On December 12th all eyes will be on Yas Marina Circuit, not because of hosting 2021 season finale. But both Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are level on points at 369.5 each, nobody thought that after 21 races into the season both rivals will be at equal points.
So the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will decide the winner of both 2021 Formula One Drivers and Constructors World Championship for the first time in turbo hybrid era.
In 2009 Yas Marina track debuted as that year’s Formula 1 season finale, with Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel winning from team mate Mark Webber and the already-crowned 2009 champion Jenson Button. Vettel would go on to secure his first title in Abu Dhabi a year later, amid much crying.
Track modifications for 2021
After a immense criticism during 2020 race, the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is expected to see the circuit go through multiple changes. The turn 5/6 chicane is due to be removed and the turn 7 hairpin is due to be widened.
Turns 11–14 are due to be replaced by one banked curve and the radius of turns 17–20 are due to be increased, to allow cars to carry more speed, changes to turn 20 are due to allow cars to travel flat out through the corner. Track modifications ahead of the 2021 race, shortening the lap slightly to 5.28km, have only added to its excitement.
What History says ?
Red Bull and Sebastian won their first ever Formula One Championship at this venue. But Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes have dominated lately with most wins by a driver and constructor. Lewis won five times, while Mercedes won six times.
Red Bull is not too far behind them, The Milton Keynes team won four times (Sebastian Vettel won three races with Red Bull) including dominate win by Max Verstappen last year. The Dutchman took Pole and won the race by more than 15 seconds margin over Valtteri Bottas in 2020. Lewis Hamilton comes home in P3, +18.415s behind race winner.
2021 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix session timings in different time zones
| Session | GMT | Track time | CEST | ET | PT | AEST | JST | IST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FP1 | 10:30 | 13:30 | 11:30 | 04:30 | 01:30 | 20:00 | 18:00 | 15:00 |
| FP2 | 14:00 | 17:00 | 15:00 | 08:00 | 05:00 | 23:30 | 21:30 | 18:30 |
| FP3 | 11:00 | 14:00 | 12:00 | 05:00 | 02:00 | 20:30 | 18:30 | 15:30 |
| Qualifying | 14:00 | 17:00 | 15:00 | 08:00 | 05:00 | 23:30 | 21:30 | 18:30 |
| Race | 14:00 | 17:00 | 15:00 | 08:00 | 05:00 | 23:30 | 21:30 | 18:30 |
The 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix TV Channel availability
In the UK, pay-TV broadcaster Sky Sports will show the entire race weekend, from FP1 to the race, on its dedicated Sky Sports F1 channel. While ESPN network will show the entire race weekend in United States.
F1 TV Pro viewers can watch all the live action from Sochi Please check to see if F1 TV Pro is available in your country.
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