The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was already buzzing with drama, and it ended with Lando Norris bagging his first F1 World Championship.
But the action didn’t stop on the asphalt. The Yas Marina Circuit also turned into a mini-Hollywood red carpet, with celebs rolling in, and Ana de Armas stealing the spotlight in a surprising role.
Ana de Armas assumed a temporary new role at the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix
Ana de Armas, fresh off hits like Knives Out and No Time to Die, took the spotlight at the Abu Dhabi GP in a way fans didn’t see coming. She got to wave the chequered flag for Max Verstappen.
Before taking the chequered flag, Ana de Armas got a VIP sneak peek inside the Ferrari garage, guided by none other than seven-time champ Lewis Hamilton. She was introduced to the tech and saw the team in action, soaking in what makes F1 the greatest sport in the world.
Ana de Armas rubbed elbows with a star-studded lineup, from pop diva Katy Perry, singer Benson Boone, to tennis ace Jannik Sinner, plus football icons Thierry Henry and Ronaldinho.
On the track, Lando Norris conquered the 2025 F1 World Championship after grabbing third place at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 7. Even though Max Verstappen took the race win, Norris racked up 423 points, just two ahead of Verstappen’s 421, sealing the title in a heart-stopping finish. This makes him McLaren’s first win since 2008 and the 11th British driver to claim the F1 crown.
Ana de Armas isn’t the first celeb to attend F1. In recent years, Formula 1 has featured several celebrities as ceremonial flag-bearers or special guests. BLACKPINK’s Lisa took center stage at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, waving the chequered flag.
Meanwhile, Grey’s Anatomy heartthrob Patrick Dempsey got his moment at the 2025 Monaco GP. Serena Williams, the tennis legend, also waved the checkered flag at the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix to signal the end of the race. Before her, a former football star had the honor of waving the flag at the 2019 Bahrain Grand Prix.
