Live updates: Follow the latest on the 2024 Abu Dhabi F1
Brad Pitt has been spotted at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix while filming F1, a movie based on the sport.
In the film, which is set for release in June, Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a 1990s driver who was forced into retirement after a devastating crash. He is later convinced to return to the sport to mentor rookie Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) for the fictional team Apex Grand Prix.
The stellar cast includes Javier Bardem, Sarah Niles, Kerry Condon and Tobias Menzies. Joseph Kosinski is directing the film, with seven-time F1 champion Sir Lewis Hamilton and Jerry Bruckheimer among the producers.
Blending reality with fiction, the project features drivers and team members from all 10 F1 teams. Real-life stars like Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz Jr, Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso will appear as themselves.
In Abu Dhabi, Pitt was photographed wearing a white racing jumpsuit, posing with various teams and filming scenes alongside Idris. The pair were also spotted mingling with Ferrari drivers Sainz and Charles Leclerc. In a playful moment, Sainz shared a group selfie featuring Pitt, Idris, Leclerc and the Ferrari team, captioned: “Look who photobombed our team pic.”
Although the first teaser trailer for F1 aired in July, Pitt continues to film at real-life racing events, most recently during the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Bruckheimer revealed to People in May that Pitt underwent extensive training for his role, spending four to five months learning to drive the race cars featured in the film.
"He's an amazing driver," Bruckheimer said. "In fact, some of the F1 drivers said he's a natural athlete. He really is. He's amazing in that car."
This is not the first time Pitt has filmed in Abu Dhabi. In 2015, he filmed parts of War Machine. The film was shot extensively in both Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah over four weeks.
The film features a number of UAE locations doubling as Afghan scenery, including a mosque in Abu Dhabi and the old part of Ras Al Khaimah masquerading as a village.
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
