Today's Edition
TAARIQ HALIM (ABU DHABI)
Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix once more burnished the UAE capital's credentials as a premier motorsport destination.
More than that, the travelling Formula 1 roadshow has brought with it the added glamour of the rich, famous and influential to its grandstands.
The Yas Marina Circuit has become the latest pit stop for Hollywood producers, who are filming scenes for the forthcoming blockbuster "F1" at the track.
The sports action drama, which is set for release by Warner Bros in June 2025, is touted as being the most realistic and authentic cinematic representation of the Formula 1 Championship.
It stars A-lister Brad Pitt as a former 1990s driving champ who comes out of retirement to mentor a young F1 ace, played by Damson Idris.
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Also starring Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon and Tobias Menzies - and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Joseph Kosinski - the film benefits from some serious street cred from real-life F1 star and co-producer Lewis Hamilton.
Pitt drove spectators wild on Sunday afternoon when he made an appearance in the pits, wearing a white racing suit as he donned his driver's helmet and safety gear.
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The starstruck crowd got to be extras in the scenes filmed at the Yas Marina Circuit, which was reportedly the last of nine international tracks where the racing action was filmed.
The 60-year-old star was spotted walking onto the track with co-star Idris, 33.
In another scene, co-star Bardem, who plays the racing team's owner is joined by real drivers Charles LeClerc and George Russell for a victory celebration, with Pitt holding a trophy.
Pitt also took time out to pose with Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz Jr. and Leclerc, as well as Idris, for a group selfie.
Sainz shared the image on Instagram, with the caption: "Look who photobombed our team pic."
Pitt told Sky Sports at the weekend that the making of the film has been an exhilarating ride.
"I've got so much respect for these guys and what these cars and drivers can do. It's off the charts," he said in a video he shared on X.
"I gotta say I have been having the time of my life. I wish it would go on for another year. It's our last week, we're gonna wrap it up here in Abu Dhabi. I might shed a tear. You might see a grown man cry."
Bruckheimer was also full of praise for Abu Dhabi as both a film shoot location and host city.
The veteran producer told media outlets the circuit was "amazing" and the people in Abu Dhabi were "gracious and wonderful".
"They have welcomed our production with open arms and made everything very easy for us to film here," he added.
Also spotted at the circuit on race day were actors Uma Thurman, Jared Leto and Terry Crews, TV host Steve Harvey, as well as footballer Gerard Pique.
