Abu Dhabi Week chats with Richard Cregan, the man behind Yas Marina Circuit, as the capital gears up for the 2010 Etihad Airways Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Is there anything about this year’s F1 event that you are looking forward to?

The result at the weekend in Brazil means that now we have a race for the championship. This has been an amazing year for F1 and Abu Dhabi will see the crowning of the 2010 world champion. It’s a fitting end to a memorable season.

Last year we had the extra pressure of staging Abu Dhabi’s first-ever Grand Prix on a brand new track, and the high point for me then was the sheer sense of relief as the red lights went out and the cars all left the grid. We’d made it!

This year, I hope to have a little more time to savour the atmosphere, see more of the event from a spectator’s point of view, visit the oasis areas and look for ways to improve further for 2011.

What changes are being made to this year’s F1?

Attention to detail is everything in Formula 1. Fortunately we haven’t had to make any changes to our safety procedures, although we have extended the run-off area under the West Grandstand at Turn 8 by ten metres to add an extra margin. The main changes have been in the area of adding value for ticket-holders.

This year we have opened our new KartZone, which will offer kart driving on a new track for those aged 18 and younger.

We have opened one new oasis area and enlarged the others to provide more space for more entertainment.

The idea is to offer a wide range of family fun activities as well as the ultimate on-track action. Another innovation this year will be Circuit TV, which will offer news, expert interviews and information about what’s going on via our giant screens.

Apart from the obvious attraction of the GP, what else should motorsport fans be getting excited about over the F1 weekend?

Well, there are the GP2 and Porsche support races, which should both provide thrilling action. For three-day ticket-holders, there’s a public pit lane walk on Thursday afternoon from 2-4pm, which should be a great draw.

Then there are the three concerts with Kanye West, Linkin Park and Prince. Add to that the chance to drive on our new kart track, tackle a climbing wall, attend a workshop on breakdancing or skateboarding, watch the BMX bikers, acrobatic basketball – there’s just so much to do.

How does GP2 compare to F1?

GP2 is the main feeder event for F1. It’s the most even racing series because everyone is driving essentially identical cars, so it showcases pure driver talent.

Pastor Maldonado has already won the GP2 championship this year but Sergio Perez and Jules Bianchi are still fighting for second place in the season finale at Yas. Sergio will drive in F1 for Sauber next year and Jules is last year’s F3 European champion and Ferrari’s development driver.

It should make for exciting racing. This will be the first time we’ve staged the main GP2 series, after hosting GP2 Asia earlier this year and we’ll do it again in February. This weekend is also the last outing for the current GP2 car as the new one for next season will make its debut at the GP2 testing here a week after the Grand Prix.

What other international motorsport events are you hoping to attract to YMC?

We will have GP2 Asia, Australian V8 Supercars and the FIA GT1 championship here again next year, and we are introducing the spectacular sport of Formula Drift in February. We are also running a much more comprehensive drag racing programme this winter, which will attract competitors from across the Middle East.

What are the chances of the Yas Drag Racing strip hosting an NHRA event?

We are already the only NHRA-certified drag strip outside of North America and we have an ambitious programme of driver development planned. I really think we will have an official NHRA national event here in the next five years.

With the announcement of Walk UAE, Tri Yas and the regular Tuesday night walking/riding around the track, what else is YMC doing in terms of community events?

I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to take these initiatives and that they are proving so popular. The Tuesday evening cycling and running has become a phenomenon. We are also deeply involved with F1 in Schools and our Centre of Excellence aims to serve participating schools from across the UAE.

What’s the next big motorsport event at the circuit following the F1?

Next Tuesday we host two days of F1 young driver tests, then Pirelli tyre tests and then GP2 tests, so we’ll be busy – but these events are not open to the public. The next public event will be drag racing from 9-11 December and again on 16-18 December, with a National Race Day series on 17 December.

Who will you be secretly cheering for on the day?

As CEO of the circuit, I don’t have the luxury of supporting a particular team or driver, so any cheering I do will have to remain secret!

Abu Dhabi won’t host the last race of the F1 season next year? Will it be the penultimate race? Has this been agreed, and do you think this is good for the circuit?

It will be the penultimate race, and it will be interesting to see how that works out. Last year we were the final race, but the championship was already decided by the time everyone got here – and it didn’t matter. If anything, it increased the focus on the circuit and on Abu Dhabi, and that was good. This year, we’re still the final race and also the title decider, and that’s fabulous. I think the challenge we face each year will be to put on the best Grand Prix irrespective of where we are in the calendar, and that’s what drives us.

If you weren’t CEO of one of the most amazing racing circuits in the world, what would be your dream job?

To be honest, any job working at this level in motorsport, whether with a circuit or a team, would be living my dream. As you say, Yas is one of the most amazing circuits in the world, so I have my dream job!