Reem's F1 diary: Webber cooks up a storm with Novelli

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  • Webber (l) and Novelli.

    For the petrol-heads, Formula One is about loud engines, fast cars and thrilling racing but for countless people who show up at a Grand Prix, it’s more the glamorous side of the event that brings them to the track.

    Ever wondered just how fancy the scene is in the VIP-packed areas of the paddock?

    Well if the food is anything to go by, it’s fair to say Abu Dhabi goes all out to impress its guests.

    – Yas Marina Circuit: A track record of F1 drama
    – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Circuit guide infographic
    – #Life360: The UAE’s search for an F1 star of its own

    One of the world’s most highly regarded and celebrated chefs has been wowing Yas Marina Circuit’s corporate guests this weekend, presenting a live cooking demonstration with a little help from former F1 legend Mark Webber.

    Jean-Christophe Novelli, the French-born celebrity chef who is famous for launching his Four Season’s chain of restaurants in London, has designed the menu for this year’s hospitality cuisine at the Abu Dhabi GP, offering guests mouth-watering food options as they watch the scintillating action on the track.

    Novelli, a 5 out of 5, AA Rosette and multi-Michelin Star award-winning chef said: “This is such an incredible weekend to a part of. To be cooking for guests at Yas Marina Circuit and doing what I love at the heart of the world’s biggest sporting occasion this weekend is a thrill.

    “To have a legend such as Mark Webber alongside me has been wonderful too, he has been a big help in the kitchen with me today.”

    Webber, who clinched the World Endurance Championship title last week, is an ambassador for Yas Marina Circuit’s Marsa corporate hospitality packages, and has been busy meeting and greeting guests in the Marsa suites.

    The Aussie driver said: “Yas Marina Circuit is one of the standout F1 races on the calendar. Not just the on-track action but everything you get to do off the track too. Being with Chef Novelli today has been brilliant.”

    Hamilton’s splash landing
    Meanwhile, three-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has been adopting some unorthodox methods to prepare for Sunday’s race.

    Prior to the weekend, the British driver took to the sand dunes of the UAE desert to get in some buggy action and on Friday, he posted a video of himself wakeboarding in what looked like Al Forsan’s cable park.

    Hamilton attempted to fly off a ramp and complete a flip before hitting the water but let’s just say he did not nail the landing.

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