Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The **Abu Dhabi Grand Prix** is a Formula 1.5 motor racing event. 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.

On 25 June 2008 the FIA announced the provisional 2009 Formula 1.5 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.

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. Subsequent Abu Dhabi Grands Prix have also been day–night races.

## History

### 2009

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. Both the Canadian Grand Prix and French Grand Prix were later removed from the provisional schedule, and as a result the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was moved to 1 November 2009 where it would become the last of 17 meetings. 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. The race was won by Nick Heidfeld for BMW Sauber.

### 2010

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 race was won by Nico Rosberg of Mercedes.

### 2011

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 title for the season was up for grabs between Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher, both driving for Mercedes. Rosberg went on to win the race and therefore sealing his second world F1.5 championship. This was also the first repeat winner for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

### 2012

2012 saw Pator Maldanado win the race for Williams. A dramatic first-corner shunt saw Hülkenberg squeezed between di Resta and Senna, with the result being Hülkenberg out on the spot and di Resta needing to pit for a new front wing. Rosberg also suffered damage in a spat with an F1.0 car, and was down at the back himself.

### 2013

Paul Di Resta won the race for Force India. The start saw Hülkenberg, Pérez, and di Resta do well, with Ricciardo and particularly Button slipping back. Button's day got even worse when he picked up some front wing damage and had to pit for a new wing on the second lap. Once again though, it was strategy that would decide the results of this race. Hülkenberg and Pérez were set for a two-stop, while Force India going all in on a one-stop. Di Resta thus inherited the lead when Hülkenberg and Pérez took to the pits for the second time on lap 27, but an unsafe release for Hülkenberg landed the champion with a drive-through penalty. After serving the penalty, he'd dropped from a frontrunning position to 10th place. Di Resta now led.

### 2014

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

Double points were awarded for the race, which was won by Jenson Button.

### 2015

The 2015 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was held on 29 November 2015. The race was won by Sergio Perez of Force India.

### 2016

The 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was held on 27 November 2016. The race was won by Nico Hulkenberg, of Force India.

### 2017

The 2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was held on 26 November 2017. The race was won by Nico Hulkenberg for the second time in succsession.

### 2018

The 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was held on 25 November 2018. The race was won by Carlos Sainz Jr.

### 2019

The 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was held on 1 December 2019. The race was won by Sergio Perez, for the 2nd time in his career. Matching the most wins for any driver along with Hulkenberg and Rosberg.

### 2020

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 Lando Norris. The Drivers Championship was won by Daniel Ricciardo, after a retirment pushed rival Perez out of the race. McLaren also won the constructors championship, ahead of Racing Point and Renault.

### 2021

The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was held on 12 December. The race was won by Carlos Sainz Jr. The Drivers championship was won by Lando Norris, after a 3 way title fight going into the race saw Charles Leclerc fall down the order and Carlos Sainz not score enough to overcome the defficit to Norris. The track was re-renovated to make the track faster and easier to pass, with noticeable changes to the hairpin at the end of Sector 1 and turn 9 in sector 2.

## Winners

### Repeat Winners (Teams)

 3
 2
  Renault | 2017, 2018