ABU DHABI: With less than two months remaining, preparations for the 2026 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit are intensifying. The event, scheduled from December 3-6, marks the start of a 50-day countdown to the season finale of the Formula One World Championship, where the top 22 drivers will compete.
Saif Al-Noaimi, CEO of Ethara, the race organizers, emphasized the event’s significance as the UAE’s premier motorsport milestone. He noted the potential for a new champion to be crowned in Abu Dhabi, following Lando Norris’s breakthrough victory with McLaren in 2025.
Al-Noaimi highlighted the dynamic 2026 season, where six drivers have secured race wins, and the cars have evolved significantly. He praised Kimi Antonelli’s commanding lead in the championship with 340 points, ahead of Mercedes’s George Russell (238) and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton (229). Max Verstappen, closing the gap with 221 points, remains a strong contender.
The CEO also underscored the emergence of young local talent, with two UAE drivers—Rashid Al-Dhaheri and Keanu Al-Azhari—making their debut in the FIA Formula 3 World Championship. Both athletes progressed through the Yas Heat Academy, a testament to the nation’s grassroots motorsport development. Al-Noaimi remarked, “This marks an unprecedented milestone for UAE motorsport, as both drivers represent a pathway to Formula 1 within two years.”
The 2026 event will feature 11 F1 teams, up from last year, alongside the concluding Formula 2 Championship. A new support race, the AZM GT Trophy Round, will debut as a sprint-format series, celebrating motorsport resilience amid regional challenges.
Beyond racing, Yasalam presented by Etisalat will host a comprehensive entertainment program, with 11 artists confirmed. Ticket sales are strong, particularly in the Main and North Grandstands, with demand remaining high across 106 countries.
Al-Noaimi noted expanded offerings, including a growing Paddock Club accommodating over 12,000 guests and new branded food and beverage experiences, underscoring the event’s growing appeal.