Ferrari World Abu Dhabi takes pole position as world's biggest and fastest theme park

By Rich Trenholm on 01 November 2009, 12:10pm

On the day of the first Abu Dhubai Formula 1 Grand Prix, we take a look at the progress of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the first-ever Ferrari theme park and the biggest indoor theme park in the world.

Ferrari World is under construction on Yas Island, the 2,500-hectare development that's also the site of the Yas Marina circuit, where today's race takes place. Attractions will include the world's fastest rollercoaster, and dual rollercoasters that allow visitors to race each other. A 200ft tower will fire visitors high into the air to simulate F1-level G-forces.

The theme park looks to us like a giant Ferrari spaceship descending on the landscape. Like District 9, only instead of garbage-eating prawn-like aliens with energy weapons, it'll be full of garbage-spouting middle-aged men with ponytails and driving gloves. Possibly.

Ferrari World is set to open in 2010, but in the meantime the Italian team isn't having much luck in Abu Dhabi: Kimi Raikkonen and Giancarlo Fisichella qualified in a lowly 11th and 20th. It's been a better year for us Brits: Jenson Button has already clinched the World Championship, while Lewis Hamilton is in pole position for today's race, the final race of the season. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix blasts off the grid any minute now, live on the BBC.