ABU DHABI // Al Tareq Al Ameri has officially taken over from Richard Cregan as chief executive of Yas Marina Circuit.
Mr Al Ameri, 34, an Emirati who previously ran the venue’s commercial division, began the handover from Mr Cregan early this year.
Mr Cregan is to retain an advisory role reporting to the board and is to lead the Russian Grand Prix.
“With the success of the past five years as a catalyst, I look forward to Al Tareq leading the further growth of this business, which encompasses both meaningful social engagement and sustainable commercial outcomes,” said Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Yas Marina Circuit chairman.
Mr Al Ameri said that “the Grand Prix will always be the focus, but we must keep driving forward what we do throughout the year – from exciting motorsport racing to bringing even more fantastic events to the circuit”.
“I will be honest in that when I came here to run the commercial division I was not too familiar with motorsport,” he said. “But I have been truly bitten by the motorsport bug now.
“I arrived just before the Grand Prix in 2012 and so it was a case of in at the deep end, but I am glad of that as it really showed me the talent and energy we have here.”
Mr Al Ameri paid tribute to the outgoing chief executive.
“The five-year journey Yas Marina Circuit has been on has been filled with so many highs, and Richard has been a big part of that. I learnt a lot from him when I ran the commercial operation and will take many of those lessons with me as CEO,”
Al Ameri said that his priority is moving forward to increase interest in motorsport and encourage participation in the events held at the circuit.
He said that he intends to solidify Yas Marina Circuit’s place in the local tourist landscape.
“I see a major part of my job as further strengthening the links with other institutions here in Abu Dhabi and tourism is key. We are a destination people all over the world recognise as iconic. And that reflects positively on Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a whole.”
He has high hopes for this year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
“Hopefully we will have an increased capacity and this season we are once again the last race of the season so that, combined with the new double-points structure for our race alone, means this may very well be the most exciting Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ever.”
Mr Al Ameri previously worked at Abu Dhabi Aviation before taking the role at Yas Marina Circuit in October 2012.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
