David Coulthard takes a ride he will never forget
ABU DHABI, UAE - Former Red Bull Racing Formula One driver David Coulthard and Red Bull Air Race World Champion Hannes Arch took to the skies above Abu Dhabi on Tuesday to get a bird’s eye view of the Yas Marina Circuit – a brand new venue that will host the final Formula One race of 2009 in November. Coulthard was flown in a two-seater plane by Red Bull Air Race media pilot Sergio Pla on a high-speed, high-G ride over the spectacular new race track that is being built on the Yas Island for the first Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The 2009 Red Bull Air Race World Championship takes off on 17/18 April in Abu Dhabi.
“It amazes me how quick they can build things in this region even though it looks like they’ve still got some of work to do,” said Coulthard, an advisor to Red Bull Racing who said he is already looking forward to watching the race in person. “We saw the whole circuit and I’ve seen models of it before. It looks very good. I can already visualise what it’s going to look like. Most of the tarmac has already been laid down. There are a few corners that aren’t done yet. I wish I was going to get the chance to drive it.”
Designed by legendary German Formula One circuit designer and architect Hermann Tilke, the track with its 20 corners twists around a 5.6-km course around the island, a gem on the shores of the glittering waters of the Arabian Gulf just outside Abu Dhabi. Built by the Aldar Properties construction company, the complex includes a Ferrari world theme park, a marina, residential areas, water park, leisure facilities along with hotels and beach resorts nearby.
Red Bull Air Race in Abu Dhabi until 2011
Underscoring Abu Dhabi’s growing importance as a major centre for international sporting events, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority recently announced that it will continue as the opening venue of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship until 2011 after five successful years as host city. It has also secured the rights to host a Formula One Grand Prix.
There are three world champions in this year’s Red Bull Air Race World Championship. Hannes Arch of Austria, 41, will be looking to get the defence of his championship off to a flying start while American Mike Mangold, the champion in 2005 and 2007, will be eager to reclaim the title once again. Mangold has been on the podium in Abu Dhabi in all four years with two seconds and two thirds. American Kirby Chambliss, who won the championship in 2006 after winning the season opener in Abu Dhabi, had a superb year in 2008 with third place overall behind Arch and Britain’s Paul Bonhomme. Bonhomme won Abu Dhabi in 2008. Chambliss is confident that he has the speed back for another title run in 2009.
Coulthard said he was glad to back on firm ground after the exhilarating 45-minute ride: “On the first turn I felt my stomach disappearing down to my ankles and back up to my throat when we started flying upside down,” he said. “It’s a great experience. It’s like a Formula One car for the skies and it pulls a lot more Gs than a racing car.”
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