Sir Paul McCartney gave the Formula 1 World Championship an extra gear in Abu Dhabi over the weekend (12-13Nov11) by introducing the world's top drivers to his new wife.
The rocker, who is scheduled to open his On The Run tour with a show following the United Arab Emirates city's Grand Prix on Sunday night (13Nov11), arrived a day early to soak up the big race atmosphere with his bride Nancy Shevell.
The newlyweds toured the Yas Marina Circuit on Saturday following qualifying for the Formula One Grand Prix.
Just prior to his trip to the Middle East, MCCartney admitted he was very excited about his race gig, explaining, "I think the particular excitement of going to Abu Dhabi is the F1 aspect. For me and particularly for some of the members of our crew who are F1 fans."
Meanwhile, a new post on his blog reads, "Paul arrived in Abu Dhabi yesterday to kick off his On The Run tour with his first ever show in U.A.E at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. But before there was music, Paul took some time to visit Saturday’s F1 qualifying session.
"Paul cheered on the British drivers from the MCLaren garage before the great and the good of motor racing descended on him hoping to get a picture with rock’s most revered idol."
MCCartney's new tour will take the former Beatles star back to Rome, Russia and his native Liverpool in England.
He says, "Playing in Liverpool is special. This year's date will be a year to the day of last year's Liverpool show.
"It’s become a bit of a tradition, to have a bit of a homecoming... Most of the people in the audience would be friends of mine."