Sheikh Mohamed congratulates Ethara after Abu Dhabi Grand Prix wins F1 award
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has met the team behind the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after organiser Ethara was named Formula One Promoter of the Year for 2025.
The President received a delegation from Ethara, the company responsible for organising the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and congratulated the team on the international recognition.
Sheikh Mohamed celebrates Ethara’s achievement
During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed highlighted the important role UAE companies play in strengthening the country’s reputation as a destination capable of hosting major international events.
He also praised the contribution of Emirati talent working across the events industry, describing the development of local expertise as an important part of the UAE’s wider growth strategy.
For Ethara, the award recognises years of work behind one of the country’s largest annual sporting events.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix becomes a global event
Ethara specialises in event, entertainment and venue management and plays a central role in delivering the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit.
Its responsibilities extend beyond the Formula One race itself.
The company also oversees the wider programme of entertainment and experiences surrounding Grand Prix weekend, helping turn the event into a broader destination experience for international visitors and UAE residents.
That combination of elite motorsport and large-scale entertainment has helped establish Abu Dhabi’s season finale as one of the most recognisable events on the Formula One calendar.
Ethara thanks UAE leadership
Members of the Ethara delegation thanked Sheikh Mohamed for his continued support of the UAE events sector and for encouraging Emiratis to take leading roles within the industry.
The company’s growth reflects a wider effort to develop local expertise in areas ranging from major sporting events to entertainment, venue operations and international event management.
Hosting events on the scale of Formula One requires significant coordination across operations, logistics, hospitality, entertainment and visitor experience, making the sector an increasingly important part of the UAE’s international profile.
UAE continues to build major-events reputation
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has become one of the UAE’s most visible global sporting events, attracting Formula One teams, fans and international visitors to Yas Island each year.
For the country, events of this scale also serve a wider purpose by supporting tourism and reinforcing the UAE’s position as a destination for global sport and entertainment.
Sheikh Mohamed’s meeting with the Ethara team placed particular emphasis on the people behind that success and the importance of continuing to develop Emirati professionals capable of leading major international projects.
Senior UAE leaders attend the meeting
The meeting was also attended by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, as well as Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and a number of senior officials.
For Ethara, the recognition as F1 Promoter of the Year represents another milestone for a company closely associated with the growth of Abu Dhabi’s international events industry.
And for the UAE, the award provides another example of how locally led organisations are building global expertise while bringing some of the world’s biggest sporting and entertainment events to the country.
