Verstappen’s Victory, Yas Island Delivers an Unforgettable F1 Season Finale

A spectacular mix of racing legacy and world-class entertainment.

A Historic Grand Prix for the Ages

The 2025 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix delivered more than racing drama it made history. Beyond Max Verstappen’s victory and Lando Norris’s maiden drivers’ title, Yasalam presented by e& drew a record-breaking 136,000 fans.

This occurred across four nights of show-stopping entertainment. Emirates NBD After-Race Concerts lit up Yas Island with performances from Benson Boone, Elyanna, Post Malone, Metallica, and Katy Perry. Meanwhile, official after-parties were headlined by Idris Elba, Calvin Harris, and Keinemusik.

Reflecting on the remarkable milestone, Saif Rashid Al Noaimi, CEO, Ethara, stated, “This year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be remembered for decades. The F1 title battle unfolded under the floodlights of Yas Marina Circuit. At Ethara, we’re proud to have delivered a weekend befitting such a historic occasion. We welcomed more fans than ever. This was underpinned by a world-class entertainment programme and innovations to the fan experience, including new hospitality concepts, new on-site activations and enhanced Abu Dhabi-wide ticket inclusions. Abu Dhabi has once again proven it’s the ultimate destination for the F1 season finale.”

Enhanced Fan Experiences and Unrivaled Access

This year’s edition introduced new hospitality innovations, expanded entertainment zones, and immersive fan activations. These were designed to elevate the Grand Prix experience. Fans enjoyed not one, but two public pit lane walks, alongside the popular FAB Track Walks on Thursday.

Benson Boone’s electric performance transformed Thursday into the biggest opening day in event history. It set the tone for an unforgettable weekend both on and off the track.

Adding to the allure, global stars such as Katy Perry, Metallica, and Benson Boone were spotted mingling in the paddock. They were seen among Hollywood A-listers Ana de Armas, Jason Statham, and Emily Ratajkowski.

Tech pioneer Bill Gates and sports icons Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho, and Jannik Sinner were also present. This further cemented Abu Dhabi’s reputation as the most glamorous stop on the F1 calendar.

Sustainability Takes Center Stage

As attendance records soared, Ethara continued its commitment to sustainability. The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix tripled the use of temporary solar power. This ensured key track areas Turns 2, 5, and 9 ran entirely on clean energy. All temporary generators operated using 100% biofuel blends, cutting emissions across event operations.

A partnership with UAE-based Ma-Hawa took innovation further, generating over 260,000 litres of drinking water directly from air-to-water technology. This initiative alone replaced more than 520,000 plastic bottles across the weekend, highlighting the event’s eco-conscious evolution.

Looking Ahead to 2026

With its perfect blend of thrilling motorsport, unmatched entertainment, and sustainability leadership, the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has set a new global benchmark. Fans can now register for the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026 at AbuDhabiGP.com.