FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem says he feels a deep sense of national pride ahead of this weekend’s FIA Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where the drivers’ world title will be decided in a thrilling three-way contest in the UAE capital.
Ben Sulayem reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the UAE’s continued progress as a leading global destination for motorsport, emphasising the country’s long-term investment in world-class racing infrastructure and international events.
With Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri preparing for a tense final showdown at Yas Marina Circuit, Ben Sulayem says he is delighted that the UAE will once again be at the centre of the motorsport world, drawing global focus as the season reaches its dramatic conclusion.
“The UAE authorities have provided dedicated support for motorsport over many years, developing events that have put the country on the world sporting map, attracting competitors and spectators from around the world, and exciting F1’s global fan base,” said Ben Sulayem.
“As an Emirati, I’m proud of my country’s achievements in motorsport, as highlighted by the impact of the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. As FIA President, I’m committed to continue to support the consistent efforts in the Emirates to build on the country’s status as a global motorsport venue.”
Ben Sulayem notes that Abu Dhabi’s rise as an essential Formula One fixture reflects the growing prominence of the Middle East in the sport, with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE now firmly established on the F1 calendar.
When Abu Dhabi first hosted Formula One in 2009, the UAE already had more than three decades of motorsport heritage, but bringing the championship to Yas Marina Circuit created a new scale of operational expectation.
Over 700 marshals were required, compared with around 150 for a major rally. Initially, around 350 trained volunteers from the UK supported the event, but over time a locally trained workforce evolved, many of them Emiratis, establishing a skilled national operations team.
“This was vital to allow the Grand Prix to become self-sufficient and achieve sustainability, a factor which is so important on a global basis, and central to the FIA’s strategy for motorsport growth and development,” says Ben Sulayem.
Looking towards the future, Ben Sulayem believes the sport is entering an exciting era, with Cadillac joining as the eleventh team next season, Madrid added to the racing calendar, and new FIA technical regulations set to deliver lighter, more efficient cars running on sustainable fuels.
He says Abu Dhabi now serves as a model example of what the FIA expects from a Formula One venue: long-term commitment, significant investment, and the development of essential infrastructure beyond the racetrack.
Ben Sulayem said: “Through a strategic investment in building world class sporting foundations, and in particular the investment in the Yas Marina Circuit, the UAE has showcased the country’s travel and tourism attractions, its appeal as an investment hub, and its status as a desirable country in which to live and work.”
Yas Marina Circuit has earned its reputation as one of the most premium venues in Formula One, and its multimillion-dirham upgrade has resulted in one of the most advanced race control facilities in world motorsport.
During Sunday’s title-deciding Grand Prix, officials will monitor 55 live camera feeds, real-time timing data, race control systems and car tracking technology simultaneously. With the championship on the line and multiple outcomes still possible, this advanced system may prove critical.