F1 FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Browse our FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) for more information on the 2012 FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX, including the race weekend and Yas Marina Circuit, booking tickets and packages, after-race concerts and entertainment, plus useful tips for travellers to Abu Dhabi. We have also included links to online sources with additional information.

Race weekend and Yas Marina Circuit

Here is a sample of frequently asked questions about race weekend and Yas Marina Circuit. For more, please check Yas Marina Circuit’s online FAQs section.

• Where can I get my ticket? Tickets purchased will be sent to your nominated collection point 3/ 4 weeks before race weekend. Tickets can also be collected in person from Yas Marina Circuit closer to the event time.
• When will I get my ticket? Tickets will be sent out three/four weeks before race weekend, delivery timings vary according to location. There are no cancellations, exchanges or refunds available on tickets.
• What do I do if I have lost my ticket? If you lose or misplace your ticket or confirmation receipt, please contact the Yas Marina Circuit hotline on 800 YAS (927) or +971 (0)2 446 0384, 7 days a week between 9am – 9pm. Spectators will not be able to access any area of Yas Marina Circuit without a valid ticket.
• Do I need a ticket to attend the Public Pit Lane Walk? Pit Lane Walk access is granted to three day grandstand and Al Jood & Al Dhiyafa ticketholders only and Thursday's ticket will be in your ticket pack. Gate opening times for the Public Pit Lane Walk will be confirmed closer to the event date.
• Can I bring food and drinks to the event? Food and drink cannot be brought into Yas Marina Circuit, there are many food and beverage outlets at various locations inside the venue.

Flights, tickets, hotels and packages

Here is a sample of frequently asked questions about tickets and packages. For more specific questions on Etihad Airways, please check the airline’s online FAQs section.

• How can I purchase all-inclusive packages to the 2012 FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX? Etihad Airways is offering four different packages for the 2012 FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX to suit all budgets and tastes. View our price list for the cost of each package, and then place a booking or request for more information by completing our online form, emailing racing@etihad.ae, or calling +971 2 6177810/+971 2 6177811. Please note that several other flight and hotel options are available in Abu Dhabi and Dubai on request, together with various upgrades, add-ons (including SkyBar, Amber Lounge and Paddock ClubTM access) and ground-only options to suit your needs.
• How can I purchase tickets to the 2012 FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX? You can buy three-day (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) or two-day (Sunday, Sunday) tickets with allocated seating by completing our online booking form, emailing racing@etihad.ae or calling +971 2 6177810/+971 2 6177811. Tickets are transferable between different people on different days, allowing you to share them with family and friends.
• How can I purchase flights to the 2012 FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX? Select one of Etihad Airways’ three travel classes – Diamond First, Pearl Business or Coral Economy – to experience an unforgettable journey to the 2012 FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX to. Further details on each class are included below. Explore the Etihad Airways website to check our latest special offers, view our interactive tour and book flights to the 2012 FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX.
• How can I purchase hotel accommodation for the 2012 FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX? Etihad Airways has secured a variety of hotel rooms in Abu Dhabi and Dubai during the 2012 FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX, which we can offer at exclusive rates for guests. With 11 different hotels on offer, ranging from tasteful three star accommodation to lavish four and five star resorts, you will be spoilt for choice! For further information or to make a booking, please use our online booking form, email racing@etihad.ae, or call +971 2 6177810/+971 2 6177811.
• Am I entitled to the special offers and deals under the Essential Abu Dhabi initiative? Etihad Airways passengers are entitled to exclusive discounts on leading attractions and hotels as part of the Essential Abu Dhabi initiative. To take advantage of the special offers, present your boarding pass to participating outlets within seven days of arriving in the emirate… it’s that simple, plus there’s no limit to the number of times your boarding pass can be used for the promotions. However, please note that certain deals will not be available during the race weekend, so visit essentialabudhabi.com to check the latest availability.
  

After-race concerts and entertainment

Here is a sample of frequently asked questions about after-race concerts and entertainment. For more, please check Flash Entertainment’s online FAQs section.

• How does Y1 Access work? It’s simple. When you buy your F1™ race ticket you join Y1 Access, which will immediately give you access to the three after-race concerts with some of the biggest artists in the world. The first 15,000 domestic F1™ race ticket buyers will also receive two complimentary invitations to the Friday night after-race concert, where they can kick off the weekend with friends and family through the ‘2 Friends Friday’ promotion. F1™ ticketholders should pick up their after-race concert wristband every day from the track. This opportunity is open to all F1™ ticketholders. Two thousand Golden Circle wristbands are also up for grabs each day at Yas Marina Circuit. Y1 Access also gives you a 20% discount on selected FLASH events from September 1st till the end of 2012.
• I’ve heard there are changes to the way you access the after-race concerts? All F1™ ticketholders will need to collect a wristband from Yas Marina Circuit each day to access the evening concert. The concerts are exclusively for F1™ ticketholders. Staff will be positioned at each entrance of the circuit to give out wristbands to F1™ race goers. Each day there will be a different colour coded wristband that allows access to each concert.
• Can I exchange my two Friday night after-race concert invitations for another after-race concert on the Saturday or Sunday? No. These invitations can only be used for the Friday night after-race concert
• Can I sell my two invitations for the Friday night concert? No these invitations are only for people who have purchased an F1™ ticket. They cannot be sold at a value.
• Do people with the invitations for the Friday night after-race concert also need a wristband from the Yas Marina Circuit to enter the same concert? No. Ticketholders should go to the du Arena and present their invitation. This is enough to enter the after-race concert. For more information go to www.yasalam.ae
• Can I receive more than two invitations for the Friday night concert? The first 15,000 domestic F1™ ticket buyers will receive two invitations for the Friday night concert at the du Arena only.
• What is the Golden Circle upgrade and how can I get it? The Golden Circle is the area closest to the stage. Each day at the Yas Marina Circuit, two thousand Golden Circle wristbands will be given away at the track, providing the opportunity for people to win closer access to the top performers and the best live concert experience possible.
• Which concerts will the 20% discount apply? F1™ ticketholders will receive a 20% discount on selected FLASH events from September 1st until the end of 2012. Concerts at the du Arena last year saw Metallica, Sade, Shakira and Snoop Dogg perform in Abu Dhabi, and SkyBar performances from Example, Ashanti, Jason Derulo, Fatboy Slim and Wyclef Jean amongst others.  2012 promises to be equally as exciting. For info visit www.thinkflash.ae and look out for the Y1 Access logo to claim your discount. This is applicable to General Admission ticket purchases only and subject to availability. Terms & Conditions apply.
• How do I obtain the 20% discount? F1™ ticketholders will receive an email with an event specific password that will enable them to receive the 20% discount. The password is entered at point of purchasing tickets through the official website www.thinkflash.ae
• What is Yasalam in a nut shell? Yasalam is the biggest city-wide entertainment programme by any F1™ host city. Yasalam 2012 follows the same three pillars approach as in previous years. These are Live on Yas Island (embracing the three after-race concerts at du Arena and SkyBar at the du Forum), Live on the Corniche (a celebration of arts and culture, encompassing the free-to-attend music, dance, creative and community events that take place on Al Sahil Beach), and Live Across the City (representing community initiatives like Yasalam Responsibly and the Art of Racing.  These events seek to leave a legacy for Abu Dhabi by engaging the community at a grass roots level, transporting the spirit of Yasalam into students’ schools and universities).

Visit Abu Dhabi

Here are a few useful questions and answers for travellers to Abu Dhabi. For more, please check the online FAQs section on Visit Abu Dhabi website.

• What is the local time in Abu Dhabi? The UAE is four hours ahead of UTC (Co-ordinated Universal Time - formerly known as GMT) and there is no daylight saving. Hence, when it is 12.00 midday in Abu Dhabi, it is 3am in New York, 8am in London, 10 am in Johannesburg, 1.30pm in New Delhi, and 6pm in Sydney (not allowing for any summer time saving in those countries).
• What should I wear when visiting Abu Dhabi? Lightweight summer clothing is suitable for most of the year, but something slightly warmer may be needed in winter months. Although the attitude towards dress is fairly liberal throughout the UAE, a healthy amount of respect for local customs doesn't go amiss, especially when shopping or sightseeing.
• What is the official religion in Abu Dhabi? Islam is the official religion of the United Arab Emirates, and is widely practiced. The Islamic holy day is Friday and Muslims are required to pray (facing Makkah) five times a day. Abu Dhabi is tolerant of other religions with people being free to practice their religious beliefs, so long as they do not interfere with Islam.
• What is the local currency and what is its current value? The local currency is the UAE dirham (AED or Dhs) which is divided into 100 fils and is pegged against the US dollar (US$ 1: AED 3.6725).
• How much can I expect to spend for a meal in an Abu Dhabi restaurant? Average dining in popular hotel restaurants ranges between AED100 / US $27 to AED200 / US $55 per person, excluding beverages. In addition, many fine dining and high-end restaurants may add a service charge (usually around 10%) and a tourism levy of 6% to your bill.