P1racenews AI automatic summary:
It’s 15 years to the day since the 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, when Fernando Alonso’s title hopes went up in smoke as F1’s youngest champion was crowned.
At the 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 15 years ago, two top title favorites made mistakes, allowing for a new champion to be crowned with a still unbroken record. Out of the 29 times the F1 championship was decided in the final race, only one saw four drivers with a chance to win. Key moments include Hamilton’s 2008 win, Schumacher’s 1994 and 1997 dramas, and Verstappen’s 2021 victory over Hamilton. The championship came down to Vettel, Hamilton, and Alonso, with the latter seen as the strong prospect.
Alonso’s straightforward path to victory was disrupted by a lap 1 collision, affecting his chances and leaving the way open for Vettel to win the title at just 23 years old. The race saw Alonso battling to pass Petrov’s Renault for 40 laps, ultimately settling for seventh place and missing out on the championship. Despite coming close in 2012, Alonso’s quest for a third title continues, now spanning 21 years. Potential future success with Aston Martin could break the record for the longest time between titles, bringing his enduring pursuit full circle.
