Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel has beaten McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton to start in pole position at Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix today.

The race, which will take place today at 17:00, will take place around the spectacular new Yas Marina Circuit, located on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

Though still in its formative years and continuously growing in its offerings, Yas Marina Circuit is considered one of the most technologically advanced circuits in the world.

As a training ground and home for motorsports success in the Middle East, it is Yas Marina Circuit’s ambition to have a UAE national competing as a driver in F1™ within 10 years.

For Abu Dhabi, which has recently reported double-digit, year-on-year booking increases,  the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Abu Dhabi is the highlight of its sporting calendar, bringing thousands of visitors and sporting fans to the destination once again.

Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority is itself celebrating at present, having been recognised as the Middle East’s Leading Tourist Board by the prestigious World Travel Awards earlier this year.

Etihad Airways is a proud sponsor of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Yas Island – which is hosting the Grand Prix this weekend – has attracted plenty of attention since it first opened its doors.

“We began with a master plan and now we are celebrating the reality of what we have delivered,” remarked Shamma Al Neaimi, corporate communications manager at Yas-developer Aldar.

Yas will welcome a new water park next year while Yas Mall will open for business in 2013.

Yas Viceroy will welcome the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The UK market is also taking Abu Dhabi seriously.

Leading tour operator Gold Medal is launching its first dedicated brochure on the emirate, while Trailfinders has expanded its Abu Dhabi/Dubai brochure, with many other tour operators also expanding their pages.

Bookings to Abu Dhabi are up a massive 100 per cent by specialist tour operator Destinology and up 67 per cent this year by Trailfinders.

Mubarak Al Nuaimi, international promotions manager, ADTA said the consistent stream of pavilion visitors included many keen to learn more about all the emirate’s new tourism developments and hear of its culture and heritage.

“Major events, such as the 2001 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Grand Prix and this New Year’s hosting of the Volvo Ocean Race, have been key to promoting the destination and driving awareness of Abu Dhabi,” he explained.

“The emirate’s new hotels are also offering more options and increased routes and connections by our national airline Etihad are opening up the emirate to new markets.”