Peregraf – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s visit to Abu Dhabi this week has drawn attention not only for its timing-coinciding with the high-profile 2025 Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix-but also for the way the trip was presented publicly. Barzani released photos and statements framing the meetings as part of a formal diplomatic agenda.
On December 5, Barzani held a meeting with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, followed by another meeting with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs. A notable participant in the gathering was Nadhim Zahawi, the former British Chancellor and senior Conservative politician of Kurdish origin.
Zahawi, who has long maintained ties with both the Kurdistan Region and the Gulf states, appeared photographed alongside Barzani and Sheikh Abdullah-an unusual but politically meaningful appearance. His involvement suggests he may have played a role in facilitating communications or strengthening political and economic bridges between the sides.
The meetings focused on continued cooperation between the Kurdistan Region and the UAE, investment opportunities, and regional political developments. The timing of the visit-during one of Abu Dhabi’s most glamorous sporting weekends-suggested a blend of official diplomacy with the visibility and networking opportunities surrounding the Formula One finale.
A Visit Coinciding With the 2025 Abu Dhabi Formula One
Barzani’s arrival came as the UAE was hosting the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the final race of the Formula One season, held at the iconic Yas Marina Circuit. The Grand Prix weekend (December 5–7) attracts global leaders, celebrities, and investors each year, making it one of Abu Dhabi’s major soft-power platforms.
While KRG statements emphasized diplomacy, the timing almost certainly provided Barzani with access to high-level attendees from across the region and around the world.
The Abu Dhabi race is the season finale and one of the most watched events globally, drawing huge attendance and international media coverage. This year’s race is particularly dramatic, with three drivers-not two-entering the final round with a chance to win the world championship.
This Year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: What Makes It Stand Out
Location: Yas Marina Circuit
Race Length: 58 laps, 306.183 km
Season Status: Final race of the 2025 Formula One World Championship
Weekend Schedule
Friday – December 5
• Practice 1
• Practice 2
Saturday – December 6
• Practice 3
• Qualifying Session
Sunday – December 7
• Drivers’ Parade
• Grand Prix race starting at 17:00 local time
The event also features:
• Post-race concerts
• Fan Zones
• Yas Island entertainment access
• VIP hospitality events attracting business leaders, diplomats, and officials
This combination of global sporting spectacle and diplomatic networking makes the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix one of the Gulf’s most strategically curated annual events.