{"id":139409,"date":"2025-09-12T20:31:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-12T20:31:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/139409\/"},"modified":"2025-09-12T20:31:09","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T20:31:09","slug":"how-thousands-of-tonnes-of-british-grit-laid-the-foundations-for-abu-dhabis-f1-success-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/139409\/","title":{"rendered":"How thousands of tonnes of British grit laid the foundations for Abu Dhabi’s F1 success story"},"content":{"rendered":"

Elite Formula One drivers from across the globe will be gearing up for glory at the 17th annual Abu Dhabi Grand Prix <\/a>on Yas Island<\/a> in December.<\/p>\n

The now traditional finale to the high-octane racing calendar is a proud UAE success story \u2013 but you might be surprised to learn Lewis Hamilton<\/a> and Lando Norris are not alone in supplying British grit to go with the glitz and glamour.<\/p>\n

A key ingredient in the sporting spectacle’s road to success is greywacke, a sandstone rock noted for its hardness, laid down up to 600 million years ago as the Earth was formed. <\/p>\n

The name comes from Germany, where it makes up much of the northern Harz Mountains.<\/p>\n

Deposits are found across northern Europe, especially Britain, where it is used as a building material, in New Zealand\u2019s Southern Alps and in Egypt, where it was once used to carve 3,000 year pharaonic statues.<\/p>\n

Paving the way<\/p>\n

So how, then, did thousands of tonnes end up on Abu Dhabi\u2019s Yas Island?<\/p>\n

The answer can be found near the village of Bayson Hill, on the outskirts of the medieval county town of Shrewsbury in England. Under the Shropshire Hills is a large deposit of greywacke rocks, extracted and sold as gritstone by Tarmac, the company which owns the quarry.<\/p>\n

Gritstone has been dug up here since the 18th century, but its use has considerably increased since the advent of the car. Mixed with tarmac, it creates a remarkably durable road surface, especially where there is high traffic, such as motorways. And this is where Abu Dhabi comes in.<\/p>\n

Back in January 2007, and in front of an enthusiastic crowd, it was announced that Abu Dhabi would now host a Formula One Grand Prix. The first race would be held at the end of 2009 at a new Yas Marina Circuit. There was only one small hitch … the race track did not exist.<\/p>\n

The story of a how a Formula One circuit was built in just over two years is one of the marvels of modern construction and planning. There could have been no delays, for the race was already in the Grand Prix calendar.<\/p>\n

Designed by the New York-based Egyptian architect Hani Rashid and Lise Anne Couture of Asymptote Architecture. it featured a hotel that formed a bridge over the race and innovative lighting to ensure the race would finish after dark.<\/p>\n

The track was the work of Hermann Tilke, a German engineer and designer responsible for the Bahrain and Shanghai circuits, among many others. And the whole thing was built on an island made of sand.<\/p>\n

The stability of the actual track, then, was crucial. And for that they turned to the gold standard of durability: Shropshire greywacke.<\/p>\n

An order was place for 4,000 tonnes of \u201cconglomerate\u201d stone, with small pieces of greywacke unsuitable for building but excellent for other uses such as roads. Each piece was graded in industrial sieves to ensure it was a standard 11mm \u2013 about the size of a blueberry.<\/p>\n

Once dug up it was transported first in lorryloads of one tonne bags and then by sea to Abu Dhabi, where it arrived in January 2009, only 10 months before the inaugural race. Laid down in time, it has now survived 16 races, winning praise from racing drivers for its excellent grip, as has the Bahrain circuit, which uses the same stone.<\/p>\n

But when you have lasted 600 million years, what difference does the extra decade and a half make?<\/p>\n

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024 – in picturesMohammed bin Zayed Majlis<\/p>\n

Tori Amos
Native Invader
Decca<\/p>\n

Mohammed bin Zayed MajlisMore from Neighbourhood Watch:yallacompare profile<\/p>\n

Date of launch: 2014<\/p>\n

Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer<\/p>\n

Based: Media City, Dubai\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sector: Financial services<\/p>\n

Size: 120 employees<\/p>\n

Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding\u00a0led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)<\/p>\n

Cricket\u00a0World\u00a0Cup\u00a0League\u00a02<\/p>\n

UAE\u00a0results
Lost\u00a0to\u00a0Oman\u00a0by\u00a0eight\u00a0runs
Beat\u00a0Namibia\u00a0by\u00a0three\u00a0wickets
Lost\u00a0to\u00a0Oman\u00a0by\u00a012\u00a0runs
Beat\u00a0Namibia\u00a0by\u00a043\u00a0runs<\/p>\n

UAE\u00a0fixtures
Free\u00a0admission.\u00a0All\u00a0fixtures\u00a0broadcast\u00a0live\u00a0on\u00a0icc.tv<\/p>\n

Tuesday\u00a0March\u00a015,\u00a0v\u00a0PNG\u00a0at\u00a0Sharjah\u00a0Cricket\u00a0Stadium
Friday\u00a0March\u00a018,\u00a0v\u00a0Nepal\u00a0at\u00a0Dubai\u00a0International\u00a0Stadium
Saturday\u00a0March\u00a019,\u00a0v\u00a0PNG\u00a0at\u00a0Dubai\u00a0International\u00a0Stadium
Monday\u00a0March\u00a021,\u00a0v\u00a0Nepal\u00a0at\u00a0Dubai\u00a0International\u00a0Stadium<\/p>\n

Killing of Qassem SuleimaniKilling of Qassem SuleimaniNew Zealand 15 British & Irish Lions 15<\/p>\n

New Zealand 15
Tries:\u00a0Laumape, J Barrett
Conversions:\u00a0B Barrett
Penalties:\u00a0B Barrett<\/p>\n

British & Irish Lions 15
Penalties: Farrell (4), Daly<\/p>\n

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsRead more about the coronavirusMohammed bin Zayed MajlisSquads<\/p>\n

Pakistan: Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Babar Azam (vc), Abid Ali, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hasnain, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz<\/p>\n

Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne (c), Danushka Gunathilaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Avishka Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Minod Bhanuka, Angelo Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara<\/p>\n

Kill%20Bill%20Volume%201<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Quentin%20Tarantino%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Uma%20Thurman%2C%20David%20Carradine%20and%20Michael%20Madsen%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%204.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

Killing of Qassem SuleimaniThe specs<\/p>\n

AT4 Ultimate, as tested<\/p>\n

Engine: 6.2-litre V8<\/p>\n

Power: 420hp<\/p>\n

Torque: 623Nm<\/p>\n

Transmission: 10-speed automatic<\/p>\n

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)<\/p>\n

On sale: Now<\/p>\n

Napoleon<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Ridley%20Scott%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Joaquin%20Phoenix%2C%20Vanessa%20Kirby%2C%20Tahar%20Rahim%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%202%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsKilling of Qassem SuleimaniMore on Quran memorisation:More from Neighbourhood Watch:More from Rashmee Roshan LallUPI facts<\/p>\n

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions<\/p>\n

Where can I submit a sample?<\/p>\n

Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi.\u00a0The programme is open to all ages.<\/p>\n

Collection centres in Abu Dhabi\u00a0include:<\/p>\n

\tAbu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
\n\tBiogenix Labs in Masdar City
\n\tAl Towayya in Al Ain
\n\tNMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
\n\tBareen International Hospital
\n\tNMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
\n\tNMC Royal Medical Centre – Abu Dhabi
\n\tNMC Royal Women\u2019s Hospital.<\/p>\n

Ain Dubai in numbers<\/p>\n

126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure<\/p>\n

1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch<\/p>\n

16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.<\/p>\n

9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.<\/p>\n

5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place<\/p>\n

192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.<\/p>\n

MADAME%20WEB<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20S.J.%20Clarkson%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Dakota%20Johnson%2C%20Tahar%20Rahim%2C%20Sydney%20Sweeney%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

The burning issue<\/p>\n

The\u00a0internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment \u2013\u00a0major manufacturer\u00a0Volvo\u00a0is to stop\u00a0producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021\u00a0and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040.\u00a0The National\u00a0takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Read part four:\u00a0an affection for classic cars lives on<\/a><\/p>\n

Read part three:\u00a0the age of the electric vehicle begins<\/a><\/p>\n

Read part one:\u00a0how cars came to the UAE<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

GAC GS8 Specs<\/p>\n

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo<\/p>\n

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm<\/p>\n

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm<\/p>\n

Transmission: 8-speed auto<\/p>\n

Fuel consumption: 9.1L\/100km<\/p>\n

On sale: Now<\/p>\n

Price: From Dh149,900<\/p>\n

Killing of Qassem SuleimaniThe years Ramadan fell in MayMore on Quran memorisation:The years Ramadan fell in MayMore from Neighbourhood Watch:Ferrari 12Cilindri specs<\/p>\n

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12<\/p>\n

Power: 819hp<\/p>\n

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm<\/p>\n

Price: From Dh1,700,000<\/p>\n

Available: Now<\/p>\n

The years Ramadan fell in MayCompany%20profile<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ogram%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Karim%20Kouatly%20and%20Shafiq%20Khartabil%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20On-demand%20staffing%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2050%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMore%20than%20%244%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20round%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Series%20A%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGlobal%20Ventures%2C%20Aditum%20and%20Oraseya%20Capital%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

HIJRA<\/p>\n

Starring:\u00a0Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy<\/p>\n

Director: Shahad Ameen<\/p>\n

Rating: 3\/5<\/p>\n

Avatar%20(2009)<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJames%20Cameron%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESam%20Worthington%2C%20Zoe%20Saldana%2C%20Sigourney%20Weaver%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANIMore on Quran memorisation:The five pillars of IslamZodi%20%26%20Tehu%3A%20Princes%20Of%20The%20Desert<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEric%20Barbier%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYoussef%20Hajdi%2C%20Nadia%20Benzakour%2C%20Yasser%20Drief%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Elite Formula One drivers from across the globe will be gearing up for glory at the 17th annual…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":139410,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[441],"tags":[75200,49,48,578,576,580,577,82,2225,1320,15797,46173,3585],"class_list":["post-139409","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-formula-1","tag-abu-dhabi-grand-prix","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-f1","tag-formula-1","tag-formula-one","tag-formula1","tag-sports","tag-standard","tag-story","tag-uae","tag-uae-desk-team","tag-uk"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139409","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=139409"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139409\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/139410"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=139409"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=139409"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=139409"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}