Who slept worst final evening: The F1 fan

I believe we had been all trying ahead to an epic finale. Three drivers – Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri – all nonetheless within the Components 1 title hunt. We have not had that in 15 years!

For Components 1, it was the right likelihood to current itself as thrilling and dramatic to a world viewers, as a result of certainly loads of folks tuned in who usually wouldn’t trouble switching on the TV.

Even at our place we had guests who dropped by for these two hours on Sunday – individuals who normally comply with races solely via our reside ticker as a result of they don’t pay for F1’s protection, however who didn’t need to miss the prospect of a terrific three-way title combat on display screen.

However what we received was – given the circumstances – an actual snoozer. And actually, trying on the calendar, that was apparent beforehand: Abu Dhabi.

The observe might look glamorous, with the lodge and yachts giving the collection the shine it craves, however from a sporting perspective it’s the primary race I’d drop.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren

Photograph by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Photographs by way of Getty Photographs

The truth is, it was clear from the beginning that Verstappen would win. Have you learnt who the final driver was to win at Yas Marina with out ranging from pole? Let me let you know: Nico Rosberg. That was in 2014!

Eleven straight wins from pole – not even Monaco is that unhealthy.

Just a few years in the past, we did a observe rating within the newsroom. Every F1 editor needed to checklist all 24 races from 1 to 24 – one level for the worst observe, 24 for the very best.

Abu Dhabi ended up twenty second with 28 factors from seven editors – simply forward of Bahrain (27) and Qatar (18). Although that was primarily because of the ten factors our Germany editor-in-chief Christian Nimmervoll gave it (maybe after one glass of wine too many – he’ll forgive the joke).

For greater than half of us, it was one of many two worst tracks. I gave it the one pity level.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing

Photograph by: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Photographs by way of Getty Photographs

So sure, I admit I’m biased relating to Abu Dhabi. However Sunday’s title decider solely confirmed my view. Within the newsroom all of us agreed: had it not been for a touch of pressure due to the championship state of affairs, the grand prix would’ve been a powerful contender for probably the most boring race of the yr.

Verstappen’s win was by no means unsure, and I additionally by no means really feared for Norris’ title. Merely put, too little occurs on this asphalt enviornment. The observe is vast sufficient for what looks like ten automobiles, and when you run vast you simply drive via the paved runoff.

Proof: all 20 automobiles completed with out bother.

In fact, Abu Dhabi has had good races – 2010 springs to thoughts, when Sebastian Vettel surprisingly gained the title in the newest finale with greater than two contenders. Or 2012, when Vettel produced a wild comeback and Kimi Raikkonen needed to be left alone.

However that was a very long time in the past.

Did Nicholas Latifi make or break the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP?

Photograph by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Photographs

Sure, we bear in mind the title deciders of 2016, when Lewis Hamilton backed up Rosberg, and 2021. However let’s be sincere: even 2021 was utterly boring till Nicholas Latifi put his Williams into the barrier. What folks bear in mind are the safety-car part and the ultimate lap.

The 2025 F1 finale didn’t even have that, and it’ll hardly go down as a traditional, although the beginning state of affairs with three title contenders couldn’t have been significantly better. And I concern it’ll keep this fashion for years, as a result of Abu Dhabi will host the season finale till at the very least 2030.

A disgrace, as a result of there are much better venues in sporting phrases. However as of late, in “sport” (or ought to we name it enterprise), totally different values matter.

There have been, nevertheless, different candidates who may fairly have had a stressed evening: naturally the 2 title losers, Verstappen and Piastri.

However neither of them seemed like they’d lose any sleep – although neither is aware of if he’ll get one other likelihood subsequent yr. Piastri certainly knew his possibilities had been slim, and Verstappen sleeps soundly anyway along with his 4 titles.

Yuki Tsunoda's last race with Red Bull was a flop

Yuki Tsunoda’s final race with Pink Bull was a flop

Photograph by: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Photographs by way of Getty Photographs

Yuki Tsunoda would’ve been an excellent choose too. He’s the one driver who gained’t be on the grid subsequent yr. P14 made his ultimate race a flop, and he couldn’t assist Verstappen both, regardless of boldly asserting over the radio: “I do know what to do. Go away it to me.”

He couldn’t maintain up Norris, and as a substitute received a penalty for an unlawful change of path – one even his staff admitted afterwards was excessive.

He didn’t need to settle for the penalty, and on Saturday he was satisfied he hadn’t exceeded observe limits in qualifying. He had. All in all, not a contented farewell.

And that’s additionally true for Components 1 in the present day. I really feel sorry for my visitors that their ultimate impression earlier than the winter break is an Abu Dhabi finale that promised lots however delivered little.

I actually doubt the race supplied any good cause for them to get a Sky subscription subsequent yr. And that ought to concern Components 1.

Photographs from Abu Dhabi GP – Race

Lando Norris, McLaren