Formula 1 statistics, facts and figures for 2023 Abu Dhabi GP | Yas Marina key track data and F1 records. A look at the key Formula 1 statistics, facts and figures for the Abu Dhabi GP.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Facts

Circuit Name	Yas Marina Circuit
Race first held	2009
Track Length	5.281km (16 turns)
Race Distance	306.183km (58 laps)
Lap Record	1:26.103, Max Verstappen (Red Bull), 2021
2022 Result	1st Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1:27:45.914
	2nd Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +8.771s
	3rd Sergio Perez (Red Bull) +10.093s

Grand Prix info

 

Wins by grid position

The Yas Marina Circuit, designed by the renowned architect Hermann Tilke, is an integral part of the extensive Yas Island development, a multi-billion-dollar project that encompasses a marina, the thrilling Ferrari World theme park, Yas Water World, and the impressive Du Arena concert venue. Additionally, the island boasts state-of-the-art shopping centers, world-class golf courses, and luxurious hotels. In preparation for the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the circuit underwent modifications aimed at enhancing overtaking opportunities.

Back in late 2014, the event organizers secured a fresh multi-year agreement, ensuring Abu Dhabi’s place on the Formula 1 calendar for the foreseeable future, although specific contract details remained undisclosed. Notably, in 2021, the contract was extended, locking in the race until 2030.

With an approximate capacity for 60,000 spectators, tickets for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix tend to sell out, even though it stands as one of the most expensive races to attend on the current F1 calendar. In 2022, extra grandstand seating was introduced, and the weekend saw a total attendance figure of 160,000, marking an increase of 7,000 from the previous year.

The Yas Marina Circuit features an advanced track design, offering six different configurations suitable for various racing series. Among its unique attributes is the pit-lane exit incorporating a tunnel, and the Yas Viceroy Hotel gracefully spanning the circuit between turns 18 and 19.

Abu Dhabi holds the distinction of being the only current Formula 1 race named after its host city rather than its host country. It was later joined by both the Mexico City Grand Prix and the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in 2021.

Drivers at Yas Marina unleash their full power for approximately 69% of a lap, including a thrilling 14-second dash on the back straight, which stands as one of the longest straights in Formula 1. On average, drivers execute 68 gear changes per lap or a remarkable total of 3,740 gear changes over the full 55-lap race distance.

The Yas Marina Circuit, boasting a grandstand capacity of 60,000, annually draws in more than 125,000 enthusiastic spectators throughout the race weekend. It achieved a significant milestone in 2009 by becoming the inaugural twilight race in Formula One.

Lewis Hamilton stands as the most successful driver at this circuit, clinching victory on five occasions. Among the six previous winners of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, three are absent from the 2022 grid: Nico Rosberg, Kimi Raikkonen, and Sebastian Vettel. Alongside Hamilton’s impressive tally, Max Verstappen has triumphed three times, while Valtteri Bottas has celebrated a solitary win.

The narrowest victory margin recorded here was Lewis Hamilton’s strategic triumph in 2016, where he clinched the win by a mere 0.439 seconds, but lost the title against his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg.

Across the 14 races held at this circuit, the average winning margin for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix stands at 9.264 seconds.

Among the drivers on the 2023 grid, seven have previously graced the Yas Marina Circuit podium. Lewis Hamilton boasts an unmatched record of ten podium finishes, while Max Verstappen has secured a spot on the podium five times. Valtteri Bottas has achieved three top-three finishes, with Fernando Alonso making two podium appearances. Additionally, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, and Sergio Perez each achieved their maiden Abu Dhabi podium finishes in 2019, 2021, and 2022, respectively.

The widest performance gap between the slowest and fastest cars during qualifying was recorded in 2015, with an impressive 7.197 seconds difference. This stark contrast emerged when Nico Rosberg’s pole time outpaced Roberto Mehri’s time, who secured the last spot on the grid.

Over the 14 Abu Dhabi Grands Prix held at the Yas Marina Circuit to date, the average pole margin has stood at 0.252 seconds.