AV tech upstages Abu Dhabi F1 action

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While the Yasalam concerts proved a worthy distraction off the track, the spotlight remained firmly on the inaugural Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix, with a capacity crowd of 55,000 flocking to the final race on the F1 calendar.

While Red Bull’s rising star Sebastian Vettel took the honours on the day, the Yas Marina Circuit, cloaked by the hugely impressive Yas Hotel and marina, remained the stunning centrepiece of the entire event.

The Yas Hotel’s innovative LED shroud, containing 208,000 LEDs, proved a worthy distraction for spectators perched at the marina end of the track, particularly as the sun began to set and the lighting installation sprung to life.

The LED grid was conceived by architect Hani Rashid of Asymptote New York and designed in conjunction with Dutch firm Arup Lighting. The technology used in the project was sourced from UK-based architectural lighting firm Cooper Lighting and LED manufacturer Enfis Group.

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Highlights of the design include a 4.2 billion colour palette, with two-way communication providing real-time monitoring of fixture temperature, colour and energy consumption, as well as DMX remote control.

The main feature of the project’s design is a 217-metre expanse of sweeping, curvilinear forms constructed of steel and over 5,300 pivoting diamond-shaped glass panels which are illuminated via a sophisticated LED lighting system, providing an incredible combination of shades and colours.

More than 5,800 Enfis LED arrays were ultimately sourced for the lighting installation, predominantly consisting of Enfis four-channel UNO Plus arrays and control drivers integrated into custom-designed IP65-rated stainless steel stanchions.

Elsewhere, spectators were treated to live video feeds and race updates on 14 high-resolution LED displays supplied by Belgian company Barco and worth a reported US$8 million.

The 10mm and 14mm SLite LED outdoor displays were scattered around the Formula 1 racetrack and grounds.
“Barco's outdoor LED has extremely good viewing angles and will display the live action perfectly even in the bright Abu Dhabi sunlight,” commented Mohammed Al Mubarak, CCO of Aldar Properties.