The hotly anticipated Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is finally here, with thousands of fans expected to throng to various locations in the city on Thursday, 24 November 2016.

Events begin with the ‘Public Pit Lane Walk’ and a performance by hip-hop artist Pitbull on Thursday evening, followed by a performance by legendary duo The Chemical Brothers on Friday, 25 November 2016.

Music icon Lionel Richie will perform on the following day (26 November 2016), with the spectacular finale by Rihanna coming on Sunday, 27 November 2016.

Limited tickets available

Tickets for two-day and three-day Grandstand tickets to the race – the last of the Formula 1 season – have already been sold out.

Only limited tickets to the hospitality suites and one-day Friday tickets remain, and the Yas Marina Circuit is advising anyone that has yet to purchase do so immediately, or risk missing out one of the region’s most significant sporting and entertainment weekends.

All ticket holders also get free access to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld as part of their Abu Dhabi Grand Prix package.

Those interested in the one day pass can still inquire at 800 Yas (927) or 02 659 9800. Various hospitality suites are still available online through different providers.

Airport ready for visitors

Abu Dhabi Airports is well prepared for the event – one of its busiest periods of the year – with the Smart Travel system in place to move passengers through the airport quickly.

First time visitors will be registered for Smart Travel and given a sticker on their passport upon successful completion so that they can then proceed directly to the Smart Travel gates upon departure.

Additionally, TV screens in the airport will be showing the race live, and Duty Free outlets will be offering special promotions and giveaways.

How to get there and back

Those with red or Yas Gateway Park passes (which are blue) have been advised by race organisers to use the Yas East traffic flow, which is indicated on the map.

Those with gold, silver, black or Yas Trackside Terrance parking passes are instructed to use the Yas West flow.

However, organisers are strongly advising that as many people as possible take taxis or Uber service and public transportation to the event. To get back, taxis will be available throughout the event, and those who request an Uber pick-up can meet their driver at the Uber designated parking at the South West Garage at Mall Parking.

The Shahama Park and Ride service will be operating for the secondary off-island car park and ride location, servicing Abu Dhabi Hill spectators as well as other ticket holders who don’t have a parking permit.

To return to the car park, a ‘Gateway Shuttle’ will transport those with Gateway parking permits from the South Grandstand, Marina Grandstand and West Grandstand every 15 minutes, starting 30 minutes prior to the gate opening, and one hour after the event concert.

Category 1 (Al Jood/Al Dhiyaga) ticket holders will be taken in the “category 1 shuttle from the main grandstand back to their pre-arranged collection point in Red 7. It will also serve those guests (with Main Grandstand Category 1 tickets) that wish to go to after-race concerts as an on-demand service.

Additionally, a free park and ride shuttle will operate from Abu Dhabi to the race, open to ticket holders. Routes 170, 180, 185 and 190 run from the city centre of Abu Dhabi to Yas Island, while routes 195, 200, 201, 203, 300, 302 and 304 operate from various locations in the suburbs.

Getting around Yas Island

To get around within Yas Island, a circuit circular shuttle bus goes from Yas Waterworld, Yas Plaza Hotels, the grandstands, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Yas Mall in a continuous loop approximately every 15 minutes.

The circular does not run directly to the Main Grand-stand, and ticket holders will be dropped at gate 18 and must walk through the tunnel at gate 16. To get around the circuit, the Yas Courtesy Shuttle will make stops at the East Gate, Main Grandstand bus stop and the Yas Kartzone.