The Yas Marina track is believed to be the most expensive circuit in history, having been constructed for Formula One on a man-made island at a reputed cost of $1 billion. Needless to say, it lacks nothing in terms of facilities, yet it has failed to capture the imagination of the drivers and fans, with overtaking in particular proving particularly difficult.

The project was born as Formula One began searching for new venues in states with chequebooks that could match Bernie Ecclestone's increasingly hefty financial demands. After the success of the Bahrain Cicuit, the authorities in Abu Dhabi were keen to raise their profile and identified land on the newly-constructed Yas Island for the circuit.