Yas Marina Circuit CEO Ameri is one happy man

Abu Dhabi - Al Ameri said they couldn't have dreamt of a better season finale

As the chequered flag and the UAE flag lit up the facade of the magnificent Yas Viceroy Hotel on a starry night, following the conclusion of the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, there was one more happy soul at the Yas Marina Circuit apart from race winner Lewis Hamilton and world champion Nico Rosberg.
Al Tareq Al Ameri, the CEO of the Yas Marina Circuit (YMC) and the man in charge of making sure that the GP ran as smooth as silk, was pleased with the eighth running of Abu Dhabi's and the UAE's showpiece event.
"Yes things have gone as per our plans and everything went well," Al Tareq Al Ameri said after the race on Sunday night.
"It wasn't an easy campaign to execute and wasn't the easiest year for us. However, with the team behind it and with proper planning that took place from the beginning of the year, we managed to get it together without any glitch. The support system we have here in UAE is sound with some strong stakeholders - both Corporate and Government identities. And we achieved the difficult formula. We would say that this was our biggest event," he added.
Al Ameri said they couldn't have dreamt of a better season finale than this with three championships - F1, GP2 and GP3 decided in the final race. "Having the Formula One championship decider, the GP2 championship and the GP3 championship, all being decided in Abu Dhabi was simply awesome. These things just happen and you can't plan for it. So, we are extremely happy. From a fan's point of view, this would have been a dream event for them," said Al Ameri.
It was also a personal milestone as well for Al Ameri, who oversaw his third Grand Prix, since taking over as CEO in 2014. And, Al Ameri, who was the Commercial Director at the YMC, before taking on the role, has been a lucky charm, so to speak, as he has now been part of two Championship deciders in Abu Dhabi. Mercedes teammates Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton were locked in battle for the title, even in 2014, his first season in charge.
"I would say yes, I have managed to achieve some of the personal targets set, to an extent. Some weren't in our favour and some were in our favour. The excitement factor and competition level between the two drivers Lewis (Hamilton) and (Nico) Rosberg went almost as a scripted scenario," Al Ameri said with a smile.
Another successful GP may have come to an end but they wouldn't be basking in the glory for too long. Al Ameri said that they will be evaluating how things panned out and will be trying to improve upon it for next year.
"We always try to innovate but we humble ourselves with the success we have had over the year. Every year, we have something to learn and evaluate.if the plans have been executed well and good or else come up with a new formula for next year," said Al Ameri, who previously worked at Abu Dhabi Aviation.
Al Ameri also said that the YMC works as a facilitator to the young Emirati, who aspires to make a career out of racing.
"Definitely, we are trying to facilitate whatever possible. Our role is to provide the ladder for any youth to move forward from Karting to all the way forward to F1. We will slowly see the movement of moving forward from amateur level to the Formula One level," he said.
james@khaleejtimes.com

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