F1’s record-breaking four-time World Champion chose the star-studded party, held on the Marina Rooftop Pool of the Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, to continue celebrations after winning the title in New Delhi the previous week.
The post-race party at The Podium Lounge hosted the racing community’s ultimate A-list celebrities with Vettel’s team of mechanics, engineers, management and friends from The Paddock Club including racing legends Damon Hill, David Coulthard, Rubens Barrichello, Eddie Jordan, Gil de Ferran (IndyCar Indianapolis 500 Champion) and other personalities including Sky Sports F1 presenters Simon Lazenby and Natalie Pinkham, Chairman of Sky Nicholas Ferguson (CBE), Princess Deborah Murrat, HI&RH Archduchess Eleonore of The House of Habsburg, English television presenter Vanessa Feltz, and soccer legend Diego Maradona reveling in the post-race celebrations of the 2013 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Arriving in the UAE for the first time after five years of consecutive sell-out events at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia in Singapore, The Podium Lounge brought together celebrities, musicians, high-profile models, international royalty and the ultra-hip crowd to a high-octane party over three nights for the Abu Dhabi race weekend, headlined by international DJs Sander Kleinenberg, Seb Fontaine, Hugo Heathcote, Hollaphonic, Miles Slater and the official Red Bull Racing DJ EROK on Sunday night. There was also a surprise guest performance by UKs Victoria Aitken of her new hit single 24 Hour Dancefloor which she recently launched at boujis in London.
The most sought-after and glamorous nightlife experience of the year hosted a sell-out event for 800 party-goers and the Who’s Who of the internationally celebrated party circuit. Guests were also treated to a stunning fashion showcase by the highly talented bespoke fashion designer, Zaeem Jamal who has boutiques on the Kings Road in London and Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles.
Podium Lounge founder Robbie Hoyes-Cock said the expansion to Abu Dhabi this year was the result of five incredible years of The Podium Lounge in Singapore. “Since 2009 The Podium Lounge has been the go-to party when F1 rolls in to Singapore,” said Hoyes-Cock, adding that this weekend we have been able to share this amazing experience with an equally-dazzling jewel in the F1 crown in Abu Dhabi, and can’t wait to return next year.
The Podium Lounge is now confirmed to take place at the 2014 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. Having partnered with ex-executive Director of Pangaea Singapore, Steve Yallop for international expansion as well as inking a partnership deal with Radar Sport & Entertainment for new and exciting Formula 1 markets including Shanghai, Monaco and Austin next year.
“Our success with The Podium Lounge International really comes down to having the best possible venue, like-minded partners and luxury sponsors on-board, and we are lucky enough to have an incredible collection of visionaries who believed in us from the start. Our sincerest thanks must go to McLaren, Jax Coco, Phillip Morris, Grey Goose, Moët & Chandon, Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi , boujis, Red Bull and Zaeem Jamal,” Yallop, added.