From Penelope Cruz to Brad Pitt, celebrities turn out in force for Abu Dhabi F1

Actors, athletes and former boxing greats are in the city for the big race weekend

Brad Pitt makes a movie called F1 at the Yas Marina Circut in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Actor Javier Bardem and Brad Pitt, actor playing Sonny Hayes, a driver of the fictional Apex APXGP F1 team in the upcoming 'F1' movie directed by Joseph Kosinski, are filming a scene on the podium during Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty Images

Jake Paul and Jutta Leerdam attend the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty Images

Singer Nancy Ajram and actor Lucien Laviscount at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty Images

(L to R) Steve Harvey, Marjorie Harvey, Wynton Harvey, Taraji P. Henson, guest, Mary J. Blige and guest attend the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty Images

Jason Statham during Formula One Abu Dhabi GP. Reuters

Rockers Dom Howard, Jared Leto and Matt Bellamy pose for a photo on the grid prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty Images

Penelope Cruz is seen on the grid during Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on December 8th, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Oscar and Grammy Award winners, Arab pop stars, and boxing champions are among the famous faces in Abu Dhabi for the season-closing grand prix this weekend.

Yas Marina Circuit was pulsating with celebrity power on Sunday, with notable figures such as actress Penelope Cruz and musician Jared Leto spotted touring the paddock. Also moving around the team villas was actor and America's Got Talent host Terry Crews, who spent time with the Red Bull and McLaren teams, and also posed for a photo with members of Sunday's after-race concert headliners, Muse.

Meanwhile, up in the Paddock Club, more stars were mingling ahead of the 5 pm race. These included Lebanese pop star Nancy Ajram, who was photographed chatting with Emily in Paris actor Lucien Laviscount.

A Day at the Louvre Museum

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham in the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Photo: Dave Benett

In addition to the racing action at Yas Marina Circuit, many celebrities also explored the city’s cultural highlights.

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham explored Abu Dhabi’s sand dunes as part of a desert safari before visiting Louvre Abu Dhabi.

YouTuber and boxer Jake Paul was also given a guided tour of the museum. Footage uploaded on Instagram shows Paul – who recently defeated former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in an exhibition match streamed on Netflix – admiring the Civilisations and Empires gallery, home to works dating back to 1000 BCE.

Also admiring the artworks were Brazilian model Adriana Lima, Indian actress Shraddha Kapoor and Russian television presenter Ida Galich. Meanwhile, Chinese business magnate and actress Laurinda Ho visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque along with RnB singer Mary J Blige.

Celebrity golf and paddle tennis tournaments

Boxer Sugar Ray Leonard made his first visit to Abu Dhabi. Photo: Melt Middle East

More friendly competition also took place during the racing weekend.

Saadiyat Beach Golf Club put on the Melt Golf Classic, hosted by US comedian and television personality Steve Harvey. Running throughout the weekend, the event is part of a wider programme of star-studded soirees in Abu Dhabi, including a gala dinner at Emirates Palace, a celebrity paddle tennis competition and the F1 season-closing race on Sunday.

Some of the notable guests included actress Taraji P Henson, singer Mary J Blige and boxers Sugar Ray Leonard and Evander Holyfield.

Speaking to The National from the golf course, Henson shared her excitement when she accepted Harvey’s invitation to visit the region for the first time.

“This is my first time in Abu Dhabi, and I already know that I am going to be back,” she added. “There is something about this city, from the people to the nature, that really calms my anxiety.

"The best education is travel and understanding different cultures. It allows you not to get too caught up in yourself and realise there are other people in the world and other ways to exist. Coming here and doing these experiences is a good way to open my mind to new possibilities.”

Leonard, a five-time boxing world champion and Olympic gold medallist, described his time in Abu Dhabi as feeling like home.

“It has been so beautiful, and my youngest son Daniel is here with me, along with a lot of friends,” he says. “I’ve always felt life is what you make of it. To be out here, part of this and able to travel and see this incredible place – well, I’m a very emotional guy – so I did shed a couple of tears when I arrived.”

Taraji P Henson and Steve Harvey at the celebrity padel tennis tournament in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Melt Middle East

Holyfield, known as The Real Deal and the only four-time heavyweight champion in boxing, highlighted cities like Abu Dhabi and Riyadh as emerging global sporting hubs.

“Every time I come here, I’m taken to new places. What stands out for me is how people just have this common respect for each other,” he says. “That’s something you don’t see much from what I’ve experienced. It’s important to see and learn from. That respect – for your parents, elders and the environment – is one of the keys to life. Once you lose that, everything begins to fall apart.”

For actress Tia Mowry, best known for starring alongside her twin sister Tamera in the hit sitcom Sister, Sister, life lessons are also what brought her to Abu Dhabi with her family.

“My goal during the holidays is to take my family to have different experiences because it makes you more empathetic, compassionate and kind as a person,” she says. “I came here with my 13-year-old son, and this is our first trip together. I think these trips are important because they build character. People also remember experiences more than presents.”

Competing Ferrari F1 drivers also found new ways to satisfy their need for speed. Carlos Sainz Jr uploaded a video of himself enjoying water sports at Abu Dhabi Aqua Fun on Thursday. On the same day, the Italian motor racing team’s reserve driver, England's Oliver Bearman, attended a fan meet-and-greet event at Galleria on Al Maryah Island.

Brad Pitt almost steals the show

Brad Pitt takes a break during the filming of a scene for his movie F1, at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix. AFP

Pitt with the Ferrari team ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Getty Images

A light-hearted moment between Pitt and F1 co-star Damson Idris at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty Images

Pitt takes a break during filming of F1, which is directed by Joseph Kosinski. AFP

Pitt and Idris pose for a group photo with the Aston Martin team at the Yas Marina Circuit, ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. AFP

Pitt and Idris during a break in filming F1. AFP

In F1, Pitt plays a driver asked to come out of retirement to mentor a rookie prodigy, played by Idris. It is due to be released in June 2025. AFP

Pitt with Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc at Yas Marina Circuit. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is on Sunday, December 8. Getty Images

As previously reported in The National, Academy Award-winning actor Brad Pitt was spotted at the circuit over the weekend filming the highly anticipated motorsports movie F1. Joining him on set were co-star Damson Idris and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. Speaking to The National at the circuit, Bruckheimer promised the film – which hits cinemas on June 25 – will be a racing fan’s dream.

“The combination of Apple Studios and their technology – they created two special cameras mounted on actual F1 cars for this movie, which is amazing – is going to make this the most accurate racing movie ever made,” he said.