2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix recap: Raikkonen's "leave me alone" win
Lotus won for the first time since 1987, and Vettel went from the pit lane to the podium.
The 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 4 November produced one of Formula 1's most quoted radio messages. On lap 23, leading for Lotus, Kimi Raikkonen told his engineer to stop giving him gap updates: "Just leave me alone, I know what to do." He went on to win by 0.852 seconds from Fernando Alonso.
It was Raikkonen's first win since returning to F1, his first since the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix, and Lotus's first victory since 1987. He started fourth and made only one pit stop. Lewis Hamilton had led from pole until a loss of fuel pressure ended his race after about 20 of the 55 laps.
Sebastian Vettel's race was just as memorable. He was sent to the back of the grid after qualifying because of a fuel sample problem, and Red Bull changed his set-up, so he started from the pit lane. He survived two safety cars, including a brush with a polystyrene board, and finished third, also setting the fastest lap. "To go from pit lane to podium is phenomenal," Christian Horner said.
The result kept the title fight alive: Vettel led Alonso 255 to 245 with two races left, and Raikkonen, Webber and Hamilton were mathematically out. Yas Marina hosts the 2026 season finale on Sunday 6 December.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026Race day Sun 6 Dec · Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi See ticketsSource: Wikipedia: 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Daily Maverick (Reuters)
