F1 News & Gossip

Staggering 27-year F1 streak BROKEN at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Shay Rogers Monday 27 November 2023 09:57

Staggering 27-year F1 streak BROKEN at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix saw a long-standing Formula 1 record broken as FP1 played host to the first session in 27 years without a champion on the track.

With Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso on the sidelines in the first practice session, it meant that there were no champions on the circuit for the first time since the 1996 French Grand Prix.

Michael Schumacher failed to start the 1996 French Grand Prix due to a mechanical issue

There had been a champion scheduled to race that day in 1996, but Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher suffered an engine failure on the formation lap – preventing him from taking the start.

While Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve and Mika Hakkinen all raced too, they were not yet F1 champions.

Future talent looms

The next four championships were won by the trio before Schumacher went on a historic streak of dominance with Ferrari.

FP1 gave teams the opportunity to test young drivers in their cars – ones that could go on to become champions much like Hill, Villeneuve and Hakkinen.

Jack Doohan tests the Alpine A523 during FP1 for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Frederik Vesti, who drove for Mercedes and is vying for the F2 title this weekend, could be the next of the young drivers who tested on Friday to make their way onto the grid with an opening at Williams still up for grabs.

He won Saturday's F2 sprint race - his sixth victory of the season, which massively boosts his chances at a drive and championship.

Latest News

GPFans Recap

Ricciardo tipped for F1 COMEBACK as Ferrari tease huge unveiling - GPFans Recap

Yesterday 23:57

Latest F1 News

Emotional Ferrari test paves way for Hamilton arrival

Yesterday 22:57

F1 Social

Ricciardo prompts FURY after controversial announcement

Yesterday 21:57

Lewis Hamilton

Shock Hamilton contract revelation emerges as champion tipped to sign with RIVAL

Yesterday 20:57

Daniel Ricciardo

Ricciardo F1 RETURN verdict issued as team chief offers comeback twist

Yesterday 19:57

Lewis Hamilton

Ferrari F1 chief reveals Hamilton BAN

Yesterday 18:57

More news

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY