Although Abu Dhabi has become a well-known destination to the world of Formula One quite recently – since last season, to be more precise – it has been a living part of the Red Bull Air Race Championship from the moment the series was formed back in 2005. Therefore, the organizers' decision to give the wealthy United Arab Emirates destination the chance to become the season opening round of the series could not have been more welcomed by the 15 pilots present on the starting list.
“Abu Dhabi is one of the most challenging races on the calendar because you don’t know what the other guys have been doing over the winter. Your team doesn’t have a race rhythm yet and no one’s quite sure how strong their planes are relative to the others. I’m looking forward to the race. I’m the hunter now rather than being hunted,” said Austria’s Hannes Arch, the 2008 champion of the series.
As a bonus for the spectators that are ready to pack their bags and head to Abu Dhabi for the aforementioned event, Loidl revealed that the organizers have arranged for some fans vs. pilots meetings “at the race airport located at Municipality Harbour during the Public Pit Lane Walk on Qualifying Day.”
The most awaited duel of the 2010 Red Bull Air Race Championship is undoubtedly the one between reigning champion Paul Bonhomme (Great Britain) and Austria’s Hannes Arch. The two are set to continue their battle in the series after a breathtaking finale in the 2009 championship, when the Brit edged his rival for the world title before a 800,000 crowd in Barcelona.
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