F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix breaks Guinness World Record with water generated from air
Over 300,000 litres produced during race week
ABU DHABI – A major sustainability drive at the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has secured a Guinness World Record, marking a significant milestone in environmentally conscious event management.
The achievement centres on the largest volume of drinking water generated from air within 24 hours, underlining the growing role of innovative technologies in reducing environmental impact.
The initiative was delivered through a collaboration between Ethara, organiser of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and Ma Hawa, a UAE-based water production company owned by Baynunah Watergeneration Technologies SP.
Record feat
More than 30 atmospheric water generation machines were deployed across Yas Marina Circuit and Etihad Park during the 2025 race weekend. Within a 24-hour period, the system produced 60.75 cubic metres of drinking water, officially recognised as the highest volume ever generated by such a system in a single day.
Across the full race week, the technology generated up to 300,000 litres of drinking water. This large-scale deployment supported hydration for approximately 339,000 attendees while significantly reducing reliance on conventional bottled water supply chains. The initiative helped prevent the use of more than 600,000 half-litre single-use plastic bottles and cut associated carbon emissions by over 80 tonnes of equivalent CO₂.
The record-setting achievement was formally announced during a ceremony held at Ethara’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Ma Hawa.
Green push
The initiative forms part of a broader sustainability strategy for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which continues to expand in scale while aiming to reduce its environmental footprint. A venue-wide ban on single-use plastic bottles and cups was introduced across key areas, including the paddock, media centre, hospitality zones and 148 food and beverage outlets.
In parallel, the event made notable progress towards its renewable energy targets. Solar capacity at the venue was tripled compared with the previous year, while all temporary power generators operated using biofuel.
The adoption of atmospheric water generation technology highlights its potential to support large-scale international events. By producing drinking water directly from air, the system eliminates dependence on traditional supply chains, offering a scalable solution for sustainable water access in high-demand environments.