Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Arabic: سباق جائزة أبوظبي الكبرى‎) is a Formula One motor race. It was announced in early 2007 at the Abu Dhabi F1 Festival in the United Arab Emirates. The first race took place on 1 November 2009, held at the Hermann Tilke designed Yas Marina Circuit.[1]

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Yas Marina Circuit
(2009–present)
Race information
Number of times held12
First held2009
Most wins (drivers) Lewis Hamilton (5)
Most wins (constructors) Mercedes (6)
Circuit length5.554 km (3.451 mi)
Race length305.355 km (189.739 mi)
Laps55
Last race (2020)
Pole position
Podium
Fastest lap

On 25 June 2008 the FIA announced the provisional 2009 Formula One calendar including the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as the 19th and final race of the season on 15 November. On 5 November 2008, however, it was announced that the race would be held as the season finale on 1 November, two weeks before the initially planned date, as the 17th and final race.[2]

The inaugural race was Formula One's first day–night race, starting at 17:00 local time. Floodlights used to illuminate the circuit were switched on from the start of the event to ensure a seamless transition from daylight to darkness.[3] Subsequent Abu Dhabi Grands Prix have also been day–night races.

History

Origin

Formula 1 first came to Abu Dhabi in 2007 in the guise of the first Formula One Festival.[4] Announced in January 2007,[5] the event which took place on 3 February 2007 was free, and the largest gathering of current Formula One cars and drivers outside of a Grand Prix.[6] At the festival it was announced that Abu Dhabi had won the rights to host a Grand Prix from 2009 until 2016.[7][8] Later that year, Etihad Airways negotiated a three-year deal for them to become sponsors of the Grand Prix.[9]

Inaugural Grand Prix (2009)
Main article: 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

For the 2009 season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was added to the schedule. It was provisionally announced as being held on 15 November 2009, as the 19th and final Grand Prix of the season.[10] Both the Canadian Grand Prix and French Grand Prix were later removed from the provisional schedule,[11][12] and as a result the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was moved to 1 November 2009 where it would become the last of 17 meetings.[13] In August 2009, it was announced that the start time would be 17:00 local time (13:00 UTC), and that the race would be floodlit.[14] The race was won by Sebastian Vettel for Red Bull Racing.[15]

2010
Main article: 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

For the 2010 season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was held on the Yas Marina Circuit, for the weekend of 12, 13, 14 November 2010. The Drivers' Championship was decided in Abu Dhabi for the first time. With championship leader Fernando Alonso losing out and Sebastian Vettel completing his second consecutive win on this track, the young German driver subsequently sealed the world championship.

2011
Main article: 2011 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The 2011 Grand Prix was the 18th and penultimate race of the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship, and took place on 13 November.

The race was won by Lewis Hamilton in a McLaren-Mercedes. Second was Fernando Alonso in a Ferrari, with Jenson Button coming third in a McLaren-Mercedes. Sebastian Vettel, in a Red Bull-Renault, had been on pole position, but retired after a puncture on the first lap whilst going round the second corner.

2012
Main article: 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Championship leader Sebastian Vettel finished the race in 3rd position after starting from the pitlane, due to his disqualification from qualifying due to not having enough fuel to return to parc fermé. His main championship rival Fernando Alonso finished 2nd behind the Finnish driver Kimi Räikkönen, who won for the first time after his return to Formula One earlier in 2012.

2013
Main article: 2013 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The race was won by Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing for the third time, leading every lap. Having clinched their fourth consecutive Drivers' and Constructors' Championships respectively at the Indian Grand Prix, the team celebrated their achievements in Abu Dhabi with David Coulthard performing some doughnuts on the helipad of the Burj Al Arab luxury hotel in Dubai, 210 m (690 ft) above ground level.[16]

2014
Main article: 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix took place on 23 November[17] and was the concluding race of the 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship.

Double points were awarded for the race, which was won by Lewis Hamilton, securing his second Drivers' Championship.

2015
Main article: 2015 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The 2015 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was held on 29 November 2015. The race was won by Nico Rosberg making it three wins in a row with Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Räikkönen completing the podium.

2016
Main article: 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was held on 27 November 2016. The race was won by Lewis Hamilton making it four wins in a row with Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel completing the podium and Rosberg securing his first Drivers' Championship.

2017
Main article: 2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The 2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was held on 26 November 2017. The race was won by Valtteri Bottas, with Lewis Hamilton in second and Sebastian Vettel completing the podium.

2018
Main article: 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was held on 25 November 2018. The race was won by Lewis Hamilton, with Sebastian Vettel in second and Max Verstappen completing the podium. This was also the final career race of Fernando Alonso.

2019
Main article: 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was held on 1 December 2019. The race was won by six-time champion Lewis Hamilton, with Max Verstappen in second and Charles Leclerc in third.

2020
Main article: 2020 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The 2020 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was scheduled for 29 November but the race was moved to 13 December to allow the Bahrain Grand Prix to run after their race was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The race was won by Max Verstappen, with Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton finishing second and third respectively.

Circuit
Main article: Yas Marina Circuit

The Yas Marina Circuit was designed by Hermann Tilke and is located on Yas Island – a 2,550 hectares (25.5 km2) island on the east coast of Abu Dhabi – and the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was the first major event to take place on the circuit.[18]

The track is criticised with media observers urging changes to the track. BBC Sport's Andrew Benson called the racing in the 2020 event "dreary" with Matt Beer of The Race naming the track layout as one of 6 reasons why the races in Abu Dhabi "consistently disappoint [sic]".[19][20] Drivers such as Daniel Ricciardo have also added their support for track changes.[21]

Official names

Winners

Repeat winners (drivers)

Drivers in bold are competing in the Formula One championship in the current season.

Wins Driver Years won
5 Lewis Hamilton 2011, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019
3 Sebastian Vettel 2009, 2010, 2013

Repeat winners (constructors)

Teams in bold are competing in the Formula One championship in the current season.

Wins Constructor Years won
6 Mercedes 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
4 Red Bull 2009, 2010, 2013, 2020

Repeat winners (engine manufacturers)

Manufacturers in bold are competing in the Formula One championship in the current season.

Wins Manufacturer Years won
7 Mercedes 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
4 Renault 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013

By year
Year Driver Constructor Report
2009 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault Report
2010 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault Report
2011 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes Report
2012 Kimi Räikkönen Lotus-Renault Report
2013 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault Report
2014 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes Report
2015 Nico Rosberg Mercedes Report
2016 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes Report
2017 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes Report
2018 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes Report
2019 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes Report
2020 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing-Honda Report

References
  1. "Yas Marina Circuit construction progressing". gulfnews.com. 29 October 2009. Archived from the original on 29 January 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  2. "World Motor Sport Council – Decisions". fia.com. 29 October 2009. Archived from the original on 21 June 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  3. "Abu Dhabi confirms 5 pm race start". autosport.com. 29 October 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  4. "Countdown underway in Abu Dhabi". Formula One. 1 February 2007. Archived from the original on 12 October 2009. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  5. "F1 Festival coming to Abu Dhabi". Formula One. 22 January 2007. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  6. "Abu Dhabi line-up taking shape". Formula One. 30 January 2007. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  7. "Abu Dhabi gets Grand Prix for 2009". Formula One. 3 February 2007. Archived from the original on 15 October 2007. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  8. "Abu Dhabi 'on track' with Grand Prix Circuit construction". AME Info. 16 July 2007. Archived from the original on 15 September 2009. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  9. "Etihad Airways to sponsor Abu Dhabi Grand Prix". Formula One. 18 December 2007. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  10. "Abu Dhabi to stage 2009 F1 finale". BBC Sport. BBC. 25 June 2008. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  11. "FIA wants French GP clarification". BBC Sport. BBC. 16 October 2008. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  12. "Canada dropped from F1 calendar". BBC Sport. BBC. 8 October 2008. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  13. "China moves to April as FIA issues revised 2009 calendar". Formula One. 5 November 2008. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  14. Holt, Sarah (28 August 2009). "F1 fight to have day–night climax". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  15. "Vettel wins as Hamilton drops out". BBC Sport. 1 November 2009. Archived from the original on 4 November 2009. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  16. "Red Bull celebrate titles with doughnuts in Dubai". 31 October 2013. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
  17. "FIA confirms revised calendar for 2014". 4 December 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  18. "Abu Dhabi Grand Prix". Yas Marina Circuit. Archived from the original on 27 August 2009. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  19. "Six reasons Abu Dhabi F1 races consistently disappoint". 13 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  20. "Verstappen wins season finale in Abu Dhabi". Retrieved 16 December 2020 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  21. "Ricciardo calls for Abu Dhabi track change after "grim" race". GPfans. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  22. "2009 Formula 1 World Championship Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
  23. "2010 Formula 1 World Championship Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
  24. "2011 Formula 1 World Championship Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
  25. "2012 Formula 1 World Championship Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
  26. "2014 Formula 1 World Championship Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
  27. "2015 Formula 1 World Championship Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
  28. "2016 Formula 1 World Championship Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
  29. "2017 Formula 1 World Championship Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
  30. "2018 Formula 1 World Championship Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
  31. "2019 Formula 1 World Championship Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
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