The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has been recognized as the 2025 Formula 1 Promoter of the Year, following a thrilling season finale held at the Yas Marina Circuit. This accolade was announced in London during a ceremony attended by representatives from all 24 Grands Prix on the Formula 1 calendar, acknowledging the organizer’s outstanding efforts to transform the race weekend into a premier global sports and entertainment event.
Highlights from the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Weekend
Saif Rashid Al-Noaimi, CEO of Ethara, accepted the award on behalf of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, emphasizing the commitment to enhancing the overall event experience. The 2025 edition featured expanded hospitality options, interactive fan activities, and sustainability programs. A notable entertainment lineup included performances by Katy Perry, Post Malone, and Benson Boone. Beyond the off-track engagements, the race itself was marked by dramatic on-track competition, serving as the setting for a historic three-way championship battle. Across the weekend, a record-breaking crowd of 339,000 spectators attended.
Overview of Other Formula 1 Promoter Award Recipients
The Formula 1 Promoter Awards recognize excellence across five key areas: event delivery, fan experience, sustainability, spectacle, and cultural integration. Alongside Abu Dhabi, several other Grands Prix earned accolades for their distinctive contributions:
- Promoter of the Year: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, awarded for delivering a comprehensive and evolving Grand Prix weekend.
- Event Spectacle: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, celebrated for extensive off-track programs including appearances by Usher, Jennifer Lopez, and Major Lazer, culminating in an impressive drone and fireworks display.
- Fan Experience (presented by Heineken): Hungarian Grand Prix, recognized for enhancements in grandstand and paddock facilities, alongside consistently positive fan feedback on hospitality and staff engagement.
- ESG Changemaker (presented by Allwyn): Japanese Grand Prix, commended for initiatives such as a lottery providing 4,000 families and students with race access, achieving zero waste to landfill, and promoting low-carbon travel reaching 64% of attendees.
- Outstanding Cultural Identity: Chinese Grand Prix, praised for integrating local culture into the Shanghai weekend, featuring a downtown festival, regional food offerings, and culturally themed branding and entertainment.
Formula 1 Leadership Highlights the Role of Promoters
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, underscored the importance of promoter contributions to the sport’s overall success and growth.
“2025 was another incredible year from start to finish for Formula 1, and at the heart of this success were our 24 promoters,”
Domenicali said in a press release.
“As the sport enters its next generation in 2026, we have a responsibility to continue breaking barriers and setting a high standard for others to follow.”
Significance and Future Outlook for Formula 1 Events
Recognition through the Formula 1 Promoter Awards not only highlights recent achievements but also sets expectations for continual improvement in race organization and fan engagement. As the sport prepares for its transformative changes in 2026, promoter innovation in sustainability, entertainment, and cultural integration will remain critical. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix’s award-winning efforts exemplify this evolving vision, signaling strong momentum for upcoming seasons.
