During the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton described Sebastian Vettel as the luckiest driver in Formula 1 after Vettel climbed from the pit lane to finish third. Vettel started the race from the pits due to a post-qualifying penalty where officials discovered his car did not meet the required fuel regulations. Despite this setback, Vettel’s remarkable recovery showcased his skill and fortune at the Yas Marina Circuit.
Penalty Forces Vettel to Start from Pit Lane Amid Qualifying Controversy
After qualifying in third position on Saturday, Sebastian Vettel was demoted to the back of the grid when race officials ruled his Red Bull had insufficient fuel to comply with regulations. This decision prompted Red Bull to start Vettel from the pit lane, taking advantage of the opportunity to alter car settings before the race began. The penalty set the stage for Vettel’s challenging but extraordinary performance.
Early Incidents and Damaged Front Wing Do Not Hinder Vettel’s Progress
The race saw immediate aggression as Vettel suffered front wing damage on the opening lap during a contested battle for position. Contact between Nico Hulkenberg of Force India and Bruno Senna of Williams added to the chaotic start. Despite the wing damage, Vettel continued pushing forward but faced further complications when he clipped a trackside marker board while avoiding Daniel Ricciardo’s unpredictable weaving, leading to more front wing issues.
Pit Stops and Safety Car Periods Shape Vettel’s Race Strategy
Vettel made an early pit stop on lap 14 to replace the damaged front wing and change tires, which allowed him to rejoin near the front pack in fourth place. On lap 38, a second tire change cost him about 20 seconds. Meanwhile, a heated contest involving Romain Grosjean, Sergio Perez, Mark Webber, and Paul di Resta ended in a collision that brought out a safety car until lap 41, bunching the field back together for the final phase of the race.
Vettel Secures Podium with Late Overtake Despite Starting Last
In the closing stages, Vettel managed to recover from fourth place by executing a decisive pass on Jenson Button on lap 52. This move sealed a third-place finish, remarkable considering his pit lane start and the obstacles during the race. Lewis Hamilton, reflecting on Vettel’s uncommon fortune, said after the race,
“(It was) incredible how he came up. He must be the luckiest driver in F1.” —Lewis Hamilton, then-McLaren driver
Hamilton’s race ended prematurely on lap 20 due to power loss in his McLaren, while Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus took the race victory.
Hamilton’s Pole Position and Pre-Race Confidence
Despite Vettel’s late rally, Lewis Hamilton was the initial favorite at Yas Marina Circuit, having secured pole position after a fiercely competitive qualifying session. The British driver expressed optimism, stating,
“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
Hamilton’s pole appeared promising but was undermined by technical troubles in the race itself, contrasting with Vettel’s dramatic recovery.
Season Context and Championship Standings in 2012
In the 2012 Formula 1 season, Sebastian Vettel secured his third consecutive world championship, amassing a total of 281 points. Hamilton finished fourth in the drivers‘ standings with 190 points. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix encapsulated the season’s intensity and unpredictability, highlighting Vettel’s resilience and the fine margins between success and misfortune in Formula 1.
