Formula One has quietly grown into one of Kenya’s favourite weekend sports.
A big part of this rise comes from the Netflix documentary Drive to Survive, which opened the world of F1 to millions of people who had never watched a race before.
And on 7th December 2025, Kenyans all over the country, and across the Gulf, gathered to watch the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi, hoping to witness Lando Norris clinch his first-ever world championship.
Where Kenyans Watched the Race
Different spots across Nairobi and other cities turned into mini F1 fan zones that night.
Restaurants and clubs set up big screens, and everywhere you turned, someone was discussing pit stop strategies, tyre choices, or Norris’ chances.
Some of the places that stood out included:
- Village Market – Almost every screen was showing F1. If you were hoping to catch a football match that day… it wasn’t happening. The place was jam-packed with Kenyans glued to the 58 laps at the Yas Marina Circuit.
- Sarit Center Rooftop – Fans gathered here with cold drinks, good company, and amazing food as they followed every overtake and safety car moment.
- Radisson Blu Hotel – The hotel had a special F1 package for around KES 2,500, which included race viewing and a full buffet. Many other restaurants and joints also had their own F1-themed offers , meals, drinks, music, and all the race day vibes.
Why So Many Kenyans Are Attending F1 Races Abroad
In the last few years, more Kenyans have begun traveling to watch F1 races live. The Qatar Grand Prix has been especially popular because:
- The visa process is usually quick and simple
- The visa is easier to obtain than the UAE visa
- Many Kenyans already live in Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait
- Gulf residents can travel into Qatar relatively easily without major restrictions
Related: GCC Countries Have Approved a Unified Visa – The Schengen Visa of The Gulf region
However, Qatar visas haven’t been that smooth recently. Many people, myself included, experienced delays. My visa to Qatar was delayed by over two weeks, which meant I couldn’t make it to the race I had already planned for.
Related: Why Is the Qatar A1 Visa Through Hayya Taking Long? And How Can You Get It Faster?
As the 2025 season has now come to a close, it’s exciting to see what the new season will offer and how Kenyans will enjoy the new F1 regulations and racing.
