Three F1 Stars 'Absent' From End-of-Season Dinner Ahead of Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
The 2025 Formula 1 season will end with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Featured Image Credit: Lewis Hamilton
Topics: Formula 1
Marcus Chan
Topics: Formula 1
Three Formula 1 stars were not spotted as the drivers came together for an end-of-season meal ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
This weekend, the 2025 F1 campaign will come to a close, with the world championship still to be decided.
McLaren star Lando Norris currently leads Max Verstappen by 12 points, with Oscar Piastri four points behind the Dutchman.
Heading into the weekend, Norris knows that a top-three finish will secure his maiden world title.
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On Thursday night, a picture was uploaded on social media, showing 17 of the F1 grid having dinner together.
As per GP Blog, Lewis Hamilton has hosted annual dinner for F1 drivers since 2022, with the first one held to celebrate Sebastien Vettel's retirement.
Hamilton wrote: "Class of 2025. We’re the only people in the world to do what we do and for that we’re incredibly lucky.
"I’m grateful for this group of drivers I have the privilege of racing against and even though we’re competitors, there’s nothing but respect and I’m proud to call them friends. Hope to give you all a great last race of the season."
Meanwhile, Norris and Piastri opted for a more light-hearted caption as they also shared the same photo.
Norris wrote: "Traditions (no food was thrown during this dinner)."
Piastri's caption read: "In case you aren’t following the other 19."
However, three of the current grid - Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll and Nico Hulkenberg were not part of the group picture.
There has been no explanation given for why the trio did not attend the dinner.
Last season, Aston Martin pair Alonso and Stroll also appeared to miss the drivers' meal, along with then-Haas driver Kevin Magnussen.
At the time, it was revealed that Valtteri Bottas, who was driving for Kick Sauber, paid the bill, costing around £5,175.
The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will get underway on Sunday afternoon at 1pm UK time.