Abu Dhabi Grand Prix facts for kids
| Yas Marina Circuit | |
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| Race information | |
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| Number of times held | 16 |
| First held | 2009 |
| Most wins (drivers) |  Lewis Hamilton (5) |
| Most wins (constructors) |  Red Bull Racing (7) |
| Circuit length | 5.281 km (3.281 mi) |
| Race length | 306.183 km (190.253 mi) |
| Laps | 58 |
| Last race (2024) | |
| Pole position | |
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| Podium | |
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| Fastest lap | |
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The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Arabic: سباق جائزة أبوظبي الكبرى) is a super exciting Formula One car race! It happens every year in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. The very first race was on November 1, 2009, at the amazing Yas Marina Circuit. This track is special because it's a "day-night" race, meaning it starts in daylight and finishes under bright floodlights!
The W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island hotel is built right over the race track. It sits between turns 13 and 14. The idea for this race was first shared in early 2007. The FIA, which runs Formula One, announced the race would be the final one of the 2009 season. It has been held every year since then. The race will continue at the Yas Marina Circuit until at least 2030.
The first race in 2009 was unique. It was Formula One's first-ever day-night race. It started at 5:00 PM local time. Big floodlights were turned on from the very beginning. This made sure the race looked great as it went from day to night. All the Abu Dhabi Grands Prix since then have also been day-night races.
Contents
History of the Race
How the Grand Prix Started (2007–2013)
Formula 1 first came to Abu Dhabi in 2007. This was for the first Formula One Festival. It was announced in January 2007. The event took place on February 3, 2007. It was free to attend. It was the biggest gathering of Formula One cars and drivers outside of a Grand Prix race. At this festival, it was announced that Abu Dhabi would host a Grand Prix from 2009 to 2016. Later that year, Etihad Airways became a sponsor for the race.
For the 2009 season, the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was added. It was planned for November 15, 2009. It was meant to be the last race of the season. But some other races were removed. So, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix moved to November 1, 2009. It became the final race of 17 events. In August 2009, it was decided the race would start at 5:00 PM local time. It would also be lit by floodlights. Sebastian Vettel won this first race for Red Bull Racing.
The 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was held from November 12 to 14, 2010. This was the first time the Drivers' Championship was decided in Abu Dhabi. Sebastian Vettel won the race again. He also became the world champion that year.
The 2011 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was the second-to-last race of the 2011 season. It took place from November 11 to 13. Lewis Hamilton won this race in his McLaren-Mercedes car. Fernando Alonso came in second for Ferrari. Jenson Button finished third in another McLaren-Mercedes. Sebastian Vettel started from the very front. But he had to stop racing early. This happened after a tire problem on the first lap.
In 2012, Sebastian Vettel finished third. He started the race from the pitlane. This was because his car did not have enough fuel after qualifying. His main rival, Fernando Alonso, finished second. The winner was Kimi Räikkönen. This was Kimi's first win since he came back to Formula One in 2012.
The 2013 race was won by Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing for the third time. Vettel led every single lap of the race. Red Bull Racing had already won the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships. They celebrated their wins in Abu Dhabi.
The Hybrid Engine Era (2014–2021)
The 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was on November 23. It was the final race of the 2014 season. This race gave double points to the drivers. Lewis Hamilton won the race. This win helped him secure his second Drivers' Championship.
The 2015 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was held on November 29, 2015. Nico Rosberg won this race. It was his third win in a row. Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Räikkönen also finished on the podium.
The 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was on November 27, 2016. Lewis Hamilton won again. This was his fourth win in a row. Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel were also on the podium. Rosberg won his only Drivers' Championship at this race.
The 2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was held on November 26, 2017. Valtteri Bottas won this race. Lewis Hamilton came in second. Sebastian Vettel finished third.
The 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was on November 25, 2018. Lewis Hamilton won this race. Sebastian Vettel was second. Max Verstappen finished third.
The 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was held on December 1, 2019. Six-time champion Lewis Hamilton won the race. Max Verstappen was second. Charles Leclerc finished third. Hamilton achieved a "Grand Slam" in this race. This means he started from the front, led every lap, and won the race.
The 2020 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was moved to December 13. This was because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Max Verstappen won this race. Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton finished second and third.
On December 9, 2021, a new agreement was signed. This means Abu Dhabi will host the final F1 race of the season until 2030. The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was held on December 12, 2021. Max Verstappen won his first World Drivers' Championship at this race. He finished first, with Lewis Hamilton second, and Carlos Sainz Jr. third. Mercedes team won their eighth team championship in a row. Red Bull Racing was second. There was some discussion about how the safety car was handled in the final lap of the race. The FIA, the sport's governing body, looked into it. They decided that while a rule was not followed exactly, the race result was still valid. They also changed the race director for future seasons.
The Ground Effect Era (2022–Present)
The 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was held on November 20, 2022. Max Verstappen won this race. Charles Leclerc finished second. Sergio Pérez came in third.
The 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was held on November 26, 2023. Verstappen won again. Leclerc was second, and George Russell was third. By this time, Verstappen had already won the Drivers' Championship. His team, Red Bull Racing, had also won the Constructors' Championship. By winning this Grand Prix, Verstappen became the first driver to lead one thousand laps in a single season. He was also the only driver to finish every racing lap in the 2023 season.
The Yas Marina Circuit
The Yas Marina Circuit was designed by Hermann Tilke. It is on Yas Island, a large island near Abu Dhabi. The 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was the first big event held at this track.
In June 2021, some changes were made to the track. These changes were finished in time for the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Some sharp turns were replaced with a wider, single turn. A tricky set of corners was changed into one long, sweeping curve. Other turns were made wider. This allows cars to go faster through those parts of the track.
Gallery
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The main straight
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Turn 7 (2009–2021), Turn 5 (2021–present)
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Grand Prix Circuit (2009–2021)
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Differences between the 2009 and 2021 layouts
Race Winners
Drivers with Multiple Wins
Drivers in bold are still racing in Formula One today.
| Wins | Driver | Years won |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Lewis Hamilton |
2011, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019 |
| 4 |  Max Verstappen |
2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 |
| 3 |  Sebastian Vettel |
2009, 2010, 2013 |
| Source: | ||
Teams with Multiple Wins
Teams in bold are still racing in Formula One today.
| Wins | Constructor | Years won |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Red Bull Racing |
2009, 2010, 2013, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 |
| 6 | Mercedes |
2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 |
| 2 | McLaren |
2011, 2024 |
| Source: | ||
Engine Manufacturers with Multiple Wins
Manufacturers in bold are still making engines for Formula One today.
| Wins | Manufacturer | Years won |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Mercedes |
2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2024 |
| 4 |  Renault |
2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 |
| 2 |  Honda |
2020, 2021 |
| Source: | ||
Winners by Year
| Year | Driver | Constructor | Report |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Sebastian Vettel |
Red Bull Racing-Renault | Report |
| 2010 | Sebastian Vettel |
Red Bull Racing-Renault | Report |
| 2011 | Lewis Hamilton |
McLaren-Mercedes | Report |
| 2012 |  Kimi Räikkönen |
Lotus-Renault | Report |
| 2013 | Sebastian Vettel |
Red Bull Racing-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 |
| 2021 | Max Verstappen |
Red Bull Racing-Honda | Report |
| 2022 | Max Verstappen |
Red Bull Racing-RBPT | Report |
| 2023 | Max Verstappen |
Red Bull Racing-Honda RBPT | Report |
| 2024 | Lando Norris |
McLaren-Mercedes | Report |
| Source: | |||
See also
In Spanish: Gran Premio de Abu Dabi para niños
