"Star Wars"-style F1 teaser for Abu Dhabi GP title decider sends fans wild

French Formula 1 broadcaster Canal+ has sent social media into a frenzy as a Star Wars-themed teaser for the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has received high praise as the championship begins its final race of the season.

The cinematic teaser, produced to promote Canal+’s coverage of the drivers’ standings decider, turns the championship fight into an epic battle between the light and the dark side of the Force.

The footage leans into the sweeping desert of Abu Dhabi, turning it into the Tatooine of F1 with its very own binary sunset and the use of John Williams’ famous theme song. With cuts of McLaren’s Lando Norris and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, it pits the two drivers against each other.

Fans have likened the Dutchman to the iconic villain Darth Vader, with his car given the audio of the TIE Fighter – the Sith’s vehicle of choice, while Norris has unsurprisingly been slotted into the role of Lando Calrissian, a character full of flair.

Unfortunately for Australian driver Oscar Piastri, who is still in contention for the drivers’ championship, he is not included in the teaser.

The video has racked up millions of views across social media, with it being described as “brilliantly done”, “premium”, and “absolutely bad ass”.

“Got to admit that was fantastic,” one fan commented on Reddit. “Joining two of my favourite things in a classy way. Good job.”

Lando Norris, McLaren

Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images

Others have said that French fans of the series are “very lucky” to have coverage from Canal+, praising the broadcaster for the access it has to be able to produce teasers and documentaries with such levels of quality. This comes as Canal+ has already built a strong reputation for its movie-inspired promos, with it previously using ideas from The Terminator and Jaws in previous teasers.

With the 2025 title fight wide open between Verstappen, Norris, and Piastri, the teaser simply adds cinematic interest to what is going to be an exciting end to the season. Each driver will want the downforce to be with them as they race for victory in the last year of the current regulations.

Photos from Abu Dhabi GP – Practice