After the resounding success of last year’s event, the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is back, and promises to be bigger and better than before. This is quite some claim considering the magnitude of last year’s event – the jaw-dropping Yas Marina Circuit wowed Formula One fans the world over and the after-race entertainment proved as big a spectacle as the race itself – a welcome addition to the Formula One calendar and a fitting finale to the season.
But before we get too carried away with the action that awaits, let’s take a closer look at what Formula One is all about. The sport has taken place in one form or another since 1947. Its full official title is the FIA Formula One World Championship, with the FIA (Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile) as the current governing body. The ‘Formula’ bit refers to the set of guidelines that the cars and drivers must conform to, with ‘One’ signifying the highest class and the fastest possible cars (up to around 355kmph), with a huge emphasis on aerodynamics, suspension and tyres.
The Formula One season is split into different Grand Prix races and over the course of the season these determine the winners of two annual world championships – one for the drivers and one for the constructors. Both are decided on a points system. Each team has two drivers, which is why the drivers’ and constructors’ champions can differ. The 2009 drivers’ champion was Jenson Button, while newcomers Brawn took the constructors’ title (Michael Schumacher holds the record for most drivers’ championships, with seven).
With so much emphasis on technology, and the cost of taking cars around the world, Formula One is by no means cheap – rules constantly change, and many teams have gone bust or been bought out over the years. But the sport has huge sponsorship and merchandising opportunities, with a massive audience worldwide.
There have been 18 Grand Prix events this year, but the grand finale is right here in Abu Dhabi on November 14. We’ll see you there.
