Embodying Ferrari's Speed and Worldview

Adjacent to the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the venue for Finali Mondiali, is the world's first Ferrari theme park, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. On December 5th, a grand gala party was held here for those involved in the Finali Mondiali awards ceremony and event.

AsFinali Mondialihas already been reported, this event is also a stage for reporting the annual results of Ferrari's racing activities, in addition to awarding the winners of the Challenge races held as part of the Ferrari Racing Days program in various regions.Ferrari Racing DaysIndeed, drivers from AF Corse, who achieved class victory in the WEC (World Endurance Championship), were honored, and Kimi Räikkönen, active in F1, also took the stage. The 2014 season for Ferrari was reviewed once again.


Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the venue for the gala party, is an indoor theme park with a site area of approximately 200,000 square meters. Its roof, reaching a height of 48 meters, is adorned with the Cavallino Rampante (prancing horse) emblem of Ferrari. This exterior can be seen even from the circuit. It might be easier to understand if described as the building visible beyond the seventh corner in F1 race broadcasts (though only on CS in Japan).

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, which I visited for the first time for the Finali Mondiali coverage, was impressively large, even more so than I had imagined. The world of Ferrari was in full swing from the moment you entered, with演出 designed to delight fans. For example, upon passing the entrance, guests are first greeted by an F1 car, the F2003-GA. Yes, the glorious machine that brought Michael Schumacher his sixth world championship and secured the Constructors' Championship.



Beyond that, the latest special series released in 2014,458 Speciale AandLa Ferrari, the 250 GTO (an art piece here), and the F1 car F10 are on display, inevitably raising excitement. To the left is a shop selling Ferrari merchandise. While this is a place to visit after spending the day at the theme park, for fans, it's a treasure trove of rare items sold only here, making it hard to resist opening your wallet.

Ferrari's Journey, Accompanied by Unprecedented Speed

There are over 20 attractions, large and small, within this building. Among them, the highlight is the world's fastest roller coaster, Formula Rossa, which boasts a top speed of 240 km/h. While the starting point is indoors, most of the course is outdoors, outside the building. Unlike typical roller coasters that click-clack up a slope and use the speed of the drop from the summit, this one accelerates at full throttle right from the start. It offers an acceleration experience akin to a fighter jet launching from an aircraft carrier's catapult. Naturally, your adrenaline will be running at full throttle too.

Guests riding must leave all personal belongings, except for their clothing, at the boarding area. Those wearing glasses are required to wear large goggles. The reason is simple: the acceleration is beyond imagination. If you have any artificial attachments (like a hat or hairpiece), be aware that they will be blown off within seconds of the start.



A woman who had ridden Formula Rossa earlier said, 'I'm worried, so I'll take off my earrings,' and her words were not an exaggeration, as I experienced firsthand when it was my turn. In my private life, I've ridden many famous roller coasters at places like Six Flags in California, but this speed is literally world-class. It lives up to the Ferrari name.

The acceleration of the roller coaster, modeled after an F1 car, reaches 240 km/h in just 4.9 seconds, a performance comparable to 0-100 km/h acceleration in 2 seconds. This is a speed unattainable by cars that can be driven on public roads. The maximum G-force is 1.7, and the course, set at 1.5 meters above the ground, enhances the sense of speed. The tightest corner is 70 degrees, and the total length is 2.07 km, but the journey concludes in an instant, accompanied by unprecedented speed.

A Plethora of Attractions

Another attraction worth mentioning is the Go-Kart Academy. While it uses electric carts and doesn't reach extreme speeds, the slippery course, modeled after the Yas Marina Circuit, truly tests your everyday driving skills. With a top speed of 80 km/h, it's not to be underestimated as a mere children's go-kart. You'll race for several laps on the 280-meter course, with rankings displayed in real-time, guaranteed to ignite your competitive spirit.



As part of Finali Mondiali, former Ferrari F1 pilot and AF Corse driver Giancarlo Fisichella made a special guest appearance. He demonstrated his superior skill in line selection and race tactics, drawing loud cheers from the gallery.

In addition, there's the acrobatic 25-minute entertainment show called RED, the 4D adventure experience Speed of Magic, and Cinema Maranello, which screens "For the Love of Racing," a short film capturing Ferrari's historical passion.

Furthermore, the Scuderia Challenge allows you to experience the racing simulators used by Ferrari's works drivers, the Tire Challenge Experience where you compete to change F1 tires (which is surprisingly addictive and serious), and the Galleria Ferrari, displaying vintage and the latest Ferrari models. These numerous attractions and exhibits ignite the passion of fans.



The park also offers a variety of dining options, including Italian and other fast food. Ristorante Cavallino, from the front of the Ferrari headquarters factory, also has a branch here, making it a worthwhile stop for a conversation starter. After immersing yourself in the world of Ferrari for a full day, you can complete the experience with souvenir shopping at the Ferrari Store, where you can find exclusive items not available elsewhere.

While already enjoyable, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is undergoing further expansion of its attractions. It is a must-visit theme park for anyone vacationing in the United Arab Emirates.



Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
http://www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com