The Iconic W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island is over the short strait between turn 13 and 14. It was announced in early 2007 at the Abu Dhabi F1 Festival. 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 event has been held every year since, and is due to take place at the Yas Marina Circuit until at least 2030.[3]
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.[4] Subsequent Abu Dhabi Grands Prix have also been day–night races.
History
2007–2013: Origins and Early Grands Prix in V8 era
Formula 1 first came to Abu Dhabi in 2007 in the form of the first Formula One Festival.[5] Announced in January 2007,[6] 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.[7] At the festival it was announced that Abu Dhabi had won the rights to host a Grand Prix from 2009 until 2016.[8][9] Later that year, Etihad Airways negotiated a three-year deal for them to become sponsors of the Grand Prix.[10]
For the 2009 season, the 2009 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.[11] Both the Canadian Grand Prix and French Grand Prix were later removed from the provisional schedule,[12][13] and as a result the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was moved to 1 November 2009 where it would become the last of 17 meetings.[14] 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.[15] The race was won by Sebastian Vettel for Red Bull Racing.[16]
For the 2010 Formula One season, the 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was held on the Yas Marina Circuit, from the 12th until the 14th 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.[17]
Lotus's Kimi Räikkönen won the 2012 race; his first victory since his return to the sport earlier in the season
In 2012, 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.[19]
The 2013 edition 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.[20]
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. In this edition, Hamilton successfully achieved a "Grand Slam," by qualifying on pole, led every single lap and winning the race.[27]
On 9 December 2021, an extended 10-year agreement was signed between Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management and the Formula One Group, where Abu Dhabi retains the contractual right to hold final race of the F1 season until 2030.[29][30] The race was held on 12 December 2021. Max Verstappen controversially won his first World Drivers' Championship when he crossed the finishing line first, followed by Lewis Hamilton in second, and Carlos Sainz Jr. in third. Mercedes won their 8th consecutive Constructors' Championship, followed closely by Red Bull Racing in second. Verstappen's race and championship win was mired in controversy as the race director Michael Masi used the incorrect procedure for withdrawing the safety car prior to resuming racing on the final lap of the race.[31] The FIA launched an inquiry into the events of the race, concluding that whilst the safety car did not stay out for the additional lap, "as required by Article 48.12", the result was legitimised because, as Mercedes AMG did not appeal, there was "no available mechanism to change the classification".[32][33] In addition, Masi was replaced by Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas for 2022 onward.[34]
The 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was held on 26 November 2023 and was won by Verstappen ahead of Leclerc and George Russell. By this point, Verstappen had secured the Drivers' Championship at the Qatar Grand Prix sprint event, and the Constructors' Championship in Japan. Winning the Grand Prix, Verstappen became the first driver to lead one thousand laps in a single season, and the only driver to have completed every racing lap in the 2023 season.[36][37][38]
In June 2021, Saif Al Noaimi, acting CEO of Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management, announced that modifications to the track's Grand Prix layout had been approved, with the modifications being completed in time for the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.[40] The turn 5–6 chicane and turn 7 hairpin were replaced by a single, widened hairpin, now turn 5; the triple chicane and 90 degree left hander at turns 11–14 were replaced by a single, sweeping banked curve, now turn 9; and the radiuses of turns 17–19 (now 12–14), and the penultimate turn 20 (now 15), were widened to allow cars to carry more speed through the third sector.[41][42]
Gallery
The main straight
Turn 7 (2009–2021), Turn 5 (2021–present)
Grand Prix Circuit (2009–2021)
Differences between the 2009 and 2021 layouts
Winners
Repeat winners (drivers)
Yas Marina Circuit layout used from 2009 to 2020
Drivers in bold are competing in the Formula One championship in the current season.
