Client: Yas Marina Circuit, located on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, is a premier motorsport venue known for hosting the annual Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The circuit features 16 corners, a length of 5.28 km, and a seating capacity of 60,000. It’s renowned for its innovative design, which includes a section passing under a hotel, and for being the world’s largest permanent sports venue lighting project.

Brief: Yas Marina Circuit Management (Ethara) wanted a mini-documentary to highlight the extensive modifications to the Yas Marina Circuit’s track layout. The documentary was intended to detail the comprehensive journey from the initial planning stages through to the completion of the track changes, focusing on the engineering and design efforts that transformed the circuit.

Challenges: Planning the shoots months in advance to align with different stages of track excavation, construction, and finishing. Filming through the extreme summer heat in Abu Dhabi, which posed difficulties for both the crew and the equipment. Ensuring the capture of 3D CAD drawings and simulations, and F1 management interview done in the UK, which required remote direction of their media teams. Capturing high-quality aerial and dynamic track footage, demanding specialized drone operations under stringent timelines.

Solutions: Developed a comprehensive pre-production strategy, including the conceptualization of the documentary’s narrative structure and securing necessary permissions for filming. Directed the shoots remotely in the UK, ensuring they met the specific requirements and aesthetics. Planned drone shoots in advance to film the new track with two race cars before the actual Grand Prix, using FPV drones for dynamic visuals.

Direction: The documentary was designed to have a clear structure, starting with the introduction and background of the track, moving through the design changes, build and engineering, and concluding with the completion. Integrated narrative-driven interviews with key stakeholders, including the CEO, F1 management, the Managing Director of the consultant firm, and F1 drivers. 3x GoPros were used to film the North, South, and hotel sections from the start of the track modifications to the completion along with weekly B-roll shoots to document the engineering work at all three locations. The final video incorporated footage from the actual Grand Prix, highlighting the excitement around the new track and the extensive work that went into it.