Crown Prince receives royal guests at Yas Marina
▶ Sporting icons and stars of film and TV arrive in time for the big race
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, with Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Juan Carlos I, former King of Spain, at Cipriani restaurant on the second day of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court – Abu Dhabi For all your Formula One news,
A crowd of celebrities has arrived at the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix ahead of today’s final race of the season.
US television lifestyle guru and celebrity chef Martha Stewart, Russian tennis champion Maria Sharapova and Grammy-nominated folk group Mumford and Sons arrived at the Yas Marina Circuit yesterday to be met by a delegation from the Grand Prix before a tour of the premises.
The first celebrity spotted during the weekend was Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham.
The British actor, a renowned petrol head, cut a low-key figure in a blue fedora and brown shirt as he toured the racing garages of F1 teams.
Stewart, 76, arrived just after 4pm yesterday. The television host and best-selling author was in a breezy, all-white ensemble as she was met on the red carpet entryway by Tareq Al Ameri, Yas Marina Circuit’s chief executive.
“I am very happy to be here,” she said. “I don’t know too much about the Formula One but I am looking forward to it and the weather here is absolutely gorgeous.”
Stewart left the circuit after 90 minutes and briefly crossed path with Mumford and Sons. The four-piece arrived at the circuit fresh from their sound check at du Arena where they were to perform last night the penultimate Grand Prix after-race concert.
“We decided we wanted to catch some of the qualifiers,” keyboardist Ben Lovett said. “It is perfect weather. I don’t think there is ever a bad day here.”
Another personality enjoying the cool breeze was Germany’s Nico Rosberg.
The former Mercedes F1 driver, who announced his retirement immediately after winning the Abu Dhabi race last year, was quickly escorted to one of the exclusive hospitality lounges in the Paddock Club.
Sharapova made a more lowkey entry with a friend, while West Ham footballer Jose Fonte was seen at the Paddock Club with Force India Team’s Mexican driver, Sergio Perez.
A range of music celebrities are expected to watch the race today. US pop star and car enthusiast Pink should be attending before her race-day performance at the du Arena.
She will be joined by several hip-hop stars who are performing separate shows on Yas Island. They include J Cole, who headlined du Arena on Friday, and fellow rappers Rick Ross and French Montana.
British R’n’B singer Craig David is expected to attend, as is UK television personality and singer Alesha Dixon.
Also making a sensation at the Paddock Club yesterday was a group of Emirati pupils who recently took part in the F1 in Schools World Finals in Malaysia.
The four, between 12 and 14 years old, are from Abu Dhabi’s Umm Al Arab School. They have returned from Kuala Lumpur where they presented their miniature F1 car concept, Desert Force, complete with technical details and marketing plan.
The team leader is Sheikha Al Ali; engineer, Meera Hassan; resources manager, Mahla Mohammed; and design engineer, Dana Hamad.
“This was a first time we joined this competition and we came 32nd, which was better than 20 others,” Sheikha said.
“As one of the youngest teams we got an achievement award, and that was a payback for all the hard work that we did in staying after school and missing on holidays to work hard on this project.
“The experience was great because when we came back we met Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed at the Sea Palace.”
But not all the action is restricted to the Paddock Club. Today the Abu Dhabi GP will launch its first ever Fan Forum at the F1 FanZone site at the Yas Marina Circuit.
General ticket holders will have a chance to pose questions to all drivers taking part in the race, in two sessions running from 12.20pm to 1pm and 1.30pm to 2pm.
It is perfect weather. I don’t think there is ever a bad day here BEN LOVETT Keyboardist, Mumford and Sons