92,500 seasonal flowers and petunias to bring a splash of natural colour to Yas Marina Circuit.

While the maintenance operation is going on ahead of Formula One weekend, behind the scenes the huge logistical task of organising this epic motorsport event is already well under way.

In addition to the Covid-19 preparations and precautions in place, squads of highly skilled technicians and safety experts will inspect every inch of the Circuit as part of intensive procedures to ensure the safety of the drivers and teams as the Formula One action unfolds.

Everything from the placement and condition of vital crash barriers, making sure the track is clean and clear and the essential medical teams and first responders are fully equipped and in place to deal with any emergency with be thoroughly examined and rigorously checked.

With the huge to-do list slowly being completed job by job, the time has arrived for the 10 teams to land in Abu Dhabi. Travelling within the biosphere system fresh from the season’s penultimate race in Bahrain, the teams and the hundreds of personnel that travel with them will sweep into the UAE’s capital city in a fleet of planes, ships and lorries, all loaded with the essentials that keep Formula One on the road and racing.