The best seats in the house
Published 22 novembre 2019
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has in just one decade become one of the leading events on the hugely popular F1 calendar. The 3.5-mile circuit winds around Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island and is the only Grand Prix other than Monaco where superyachts take centre stage alongside the F1 cars in their berths in the Yas Marina. A more modern contrast to the visceral and more iconic appeal of F1’s most historic race in Monaco, the Yas Marina Circuit is the only other race where you can moor in the marina and still get incredible trackside views of the action. And, just like the Monaco circuit, it is also one of the more challenging F1 tracks, famous for its treacherous hairpin turns and the longest and fastest straight on the F1 circuit. The fact that the race is also the last in the season makes it all the more exciting and it should provide a fitting finale to what has been a great year for Formula 1 racing.
Teaming up with the leading F1 travel organiser F1 Experiences, Burgess clients can enjoy the Middle East’s largest sporting event as November rolls into December. Providing a glamorous stage right in the very midst of the action, in a position almost as privileged as a Lewis Hamilton Mercedes cockpit, the petrolheads' superyacht will be berthed just metres from the track. Where better to watch the cars streak around the twenty-one corners that twist through Yas Island, passing by the marina and through the Yas Hotel Abu Dhabi and winding their way through several long straights and tight corners? And what makes it even more spectacular is the fact that, unlike any of its rivals, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix always starts in twilight and finishes under the stars and with fireworks at the finale.
As the F1’s season-ender, the race has a special atmosphere but this is far from the only reason it is unique. Together, Burgess and F1 Experiences have made this the must-attend racing event on the superyacht circuit. From celebrity-studded parties ashore and aboard to nightly concerts performed by some of the biggest names in music, Yas Marina is the perfect place to enjoy the entire spectacle to the maximum. Burgess guests will also experience a unique taste of the Formula 1 paddock, seeing the drivers, teams and media at work first-hand, and have the opportunity to meet with and big F1 names of yesteryear, including the likes of the iconic four-time World Champion Alain Prost, and more recent stars Fernando Alonso and Kevin Magnussen, to name just a few.
Suggested Grand Prix itinerary
Thursday
Arrive early and settle in on board with a late lunch before stepping ashore to soak up the pre-race excitement. Talk a pit-lane walk before exploring Yas Marina and then have drinks and dinner at the legendary Cipriani.
Friday
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on board before taking a private tour of the Louvre Abu Dhabi or the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Head back to your yacht in Yas Marina for lunch and an afternoon viewing of the practice sessions from the decks of the superyacht. Dine ashore in the evening before heading to one of the exclusive parties headlined by world-class acts.
Saturday
Catch Saturday’s practice sessions and the early evening Qualifying races from the various vantage points on board the yacht. After a day on board, step ashore for dinner at Cipriani followed by party after party in a variety of different locations.
Sunday
The warm-ups for the main race start around midday, so enjoy a leisurely breakfast on board before revving up mid-afternoon in preparation for the main event at 5pm. Sit back and enjoy the supercharged atmosphere that spreads throughout the marina as the drivers fight it out for line honours and podium accolades.
F1 Experiences and Burgess provide a whole host of hospitality packages, ranging from the best tickets and circuit transfers with insider access to the paddock and pits, meet-and-greets with current and legendary F1 drivers, and high-speed driving tours of the track.
You can either choose to experience a long weekend staying on board, which includes lunch with an F1 legend and VIP access to the most exclusive parties, or if you prefer you can also stay ashore in a luxury hotel and step on board during the day time for either race day or qualifying, or both.
However you prefer to enjoy the race, there are a wide variety of options available, which can be tailored to your requirements in a totally bespoke way. The trackside superyacht changes every year depending on availability but whichever it is, the yacht, crew, food, service and experience will always exceed the very highest expectations.
From finding the right package to VIP access to the best parties in town throughout the three-day event, Burgess has the best fleet of yachts and the resources to create the very best F1 experience.
Speak to your Burgess charter expert for more information