Time Out at 40

Gordon Ramsay | Lateefa bint Maktoum | Bernie Ecclestone | Frankie Dettori Sulaiman Al-Fahim

Bernie Ecclestone

Bernie Ecclestone
He may have been born in Suffolk, but when Ecclestone announced that Formula One was coming to Abu Dhabi, he became an instant UAE hero. Neither one is known to shun the spotlight. Abu Dhabi is building the track on its own island, while Ecclestone announced the race by bringing the world’s best drivers to town for a road race. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix looks likely to close the 2009 season.

You’ve been chosen as one of Time Out’s heroes. What do you think of that?
I’m very happy because we’ve worked hard to make the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix happen. I’m more than pleased. I’ve been speaking to the Grand Prix office this morning. Everything seems to be going very well.

What’s the biggest thing that’s happened here in motor sport?
When the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was conceived, it was just going to be a race within the streets. Then it sort of grew from there to what it is now. It’s an enormous project and I’m sure everyone will be very, very proud of what is going to happen.
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What is your favourite personal moment in the UAE?
I think it was when I realised that the Grand Prix was going to take place. It was good to think that it was going to happen after so much work. Also, moments like the actual launch in Abu Dhabi [where they had the largest ever gathering of F1 cars and drivers outside of a Grand Prix]; these are the things that you remember.

What does the future hold – for the UAE and for you?
Wait and see. I think everyone will be very surprised and happy.

What does Time Out mean to you?
There’s not a lot of this type of magazine around. We get a lot of magazines to look at but it’s a little bit special, you know.

Abu Dhabi is…
…big. The place has grown enormously in a very short time.

www.timeoutdubai.com; www.timeoutabudhabi.com

Gordon Ramsay | Lateefa bint Maktoum | Bernie Ecclestone | Frankie Dettori Sulaiman Al-Fahim