Celebrities seen at the Abu Dhabi F1: From Chris Hemsworth to Jason Statham

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix attracts big names every year

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 26: Yuki Tsunoda of Scuderia AlphaTauri and Japan and Jason Statham meet before the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 26, 2023 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Peter Fox / Getty Images)

Former footballer Ronaldo poses for a photo with the car of Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing on the grid before the Grand Prix. Getty Images

Tommy Fury poses for a photo on the grid before the race. Getty Images

Manchester City footballer Kevin De Bruyne poses for a photo in the starting grid. EPA

Italian businessman Flavio Briatore, Russian former tennis player Maria Sharapova and English model Naomi Campbell. EPA

Chris Hemsworth. X/ @F1

Max Verstappen meets Shreyas Iyer in the paddock. Getty Images

Naomi Campbell walks on the grid ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. AFP

The UAE capital attracts many big names when Formula One rolls into town for the annual Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Drivers may take the spotlight on the track, but celebrities, from actors to models and athletes, indulge from the viewing decks.

Aside from A-listers who performed during the after-race concerts, including Shania Twain and Chris Brown, many others descended on Yas Marina Circuit as F1 fans.

During Lewis Hamilton's grid walk, the seven-time British world champion, was greeted by a handful of VIPs, including model Naomi Campbell, Indian actress Priyanka Chopra and Chris and Liam Hemsworth, who are both frequent UAE visitors.

Former tennis player Maria Sharapova was also in the clip that surfaced on X (formerly Twitter). The Russian personality has been a long-time supporter of Hamilton.

British actor Jason Statham was also seen on the tracks, and posed in a selfie with Japanese racer Yuki Tsunoda.

American rapper, singer and record producer Will.i.am was seen again this year, after also attending last year's Grand Prix.

Other notable names who showed up in the UAE capital this year include Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur, football players Kevin De Bruyne, Paul Pogba and Brazilian legend Ronaldo, and Chinese-American actress Liu Yifei.