On Sunday, the last night of the F1 weekend, stars and socialites came out to play and some of their most picture-perfect moments were caught on social media.
After losing the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton chose to spend the evening partying at 1OAK at the Yas Viceroy – he was caught on camera dancing merrily on stage. Whereas other partygoers were keen to let their hair down, Hamilton kept on the baseball cap he seems to have had fixed to his head during the entire Abu Dhabi trip (except when wearing his racing helmet). We wonder what shade of hair he’s hiding under that cap?
Hamilton was accompanied by Richie Akiva. The nightlife entrepreneur was rumoured this year to have been dating Rihanna, who has also been romantically linked to Hamilton.
Hamilton wrote: “Celebrating my world championship victory tonight at #1OAK at @YasViceroy with Richie Akiva #AbuDhabiGP #TeamLH.”
Furious 7 star and rapper Ludacris posted a picture of himself with Hamilton and his pals last night, with the message: "We've already made 2 days feel like a week. #abudhabi."
Ludacris had all the ingredients for a perfect Abu Dhabi holiday – humour, provided by his travelling companion, American comedian Kevin Hart; wild stunts courtesy of his racing-driver pal Marco Andretti; and some true love from the lady of his life, Eudoxie, or “Mrs Bridges”.
He wrote on Instagram: “Imagine going on vacation with someone who makes you laugh as if he is on stage 24 hours a day 7 days a week non-stop but is your brother and true friend @kevinhart4real. Then also imagine going on vacation with an adrenalin junkie who continuously begs the question: ‘Why tip toe thru life to arrive safely at death?’ @marcoandretti then you will realise that 5 years in a row and counting we are redefining what the word vacation is supposed to mean and enjoying the fruits of our hard work & labour over the years. #livelovelaugh #vacacrew #day2 #beafraidofwhathappensnext.”
Hart also soaked up the party vibe, and was seen with music producer and former president of Def Jam records Kevin Liles. “Formula 1 is unreal ... The energy in Abu Dhabi is amazing ... WOOOOOW,” Hart posted.
“kevinhart4real #Family #Fun #formula1#VacaCrew #Day1 shout out to my guy ‘Kevin Liles’ always good running into him!!! #GoodTimes.”
Things seemed decidedly frosty between Hamilton and Rosberg all weekend. At the post-race press conference, when asked whether the two teammates would get each other a Christmas present, Rosberg responded: “Hmm, maybe a Christmas card?” – before awkwardly smiling and going silent. Hamilton’s answer: “I don’t think we’ve ever done either, so there’s no reason to change.”
Rosberg chose to party at Amber Lounge at Yas Links. Our source who spotted him there on Sunday night said: “Nico Rosberg was very happy, he had a blast inside. He stayed until the sun came up.”
Craig David cranked up the party atmosphere on the decks at Amber Lounge, still buzzing after seeing his first F1 race from the Mercedes-AMG F1 paddock.
Rosberg took to the Amber Lounge stage with his fellow drivers Roberto Merhi, Nico Hülkenberg and Daniil Kvyat. Over the weekend, all manner of former and current F1 drivers partied at Amber Lounge, including Sebastian Vettel, Romain Grosjean and Esteban Gutiérrez, as well as GP3 champion Esteban Ocon and GP2 champion Stoffel Vandoorne.
The club also played host to former Manchester United footballer Dwight Yorke, and Liam Cunningham, who plays Davos Seaworth in Game of Thrones. Cunningham jokingly told fellow partygoer Ellie Saliba, from Lebanon: “Jon Snow knows nothing.”
American actress Lindsay Lohan, who was expected at Amber Lounge, chose to spend Saturday night partying at the VIP Room in Dubai with Hart.
Australian pop singer Dannii Minogue had a close shave while watching Sunday’s race – she posted a picture of herself holding part of a racing car, along with the message: “When a pit stop goes wrong and a piece of F1 car comes flying into the hospitality area! #abudhabi #f1gp2015 #etihadairways @etihadairways.”
Celebrity chef Eric “Cake Boy” Lanlard was also in town. He recently shot an ad video for the Sheraton Hotel with Hamilton, in which he cooks up some fresh salmon for the driver. The Frenchman posted pics of himself on a desert safari, and also bottle-feeding a white tiger.
artslife@thenational.ae
