Yas Marina Circuit CEO Al Tareq Al Ameri has reiterrated that seeing an Emirati behind the wheel of a Formula One car at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is the driving force behind his tenure.
Al Ameri said the dream of former Yas chief Richard Cregan remained his ‘committment’, while adding that the circuit is geared up to promote the general development of UAE drivers through an array of new and exciting competitions which were officially announced when the circuit launched its 2014/15 calendar yesterday.
“The goal is still very much to have an Emirati driver in F1,” said Al Ameri. “It requires a lot of effort but this is our commitment.
“We will facilitate as much as possible and create the programmes for the young drivers to be part of.
“However, that will be an undertaking of the driver themselves and their commitment to go all the way through.”
Among the new events is the TRD 86 Cup (Toyota Racing Development), which revs into action in December, with a total of six races concluding in April 2015.
The Ferrari World Finals will take place on December 8 and 9, with the return of the Gulf 12 Hour on December 11 and 13.
The TRD 86 Cup will see competitors receive their own customised Toyota 86 Cup car, and head of business development Faisal Al Sahlawi said: “It is the most affordable racing championship available. It’s a drivers’ championship, not a chequebook championship.”
It will cost a one-off fee of Dh150,000 for the whole season, there are no entry fees for races and the car will be the drivers to keep.
He also talked up the Yas Super Street Championship, geared at attracting young Emiratis and cutting down on the amount of illegal street racing: “It is time to bring enthusiasm and energy to the circuit, in a safe envioronment. We all know street racing goes on, this is a way to stop that.”
Meanwhile, Ahmed Al Kaabi, chairman of Abu Dhabi Rally, which runs over October 16/17, said it will be a candidate event for the 2015 FIA Middle East Rally Championship.