Brad Pitt, the ageless Hollywood icon, sent hearts racing as he strolled down the Yas Marina track alongside Formula One drivers at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Pitt wasn't the only star to draw cheers from the crowd over the weekend. As the wealthy elite watched from their luxury yachts at Yas Marina, Spanish actress Penelope Cruz made an appearance on the grid, causing media photographers to go into a frenzy.

Penelope Cruz. — X

The Abu Dhabi GP continued its tradition of attracting A-list celebrities, once again delivering a spectacular show. On the track, British sensation Lando Norris showcased the future of racing with a dominant performance that secured McLaren their first constructors’ title since 1998. Lewis Hamilton, Norris’ legendary compatriot, bid farewell to Mercedes with a stirring fourth-place finish despite starting from 16th position. The seven-time world champion, who is set to join Ferrari next year, entertained the crowd with celebratory 'doughnut' spins on the track. However, the incredible success of the Abu Dhabi F1 GP isn't just about the star drivers and their brilliant team of engineers. It's also about the fans who travel from far and wide to make this event a remarkable spectacle. Last year, 65% of the 170,000 attendees at Yas Marina were tourists.

Fans take a selfie at Yas Marina Circuit. — Supplied photo

While official figures for this year are still pending, the Fan Zone was bustling with foreign visitors from countries like France, South Africa, Great Britain, Germany, Kyrgyzstan, and even Reunion, a small French island in the Indian Ocean. Anne-Cécile Sadeyen, who traveled from Reunion to Abu Dhabi, beamed when asked if her trip was memorable.

Julienne Mickael and Anne-Cécile Sadeyen. — Photos by Rituraj Borkakoty

“Yes, of course. We love Formula One, and this is our first time attending a race. We couldn't have chosen a better place,” she said. “The atmosphere is amazing here. We had heard a lot about it, but experiencing it firsthand is a different feeling.” Nearby at the Fan Zone, two young women—Kita Karim and Mavi Akintola—danced to Dua Lipa’s Levitating as the DJ played. Kita, who flew in from London, said she came to visit her friend in Abu Dhabi and watch the race.

Kita Karim and Mavi Akintola.

“My friend lives here in Abu Dhabi, so I wanted to visit her and watch the race,” said Kita, whose roots trace back to Malawi in East Africa. Her friend Mavi has been religiously attending the Abu Dhabi GP for five years.

“It’s my fifth year, and I have enjoyed every time I come here,” the Nigerian national said. So what makes this event so special? “It’s the vibe, the friendliness of the people, and it’s a beautiful event,” Kita said. “You don’t have to focus solely on the race; there’s much more to do here as a fan. I plan to come every single year and recommend it to all my friends in the UK.” British expat Iain Younger, who lives in Abu Dhabi, was so impressed by the Fan Zone activities that he plans to bring his three-year-old son next year.

Iain Younger

“He is going to enjoy it a lot. I think there are some really good things for kids,” said Younger, a big Hamilton fan, pointing to the children’s play area. Meanwhile, Yaojun Deng, a Chinese expat, praised the organizers for the smooth shuttle bus service from Yas Mall to the venue. Lea Ane, a French tourist, said the Abu Dhabi GP is among the best sporting events in the world.

Lea Ane (left) with her parents

“We decided to come here because we had heard a lot about this GP, that it’s an amazing event,” said Ane, who came with her parents. “It’s indeed a great event. The organization is top-notch, the people are kind, and the restaurants are very nice. There are a lot of activities for kids, and you can see how much they are enjoying it.” But for pure F1 fans like Josh Pull, a 21-year-old British tourist, it’s not just about the atmosphere.

Josh Pull

“This is the second time I have visited Abu Dhabi to attend this event. This track makes it a fascinating race,” he said. “Also, if you love Formula One, any GP would be your favorite because you are fascinated by the cars, which are insanely quick and must be controlled by humans on the track. If you look at Red Bull’s car, it’s been designed to suit Max Verstappen’s driving style. The engineers must be so smart, how they design each and every car. I think that’s what captivates people.” But Josh agreed that many fans are attracted to the Abu Dhabi GP not just for the supercars and amazing drivers.

“I think people love it here because they turn it into a festival. They have invested so much money into it. I think they care so much about the fan experience,” he said. “People come here from far and wide, and all of them seem to have such a good time.”

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