At the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel astounded fans by finishing third despite beginning the race from the pit lane, a feat that led Lewis Hamilton to label him the “luckiest driver” in Formula 1. The dramatic race unfolded at the Yas Marina Circuit, where Vettel’s car was found under-fueled after qualifying, forcing the Red Bull team to start him last and make changes before the lights went out.
During the 55-lap contest, Vettel suffered early damage to his front wing amid tight battles involving several drivers, including Nico Hulkenberg and Bruno Senna. Despite this setback, he stayed on track with the compromised car until he was forced into the pits on lap 14 to replace the front wing and tires. His skillful performance following the repair allowed him to claw his way back into contention for a podium spot.
Race Incidents Shaping Vettel’s Comeback
On lap 9, a collision between Nico Rosberg and Narain Karthikeyan briefly closed gaps within the pack, presenting Vettel an opportunity to catch up. However, behind the safety car, Vettel lost momentum and further damaged his front wing after clipping a trackside marker while avoiding Daniel Ricciardo’s erratic driving.
This second wing damage led to his pit stop on lap 14, after which Vettel pushed aggressively, navigating the field to reach fourth place. His second pit stop on lap 38, for medium tires, dropped him twenty seconds behind the leaders. Meanwhile, a multi-driver collision involving Romain Grosjean, Sergio Perez, Mark Webber, and Paul di Resta triggered a safety car period that lasted until lap 41.
Late-Race Charge Earns Vettel Third Place
As the race resumed, Vettel remained within striking distance of the podium. During the closing laps, he faced off against Jenson Button, executing a decisive overtake on lap 52 to secure a third-place finish. This recovery from a pit lane start and multiple setbacks underscored his resilience and racing acumen in what proved to be a chaotic event.
Lewis Hamilton, who retired from the race on lap 20 due to power loss on his McLaren, reflected on Vettel’s performance in a post-race interview.
“It was incredible how he came up. He must be the luckiest driver in F1,”
Hamilton remarked.
Hamilton’s Pole Position and Season Context
Despite Vettel’s impressive drive, Hamilton had initially been the favorite at Yas Marina after claiming pole position in qualifying. He expressed excitement about leading the field for the first time in a while and competing at the front of the pack rather than trailing the dominant Red Bulls.
“I’m very excited, very excited. It’s the first time for a long time to be ahead of the Red Bulls, and not to be seeing the tail of them at the start of the race, but I know it’s going to be, as always, very, very tough in the race because they’ve got great race pace.” —Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, via The Guardian
In the broader 2012 championship, Vettel secured his third consecutive world title with 281 points, while Hamilton finished fourth in the driver standings with 190 points, highlighting the competitive nature of the season.
Legacy of the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
The events at the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix remain a notable example of how unpredictability can shape Formula 1 races. Vettel’s ability to overcome penalties and damage underlines the importance of strategic decisions and driver skill in motorsport. Hamilton’s recognition of Vettel’s fortune also reflects the fine margins between success and misfortune in racing.
Moving forward, the 2012 season demonstrated the evolving competition between drivers like Vettel and Hamilton, setting the stage for future intense rivalries and dramatic races on the Formula 1 calendar.