More than 60,000 Formula One fans will descend on the UAE capital this weekend for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Thousands more tourists and visitors are also due in the emirate on Sunday for the final race of the F1 season.
The last of the almost completely sold out hotel rooms on Yas Island are going for between six to 20 times the usual average price for the duration of the four-day event that begins on Thursday with a Pit Lane Walk.
While this year’s championship has already been won by Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, that has not stopped F1 fever from descending on the region.
Organisers revealed that grandstand tickets for the 10th Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix sold out in record time this year. The tickets were snapped up by fans both within the UAE and across the globe.
Fans will have the chance to see some of the world’s most famous drivers, including Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso, in action as well as four days of concerts by some of the biggest names in the music industry.
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Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton walks in the Paddock. Getty -
Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel smiles as he talks to the media. Getty -
One last time. McLaren's Fernando Alonso arrives for his final Formula One Race. Victor Besa / The National -
Alonso will be replaced by fellow Spaniard Carlos Sainz who will end his tenure with Renault this weekend. Victor Besa / The National -
Haas F1's Kevin Magnussen looks relaxed for the final race ofthe 2018 season. Victor Besa / The National -
Sauber's Marcus Ericsson smiles as he arrives at the paddock. Victor Besa / The National -
Kimi Raikkonen speaks on the phone as he heads to the Ferrari garage. Victor Besa / The National -
Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen. Getty -
Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland arrives at Yas Marina Circuit. AP -
Renault's German driver Nico Hulkenberg. AFP -
Race fans line the fence to catch a glimpse of the F1 drivers. Victor Besa / The National
Internationally acclaimed rapper Post Malone is the first act to headline at the du Arena on Thursday night. He is followed on Friday by The Weeknd, with Sam Smith performing on Saturday night. The final day of the festivities will be celebrated with a performance by Guns n’ Roses.
However, that will not the last of the live music offerings this weekend. The Mad stage on Yas Island will be home to performances from American-Moroccan Rapper French Montana on Friday night, Akon on Saturday night while Future will round off the music at Yas Island on Sunday night.
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The same venue will also host a live performance from Nelly on Thursday.
British R&B artist Craig David, a familiar face to the UAE, will also be performing live at the F1 Trackside Yacht Party on Saturday and Sunday.
Other acts that will be playing throughout the course of the weekend include DJs Erick Morillo, who performed on Thursday night, and Roger Sanchez on Friday, both at Iris Yas Island; DJ Sagala will be playing for fans at Yas Links Golf Club on Saturday.
Rapper Tyga can be found at Base at F1, Yas Marina on Saturday while the same venue hosts DJ Black Coffee the next day.
DJ David Morales will also be performing on Sunday at the Rich List Abu Dhabi Race Weekend at Yas Hotel on Sunday.
The event will have a special significance for fans of two-time world champion Fernando Alonso who has confirmed the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be his final race before retiring.
