Abu Dhabi: Bollywood star Deepika Padukone was in town on Sunday to cheer Force India racers Adrian Sutil and Tonio Liuzzi for the final lap at the Yas Marina circuit during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

“This is the first time I will be at a race track and I’m looking forward to it - to the excitement of being in the pit,” Padukone told tabloid!

“I’ve only seen it on TV and I’ve heard it’s very different from actually being there.”

Being the ambassador for Kingfisher airline, the owner of the only Indian Formula One race team, Force India, she said it’s “a matter of pride and honour” for her to be here.

“My association with Kingfisher started a couple of years ago when I was a model and part of their annual calendar. Then I became the face of the airline. And going back to the fact that I’m a sportsperson, it’s simply interesting and exciting for me to be involved with another sport at this level.”

Padukone “loves” sports. She was a state-level badminton player during her school days and enjoys doing yoga and swimming.

The actress recently made headlines over a fight and resulting break-up from her boyfriend, actor Ranbir Kapoor, but refused to comment on the matter.