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Lewis Hamilton & Max Verstappen in title-deciding drama
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Nico Rosberg clinches his first-ever World Championship
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Lewis Hamilton waves goodbye to Mercedes after a record-breaking run
So often the place for World Championship drama, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has countless memorable F1 moments, and Ladbrokes is revisiting the very best of them.
From one of Formula One’s most controversial races to the end of a record-breaking era, the Yas Marina Circuit is no stranger to headline-hitting weekends – so read on for four of our greatest F1 moments from the Abu Dhabi GP.
Memorable F1 moments from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Max Verstappen vs Lewis Hamilton (2021)
Where else could we possibly start? The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is arguably the most memorable F1 race in recent history, with Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton taking each other on in a hugely controversial winner-takes-all final lap at the Yas Marina Circuit.
We go into proper detail in our look at the greatest F1 World Championship deciders of all time, but with safety car drama, unforgettable overtaking and a new world champion, the final race of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix really did have it all. It was Verstappen who came out on top, ending Hamilton’s hopes of a record-breaking eighth world title with a monstrous performance, and as far as memorable F1 moments go, this one is right at the very top.
Nico Rosberg wins the World Championship (2016)
From one F1 World Championship winner to another, 2016 saw Nico Rosberg clinch his one and only world title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, finishing in second place to pip Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton to top spot in the Drivers’ Standings by just five points.
Hamilton did what he could to win a third consecutive Championship, taking the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi and ending the season in style, but Rosberg’s second-place finish broke the Brit’s streak. A crucial overtake on Max Verstappen in the middle of the race saw Rosberg snatch second from the young Dutchman, and he stayed there to add his name to the exclusive list of Formula One world champions – before retiring from the sport five days later.
Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri’s opening-lap collision (2024)
The 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix perhaps didn’t have the drama of other races at the Yas Marina Circuit, with Max Verstappen already having won a fourth world title in a row, but that didn’t stop the four-time world champion from getting caught up in an opening-lap collision with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
A good start from Piastri on the front row was matched by an excellent one by Verstappen in P4, with the Red Bull attempting to make a move on the very first corner of the race. Verstappen took the inside line, but was squeezed out slightly by the McLaren of his Aussie opponent, with contact ultimately sending both cars into a synchronised 180-degree spin. Both drivers recovered to climb into the points, with Verstappen finishing sixth and Piastri coming 10th, but were perhaps a touch fortunate not to have felt more severe consequences from their opening-lap mayhem.
Lewis Hamilton bids farewell to Mercedes (2024)
Rounding off our look at the most memorable F1 moments from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, we have the end of an era, with Lewis Hamilton’s final race in the colours of Mercedes. After six world titles, countless records, and a Mercedes career that propelled him right up with the sporting greats, one last race around the Yas Marina Circuit saw Hamilton bid farewell to the team – before making the leap to Ferrari for the following season.
The racing icon came home in fourth on his final Mercedes outing, narrowly missing out on a dream podium, being pipped to third by his future Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc. An emotional day for Hamilton and his team wrapped up a record-breaking stint, and while it may not have had the fairytale finish, it takes its rightful place in our top four memorable moments.
When is the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix begins with Practice on December 5, before the race takes place on December 7, 2025, at 13:00 GMT.
Can I bet on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?
Ladbrokes is giving customers the chance to bet on a number of markets for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, including race winner, fastest lap, and winning car.
