This weekend’s Grand Prix at Yas Marina will be the seventh time Formula 1 races in Abu Dhabi. In a comparatively short history, the Abu Dhabi race has provided some key moments: from heartache to exultation.
We look at five of the biggest moments to have occurred at Yas Marina.
5. First race, 2009
It may not have been a spectacular race, but the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was an important event for the UAE. For a lot of the people around the world, it was the first glimpse of what Abu Dhabi was like. It was vision realised, and to date was the single biggest sporting event to have ever come to the UAE.
4. Vettel puncture ends perfect season, 2011
Sebastian Vettel had completely dominated the 2011 season, scoring 11 wins, four second places (by the time of the Abu Dhabi race), and third and a fourth. At Yas Marina, the German champion had qualified on pole position and duly maintained his lead into the first corner. However, moments later we speared off the circuit and into the barrier courtesy of a rear puncture. It was the only retirement he made all season.
3. Rosberg loses title, 2014
In a rather unusual method of keeping things interesting, before the 2014 season began it was stated that double points would be available for the last race of the season, which happened to be in Abu Dhabi. Going into the race, Nico Rosberg trailed Lewis Hamilton by 42 points. If he won and Hamilton finished ninth or lower then he would take the crown. But it wasn’t to be. Hamilton stormed to a crushing win while Rosberg’s race deflated like a balloon. He was forced to retire in the cruelest of ways.
2. Raikkonen comeback win, 2012
After a two-year sabbatical away from Formula 1, Kimi Raikkonen returned with Lotus for the 2012 season. With a host of strong performances under his belt, Raikkonen proved to his doubters that he was still a capable winner. Despite the fact that race-leader Lewis Hamilton retired, Raikkonen dominated the race. It was made all the more famous with his amusing pit messages to the team, telling them “Yes, yes, yes. I know what I’m doing”.
1. Four-way title fight, 2010
Five drivers were in contention for the 2010 World Championship for much of the season, but by the time of the last race, it was only four: Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber, Sebastian Vettel, and Lewis Hamilton. Vettel, who had not led the championship all season, took the lead and was followed by Hamilton. His teammate, Webber, clipped the barrier and had to pit and caught up with Alonso. The pair could not get past Vitaly Petrov no matter how hard they tried. The result was Vettel powering towards an against-the-odds world title.
