Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, watched the dramatic conclusion of a historic Formula One season at Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday.
They were among a crowd of thousands who witnessed an incredible title showdown at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
They were joined at the showpiece event by Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad, also the country's Prime Minister.
They were treated to spectacular entertainment on the track and up in the skies, as an eye-catching fly-past took place.
The sky was filled with streaks of red, white, green and black as Al Fursan aerial display team roared above the Yas Marina Circuit in the UAE capital in their Aermacchi MB-339A jets.
Dutch star Max Verstappen clinched his first drivers' championship with a remarkable last-lap victory over Britain's Lewis Hamilton, who was aiming to become the first man to secure eight world titles.
Both drivers were tied on points heading into the final race of the season, making for a winner-takes-all battle.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix returned to maximum capacity this year after being disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic last year.
Race-goers enjoyed a high-octane spectacle as the quest for title glory came down to the final few seconds of the season.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021 - in pictures
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Race winner and 2021 F1 world champion Max Verstappen and his Red Bull Racing team celebrate on the podium after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on December 12, 2021. Victor Besa / The National -
Verstappen fought off Lewis Hamilton in a nail-biting finish. Victor Besa / The National -
Verstappen runs to celebrate with his team. Victor Besa / The National -
The Dutch driver clinched the race and the championship on the final lap. Victor Besa / The National -
Race fans cheer as Verstappen wins. Victor Besa / The National -
Verstappen enjoys that winning feeling. Reuters -
Verstappen drinks in the moment as Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton looks dejected after finishing second. Reuters -
Verstappen and Hamilton go head to head on the track. Victor Besa / The National -
An Etihad Airways flyover before the race. The airline sponsored the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Victor Besa / The National -
Verstappen in action. Victor Besa / The National -
Hamilton took an early lead. Victor Besa / The National -
Verstappen and Hamilton led the championship going into the final race. Victor Besa / The National -
The start of the race. Reuters -
Drivers pose for their end-of-season picture before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. AP -
Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel before the race. Reuters -
Fans of Verstappen and Hamilton before the race. Reuters -
Hamilton looks relaxed before the race. Reuters -
Verstappen looks like he means business. Reuters -
Hamilton soaks up the early atmosphere. Victor Besa / The National -
Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas with his girlfriend Tiffany Cromwell. Victor Besa / The National -
Verstappen arrives at the circuit with his girlfriend Kelly Piquet. Reuters -
Hamilton on the Yas Marina Circuit. AFP
