F1 gets UAE motorsport on fast track

The lights may have gone out on Yas Island, and the roar of the Formula One engines has faded into the Arabian sunset, but racing experts are sure the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will leaving a lasting legacy on motor sport in the UAE.

Ross Brawn, team principal of championship-winning Brawn-GP, admitted at the Yas Marina Circuit today that, while his team have not made moves to launch a driving training programme in the Emirates, he believes the country could still prove valuable to F1.

What is very interesting is the technology side,” said the 54-year-old, who helped Benetton and Ferrari to a plethora of constructors’ titles as technical director before landing this year’s crown with his new outfit.

“There is a lot of interest from a number of countries to set up technology bases and we’re very interested in that sort of opportunity – to share the technology and get benefits from both sides to train people.

“I’m very keen on the strength of Formula One as a medium for training engineers and developing technology, so I think there are great opportunities in those areas. I’m not so sure about the driving side here, but certainly on the technology side there’s a huge interest.”

Renault have partnerships with academic institutions in countries across the F1 calendar, while Sir Frank Williams have already developed a technology base in Qatar and BMW have established an Asian/Pacific arm to their Formula One team. The facility includes a race centre for driver education in Bahrain, home of the region’s only other grand prix.

Mario Theissen, the German company’s motor sport director and current team principal of BMW Sauber, feels the region needs to encourage drivers to take up racing from an early age.

“Initially it has been quite difficult because there was no racing infrastructure,” said Theissen at trackside today. “Young talent in Europe usually go karting for four, five or even more years before jumping into a formula car.

“This is different, or has been different here, but the series has come along quite strongly and we will continue [our programme] next year.”

Karting, so often a stepping-stone to racing in Formula One, is seen as a key means to develop the talent to one day challenge the likes of Jenson Button, this season’s world champion, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel – the trio all started life on the circuit in a go-kart.

Michael Schumacher, seven-time world champion and statistically the most accomplished F1 driver in history, insists the hosting of a grand prix in the UAE will ignite a passion for the sport from grass-roots level.

“With [the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix] you have the centre of attention on motor sport and I’m pretty sure it will continue because, as you have two racetracks [in the UAE], go-kart tracks will start up,” said the former Ferrari No1.

“You really need something that is possible for everybody to use. It’s cheap and it’s great fun to do. But you obviously need more infrastructure in this direction. With Formula One you create the interest, people might get more excited and then you can grow this capital of sport.”

Christian Horner, the youngest team principal in F1, has made the transition from track to the technical area and has watched as his Red Bull Racing team – fronted by Vettel and Mark Webber – have pushed Brawn-GP all the way this season.

Horner feels the new facilities at Yas Marina cement the UAE’s position on the motor sport map and has confirmed he would back any plans to develop racing further in this country.

“The main thing is that you’ve got world-class facilities, not just here in Abu Dhabi, but in Bahrain and there’s a fantastic circuit just up the road in Dubai,” said the 35-year-old. “Motor sport in the region is obviously taking off, and that’s not just the circuit, that’s the infrastructure behind it.

“I think karting infrastructures have been put in place and out of that will come drivers, will come technicians. Any incentive to help youngsters enter the world of motor sport we would fully support.

“I think it’s only a matter of time before that happens.”

The 2009 season’s curtain came down in spectacular fashion at the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend. The sport in this region, however, is just gearing up for success.

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