Abu Dhabi Grand Prix '09 (Many Pics, Baller Status)

[Onyx_Z32]

X-Post from NASIOC, but one of those threads that makes you go UUUHHHGGGGGG. I guess this kid is related to someone from Aerosmith;

@NASIOC

Just got back from the Formula 1 Grand Prix in [FONT=verdana][COLOR=Black]Abu [/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana]Dhabi[/FONT] and it was an incredible experience to say the least. I can definitely say that I have never seen so much money in my life. The combination of the hotel (which is built within the track), the track itself, the still under construction indoor Ferrari themed park, the Formula 1 [FONT=verdana]cars[/FONT], etc. was just staggering. Also, this entire area where this took place was a barren desert one and a half years ago.

Onto the pics:

Pulling up to the hotel.

View directly to the left of the circular driveway in front of the hotel. The buildings in the background are part of the villas where the race crews stay. The marina wraps around the entire hotel.

A [COLOR=#F82C70 ! important][FONT=verdana]Lamborghini[/FONT][/COLOR] Reventón was parked outside when we arrived.

The hotel lobby.

We had Arabic for dinner. The food in the hotel was great. There was an Arabic, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Indian and American restaurant all in the lobby. We didn’t even have time to try them all.

My room.

A white chocolate race [COLOR=#F82C70 ! important][FONT=verdana]car[/FONT][/COLOR] that was waiting in my room for me.

Views from my window.

Went to check out the rooftop bar that night.

The next morning we woke up very early to go eat breakfast outside on one of the patios.

View from where we sat.

Shortly after the first race practice session began - ‘Chevrolet Supercars’ (Holdens, really). Ironically, my girlfriend’s cousin went on to win this race.

After we ate we took a very short ferry ride over to the race paddock to check out the upcoming races. This was a yacht that made all the others in the marina (which already were the most amazing boats I had ever seen) look like amateur hour.

This was the paddock club lounge that was above the pits, overlooking the front straight on one side and the marina and hotel on the other.

GP2 cars getting ready for practice.

The hotel - basically a giant dick and balls. If you don’t believe me, look at Google Earth.

Some nifty games.

GP2 cars.

A great pit lane exit.

Whoops.

After the GP2 cars there was a [COLOR=#F82C70 ! important][FONT=verdana]Porsche[/FONT][/COLOR] practice and qualifying (factory prepped GT3’s) but I didn’t get any pics. After, we moved on to the northern grand stands where we were told that we would have a view of 65% of the track.

F1 qualifying.

This was F1’s first day/night race. Made for some spectacular viewing.

After the qualifying we went back to the hotel.

Saw an SL65 AMG Black Series on the way.

I wish I had snapped more pics of some of the cars we saw. The Panamera is definitely the new ‘in’ car there - we must have seen about a dozen at least. I also saw a Camaro [COLOR=#F82C70 ! important][FONT=verdana]police [/FONT][FONT=verdana]car[/FONT][/COLOR] and a GTR police car.

Almost forgot… In the distance is ‘Ferrari World’, an indoor theme park that is still under construction. Once complete it will house 22 roller coasters and a shopping mall. This picture really can’t convey how massive this thing was. Think the ships in Independence Day.

The next morning, the Reventón had returned.

For race day we went back over to the Paddock Club for a pit walkabout.

Pitting practice.

Suddenly, my LCD was filled by this:

The Paddock Club a few hours before the F1 race. It eventually got really crowded. Felt like the Kentucky Derby.

I didn’t get as many photos of the actual race as I would have liked. I did get some short video though, I’ll upload those later.

Cute girl wearing a Breitling hat.

We weren’t able to catch the whole race because we had to leave for the show venue (Ferrari World).

Before though I had the chance to meet and talk to Greek football legend, Demis Nikolaidis.

Parked outside the hotel, a KTM XBOW and a Veyron.

On the way to the venue.

Hanging out prior to the show, my dad had to remind himself why we were actually there.

View of the crowd.

Overall it was probably the coolest thing I have ever experienced. I never thought I’d have the chance to go to an F1 race, let alone be so privileged to have such access at one. I can say now that I plan to return to as many more as I can.

So those are the majority of the pics, I may have forgotten some cool one’s but you get the idea. Anyways, thanks for looking!

[Trkbossls]

:jawdrop:

[IanK]

Holy hell. That fucking Reventon.

[budsdubbin]

Honestly would give both nuts to be there. Incredible.

[mickdad246]

holly siqqq!~

[Geehee]

i just came.

[newman]

christ.

[boardjnky4]

fuckin aye, certainly one privileged individual.

[Geoff]

I think “Build it Bigger” had an episode on how that hotel/track was constructed. :tup:

[JayS]

Meh, there are nicer buildings, architecurally, but that is pretty bad ass. I want to visit Abu Dhabi someday.

[Paulo]

^lol

Being a baller. You’re doing it sooo right.

Wonder what the cost of living is out there.

[bracketracer]

It’s amazing what slave labor can accomplish

[Willybeen]

very cool. :tup:

[glitch]

Nice sneak peak into the rich mans playground Amazing.

[Bull49]

must be nice.

[Motocrossx23]

Jesus.

[Paulo]

Fuck it, who wants to apply for jobs out there?

[camarojoe]

Ugh, Amazing.
I’ve been wondering when the track and hotel was going to be done.

I actually wouldn’t mind visiting there later in life.

A Ferrari theme park, seriously? Wow.

[Jagermeister]

Yeah, the old dude in some of the pictures is one of the guitar players for aerosmith. I’m sure the trip was totally free.

[MOBOOST4U]

:jawdrop: