Today's Edition
Khaled Al Khawaldeh (Abu Dhabi)
If ever Abu Dhabi felt like it was the centre of the world, undoubtedly it was over the weekend with the final race of the Formula 1 season revving spectators up at the glitzy Yas Marina Circuit.
Fans from around the world flocked to the capital from Argentina, Mexico, the Netherlands, the UK and around the region, including a host of celebrities including the likes of US talk show host Steve Harvey, football legend David Beckham's son Brooklyn Beckham, Spanish football star Gerard Pique and many more.
"I have lived here for many years, but my friend Sam flew in from holland to support the 'Flying Dutchman'," Cole from South Africa told Aletihad on Sunday, referring to reigning 2024 F1 champion Max Verstappen.
"Honestly, the atmosphere here in Abu Dhabi has been great," his friend Sam added.
Hardly able to contain their excitement, the pair had gone to great lengths to dress in the iconic Dutch orange, completing their costumes with standout builders' hardhats.
Elsewhere, Shenaya, Denize and Jenaiya, three girls from Dubai, held up a banner with McLaren driver Lando Norris printed on it. With their driver at the top of qualifying the day before, the girls were running high on optimism.
"Let's go Lando, let's go McLaren, if he wins today will really be the best day ever," the trio told Aletihad on Sunday afternoon, a few hours before the race.
And their wish came true, as Norris would go on to win the race, securing the constructors' championship for McLaren, in what was a tightly contested battle with rivals Ferrari.Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr and Charles Leclerc completed the podium, with Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton taking 4th and Red Bull's Verstappen finishing 6th.
Norris' victory came after a season where, alongside his Australian teammate Oscar Piastri, the pair managed to beat out leaders Red Bull racing, despite Verstappen ultimately dominating the individual drivers' championship.
Sunday's finale completed a thrilling F1 season in style, attracting thousands of fans who enjoyed a weekend of concerts, food stalls and night-life events.
The premiere event continues to put the city on the map as a global sport capital.
