If you happened to watch this weekend's Formula 1 race set in Abu Dhabi, you probably saw it amongst the bevy of super-sized yachts. It's practically unmistakable thanks to its rosso corsa paintjob, and many staffers here at MT headquarters agree, it's one of the most futuristic looking and aesthetically dominating buildings in the world.
It's called Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and as you can guess, is an engineering and architectural masterpiece dedicated to the wondrous world of all things Ferrari. Why Abu Dhabi? Given the region's deep attraction -- and investments -- in Maranello, mixed in with its bountiful wealth, the location for the world's largest indoor amusement park makes perfect sense. Set atop the manmade Yas Island in the Persian Gulf, Ferrari World is hoped to be one of the main attractions of the United Arab Emirates when it opens early next year.
Ferrari World's size is gigantic. The Benoy-designed structure stands 147.6 ft tall and boasts a roof edge circumference of 7,217.8 ft. Inside, there's 1,076,391 sq ft of space, while outside a surrounding area of 4,843,759 sq ft has been landscaped impeccably. Around 35,000 tons of steel bolster the building that was designed to resemble the curved side profile of a Ferrari GT body.
Twenty different state-of-the-art attractions entertain you once inside. There's a 124-mph rollercoaster that is claimed to be the world's fastest, a slew of racing simulators, professionally taught driving schools, and the one that caught our attention most, a virtual journey through the heart of a Ferrari 599 engine. You can grab your dinner at a pair of top-tier Italian cuisine restaurants for the full Maranello experience and once you're full, can stroll over to the many shops selling Ferrari-badged memorabilia.
We can't even fathom the costs involved to build Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, but the automaker and its investors are hoping that with the newly inaugurated Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix taking its place on the F1 calendar, the car fans they seek will never overlook Abu Dhabi as a must-see automotive location.
Thanks to: Motor Trend
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