(From left) Magishan Umaguruparan, William Gamborg, and Nasir Sirikhan at the Abu Dhabi GP fan zone. — Photo by Rituraj Borkakoty

The Fan Zone at the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix was buzzing on Friday evening. The DJ spun hit after hit as fans made their way through various pit stops! Sometimes they wandered into shops selling F1 team merchandise, and other times, they paused to admire the luxury cars on display. Suddenly, amidst the lively mix of music and F1 excitement, a small crowd began to gather, jostling for space—all seemingly in a race to capture the best photo of a group of young men.

These young men were not F1 drivers, who were at that moment, speeding around the Yas Marina Circuit under the floodlights. Instead, they basked in the attention, flashing victory signs and beaming as fans hugged them and snapped photos. They were none other than Quick Style, the Norwegian hip-hop dance group that gained global fame after their viral wedding dance video in 2022.

When this reporter approached Nasir Sirikhan, one of the group's founders, for a quick interview, he checked the media credentials and joked, “Ah, Khaleej Times. Of course, we can talk. We've done interviews with your paper before!” Nasir revealed that the group planned their Abu Dhabi trip specifically for the final race of the 2024 F1 season. “It's incredible to have the chance to watch the race and meet the people. We love Abu Dhabi, just like we love Dubai. You feel at home here because you see people like you everywhere, no matter where you come from,” he said, adding his admiration for F1 drivers' skills. “We're just amazed by how they control the car at such speeds; it's like an art. F1 is a fantastic blend of super engines and super humans.”

Besides F1, Nasir, who has Thai roots but whose grandfather was from Pakistan, is also passionate about cricket. “I love cricket; there's a cricket culture in my family because of my grandfather,” he said. “And, you know, I also have a friend in cricket whose name is Virat Kohli,” he laughed. Has he met the Indian superstar? “Oh yes. And I've seen his dance steps too. He's pretty good, I must say!”

Nasir, who formed the group with Norwegian-Pakistani twins Bilal Malik and Suleman Malik in 2003, said they never imagined they'd receive so much love from fans. “Getting mobbed in public places? Well, we never had that kind of dream; we just wanted to do what we loved. Everything else that came was just a bonus,” he said. William Gamborg, another band member, expressed gratitude for the support. “It's so lovely, we love it, it's the best feeling,” he said. “We feel so blessed to have these supporters and people who have seen and appreciated what we've done.” Do they get mobbed in Norway too? “No, people in Norway are shy, so it's not the same in our country,” he said.

Magishan Umaguruparan, who remixes the music for the group, was also thrilled by the fans' adulation in Abu Dhabi. “It's crazy. They probably don't know me because I do the music and videos for the group,” he said. “But it's amazing to see this kind of response from the fans here in Abu Dhabi.”

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