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The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit will host the final race of the 2018 Formula One season. Despite the drivers' championship and the constructors' championship having already been decided, there are still a couple of things that need to be settled in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which will be held on 25 November 2018.
In its nine-year history, the track has played host to some spectacular races that have given Formula One fans around the globe truly memorable moments. Let us take a trip down memory lane and look closely at the five most memorable moments from the Yas Marina Circuit.
#5 The inaugural race
The inaugural Grand Prix at Abu Dhabi in 2009 holds a special place in the hearts of most racing fans. Since that moment, the venue has witnessed some of the best races during the closing stages of the F1 season, thanks to its dynamic race conditions.
The race at the Yas Marina Circuit in 2009 was also the first day-night Grand Prix of Formula One, with the race starting well past five in the evening. Furthermore, this was the last race of the BMW Sauber and Toyota teams.
#4 Nico Rosberg's lucky escape
When Nico Rosberg escaped unhurt from a horrific crash at the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, it elicited a sigh of relief from all racing fans around the globe.
Driving for Mercedes, the German driver was in the process of overtaking the lapped Narayan Karthikeyan on lap 8. But the latter's car suffered from a hydraulic failure that forced Rosberg to crash into the back of the Indian driver's car before being launched into the barrier, sending debris all over the track.
Considering the scale of damage that seen, it was a miracle that both the drivers emerged unharmed from the incident.
#3 Raikkonen's win in 2012
Kimi Raikkonen returned to Formula One in 2012, three years after leaving the sport in 2009. Driving for Lotus, the Finn's comeback season in F1 received much criticism, with many questioning his racing abilities in the pinnacle of motorsport racing.
Raikkonen's brilliant win in the penultimate race of the 2012 season changed all that, as he showed the world that he still had what it takes to win in Formula One.
The Finn started the race from the fourth place, finishing less than 0.04 seconds behind Williams' Pastor Maldonado in Q3. But he had a dream start to the race as he moved to the second place at the end of lap one.
Raikkonen continued to apply pressure on race leader Lewis Hamilton during the initial stages of the race. He claimed the lead after the Birton was forced to retire due to a mechanical issue.
From that moment on, Raikkonen used all his experience to control the race pace and secure a memorable win.
Interestingly, at one point during the race, the Finn told his engineer over a radio transmission, "Just leave me alone, I know what I’m doing."
#2 Rosberg winning the drivers' championship in 2016
Yas Marina Circut hosted the final round of the 2016 Formula One season, during which the world champion had to be decided.
Nico Rosberg, who won the race at Abu Dhabi in 2015, headed into the Grand Prix with a 12-point lead over his teammate Lewis Hamilton. The Briton needed to at least secure a podium to claim the championship, while Rosberg had the luxury of winning the title if he stayed close to Hamilton throughout the duration of the race.
Determined to win yet another title, the Briton stormed to the pole position, setting a lap time that was 0.3 seconds quicker than Rosberg.
Hamilton started the race strong and held the top spot during the initial stages of the race. But a cautious Rosberg held his nerve, especially during the latter stages of the race, when he faced increased threats from Verstappen and Vettel, to finish the race in second place behind his teammate.
The podium finished ensured that the German would claim his maiden Formula One Championship title. Rosberg subsequently announced his retirement from the sport, almost a week after the end of the 2016 Formula One season.
#1 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
The entire 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was a memorable affair that Formula One fans would cherish for a very long time.
The final race of the 2010 Formula One season featured four drivers who stood a chance to claim the drivers' championship. Heading into the race, Fernando Alonso led the championship table followed by Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel. Lewis Hamilton, who was in the fourth place in the championship standings, still had a mathematical chance to clinch the title.
Vettel started the race from pole position with Hamilton alongside him on the front row of the grid. Alonso and Webber couldn't match Vettel's pace and started the race from the third and fifth place respectively.
Good starts for the German and the Briton allowed them to get away cleanly during the opening stages of the race, while Alonso struggled on the opening lap with a slow start.
Vettel was in command for most of the race as Webber's and Alonso's title chances evaporated when both the drivers had to pit for a change of tyres due to their collisions with the barriers.
Driving for the Red Bull, the German held his ground and cruised to his second consecutive Formula One title. Hamilton finished second, Alonso finished seventh while Webber finished the race in the eighth place.
