Foundation stone ceremony celebrates construction start for world's first Ferrari Theme Park in Abu Dhabi

Officials and special guests in attendance for today's event included Ferrari's President Luca di Montezemolo and Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Chairman, Aldar Properties PJSC, as well as invited guests representing media, government and business organizations from around the world.

During the Foundation Stone Ceremony a special time capsule was buried, containing a Conrod and Piston of the F2007, the F1 World Champion Ferrari car, together with the first artist's impression of the Ferrari Theme Park on YAS Island. The capsule will be then opened again at Ferrari's 100th anniversary, in 2047.

"This is a very special year for Ferrari," Mr. Montezemolo said. "Together with the extraordinary commercial success of our GT cars, it brought to Maranello the F1 Constructors World Championship and the F1 Drivers World Championship with Kimi Raikkonen, and I am particularly proud to be present to mark the symbolic start of this great project. Moreover, 2007 is the year of Ferrari's 60th anniversary, and this Ceremony has therefore a further, important meaning."

Part of a joint project between Italian automotive manufacturer Ferrari and ALDAR Properties, the 250,000sqm park (80,000 of them covered) will be a unique oasis of discovery, hospitality and beauty that captures culture, flavour and the true spirit of Italian country, as well as the legendary automotive history, feeling and heritage of Ferrari cars and racing.

"Today is a celebration of the first step along the way to making the world's first Ferrari theme park a reality, with the laying of the foundation stone" commented Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Chairman, ALDAR Properties.

"An incredible amount of real estate growth is taking place in Abu Dhabi, and it is our responsibility to deliver projects of the highest quality, while protecting the natural, social and cultural assets of the Emirate. I am confident that the blend between the power and beauty of one of the world's leading brands, Ferrari, with ALDAR's expertise in development and regional knowledge, will combine to create a destination that resonates with sports lovers around the world,"

When completed in 2009, the attraction will provide amusement for the whole family, featuring multi-format high tech theatres, a variety of sophisticated driving schools (for both children and adults), Ferrari automotive displays and participatory learning centres as well as food and entertainment.

Among the 24 attractions, the park will offer a mix of high-octane and family rides with roller coasters jetting into the sky and dipping through the covered areas. At the heart of the park will be an advanced and sophisticated circuit offering driving courses, which will be the home of the first Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix in 2009.

After the Foundation Stone event at YAS Island, a brand new Ferrari Store will have its official grand opening in Abu Dhabi's Marina Mall. Ferrari's President Luca di Montezemolo, Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Chairman of ALDAR Properties, Abdullah Abdel Rahim Al Fahim, Chairman of Al Fahim Enterprises and Commercial and Brand Director Dany Bahar will take part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.