F1 and the capital of the United Arab Emirates make a thrilling combination. MORENO MICHINI laps up the excitement that today's Grand Prix visitors will experience

FROM ZERO to 150mph in less than five seconds.

There I was, at the wheel of a Ferrari on a winding track in Abu Dhabi, feeling the same forces experienced by all the best racing drivers.

All right, it wasn't quite the Grand Prix and my vehicle wasn't exactly a racing car but my 90-second ride on the Formula Rossa rollercoaster, the fastest in the world, was as near as I am ever likely to get to the real thing.

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Built next to the fabulous Yas Marina circuit, Ferrari World covers more than two million square feet.

If Formula Rossa is not thrilling enough, you may prefer to be blasted 200ft into the air on the G-Force ride or to race on the frighteningly twisting tracks of the Fiorano GT Challenge.

I was in Abu Dhabi for the final race of last year's Formula One season, and Ferrari World provided the perfect introduction.

In addition to the rides, it offers everything from an interactive display of cars from the Forties to the present day, to a simulated visit to the Ferrari factory in Italy.

There are some great restaurants, too, such as Mamma Rossella, a traditional trattoria, and the elegant la carte Ristorante Cavallino.

The F1 circuit, part of the multi-billion-pound Yas Island development, is dominated by the Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, a spectacular hotel which spans the track.

The building provides a light show of its own in the evening, when its 5,000 diamond-shaped LED panes change colour.

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A stunning marina, packed with gleaming yachts, completes the picture of extraordinary luxury and affluence that is Abu Dhabi.

I was based at the only slightly more modest Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, a beach-front hotel 30 minutes drive from the marina.

As well as some supremely comfortable guest rooms and suites, the hotel boasts a number of first-class restaurants, including French, Lebanese and Italian and a beach-side pool with views across the water to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

This is the third largest mosque in the world after Mecca and Medina, hosting more than 40,000 worshippers at any one time.

It is open to non-Muslims who can enjoy guided tours to learn about Islamic culture and admire the astonishing architectural features, including its 80 domes and 24-carat gold chandeliers.

With three days to go before the race, I set out to explore the city.

Taxis are relatively inexpensive (about £70 for half a day).

Joined by Hussain, a Lebanese national with deep knowledge of the UAE capital, we headed to the popular Corniche Road.

This is a beautiful promenade along the seafront with trimmed lawns, cycle and pedestrian paths and restaurants.

Along here is the Amber Lounge, the ultimate VIP nightlife experience that's run by Sonia Irvine, sister of former Ferrari driver Eddie.

In just half a century, Abu Dhabi has undergone a radical transformation from a desolate desert land inhabited by nomadic tribes to a thriving 21st-century 51x51 metropolis built on oil riches.

Looking around, you have the impression of being in an open-air museum of contemporary architecture and technology.

It is still growing at an incredible pace with cranes having a seemingly permanent place in the panorama.

The 35-storey Hyatt Capital Gate is one of the most iconic buildings on the skyline.

A combination of hotel and office space, this 525ft building has the biggest "lean" (18 degrees) of any tower in the world, beating Pisa in Italy by 14 degrees.

Often mistaken for the royal residence, the equally ostentatious Emirates Palace Hotel has gold leaf decorations, tons of the finest marble and more than 1,000 Swarovski crystal chandeliers.

This is where the Queen and Prince Philip stayed last year.

YOU CAN'T visit Abu Dhabi without having a desert experience.

I booked a "safari" with Dubai-based Arabian Adventures, taking to the 30ft dunes in powerful four-wheel-drive vehicles before being treated to the most wonderful of sunsets.

We dined at a Bedouin camp, ending the evening relaxing on cushions and rugs under the stars, puffing aromatic hookah pipes.

On Sunday I joined the excited throng on my way to the Yas Marina circuit.

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Abu Dhabi is the only twilight race of the season, with a powerful lighting system ensuring a seamless transition from daylight to dark.

It was a fantastic spectacle, the head-spinning noise reverberating around this majestic track.

The only disappointment was that my team (Ferrari) missed out on the driver's championship.

Still, as I partied late into the night at the Amber Lounge with Formula One stars Jenson Button and Felipe Massa mixing the tunes as guest DJs, it was difficult to stay upset for too long.

GETTING THERE

Premier Holidays (0844 493 7444) premierholidays.co.uk) offers four nights at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr from £899pp (two sharing), B&B.

Price includes return flights from London with Etihad.

For departure May or June 2012.

Arabian Adventures (from the UK: 0097126911711/arabian-adventures.com) offers a Sundowner dune dinner safari from £53 per adult, £49 per child.