Yas Marina to host first FIA GT1 series

Six of the world's most iconic sportscar marques will compete in the first round of the new FIA GT1 World Championship series at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on April 16-17.

Twenty-four cars from Aston Martin, Corvette, Ford, Lamborghini, Maserati and Nissan will take part in the opening round of the GT1 series, driven by 48 of the world's leading sportscar drivers. The championship will take place on 10 of the world's most evocative racing circuits on four continents, finishing at the San Luis circuit in Argentina in December.

"This FIA GT1 event is the first race in a brand-new and exciting series that yet again focuses world attention on Yas Marina Circuit and Abu Dhabi," said Richard Cregan, Chief Executive Officer of Yas Marina Circuit.

"It will build on the enormous success of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last November, the GP2 Asia Series and Australian V8 supercars event in February, and the Yas Drag Racing Festival just two weeks ago.

"We expect high levels of public interest from across the GCC region, one of the leading centres of sports car ownership in the world. These are highly tuned versions of the cars that people drive every day on the streets of the UAE."

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.