The DSCVR guide to F1 weekend

Parties, brunches and race-day revelry.

Things are heating up in the capital ahead of F1 weekend, and as the biggest race of the season takes over Yas Island, these are the best things you can do, both on and off the track.

Concerts:

Dave

UK rap artist Dave will be coming to the capital for the first time. His 2019 debut album Psychodrama was met with widespread critical acclaim, winning the prestigious Mercury Prize and being named ‘Album of the Year’ at the Brit Awards. The British producer, musician and songwriter has also collaborated with Drake and AJ Tracey. Dave will play the Yasalam After-Race Concert on Thursday, 17 November, at Etihad Park.

Usher

Bookending a full four-day line-up of global music superstars, Usher joins the biggest entertainment line-up in Abu Dhabi GP history. Usher has gathered eight Grammy Awards and is “one of the best-selling artists in American music history,” according to the RIAA. In addition, he catapulted four consecutive albums to #1 on the Billboard Top 200, beginning with the landmark diamond-certified Confessions in 2004. Usher will take to the stage at Etihad Park for the Yasalam After-Race Concert on Thursday, 17 November.

Swedish House Mafia

Legendary Swedish supergroup Swedish House Mafia will also perform at the Yasalam After-Race Concerts. The group officially formed in 2008 consists of Axwell, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso and have been hailed as “the faces of mainstream progressive house music.” Having worked with the likes of Pharrell Williams, Tinie Tempah and The Weeknd, you can expect to hear hit singles Don’t You Worry Child, Lifetime and Moth To A Flame from the EDM superstars in Abu Dhabi. The trio will perform on Friday, 18 November.

Kendrick Lamar

It has been quite a year for Kendrick Lamar, who hails from Compton, California. He released his fifth studio album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, to both public and critical acclaim in May and headlined both the Coachella and Glastonbury music festivals. Lamar is no stranger to the capital, having been scheduled to perform at the 2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, the show was cancelled for “personal reasons”, and Lamar was replaced by fellow rapper J. Cole. Kendrick Lamar has been added to the Yasalam After-Race Concerts line-up and will take to the stage on Saturday, 19 November, at Etihad Park.

Def Leppard

With more than 110 million albums sold worldwide, 2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Def Leppard continue to be one of the most important forces in rock music. Def Leppard’s influential career includes two of the best-selling albums of all time, Pyromania and Hysteria. Def Leppard will bring the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Grand Prix 2022 curtain down on Sunday, 20 November.

Dining:

Buddha-Bar

Set at Rush inside W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, Buddha-Bar Dubai is coming to the capital for F1 weekend, bringing resident DJs and tantalising dance performances. Buddha-Bar’s signature Seventh Heaven Brunch will be making its debut in Abu Dhabi on Friday, 18 November, from 1pm to 4pm. And on Saturday and Sunday, from 4pm to 7pm. Packages start at AED 1,400 per person.

CÉ LA VI

With live music from top DJs, fine dining by chef Howard Ko, and stunning 360-degree views of Yas Marina Circuit, CÉ LA VI will open a pop-up F1 experience. During the day, the exclusive rooftop will only be accessible for Luna Lounge tickets. However, as night descends, CÉ LA VI will offer table packages for groups and an à la carte dining menu. Expect beats from Dorian Craft and Serge Devan to keep the party going all night long.

Gohan

As the world-class entertainment line-up for this year’s F1 weekend continues to grow, Yas Marina Circuit has announced the addition of Gohan to its hospitality offering at the Shams Suite inside the North Grandstand. Gohan is a speakeasy and a homage to authentic Japanese dining rooms. A place where traditional materials and joinery create a palette of warm textures and tones. The food concept is a take on “elegant street food”, serving a refined menu of skewers, sushi and gyoza that utilise high-quality ingredients and high-end foreign products such as foie gras and caviar. 

NINIVE

The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2022 continues to push new boundaries with the addition of a new fine dining spot to the Middle East’s most popular entertainment weekend. Ninive evokes the feeling of an Arabian tent. Conceived as an urban majlis, NINIVE incorporates the aesthetics of a Bedouin tent via fine wooden interiors and handcrafted fabrics. The culinary offering will ensure a truly unforgettable meal with dishes from Morocco, Iran, Iraq and Turkey.

Parties: Bonito Club B

Bonito Club is back at W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island for the most amped weekend in the city. Bringing signature cocktails, a fusion of East-Asian flavours, and a line-up of international DJs to the Skylite rooftop. Giving the venue a Mediterranean makeover, Bonito Club will mix dining with cabaret-style shows all the way from Ibiza. Prices from AED 375.

Rich List

The world-renowned Rich List party returns to Palm Garden in W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island for its eighth year. Past attendees have included Bella Hadid, Rick Ross, Lewis Hamilton, and Fernando Alonso. The Abu Dhabi Dream Ball is back for another prestigious gala dinner on 17 November. This annual event focuses on supporting important charitable causes, making this a key event in the Abu Dhabi calendar. The following day will bring the inaugural Middle East Blockchain Awards, recognising and rewarding outstanding efforts within the blockchain and Web 3.0 innovations.

Experiences:

Yas 3000

Yas 3000 is a driving experience like no other. Take the wheel of a real racing car (powered by a 3000cc V6 engine) that is powerful enough to hit speeds of over 200 kmph. You will drive around the famous Yas Marina Circuit like F1 heroes such as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in the cockpit of an F1-style racing car. The 2.4 kilometres South Circuit will see you fly past the famous YMC grandstands and underneath the W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island (the only hotel in the world to span a Formula 1 race track). For the ultimate experience, you can purchase the onboard video to share with your friends and family.