Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Festival

Somewhere across the water the cars are vrooming as announced in the Gulf News.

Today's event opens a new chapter in the sporting history of the emirate and it is likely to culminate in Abu Dhabi getting a full-fledged Formula 1 track and join the list of elite Formula 1 racing venues soon.

But there was more than just Formula One to shock and awe us in the capital of the Sandlands. First a fleet of beautiful sailing dhows assembled and passed in stately procession before my office window.

And the day's excitement kicked off with an ear-shattering fly-over by six jet fighters.

All of this is part of an intensive campaign to put Abu Dhabi on the map for visitors from all over the world. It's not hard to imagine the huge costs of bringing the Formula One circus to town for just one free event.

I wonder why the deep-pocketed ABbu Dhabi Investment Authority (with their existing shareholding in Ferrari) didn't seize the opportunity to acquire Aston Martin?

According to the Luxist website, Aston Martin is being bought [from Ford] by LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA, the most high-profile luxury goods consortium in the world, joining the 60-or-so other brands that already make up the group. Anybody out there making a Photoshopped, logo-enhanced Vantage?