Al Tareq Al Ameri believes the Yas Marina Circuit is on its way to being mentioned alongside Formula One’s most famous arenas, joining the great names of Monte Carlo, Monza and Silverstone.
Al Ameri, the track’s CEO, yesterday spoke about that dream, as well as the more controversial issue of the double points system in place for November’s Middle Eastern masterpiece, which acts as the season’s grand finale.
Al Ameri says he is looking forward to his first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in charge, having taken over at the wheel from Richard Cregan in March this year.
And speaking at yesterday’s launch of the circuit’s 2014/15 calendar, Al Ameri said the venue can become as seminal as the sport’s most iconic destinations. “I think throughout the F1 community we’ve been called the motoring classic, so definitely the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Yas Marina Circuit have made their mark in the F1 championship, but we hope that to be more as we proceed,” he said.
Al Ameri acknowledged the double points system, aimed at sustaining TV viewing figures and interest towards the twilight of the season, had its critics. It has been widely questioned by fans, drivers and teams, but Al Ameri is a supporter.
“What we like about it is to keep the championship open until the last round, we think it’s a good thing,” he said.
“However, obviously there’s a lot of views on it from the drivers and that community, they think it might alter the championship, but it’s been known that F1 introduces new things every now and then and experiments with it and hopefully we will see the results this year. For us, we are all for it.”
Meanwhile, when the F1 roars into town over the weekend of November 21-23, Al Ameri says he is hoping for a thrilling finale to the 2014 season.
With five races left in the season, just three points separate Mercedes team-mates Lewis Hamilton (241 points) and Nico Rosberg (238).
“We’re hoping it goes down to the wire, definitely,” added Al Ameri.
“It would be another element to a great event.
“Last year the championship was decided, although the excitement around the event was still high, but just for an additional element we want to keep that (the championship) going.”
He added: “I think it’s good to have it, to host the finale, it definitely brings its own attributes, but it won’t change our event. The thing is, from a timeline perspective, the weather will definitely be a lot nicer for the people to enjoy the activities around the venue.”
Al Ameri said he is excited about overseeing his first Grand Prix: “Of course, it’s a big undertaking, however, I was with the team in 2013, so we have the same team, the same professionals.
“This is our sixth year of hosting, everything is progressing well and we are confident that we are going to have a great event.”