© 2024 Getty ImagesYour Guide To The Season FinaleIt pains us to say it, but this is it, folks…
It’sthe24thandfinalraceof2025.Andsoforthefinaltime,we’regoingtotakeyouonavirtualrecceofthisweek’sGrandPrix.
We’ve ventured 620 km east from the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar to the United Arab Emirates’ capital city, Abu Dhabi. Specifically, the Yas Marina Circuit, home to the FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX 2025.
Let’s have a look at what there is to see, do and eat while you’re here for the grand finale of this year’s cracking Championship. Plus, Liam and Isack could still make some moves in the Drivers’ Championship, so it’s all to play for.
This is VCARB’s Cultural Guide to Abu Dhabi.
It's Called Yas Marina For A Reason© 2024 Getty Images
Abu Dhabi is home to over two million people and sits on an island in the Persian Gulf. It’s one of only four capital cities in the world not to be part of the mainland. In the last century, Abu Dhabi has urbanised at such a rate that it’s become one of the largest and wealthiest global economic hubs in the world. The city alone, with its densely populated businesses and worldwide industries, accounts for over ⅔ of the country’s economy.
Abu Dhabi was one of five founding Emirates that formed the UAE in 1971. The UAE first gained wealth through the trading of pearls, but by the 20th century, oil was discovered, and the country was transformed into a global powerhouse.
The climate of Abu Dhabi can be extreme, which is why we visit the Yas Marina Circuit in the latter half of the year. While temperatures can still reach over 30°C, this is much more forgiving than the averages of 40-43°C from June to August.
Pushing On© 2024 Getty Images
While the city started out as a small pearling community, modern-day Abu Dhabi is a vast and diverse smorgasbord of cultures. These are reflected in some of Abu Dhabi’s top attractions and institutions, such as the National Theatre and the Cultural Foundation, which is home to the public library of the United Arab Emirates. The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre is the largest in the Persian Gulf, and hosts industry-leading exhibitions to over 2 million visitors each year.
The cuisine found in Abu Dhabi reflects the city’s multiculturalism. The national dish of the UAE is khuzi, which is a slow-cooked meat stew with spiced rice, nuts and fruit. But it’s not uncommon to find South African, Indian and East Asian cuisine throughout the city, including shawarma, biryani and harees, originating from Turkey, India and Armenia, respectively. And don’t forget to visit a qahwa shop while you’re visiting: the UAE loves its coffee.
Palm, Palm, Palm© 2024 Getty Images
Abu Dhabi has a rich history of poetry and literature within the Persian Gulf. Classic Arabic Poetry dates back to the 16th Century and has a unique and recognisable structure to its passages. The Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation preserves these works, along with other art and culture in the city.
On the big screen, Abu Dhabi makes a regular appearance too. In some form or another, the city has featured in some of the biggest global blockbusters, including Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Dune. Speaking of big screens, Abu Dhabi will be getting the second-ever Sphere venue, just like in Las Vegas, built on Yas Island, near the circuit.
Abu Dhabi is all in on sports. The city is en route to becoming one of the global players in international sport and hosting live events. One of their annual events is Liwa Motorsport, also known as the Liwa Moreeb Dune Festival, where cars and bikes compete in drag racing and hillclimbs. Camel and horse racing are also super popular, alongside Jiu-jitsu and football. The Zayed Sport City is a huge mixed-use sporting complex at the centre of Abu Dhabi, with its own basketball, paintball and ice skating facilities.
Then, of course, there’s Formula One. How could we forget? We’ve visited the Yas Marina Circuit, designed by Hermann Tilke, since 2009, and we’ll continue to until 2030 at the earliest. The 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was Formula One’s first-ever day-to-night race, starting at 5 pm local time and finishing under the floodlights. With it often hosting the final Grand Prix of the season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has seen the crowning of multiple World Champions, including Sebastian Vettel, and Max Verstappen, and 2025 will be no different.
Liam and Isack have their roles to play, too. P6 in the Constructors’ Championship is still up for contention, so they’ll be giving it everything they’ve got for one final dash in 2025.
Join us from 5-7 December for the 24th and final round of the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship.
See you on the island!
