Formula 1 tickets selling fast at Etihad shops

More than a thousand tickets were sold from the Etihad shops in the first few days, with many fans queuing outside before the shops opened.

To coincide with the launch of ticket sales in the UAE, Etihad last weekend displayed its branded Formula 1 racing car at Marina Mall in Dubai. The car will also be on display Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi and Bawadi Mall in Al Ain during April with visitors able to have their photograph taken with the vehicle.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways' chief commercial officer, said:

"As title sponsor and the airline of Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways is thrilled to play a central role in selling tickets to motor racing fans in the UAE. As well as visitors from across the world flying into Abu Dhabi for the inaugural Formula 1 Etihad Airways Grand Prix, we are also looking forward to welcoming thousands of UAE residents to the capital for this historic occasion."

To support its title sponsorship of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix the airline has painted two of its aircraft, an Airbus A320 and A340, with an iconic special F1 livery.

The specially painted planes are part of a marketing campaign that will intensify in the months leading up to the last race of the F1™ season in Abu Dhabi.

The A340 has a 'dynamic' design with white at the nose leading to red at the end of the plane. The official F1 logo is featured on the engines and motor racing's famous 'chequered' flag is on the tail fin.

It currently operates on Etihad's services from Abu Dhabi to London, Sydney, New York and Toronto and the new livery has helped ensure that motor racing fans from around the world can share in the excitement of the UAE's first ever Formula 1™ Grand Prix.

The plane will also fly to other cities hosting Formula 1 races, including Melbourne, to coincide with Etihad's recent route launch there in March.

The A320 is black with the image of a red Formula 1 car together with the official race title logo on the rear and the Formula 1 logo on the engines. It flies regularly to cities on Etihad's short haul network which includes Russia, India and across the GCC.