Paintings display the spirit of Formula 1

Ayrton Senna by Julian Castaldi. Courtesy of the artist and Mestaria

Immortalising the icons of Formula One racing in paintings is something that seemed to come naturally for Julian Castaldi, having been a fan of the sport all of his life. But having his work exhibited on the bridge over the Yas Marina circuit so that when the cars take to the track for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2017, the drivers will be passing underneath, is something he never imagined. "It is going to be awesome," he said.  "It will be a different and noisy exhibit experience and one I am really looking forward to."

For Icons, he has concentrated on what he calls the "golden era" of F1 and has painted portraits of Ayrton Senna, Stirling Moss, Enzo Ferrari, Jackie Stewart and many more including some classic circuit billboard posters with an Arabic twist.

Castaldi, who has been living in Dubai for over four years, has previously exhibited portraits of cultural legends such as Mick Jagger, John Lennon and Jean-Michel Basquiat and his work is heavily influenced by residencies in Los Angeles and the West Coast that started in the 1990s as well as more recently from Arabic pop-culture. 

• Icons. Julian Castaldi. November 19-28, 2017. Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. For more information www.castaldiart.com. For enquiries www.mestaria.com

James Hunt by Julian Castaldi. Courtesy of the artist and Mestaria