Max Verstappen’s 12 months of domination has concluded with one other grand prix victory, cruising to his nineteenth win of the season on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Key factors:
Max Verstappen secured his nineteenth grand prix victory of the 12 monthsCrimson Bull gained 21 of the 22 grands prix in 2023Charles Leclerc completed second in Abu Dhabi, George Russell third
The Dutch world champion loved a easy night beneath the lights at Yas Marina, with Charles Leclerc in second and George Russell in third.
Crimson Bull’s Sergio Perez crossed the end line second, however a 5-second penalty for forcing Lando Norris off the street on lap 47, demoted him to fourth.
Verstappen was challenged by Leclerc on the opening lap, with the Ferrari driver twice wanting like he had made the overtake for the lead.
However the Crimson Bull ace twice stored his rival at bay, earlier than driving off into the space.
Leclerc was in a position to keep inside 2 seconds of Verstappen up till their first pit stops, however as soon as the brand new tyres had been on the Dutchman was in a category of his personal.
The victory was Verstappen’s nineteenth of the 22-race season.
It was Crimson Bull’s twenty first win of the 12 months, with Carlos Sainz of Ferrari the one different to attain a grand prix win in 2023.
Verstappen additionally grew to become the primary driver to guide 1,000 laps in a season.
“It is going to be so onerous to have one other season like this, we all know that,” he mentioned.
“We’re working onerous for subsequent 12 months to have a really aggressive automobile and we’ll be prepared for the battle.
“However now we’ll take pleasure in this as properly.”
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Ferrari’s Leclerc was the perfect of the remaining within the season finale.
The Monegasque driver was in a race-long battle with the Mercedes of Russell as each groups had been battling for second within the constructors’ championship.
Russell’s third place, coupled with Lewis Hamilton ending ninth, was sufficient for Mercedes to carry on to a three-point hole.
Regardless of the frustration in ending behind Mercedes within the championship, Leclerc was upbeat about how he completed the season.
“There was nothing we might have carried out higher, we did every part proper — technique, qualifying,” he mentioned.
“It is all that mattered to me on the finish, however we did not obtain [second in the constructors’ championship].
“However the staff has carried out an unbelievable job pushing to the ultimate race.”
Australia’s Oscar Piastri completed seventh, serving to McLaren wrap up fourth within the constructors’ championship, whereas Daniel Ricciardo completed eleventh in his AlphaTauri.
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