The final round is drawing ever closer; Round 24 of the Formula 1 World Championship will conclude at the Yas Marina Circuit to host the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The last leg of the journey was travelling east from Qatar and crossing into the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the capital city of Abu Dhabi. Traversing the northern part of the capital up to Yas Island is the iconic Ferrari World theme park, and just a few yards south is the iconic Yas Marina Circuit.
So get yourselves ready. The final race will showcase a duel—not just any duel, a duel between two of Formula 1’s most prestigious teams, McLaren and Ferrari.
History of the Yas Marina Circuit
Announced in the 2009 Formula 1 World Championship, the Yas Marina Circuit became the season’s final race. However, the idea of the circuit built on Yas Island was under consideration in 2006—a creation with the vision of a vibrant tourist hotspot with a world-class racetrack.
By May 2007, construction crews began shaping the future Yas Marina Circuit. After two years of intense work involving 14,000 workers and 35 million man-hours, the track was complete in time for its grand debut in October 2009.
The entire grandstand area, including the extensive hairpin seating area, is fully covered to protect spectators from the intense desert heat. Teams are provided top-of-the-line facilities at the pit building, which has 40 air-conditioned garages. As a result of space constraints at Turn One, the pit lane exit tunnels are beneath the track, making this circuit notable in its pit lane design.
Evolution of the Yas Marina Circuit
The genius behind the innovation of the Yas Marina Circuit, Hermann Tilke, was visually stunning. However, the track initially posed challenges for overtaking due to its abundance of slow and medium-speed corners, which made it difficult for drivers to maintain car balance.
The key changes are the North Hairpin, South Marina, and Hotel sections were reworked—chicanes were removed, and turns were replaced with smoother, more flowing curves to allow for more opportunities for overtaking. So, instead of 21 turns, the driver navigates 16 turns.
Track Layout
The old 5.554-kilometre circuit, now shortened to 5.281 kilometres, consists of 16 corners: nine to the left and seven to the right. This anticlockwise circuit will consist of 58 laps, equaling 306 kilometres of heated action.
Moving away from Qatar, the Yas Marina Circuit consists of two DRS Zones. The first is located coming out of the North Hairpin of Turn 5. The second appears thick and fast, coming out of Turn 7, heading down towards the Southern Grandstand of Turn 8.
Iconic Features of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Undoubtedly, Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit is recognized for its sleek design and unique racing experience. The one Formula 1 race was showcased at twilight, starting at sunset and ending under floodlights, creating a stunning visual spectacle. The track characterises a combination of long straights and technical corners. A 1.2 km back straight leads into a sharp braking zone like Turn 8, which offers prime opportunities for overtaking.
Another feature that makes Abu Dhabi unique is the pit lane exit, located within a tunnel underneath the track, which is unusual and challenging for such a feature. When the races are held at Yas Marina, a waterfront promenade with restaurants and bars contributes to the vibrant atmosphere during these events. Furthermore, the circuit has a karting track and a drag strip, making it a highly versatile facility for motorsports.
Memorable Moments From the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Abu Dhabi has curated so many ending chapters to the Formula 1 season. Its inaugural race in 2009 marked the debut of Formula 1’s only twilight race, transitioning from day to night under the Yas Marina Circuit’s iconic floodlights. Sebastian Vettel won the race, solidifying Red Bull Racing’s dominance that year.
A year later, in 2010, it staged a dramatic season finale. Sebastian Vettel claimed the race victory and his first World Championship, becoming the youngest F1 champion in history. The race was marked by a strategic miscalculation from Ferrari, which pitted Fernando Alonso early, trapping him behind Vitaly Petrov’s Renault and allowing Vettel to take the title.
Fast-forward to 2012, and Kimi Räikkönen took a memorable victory for Lotus after starting from fourth. His radio exchanges, especially the iconic “Just leave me alone, I know what I’m doing” quote, made this race a fan favourite. Meanwhile, Vettel impressively charged from the pit lane to an incredible third place in his crucial title battle with Fernando Alonso.
Next up, we have the 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. It was a season finale where double points were up for grabs—raising tensions between title contenders Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. From start to finish, Hamilton won his second driver’s championship and won the race after Rosberg suffered mechanical issues. However, the German kept his head held high and finished the race. However, the team did instruct the number six driver to retire the car.
2016, the finale turns in favour of Nico Rosberg. In a tense race, the German secured his first and only World Championship by five points, finishing second to Lewis Hamilton, who, in a bid to slow down late in the race to back Rosberg into the chasing pack, could not make it successful. Rosberg retired from F1 just days after winning the title.
But one race that puts the cherry on top of the memorable moments stages around Yas Marina is the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Arguably the most controversial and dramatic race in F1 history. Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton entered the race tied in points. A late-race safety car, followed by a contentious restart decision, allowed Verstappen to put on a set of soft tyres and overtake Hamilton on the final lap, stunningly clinching his first World Championship. The race undoubtedly led to significant rule changes in F1’s handling of safety car procedures.
Live Timings – British Standard Time (BST)
Friday (6th December)
9:00 am – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Practice One – (Session begins at 9:30 am)
12:45 pm – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Practice Two – (Session begins at 1:00 pm)
Saturday (7th December)
10:15 am – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Practice Three – (Session begins at 10:30 am)
1:15 pm – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Qualifying – (Session begins at 2:00 pm)
Sunday (8th December)
11:30 am – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – (Session begins at 1:00 pm)
If you would like to learn more news about the world of Formula 1? Then why not check out “One Race to Go! Who Will Be Crowned Constructors Champion?” or “Qatar Grand Prix: The Desert Challenge in Doha.”
