Latest news with #AbuDhabiGrandPrix
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Brad Pitt, 'F1' director Joseph Kosinski hail filming during Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as 'unprecedented endeavour'
Actor Brad Pitt and director Joseph Kosinski have praised their experience filming ' The Movie' during the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, describing it as a landmark moment in motorsport cinema. Actor Brad Pitt and director Joseph Kosinski have praised their experience filming 'F1: The Movie' during the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, describing it as a landmark moment in motorsport cinema. A newly released promotional video by the Abu Dhabi Film Commission and Creative Media Authority sheds light on the project's ambitious production inside one of Formula 1's most iconic venues, Yas Marina Circuit. The production team, including Pitt and co-star Damson Idris, spent a cumulative 29 days shooting in Abu Dhabi across three phases, working alongside local production company Epic Films, according to Variety. Notably, the crew filmed during live racing at multiple Formula 1 events, including the British Grand Prix, the Rolex 24 at Daytona, and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, making F1 one of the first feature films to integrate actual race-day footage from a Formula 1 event. Joseph Kosinski, best known for 'Top Gun: Maverick', praised Yas Marina Circuit as an "ideal place to film," citing its visual uniqueness and high production value. "It's such a distinct setting in such a beautiful location," he said in the video, as quoted by Variety. Kosinski also noted the unprecedented cooperation of all ten Formula 1 teams, allowing the filmmakers to shoot scenes during a live race. "To have all ten teams allow us to shoot a scene for an hour -- that was a really incredible experience," he added, as quoted by Variety. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo by Taboola by Taboola Brad Pitt, who also serves as a producer on the film, described the venture into the Formula 1 world as "just amazing." He emphasised the realism of the production setup and said, "We had every car in their team. It was like creating an 11th team on the grid." Tim Bampton, executive producer on the film, underscored the complexity of integrating a fictional team into an actual pit lane. "Bringing in a major movie production to create an 11th team in the pit lane was a really unprecedented endeavour," Bampton said, as quoted by Variety. 'F1: The Movie' premiered in the Middle East at Yas Marina Circuit on June 26 and has seen strong box office results, especially in the United Arab Emirates. The film recorded a USD 2.7 million opening in the UAE, marking the biggest ever regional debut for a Brad Pitt film and for an Apple-backed title in the market. The success of F1 aligns with Abu Dhabi's ongoing strategy to attract large-scale international film productions. The emirate recently enhanced its film rebate scheme, offering up to 50 per cent reimbursement on qualified below-the-line expenditures starting January. Abu Dhabi has previously hosted major Hollywood blockbusters, including 'Dune: Part Two', 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens', 'Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One', and 'Furious 7', alongside major Bollywood productions like 'Tiger Zinda Hai' and 'Vikram Vedha'.
Time Out Abu Dhabi
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026 dates have just been announced
Yas Marina will once again bring the curtain down on the Formula 1 season – but before the bubbly sprays start in Abu Dhabi, the 2026 schedule has been officially locked in. Formula 1 and the FIA have confirmed the official dates for pre-season testing ahead of the 2026 championship. Before the action arrives at Yas Marina, testing will get underway in Spain and Bahrain. First up is a private test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from January 26 to 30, followed by two official sessions in Bahrain – February 11 to 13 and February 18 to 20. Bahrain will get an early taste of the season, but make no mistake – all roads still lead to Abu Dhabi for the grand finale. Next year, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is scheduled for December 4 to 6 – the final race of the 2026 season and, as always, one of the most glamorous and high-profile events in the F1 calendar. Expect the biggest names in motorsport, major musical acts and an electric atmosphere that transforms Yas Island into the centre of the racing world. Elsewhere on the calendar, there's been one notable date change: the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, originally set for Sunday September 27, will now be held on Saturday September 26. The switch comes at the request of local organisers to accommodate a national day, with the entire race weekend moving forward by one day. The full 2026 F1 season kicks off in Australia from March 6 to 8. From there, it spans five continents before making its final stop – where else? – right here in Abu Dhabi. More going on in Abu Dhabi The 27 best things to do indoors this summer in Abu Dhabi It's time for some air-conditioned bliss Yas Waterworld's epic new expansion is opening this summer – including 12 new slides Weeeeee! 25 brilliant beach and pool day passes in Abu Dhabi Grab your SPF – a lush day by the water awaits
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Bernie Ecclestone makes first ever F1 podium appearance at age 94
Bernie Ecclestone, the former Formula One supremo who rarely stayed to watch races beyond halfway when he was in charge, made his first grand prix podium appearance at the age of 94 in Austria on Sunday. The Briton was present at the Red Bull Ring to hand out a medal on behalf of the president of the governing FIA Mohammed Ben Sulayem to McLaren's race winner Lando Norris. Norris hopped off the top step of the podium so that he would be standing at the same level as his diminutive compatriot. 'I think it's nice that the president gives a personal congratulations to the winning competitor,' said Ecclestone, who ran the commercial side of the sport for about 40 years until being ousted in 2017. 'As he could not attend the race here in Austria, he asked me to present his medal for him which I am pleased and honoured to do. 'It was also great to be there as, though it might seem strange, this was the first time in almost 70 years in this sport that I've been on the podium.' Norris won Formula One's 1,136th championship grand prix and Ecclestone attended the first at Silverstone in 1950. He once said he left races soon after the start because by then his business was done. The President's Medal was first presented to Red Bull's Max Verstappen at the season-ending 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and each one carries the race number and highlights the event's history.
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GMA Network
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Carla Abellana recalls witnessing 'F1' filming in Abu Dhabi
Carla Abellana had a once-in-a-lifetime experience during her trip to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2024! On Instagram, the Kapuso actress shared that when she attended the Formula 1 race in Abu Dhabi in December, she also got to witness the filming of the "F1" film, top-billed by Brad Pitt. "I did witness the filming firsthand, and it was every bit awesome!" Carla wrote, describing the experience as something "I'll never forget." "How lucky was I that I got to watch the end of the F1 season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix AND watch behind the scenes as they filmed the 'F1' movie?" she wrote. Her videos featured scenes from the trackside and the podium, with glimpses of Brad and Damson Idris at the Yas Marina Circuit. In the "F1" film, Sonny Hayes (Brad) is a former racing prodigy whose career was cut short by a devastating crash in the '90s. Decades later, he's drawn back into Formula 1 by his ex-teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), now the owner of a struggling team. Tasked with mentoring rising star Joshua Pearce (Damson), Sonny must confront his past and prove he still has what it takes. Produced by Apple Original Films, "F1" was made in collaboration with ten Formula 1 teams, with some scenes shot during actual F1 races in 2024. Lewis Hamilton is part of the movie as well. Lucky you, Carla! — Hermes Joy Tunac/LA, GMA Integrated News
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Al Etihad
Former supremo Ecclestone makes F1 podium debut at 94
29 June 2025 21:54 SPIELBERG (Reuters) Bernie Ecclestone, the former Formula One supremo who rarely stayed to watch races beyond halfway when he was in charge, made his first grand prix podium appearance at the age of 94 in Austria on Briton was present at the Red Bull Ring to hand out a medal on behalf of the president of the governing FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, to McLaren's race winner Lando Norris. Norris hopped off the top step of the podium so that he would be standing at the same level as his diminutive compatriot."I think it's really nice that the president gives a personal congratulations to the winning competitor," said Ecclestone, who ran the commercial side of the sport for some 40 years until being ousted in 2017."As he could not attend the race here in Austria, he asked me to present his medal for him which I am pleased and honoured to do."It was also great to be there as, though it might seem strange, this was the first time in almost 70 years in this sport that I've actually been on the podium."Norris won Formula One's 1,136th championship grand prix and Ecclestone attended the first at Silverstone in once said he left races soon after the start because by then his business was done. The President's Medal was first presented to Red Bull's Max Verstappen at the season-ending 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and each one carries the race number and highlights the event's history.
