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Etihad Holidays, a division of Etihad Airways, has launched exclusive deals for the eagerly awaited Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Motor racing fans in Bahrain can now book their place at the race on Sunday, November 1, from BD428.
As title sponsors of the grand prix, Etihad has a choice of day return or three-night packages. These include return flights from Bahrain; meet, assist and transfer services in Abu Dhabi; and grandstand race tickets. The three-night Etihad Holidays packages also include accommodation at hotels at the Yas Marina Circuit.
Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways' chief commercial officer, said: "There is a huge buzz across the region ahead of the inaugural Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and we are delighted to offer residents of Bahrain these exclusive deals to watch the race.
"Whether motor racing fans want to come for one day, or all three, we have a package that is perfect for them. Our advice is that customers should book their places now as demand continues to grow every day."
Three-night packages start from BD1,062 and there is a choice of three and four star hotel accommodation which includes grandstand tickets for the three days of testing, qualifying and the race itself.
Four separate four-star hotels are available in the packages: the Crowne Plaza, Radisson Blu, Rotana and Layia Oak (the only hotel not on Yas Island). Rooms are also available at the three-star Park Inn and Centro hotels.
There are around 2,000 seats in the circuit's 47,000 grandstand still available, with spectators expected to near the 150,000 mark over the three-day race weekend which will be the season-ending event of the 2009 F1 World Championship.
"The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will definitely be something different," said Yas Marina's promotion and events manager Lisa Crampton. "Our aim is to become a centre of motorsport excellence. We see ourselves coming in as a new benchmark for motorsports, not just in Abu Dhabi but around the world."
The Emirate is set to join Bahrain as the only hosts of F1 in the Middle East, and both Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) and Yas Marina have been working hand in hand over the past several months to ensure the success of both races.
"We are very respectful of what Bahrain has done for motorsport and F1 in the Gulf region," said Crampton. "Having hosted F1 the past six years, Bahrain has done a fantastic job, especially in educating the local communities what F1 and what motorsport can be."
Abu Dhabi is looking to boost its inbound tourism through the staging of world-class sporting extravaganzas such as F1. The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) is urging all the region's motorsport fans, especially those in F1-crazy Bahrain, to attend the inaugural UAE event.
"Bahrain's experience as a host nation of a Grand Prix has created huge numbers of motorsport followers in the kingdom, who we hope will make the journey to Abu Dhabi this November," said ADTA visitor information manager Saeed Al Dhaheri.
The race weekend will feature a support programme including the GP2 Asia Series, the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup and Bahrain-based Chevrolet Supercars Middle East Challenge.
The Grand Prix is scheduled to start at 5pm and is expected to conclude in the early evening under floodlights, making it the first-ever day to night race in F1. It will also be one of only a few F1 events to run around the circuit anti-clockwise.
Like BIC, Yas Marina has two pit lanes. However, one feature that sets it apart is its two race control towers, which allow for the possibility of holding two International Automobile Federation (FIA) events simultaneously when the full circuit is configured into separate North and South tracks.
Yas Marina also has the longest straight in F1, which is 1.2km long. There are also 18 F1 villas to house the teams. Each villa is three storeys high and includes a roof-top terrace.
Etihad Airways operates four flights a day between Bahrain and Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. It flies three times a day on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Prices quoted include all applicable taxes and surcharges.
Further details, including prices, flight details and reservations call +971 2 617 7810 or email holidaysinbound@etihad.ae
