First look at the world’s fastest roller coaster: Formula Rossa

The incredibly fast Formula Rossa has taken the world’s fastest roller coaster crown from Six Flags Great Adventure’s Kingda Ka. The Formula 1-themed coaster, located at the new multi-billion dollar Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, has eclipsed Kingda Ka’s 128 mph launch by pushing the envelope to an insane 149.1 mph (240 kmh).


After the powerful launch briefly turns the rider’s faces into play dough, the train climbs a hill that appears to be lined with trim brakes that sap a lot of the roller coaster’s initial speed. Who’d want to go that fast for too long anyway?

Then, much of Formula Rossa seems a bit uneventful. I’m sure those banked turns so low to the ground are fun, but this video doesn’t have me booking my plane ticket to Abu Dhabi just yet. To be clear, I’m definitely not the type to invoke U-S-A chants when it comes to theme parks. I’m envious of roller coaster fans in other countries like Japan and Great Britain. However, in this case I’d rather ride the former record holder, Kingda Ka. While this is just a video, and videos can never completely do a ride justice, Kingda Ka looks like a more fun ride with it’s skyscraping height of 45 stories and that twisting drop back to Earth.One has to wonder if we’ve reached the speed and g-force limits that the human body should be exposed to. In a New York Times article, officials from Ferrari World shared that while Formula Rossa will be able to attain nearly 150 mph, they might actually operate it at lower speeds. So, Ferrari World can claim the World record, but not have to deal with rider complaints from the ridiculous g-forces this thing must pull. This may be smart from the park’s standpoint, but kind of stinks for roller coaster enthusiasts. Imagine traveling half way around the World for that record-breaking launch and unbenounced to you, they’re running Formula Rossa at only 125 mph.

Still, Formula Rossa looks like fun and I’m looking forward to more videos of Ferrari World, its dual track racing coaster Fiorano Challenge, and the other rides.

Ferrari already looking at more theme parks

Ferrari World just threw open its doors in Abu Dhabi this weekend, but already, Ferrari is thinking about expanding its theme park franchise.

Michelle Pignatti Moreno, head of new business for Ferrari, tells Bloomberg that Ferrari World’s opening is “a dream come true for us as Ferrari. This is our first one, we may have plans for more.”

Company officials look are looking at Ferrari World as a branding exercise – a way to get people who may not be able to buy Ferrari’s closer to the Ferrari brand.

Ferrari World opened on Friday on Yas Island, after a one-week delay due to a Sheikh’s death. The theme park has not released weekend attendance figures, but the park is expected to attract up to 10,000 people per day.

There are 20 attractions in all at Ferrari World, as well as a large collection of Ferrari race cars and an Italian trattoria. The biggest draw is the Formula Rossa roller coaster, now the world’s fastest with a top speed of 149 miles per hour.

Ferrari World theme park’s opening postponed following Sheikh’s death


The Ferrari World theme park in Abu Dhabi will not open today as planned.

ArabianBusiness.com is reporting that the theme park’s opening has been postponed following the death of Sheikh Saqr Al Qasimi, the ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.

The park was expecting more than 10,000 visitors on its opening day today.

Seven days of official mourning has been declared in the United Arab Emirates. Ferrari World officials said that as a show of respect, the park’s opening will be postponed until Nov. 4.

Ferrari World is being billed as the world’s largest indoor theme park. The attraction on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island has more than 925,000 square feet under a roof shaped like the double-curve side profile of a Ferrari GT.

It will feature the world’s fastest ride – the Formula Rossa roller coaster, which is expected to reach top speeds of more than 150 miles per hour.

Ferrari World to open Oct. 27 in Abu Dhabi

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is on track to open one day earlier than expected.

The world’s largest indoor theme park will open in less than four weeks, on Oct. 27.

The theme park on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island has more than 925,000 square feet under a roof shaped like the double-curve side profile of a Ferrari GT.

The most anticipated ride at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is the Formula Rossa, a roller coaster designed to ride like a Ferrari F1, pulling 1.7 Gs with a top speed of nearly 150 miles per hour – the world’s fastest ride.

There are also some kid’s rides, a dueling roller coaster and a 4-D experience on tap for the park, as well as Italian shopping and dining.

Admission starts at $61 for adults. You can upgrade your tickets to include a skip-the-line pass and VIP lounge access for about $50 more. Ferrari World will be open six days a week, closed Mondays.