World-class motorsport action will return to the United Arab Emirates when Yas Marina Circuit hosts the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Dec. 13 (Sunday ), bringing the curtain down on the 2020 Formula One season. The 12th installment of the event will take place without spectators due to the continued global situation with coronavirus and will wrap up a highly anticipated and exciting season, with potentially plenty at stake in terms of both driver and constructor standings. Yas Island will transform into an "F1 biosphere", creating one of the largest "safe zones" in the region with access restricted to essential F1 staff, drivers and teams. With significant stakeholder collaboration and planning across UAE government entities and in alignment with F1 management, the precautionary health measures in place during the F1 weekend on Yas Island prioritize the wellbeing of the F1 community while maintaining the competitive integrity of the final race of the season. This year's race weekend will run until Dec. 13, with the sport's biggest stars, including Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen and Valtteri Bottas expected to take part. Lewis Hamilton will be aiming for a third consecutive Abu Dhabi triumph, and sixth in total, having surged to victory at the two most recent races, while his Mercedes team has been even more dominant, finishing top of the constructor standings for the past six years in a row. Saif Al Noaimi, acting CEO, Abu Dhabi Motorsport Management (ADMM), said to this year's weekend: "We are grateful for the commitment of F1 management, the teams and our Abu Dhabi partners whose innovative collaboration during these unprecedented times allows us to host a safe and competitive final race of the season. Special thanks also go to our committed sponsors ADNOC and Etihad Airways, who continue to support this important sporting spectacle on Yas Island." Chase Carey, CEO of the Formula One Group added: "We are delighted that we will be upholding our traditional end of season race with our valued and special partners at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. While this season has been challenging for everyone, we can think of no better place to bring the 2020 season to an end and look forward to completing our seventeen-race calendar." The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2020 is another global sporting event being hosted on Yas Island during the Covid-19 pandemic, using the innovative ‘safe zone' model. Last month, UFC held its two-week Fight Island on Yas Island, adding to Abu Dhabi's reputation as a respected and safe destination for elite sporting events. — WAM
