The exciting 2010 Formula 1 season comes to a close in the sunset of Abu Dhabi. Four drivers, one with an outside chance, come to the track in hopes of becoming this years champion. This season has seen many points leader changes, devastating race ending crashes, rules controversy, and in team rivalries that culminate on the Yas Marina circuit.
Formula 1 first came to Abu Dhabi in 2007 in the guise of the first ever Formula One Festival. Announced in January 2007, the event which took place on 3 February 2007 was free, and the largest gathering of current Formula One cars and drivers outside of a Grand Prix. At the festival it was announced that Abu Dhabi had won the rights to host a Grand Prix from 2009 until 2016. Later that year, Etihad Airways negotiated a three-year deal for them to become sponsors of the Grand Prix.
For the 2009 Formula One 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 1700 local time (1300 UTC), and that the race would be floodlit. The inaugural race was won by Sebastian Vettel for Red Bull Racing.
The Yas Marina Circuit is located on Yas Island a 2,550 hectares (25.5 km2) island on the east coast of Abu Dhabi and the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was the first major event to take place on the circuit.
Onboard Lap
Onboard lap of the Yas Marina Circuit courtesy of Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso.
Take a closer look here.
Fastest Lap
Sebastian Vettel - Red Bull-Renault - 1:40.279
Most Wins
Sebastian Vettel - 1
Most Wins for Constructor
Red Bull-Renault - 1
Highlights from Previous Years
Highlights from the 2009 Abu Dhabi GP.
Previous Winners
Drivers Championship Standings
Constructors Championship Standings
*Red Bull-Renault have been crowned 2010 Constructors World Champions as of the Brazilian Grand Prix
NeoGAF Championship Standings
Last Minute News
Friday Analysis - What do Red Bull have in reserve?
Mark Webber Q & A: I want to get the job done
Title permutations - Who must do what in order to become champion?
Fernando Alonso backs Lewis Hamilton for pole
Red Bull rule out team orders in F1 title decider
Russian supercar firm Marussia takes over Virgin Racing
Lotus to race in black and gold in F1 for 2011
Sauber pair unhappy with pace
Heidfeld in talks over Renault drive