From historic F1 machines to Metallica shredding the night away, the season finale at Yas Marina Circuit was an absolute blockbuster. Here’s a quick look back at the biggest moments from the UAE’s most immersive race weekend.
The 2025 Formula 1® Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix didn’t just close out the season, it completely brought the house down. With record attendance at this year’s event, the atmosphere was “bigger, fuller, and more immersive than ever,” proving Yas Marina Circuit remains the ultimate playground for motorsport devotees, families, and high-profile guests alike.
The decider in the desert
The headline event was always destined for drama, following a tense qualifying that set up a three-way championship decider. On Sunday, Max Verstappen delivered a flawless drive to take the Grand Prix win, but it wasn’t enough to deny Britain’s Lando Norris, who held his nerve to clinch his maiden Formula 1 World Championship.
Finishing P3, just behind his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri (P2), Norris took the crown by a razor-thin two points after a high-pressure race. The British driver withstood intense battles, including a hairy wheel-to-wheel moment with Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda and relentless pressure from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Norris’s triumph, which capped an incredible comeback season, saw him join the esteemed list of British champions.
The tension was palpable even down the grid, with young guns like Isack Hadjar enjoying supersized fan support and Liam Lawson soaking up the attention from an excited crop of “little fans” in the paddock, reminding us the future of F1 is already queuing up!
Throwbacks and thunderous support races
It wasn’t just the modern machines turning heads. For the first time, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix welcomed the Masters Historic Racing series, bringing a grid of glorious 3-litre era Formula One cars from 1966–1985. We’re talking ground-effect pioneers and DFV-powered classics—the golden age of race engineering—contesting two races under the iconic Yas Marina lights.
The grid was packed with pedigree, too, featuring former F1 Grand Prix winner Thierry Boutsen, Le Mans podium finisher Jann Mardenborough, and ELMS champion Oliver James Webb, proving that these beautiful beasts are still in competitive action.
Meanwhile, the F2 championship was well and truly sorted out, with Joshua Dürksen clinching the Feature Race victory for AIX Racing and Leonardo Fornaroli securing the 2025 Drivers’ Championship, confirming Abu Dhabi as the proving ground for tomorrow’s F1 stars.
Rock, razzmatazz, and A-list royalty
The Yasalam After-Race Concerts are always a huge draw, and 2025 did not disappoint, delivering pure, unadulterated vibes:
- Metallica brought the Saturday night roar to Etihad Park, performing a thunderous heavy-metal set that included classics like One, Nothing Else Matters, and the closing anthem, *Enter Sandman*.
- On Friday, Berlin collective Keinemusik delivered the heat to Yas Gateway Park, ensuring the party continued late into the night.
- The weekend reached its dazzling climax with global superstar Katy Perry headlining the Sunday finale.
The celeb-spotting game was strong, with Katy Perry seen making her way into the circuit before qualifying, while other A-listers like Ana de Armas (who waved the chequered flag), Emily Ratajkowski, Jessica Chastain, and football legends Thierry Henry and Ronaldinho were also soaking up the glamour. As Harper’s Bazaar Arabia noted, the event is cemented as “one of the region’s most glamorous cultural moments.”
The UAE touch: prestige plates and sky-high spectacle
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix consistently goes the extra mile to integrate local culture and prestige. Above the track, the weekend began with a breathtaking tradition: the Etihad A380 Superjumbo, flown by senior pilots, performed its signature low-level fly-past. The massive jet was accompanied by the incredible Al Fursan Aerobatic Team, who swept over the circuit, painting the sky with the red, green, and black colours of the UAE flag in a stunning visual display that thrilled spectators worldwide.
On the ground the spectacle continued with a unique twist, where two lucky fans win specially created Abu Dhabi licence plates signed by Max Verstappen (#1) and Yuki Tsunoda (#22). As organisers Ethara confirmed, this moment “could only happen at this Grand Prix,” tapping into the UAE’s famous culture where number plates are coveted status symbols (remember that $14 million plate sale that went absolutely viral on social media?).
Meanwhile, at the Etihad Guest Terrace, Etihad Guest celebrated the winners of The Extraordinary Challenge, a year-long competition where members visited 15 new Etihad destinations. 10 winners received miles rewards, including three millionaires, with the top three winners receiving 5 million, 3 million, and 1 million Etihad Guest Miles respectively. The challenge, which engaged 50K members globally, will continue until May 2026, with 11 million miles up for grabs. Members can track their progress and earn prizes, with opportunities to win up to 125K miles.
Preparing for the 2026 grid: tips for travel agents
The 2025 Grand Prix proved that Yas Island is the place to be, offering everything from theme parks and world-class shopping to the incredible Yas Bay Waterfront. For travel agents looking to keep their clients from missing out on next year’s action, here are the essential tips:
- Book early: The record crowds mean demand is only going up. Secure flight-inclusive packages and premium trackside hotels (like the W Abu Dhabi) well in advance—think six to nine months out!
- Highlight Yas Island’s offerings: Remind clients that a ticket is more than a race. Promoting all of the free entry/discounts across Yas Island’s attractions (Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, etc.) will no doubt help position the trip as a full luxury escape.
- Prioritise concert access: The Yasalam After-Race Concerts are key. Advise clients to secure the Golden Circle Upgrade for the best experience for the headliners, or pre-book official after-parties (like those at Yas Gateway Park or Garden on Yas) as they sell out fast.
- Promote the Pre-Race Buzz: Encourage Thursday and Friday attendance. The atmosphere starts early, and Friday often includes “Kids Go Free” opportunities and expanded family activities, making it an ideal choice for the increasingly diverse race-goer.
Meanwhile, the curtain has closed on 2025, but given the title-deciding fireworks and the electric atmosphere, the 2026 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is already shaping up to be another monumental season finale. Better start thinking about your custom sneakers now!
