Will Hamilton (right) be able to break Schumacher's (left) record?
As Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes takes the championship to a sunset showdown, here’s what you should expect from the season’s final race in Abu Dhabi.
1. Construction of the Yas Marina Circuit started in May 2007 and the project was completed by October 2009. The circuit hosted that year’s Formula 1 season finale. Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel won the race beating Jenson Button who had already won the 2009 championship.
2. The track was designed by German engineer and circuit designer Hermann Tilke. It is dominated by a 1.2 km straight between turns 7 and 8 which, with slow-speed corners marking its beginning and end, makes it great for overtaking moves.
3. Race drivers will have to manage a tricky run through turns 15 and 16 into 17, which forces the them to brake hard with bags of lateral load still on the car.
Frenchman Esteban Ocon will replace Nico Hulkenberg in a Renault and join Daniel Ricciardo for F1 2020. 4. The 2019 drivers’ and constructors’ titles have wrapped up thanks to Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes. But Max Verstappen in Red Bull Racing Honda will race to secure the third position this weekend with Charles Leclerc on Ferrari in the rear-view mirror.
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5. After the Brazilian Grand Prix collision between Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc, the duo was summoned to Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters to prevent any recurrence of the incident. However, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix may also spring some drama and there may be some fi reworks as well.
6. For Hamilton, it will be a race with the record book in his quest to beat Michael Schumacher, who won seven world titles and 91 Grand Prix. The Briton now has six titles and 83 career victories.
7. Frenchman Esteban Ocon will replace Nico Hulkenberg in a Renault and join Daniel Ricciardo for F1 2020. Ocon spent 2019 on the sidelines as Mercedes’s third and reserve driver.
Chinese Grand Prix, Narain Karthikeyan’s 2005 Debut And Other F1 Milestones To Remember
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Aged 44, Dr Giuseppe Farina won the inaugural F1 season in an Alfa Romeo car. Incidentally, Farina, who held a doctorate in political science, died in a car crash in 1966.
Aged 44, Dr Giuseppe Farina won the inaugural F1 season in an Alfa Romeo car. Incidentally, Farina, who held a doctorate in political science, died in a car crash in 1966.
Bruce McLaren took the wheel with the eponymous car, which made its F1 debut at the Monaco Grand Prix. The New Zealand born race-car designer is credited with laying the foundation of one of the most successful franchises in F1 history.
Bruce McLaren took the wheel with the eponymous car, which made its F1 debut at the Monaco Grand Prix. The New Zealand born race-car designer is credited with laying the foundation of one of the most..
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Jochen Rindt became F1’s only posthumous champion when his car crashed during a practice run at the Italian Grand Prix. Rindt had established an unassailable lead before his untimely passing.
Jochen Rindt became F1’s only posthumous champion when his car crashed during a practice run at the Italian Grand Prix. Rindt had established an unassailable lead before his untimely passing.
Ferrari’s Niki Lauda made a surprise recovery following an accident at the German Grand Prix. A priest performed the last rites after Lauda was hospitalised with severe burns. However, the Austrian returned to the cockpit in six weeks, even managing to give James Hunt a close chase for the championship.
Ferrari’s Niki Lauda made a surprise recovery following an accident at the German Grand Prix. A priest performed the last rites after Lauda was hospitalised with severe burns. However, the Austrian r..
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Bernie Ecclestone, credited with commercialising the sport, took charge as the chief executive of the Formula One Constructor’s Association. The year also marked the entry of Williams Engineering to the F1 fold.
Bernie Ecclestone, credited with commercialising the sport, took charge as the chief executive of the Formula One Constructor’s Association. The year also marked the entry of Williams Engineering to ..
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In his rookie season, Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna nearly staged an upset at the Monaco Grand Prix by upstaging fancied drivers like Alain Prost, Niki Lauda and Keke Rosberg. Senna, who started in 13th position, managed to pass polesitter Prost in the latter stages, but was unfortunate to finish second as track officials brought the race to a premature end on account of inclement weather.
In his rookie season, Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna nearly staged an upset at the Monaco Grand Prix by upstaging fancied drivers like Alain Prost, Niki Lauda and Keke Rosberg. Senna, who started in 1..
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Senna’s stature grew by leaps and bounds in subsequent years, and by 1989-90, his rivalry with Alain Prost was the stuff of legend. They were teammates at McLaren and for two consecutive seasons ending 1990, the seasondeciding race at Suzuka, Japan, witnessed collisions between the two rivals.
Senna’s stature grew by leaps and bounds in subsequent years, and by 1989-90, his rivalry with Alain Prost was the stuff of legend. They were teammates at McLaren and for two consecutive seasons endi..
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Rhinelandborn Michael Schumacher made his debut for Jordan-Ford at the Belgian Grand Prix. He qualified seventh-fastest but had to retire without completing even one lap owing to a clutch failure.
Rhinelandborn Michael Schumacher made his debut for Jordan-Ford at the Belgian Grand Prix. He qualified seventh-fastest but had to retire without completing even one lap owing to a clutch failure.
Schumacher won his first championship in a year marred by two fatalities. Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger succumbed to injuries sustained in two separate accidents at the San Marino Grand Prix.
Schumacher won his first championship in a year marred by two fatalities. Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger succumbed to injuries sustained in two separate accidents at the San Marino Grand Prix.
Schumacher collided with Jacques Villeneuve in an aggressive maneuver deemed deliberate by officials. The German was penalized all the championship points he had accumulated that season.
Schumacher collided with Jacques Villeneuve in an aggressive maneuver deemed deliberate by officials. The German was penalized all the championship points he had accumulated that season.
