The Yas Marina Circuit is the venue for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The circuit was designed by Hermann Tilke, and is situated on Yas Island, about 30 minutes from the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi.
Accommodation:
Plenty of Hotels available for all Budgets in the City Center, which is about 20-30 minutes away from Yas Island. Taxi Fare would be about $15 each way. If you want to spend a bit more, there are Yas Plaza Hotels on Yas Island within walking distance, if you're a high roller, you can choose to stay in the Viceroy Hotel overlooking the circuit.
Getting to the track:
Taxis are cheap and the easiest way to the circuit. The main roads to Yas Island are wide. Traffic can be heavy on Yas Leisure Drive at peak times. Avoid hiring a car as traffic and parking will be a headache, 'regular' parking is a shuttle ride away and less convenient than going there by taxi in the first place.
Seating:
North Grandstand offers Stadium Atmosphere overlooking Turns 5, 6 and 7 and is closest to the Du Arena (After Race Concerts).
South Grandstand offers most visibility from the End of the 2nd DRS Straight, Turns 11 through 16 and a view of the Marina.
Marina Grandstand overlooks the Support Pits and Main Grandstand will obviously allow the best view of Pits, Start, Finish, Pre- and Post Race Entertainment, but display little actual track action.
Food:
Plenty of Food Outlets outside all Grandstands, typical event Food (Burgers, Pizza etc.) at relatively reasonable prices (55 AED for a Cheeseburger Meal in 2017)
Alcohol is available at the track, but consumption is only allowed in dedicated areas ("Beverage Garden" / Oasis) accessible only by adults.
Abu Dhabi offers a huge selection of Restaurants and Chains from all over the World, so you'll be certain to find favourites in the city.
What to avoid:
Etiquette asks for you to wear clothes covering your shoulders and knees in public (no Spaghetti Tops and Mini Skirts for the Ladies please), although this is oftenly ignored by many tourists. Nobody will mind on Hotel property, but you should dress appropriately when visiting a Mall or Restaurant.
No public signs of affection (Handholding, kissing etc.) - again, in a Hotel, nobody will care, but I have seen people asked to tone it down on public beaches.
No Alcohol or drunk behaviour in public (should be fairly obvious).
E-Cigarettes may be confiscated by Security, regular Cigarettes are no problem.
"Professional Cameras" are not allowed at after-race concerts. Security can be hit and miss, while DSLRs are certainly considered professional, your Point and Shoot camera may be as well and would have to be deposited at a booth outside the concert arena. If you want to save yourself some hassle, stick to your phone only.
It's not allowed to bring your own food or drinks to the track.
Misc:
Dubai is only 1.5 hours away by Taxi (about $50-75 There are buses for those on a budget), so you may be able to save a fair bit of money by flying into and out of Dubai rather than Abu Dhabi. Also, outside the GP Weekend, Dubai is more eventful than Abu Dhabi, so if it's your first trip to the UAE, I'd recommend spending a few days there before coming over to Abu Dhabi
Don't follow strangers approaching you inside the Airport Terminal "Taxi Boss?" They are unlicensed rip-offs. You can't miss the official public taxi line outside the airports. Licensed Taxis are clearly marked, always operate their Meter and will always offer a receipt.
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