Fresh off a historic season that saw him reach the top of the men’s game, Italian tennis sensation Jannik Sinner took a break from the court to explore another passion: Formula 1. Welcomed as a “Friend of Formula 1” at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Sinner spent the day immersed in the world of motorsport, meeting team principals and drivers alongside his girlfriend and family. The visit underscores Sinner’s growing profile on the international stage and his connection to another highly competitive global sport.
Italian tennis star visits Formula 1 paddock with girlfriend Laila Hasanovic and F1 President Stefano Domenicali
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Jannik Sinner, a lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast, traded the tennis court for the paddock at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Italian star was welcomed as a “Friend of Formula 1” and an ambassador for the sport during the season-ending race, capping off a year where he’s risen to the top of the men’s game. Sinner is using a break in Dubai to prepare for the upcoming season, and made time for a visit to Yas Marina.
the day’s events
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The world No. 2 arrived at the paddock around 10:30 a.m. local time alongside his girlfriend, Danish model Laila Hasanovic, his parents, and his team. Throughout the day, Sinner met with drivers and spent time with Formula 1 President Stefano Domenicali, a close friend who recently attended Sinner’s victorious Finals match, celebrating the win from Sinner’s box and serving on the board of the tennis star’s non-profit foundation. Dr. Riccardo Ceccarelli, a renowned sports medicine expert specializing in the mental performance of motorsport athletes, was also present with Sinner.
meetings
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Shortly after arriving, Sinner toured the Formula 1 hospitality area, meeting Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff and British driver George Russell. He then participated in a brief video interview while walking through the team hospitality suites, taking photos with fans. Accompanied by his brother, a passionate Formula 1 follower, and his father, Sinner headed to the hot laps garage for an adrenaline-fueled experience on the track.
hot lap
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Sinner waited trackside for Italian driver Kimi Antonelli to begin the hot lap. The two shared an affectionate greeting, having first met at the Finals in Turin last November, before donning helmets and taking to the Yas Marina Circuit in a 585-horsepower AMG GT 63.
in the garage
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Following the hot lap with Kimi Antonelli, the pair visited the Mercedes garage, where the Italian driver showed Sinner his car and explained the intricacies of the steering wheel, answering the tennis star’s numerous questions. After a final photo with Kimi in front of the Mercedes, Sinner moved on to the Haas garage, where he met Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon. The three chatted, and Sinner had the opportunity to meet members of the team, including Ocon’s track engineer, Laura Mueller. It was a special moment for Sinner’s father, Hanspeter, a longtime Formula 1 fan attending a race live for the first time, and for his brother, Mark, also a keen enthusiast, who had previously visited the paddock at Imola and Monza this year. The Sinner family continued their visit by observing the Formula 2 grid as the cars prepared for the race.
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