Abu Dhabi Grand Prix bags Bafta TV award with Sky Sports coverage

The event saw a thrilling finish between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in the final race of the season

Race winner and 2021 F1 world champion Max Verstappen and his Red Bull Racing team celebrate on the podium after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on December 12, 2021. Victor Besa / The National

Verstappen fought off Lewis Hamilton in a nail-biting finish. Victor Besa / The National

Verstappen runs to celebrate with his team. Victor Besa / The National

The Dutch driver clinched the race and the championship on the final lap. Victor Besa / The National

Race fans cheer as Verstappen wins. Victor Besa / The National

Verstappen enjoys that winning feeling. Reuters

Verstappen drinks in the moment as Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton looks dejected after finishing second. Reuters

Verstappen and Hamilton go head to head on the track. Victor Besa / The National

An Etihad Airways flyover before the race. The airline sponsored the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Victor Besa / The National

Verstappen in action. Victor Besa / The National

Hamilton took an early lead. Victor Besa / The National

Verstappen and Hamilton led the championship going into the final race. Victor Besa / The National

The start of the race. Reuters

Drivers pose for their end-of-season picture before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. AP

Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel before the race. Reuters

Fans of Verstappen and Hamilton before the race. Reuters

Hamilton looks relaxed before the race. Reuters

Verstappen looks like he means business. Reuters

Hamilton soaks up the early atmosphere. Victor Besa / The National

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas with his girlfriend Tiffany Cromwell. Victor Besa / The National

Verstappen arrives at the circuit with his girlfriend Kelly Piquet. Reuters

Hamilton on the Yas Marina Circuit. AFP

Sky Sports News has won a TV Bafta for its coverage of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. At the event, there was a thrilling showdown between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in the last race of the season at Yas Marina Circuit.

The coverage beat the Grand National, Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the Uefa Euro 2020 football semi-final between England and Denmark to win the award.

“The award is another highlight and accolade to add to the record-breaking 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The drama surrounding the title deciding battle at Yas Marina Circuit will have a place in history and will be discussed as a motor sporting moment for generations to come," says Saif Al-Noaimi chief executive of Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management.

"Yas Marina Circuit and the wider community of Abu Dhabi and the UAE are exceptionally proud to have played a part in this monumental story for fans across the world."

It is the second time in as many years that the event has been nominated for a Bafta, with Sky Sports nominated in 2021 for its coverage of the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix.

Last year, during the final race, Verstappen won his first World Championship while denying Hamilton an eighth with a dramatic and controversial last-gasp victory in Abu Dhabi.

"This award is a tribute to the incredible Sky Sports F1 team who follow the frantic and frenetic sport across the globe,” said Sky Sports managing director Jonathan Licht after the award was handed out in a ceremony in London on Sunday night.

"In partnership with Formula 1, the teams delivered impeccable coverage to our customers of possibly the most dramatic climax we have witnessed, both during the race as Verstappen eclipsed Hamilton in that final lap, as well as the hours and days that followed. It was a sporting event that captivated the world."

The last time a Formula One event won the award was in 2011 when BBC Sport won for its coverage of the 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. That race marked the conclusion of the 2010 season in which Sebastian Vettel clinched the first of his four world titles.

The 2011 race was also the fourth time in five years an F1 event had won the Bafta award, with gongs also going to Jenson Button’s first win at the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2006, the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix and the 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix.

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