On this night in 2012, Formula 1 witnessed one of its most remarkable comeback drives under the floodlights of Abu Dhabi.

Sebastian Vettel charged from the back of the grid to the podium — but the evening belonged to Kimi Räikkönen. Calm, unflustered, and utterly in control, he delivered Lotus’s first victory in 25 years — and one of F1’s most iconic radio messages: “Leave me alone, I know what I’m doing.”

We’ll also celebrate the birthday of Jacques Villeneuve Sr., the often-overlooked pioneer of the Villeneuve racing dynasty, and revisit the 1990 Australian Grand Prix, the 500th World Championship race — where Nelson Piquet triumphed and Nigel Mansell bowed out of Ferrari in style.

From the lights of Yas Marina to family legacies and Australian milestones — this is The Night That Kimi Knew What He Was Doing.

Cover Photo: By Play Among Friends Paf, 2012 Abu Dhabi GP Winner, CC BY 2.0, Link

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