Ethara named F1 promoter of the year

Ethara, the promoter of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, has been named Promoter of the Year at the annual F1 Promoter Awards in London. 

The award, which was voted by Formula One management, was announced on January 28.

Saif Rashid Al Noaimi, CEO of Ethara, expressed pride at the honour. "This award is a testament to the strength of the Ethara team who are delivering our vision to become a regional powerhouse in live entertainment. We will continue raising the bar and pioneering unforgettable experiences for fans from around the world."

In 2025, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix hosted the dramatic three-way F1 Drivers' World Championship showdown, with Lando Norris claiming his first drivers' title. The event broke attendance records with 339,000 fans across four days, including 203,000 spectators at Yas Marina Circuit, alongside 136,000 attendees across Emirates NBD After-Race Concerts and the Yasalam Official After-Parties featuring eight headline acts. Expanded access brought fans closer to the action with two public pitlane walks, new FAB Track Walks, and a Podium Party that invited fans to celebrate on the track, creating an iconic moment befitting the season finale.  

The Promoter of the Year award is the latest in a series of accolades for the event, following the 2024 Best Event Spectacle award that celebrated the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for delivering outstanding off-track entertainment. 

Since its debut in 2009, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has established itself as the region’s biggest entertainment weekend, combining elite sport with large-scale entertainment, drawing thousands of international visitors each year and showcasing the emirate to millions of viewers worldwide. 
 
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said: “2025 was another incredible year from start to finish for Formula 1, and at the heart of this success were our 24 promoters, who worked tirelessly to deliver the ultimate race weekend experience for our fans. I want to thank all our promoters for their hard work and innovation and encourage them to keep developing their events in 2026 and beyond. Congratulations to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as well as to all the other winners and nominees at today’s awards.”

The 18th edition of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will take place from December 3-6, 2026, bringing the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship season to a close in Abu Dhabi once again.