i would add the cost of tickets (last time i looked, Abu Dhabi main grandstand is close to twice the price of a comparable seat in Montreal) paired with income inequality within the region. they draw upon a smaller group with the required disposable income, desire, and/or ability to attend.
so i think it has to be said that the promoters are not looking to host an event that draws in over 100K+ people on race day. imo, they are looking to create an exclusive event/experience with a much smaller, and all be it wealthier, crowd by design.
i dont have numbers, and in fairness, but how different are the attendance levels of Abu Dhabi compared to, F1's traditional mecca of exclusive events, the Monaco GP?