Formula 1 - a triumph for Abu Dhabi

This weekend saw the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for which the city had built a race track on a previously uninhabited desert island just outside the city. We were lucky enough to be given some tickets by John's boss, Dr Sultan, a couple of days before and were able to actually go along. I had thought we'd be watching it on the big screen on the corniche so it was great to be part of it as the excitement has been mounting in the city.
The circuit is absolutely amazing with a hotel right in the middle and a marina and yacht club. In the sunshine it looked great with incredible yachts moored right up to the track and the sun shining on the water. But as night fell and the sun set it really came into its own with coloured lights on all the buildings and lights shining on the track.
We were sat with the real race goers rather than the champagne corporate hospitality set so we got the true flavour of the event. I think John could have got grand invites, but only for himself and, being the gent he is, he knew I'd want to be included.
I've never been to F1 before so it was a totally new experience, even if the outcome for this year was already decided. We got the shuttle bus from the Marina Mall which worked really well and went across the new bridge and onto the new motorway which has been built over Sadiyat Island, which will one day be a cultural hub with a Louvre, a Guggenheim as well as various other theatres, museums and galleries.
We watched G2 and Porsche's racing as well as the F1 practice sessions and qualifier. It was pretty hot but the stands were covered and the noise was incredible. On day 2 we were lucky enough to be given some BMW ear defenders which were rather more effective than the little sponge ones.
When Louis Hamilton took pole position we were hopeful for a British winner but his car broke down. Jenson Button nearly overtook Vettel in the final seconds but we were robbed of our chance to hear God Save the Queen and had to listen to Deutschland Uber Alles for the third time in the day (yes the Germans won the G2 and Porsche races as well!)
Etihad showed off their specially liveried planes with a fly past by two planes which was impressive to watch such big Airbuses performing so close to the ground.
I'm afraid though the heat of the long days meant we were too tired to stay for the evening concerts and missed Jamiroquai, Aerosmith and The Kings of Leon which everyone said were tremendous. We also missed a special Beyonce concert on the Thursday as we were invited to share his 60th birthday by Julian and his wife Bettina. Julian and John were at university together so it was a rather special treat. We had a lovely meal, sitting outside at the Hiltonia Beach Club.
All in all it was a pretty busy weekend and even more special in that John got Sunday off to see the Grand Prix so we actually had a non working Sunday which still feels right!