F1 and Hollywood Stars Unite in Saudi Arabia

Welcome back to our special series, where we delve into the off-track excitement during a race weekend. Although I wasn’t present in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, I’ll be there in Miami early next month, so make sure to save the date! In the meantime, let’s rewind and explore the thrilling week in Jeddah.

The Allure of Saudi Arabia for Sporting Stars and Entertainers

It’s no secret that the Saudis are investing heavily to attract top-tier athletes and entertainers to their region, and Formula 1 is no exception. This time around, Jennifer Lopez, Usher, and Major Lazer graced the MDLBEAST music festival, a spectacle attached to the race. It was quite intriguing to see these musical stars posing for photos with the Saudi race promoters and Stefano Domenicali – I can only imagine what an engaging conversation between Diplo and the F1 chief might be like!

Celebrities Embrace the Racing Red

Jennifer Lopez made a striking appearance when she watched qualifying from the Ferrari garage, donning a vibrant pink catsuit. She even posed for photos with Lewis Hamilton under the scorching Middle Eastern sun. Usher was also spotted entering the team’s garage the day before the race, just moments before it began.

Ferrari’s Rising Influence and Gender Equality Push

Ferrari has always been a powerhouse in Formula 1, but its influence seems to be growing even stronger, with A-listers flocking to the Scuderia. This shift is particularly noticeable as celebrities who once favored Mercedes are now found cheering for the racing red.

Sebastian Vettel’s Powerful Return and Race4Women Event

Earlier in the week, four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel made a significant comeback – not on the track, but at a karting event. He hosted the Race4Women event to support gender equality in motorsport. In an interview with F1, Vettel shared his thoughts on Saudi Arabia’s progress and the empowerment of the next generation of women in motorsports: “Generally, Saudi is opening up, and it’s inspiring to see the dreams of the younger generation of girls and women being realized, something their mothers were unable to do.

Support for F1 Academy Drivers

The F1 Academy was also in focus this weekend, with several F1 drivers and team bosses publicly supporting the young female racers. Yuki Tsunoda, Charles Leclerc, and Oscar Piastri were among those who spent time with their affiliated junior drivers. The rest of the grid will have another opportunity to support the F1 Academy drivers when the series heads to Miami for round three. We’ll see you there!