On 26 June 2025, Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi swapped engines for a red carpet as it hosted the regional premiere of F1: The Movie. The venue, best known for its roaring F1 weekends, was transformed into a purpose-built cinema space — complete with guest activations and luxury film premiere elements — for a night celebrating the fusion of motorsport and cinema.
Key figures from the Creative Media Authority (CMA) and the Abu Dhabi Film Commission (ADFC) were in attendance, alongside collaborators from Etihad Airways, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, and Yas Marina Circuit.
The event was also supported by a team of volunteers handling logistics, red carpet operations, and guest services.
The evening featured:
- Immersive activations
- Driving simulators
- Showcase exhibits including the official APXGP F1 car and the APXGP race helmet worn by Damson Idris at the 2025 Met Gala
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The film’s final production took place in December 2024 during the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, marking the first time a feature film shot live action during a Grand Prix weekend.
Over the course of 29 filming days, production teams made use of local infrastructure including Zayed International Airport, twofour54 Studios at Yas Creative Hub, and, of course, Yas Marina Circuit itself. This week, the famous racetrack was turned into a red carpet.
The Abu Dhabi premiere not only celebrated the movie’s launch but also highlighted the Emirate’s capabilities as a filming destination. Thanks to the ADFC rebate programme, 284 local crew members and interns from CMA’s training initiatives were involved in the project.
F1: The Movie is a joint effort between Apple Studios, Formula 1 Management, FIA, and all ten F1 teams. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, the film is now screening across cinemas in the region.
