Get up to speed with the list of previous winners and fastest lap holders ahead of the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
After a disappointing yet funny Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the new Jeddah Corniche Circuit, it is time for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Yas Marina Circuit will feature the final race of the 2021 Formula 1 season which will decide the winner.
F1 2021: Max Verstappen vs Lewis Hamilton Down To The Last Race Of The Formula 1 Season
Both the Championship protagonists Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are level on points and we are back where we once began, to square one. It was a scintillating battle at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit between Red Bull and Mercedes, with Mercedes enjoying an upper hand in the Saturday Qualifying.
The Silver Arrows began from the front of the grid and were comfortably pacing ahead before the crash of Mick Schumacher. The rear suspension of his Haas became exposed in the crash and damaged the crash guards of the circuit.
The yellow flag was quickly turned red by race director Michael Massi who thought that the conditions were inappropriate. Meanwhile, where everybody was pitting for the change of tires, Red Bull gambled and kept Max out hoping for the session to be red-flagged.
Their gamble paid off and the race was red-flagged which meant that Verstappen could change for the brand new fresh tires. Therefore, the momentum shifted towards Red Bull resulting in Verstappen leading the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton Moves Level On Points After Winning The Saudi Arabian GP 2021
The race began on lap 15 where Lewis got a better start and took the lead of the race going into the first chicane. Meanwhile, Verstappen went off the track and took the lead of the race and disrupting Lewis Hamilton’s progress.
On the restart, mayhem took place on the circuit where Perez crashed into Leclerc which resulted in the DNF of the Mexican. The race was again red-flagged and drivers were escorted into the pit lane for the restart.
Meanwhile, Verstappen was punished for taking the position off the track and was pushed behind Hamilton before the restart. However, Verstappen got off the mark quickly from the third position and took the lead of the race.
Therefore, Hamilton had a monumental task lying ahead of him to regain the lead from Verstappen which he managed to do in the latter stages. Hamilton rolled his sleeves up and tried to take over the Dutchman who defended like a champion but went off the track. Subsequently, he was ordered to give the place back to Lewis Hamilton on lap 38 but the Dutchman tricked Hamilton into brake testing. As a result, Hamilton crashed into the back of the Red Bull and damaged his front wing.
Meanwhile, Verstappen accelerated quickly after the contact and kept on increasing the lead which he eventually had to give up in the latter stages of the race. Hamilton took the lead and scooted ahead to win the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. To sum up the race, it was total chaos at the fastest street circuit.
It will be interesting to see what happens at the Yas Marina Circuit on the final day of the season.
F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021: List Of All The Previous Winners And Fastest Lap Holders
| YEAR | WINNER | RUNNER UP | THIRD PLACE | FASTEST LAP |
| 2020 | Max Verstappen | Valtteri Bottas | Valtteri Bottas | Daniel Ricciardo |
| 2019 | Lewis Hamilton | Max Verstappen | Charles Leclerc | Lewis Hamilton |
| 2018 | Lewis Hamilton | Sebastian Vettel | Max Verstappen | Sebastian Vettel |
| 2017 | Valtteri Bottas | Lewis Hamilton | Sebastian Vettel | Valtteri Bottas |
| 2016 | Lewis Hamilton | Nico Rosberg | Sebastian Vettel | Sebastian Vettel |
| 2015 | Nico Rosberg | Lewis Hamilton | Kimi Raikkonen | Lewis Hamilton |
| 2014 | Lewis Hamilton | Felipe Massa | Valtteri Bottas | Daniel Ricciardo |
| 2013 | Sebastian Vettel | Mark Webber | Nico Rosberg | Fernando Alonso |
| 2012 | Kimi Raikkonen | Fernando Alonso | Sebastian Vettel | Sebastian Vettel |
| 2011 | Lewis Hamilton | Fernando Alonso | Jenson Button | Mark Webber |
| 2010 | Sebastian Vettel | Lewis Hamilton | Jenson Button | Lewis Hamilton |
| 2009 | Sebastian Vettel | Mark Webber | Jenson Button | Sebastian Vettel |