Who’s hot and who’s not around the United Arab Emirates’ Yas Marina Circuit? Motorsport Week takes a look at the form guide for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Wins
It has been a decade since Formula 1 embarked on its maiden voyage to the Yas Marina Circuit and the venue has since established itself as the location for the championship’s season finale.
Unsurprisingly, given their dominance across the last decade, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have been the standout drivers at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Hamilton has claimed four victories (2011, 2014, 2016 and 2018) while Vettel was triumphant on three occasions (2009, 2010, 2013) during his spell with Red Bull.
Of the current representatives on the grid Kimi Raikkonen knew what he was doing en route to the win in 2012, while Valtteri Bottas capped the 2017 campaign on the top step of the podium.
Formula 1’s top two teams have contrasting fortunes in Abu Dhabi.
Mercedes has yet to taste defeat in the hybrid era – currently on a five-race streak – while Ferrari has failed to take a win in the 10-year history of the event.
Pole positions
Hamilton leads the pack once more, having set the quickest time at Yas Marina in 2009, 2012, 2016 and 2018.
Vettel is the only other multiple pole-sitter on the grid though the most recent of his Saturday successes at the venue came in 2011.
Bottas beat team-mate Hamilton to top spot in 2017, the only time he has started from pole position in Abu Dhabi.
Podiums
Two drivers have mounted Yas Marina’s podium seven times each in 10 attempts – no prizes for guessing who they are.
Hamilton was runner-up in 2010, 2015 and 2017, while Vettel surged from the pit lane to third in 2012, replicated the position in 2016 and 2017, and last year was second to race winner Hamilton.
Raikkonen took home third from the 2015 race, to go with his 2012 win, while Bottas finished behind Hamilton and Williams team-mate Felipe Massa in the 2014 double points race.
Max Verstappen brought Red Bull’s barren Yas Marina trophy run to an end 12 months ago when he classified in third place.
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