When was the first Abu Dhabi GP held?

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The 14th edition of the Abu Dhabi GP is set to take place this weekend from November 18-20

F1 action moves from Brazil to Abu Dhabi this weekend for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina circuit. This is the final race of the season and is scheduled to take place from November 18-20. The drivers’ and Constructors’ titles have already been decided but there’s still a lot at stake as we head out to the Middle East! Do you know when it was held for the first time?

2021 Abu Dhabi GP
Abu Dhabi GP (F1)

The first edition of the Abu Dhabi GP was held in 2009. It was Formula One’s first-ever day-night race and took place at the Yas Marina Circuit – the permanent home of the Abu Dhabi GP at least until 2030.

The Yas Marina Circuit is an FIA Grade 1 circuit with a maximum crowd capacity of 60,000, on the Yas Island in United Arab Emirates. The circuit has hosted all the Abu Dhabi GP races since 2009. It has sixteen corners and several straights and passes by the marina and through the Yas Hotel Abu Dhabi. The circuit has five grandstand areas – Main Grandstand, West Grandstand, North Grandstand, South Grandstand, and Marina Grandstand.

Who are the most successful drivers in the history of Abu Dhabi GP?

Lewis Hamilton is the most successful driver in the history of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, having won a record five races at this circuit. Mercedes are the most successful constructor, having registered six wins in this GP. Max Verstappen’s lap timing of 1:26.103, while driving a Red Bull RB16B in the 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is the official race lap record at this GP.

United States GP Most Wins
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 12: Second placed Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 12, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Kamran Jebreili – Pool/Getty Images)

Besides Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen are the only other drivers in the current grid to have tasted success at this GP. Vettel has won it thrice – 2009, 2010 and 2013 while Verstappen has won it twice – 2020 and 2021.

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