Otherwise, though, that is us, another F1 season in the books – and what a season it’s been. Max Verstappen and Red Bull are on another planet to anything we’ve ever seen before in terms of their superiority over the rest, and there’s no reason to think that’ll change next year. But though 97 days sounds like a short time, it’s a long time in F1, so join us again then as we start the whole thing all over again in Bahrain. And until then, peace out.
Max Verstappen wins Abu Dhabi GP to bring curtain down on 2023 F1 season – as it happened
This article is more than 6 months old
Already confirmed as world champions for a third consecutive year, Max Verstappen and Red Bull won their 19th race of a record-shattering season
Updated
Sun 26 Nov 2023 10.10 EST
First published on Sun 26 Nov 2023 07.00 EST
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Key events
And here’s Giles Richards’ race report.
Wolff praises Leclerc, who didn’t block Russell to try and help Perez catch up, also bigging up his own man’s drive. Then, asked about next year, he admits that Red Bull got a jump-start on the next mechanical specifications but expects them to level off; his issue is building a more stable car in which the drivers have confidence.
The drivers accept their trophies, champagne sprays, fireworks pop, and imagine the satisfaction Verstappen feels this evening; rarely, if ever, has any sportsperson been so dominant. Tell you what, though: I bet – if ever it happens! – that he’ll take far greater satisfaction from winning an arse-nipper (without the need for a final-lap official intervention).
But here they come now and here comes the Dutch anthem – for the 19th time this season. I presume that by now, we all know the lyrics.
Our podiumers recline on a couch, which looks designed to be as uncomfy as possible – why do people make such things without a back that supports back, head and neck?
There were 23 races in this F1 season, and Max Verstappen won all but four of them. That is so ridiculous my fingers initially refused to type the words.
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Verstappen felt emotional on the last lap, the final time he’ll drive a car that’s brought him so much joy. It’ll be hard to have another season like this, he reckons, and they always want to do better, but better doesn’t necessarily mean more race wins – he doesn’t say it, but it feels easier for rivals to close the gap than it does for him to extend it. Just the 97 days till we’re back away again in Bahrain.
Constructors final standings
Red Bull 860
Mercedes 409
Ferrari 406
McLaren 302
Aston Martin 280
Alpine 120
Williams 28
AlphaTauri 25
Alfa Romeo 16
Haas 12
Russell’s delighted to have snared second for Mercedes, confessing to have let the team down this season. It was really tense at the end and his tyres were packing up, but they’ll have a few drinks tonight to celebrate P2 tonight and P3 overall – though he’s not happy with how his season’s gone.
Final driver standings
Verstappen (Red Bull) 575
Perez (Red Bull) 285
Hamilton (Mercedes) 234
Alonso (Aston Martin) 206
Leclerc (Ferrari) 206
Norris (McLaren) 205
Sainz Jr (Ferrari) 200
Russell (Mercedes) 175
Final race standings
Verstappen
Leclerc
Russell
Perez
Norris
Piastri
Alonso
Tsunoda
Hamlton
Stroll
Ricciardo
Ocon
Gasly
Albon
Hulkenberg
Sargeant
Zhou
Sainz Jr
Bottas
Magnussen
Max Verstappen, though. Nineteen wins in a season. “All missions complete, Horner tells him. “What a year … you’ve smashed it out of the park, it’s a privilege working with you … take your time, enjoy this last bit.”
Max Verstappen wins the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, his 19th triumph of a record-breaking season!
Perez is second, Leclerc third – but Perez will lose that podium place to Russell once his five-second penalty is enforced, and he’s relegated to fourth.
Lap 58/58 Max Verstappen leads his 1000th lap of the season; ridiculous. Meanwhile, Leclerc gives up second place to Perez, hoping to slow down Russell so Norris can somehow catch him from behind…
Lap 57/58 Perez leads Russell by 3.031s; failing disaster, Mercedes will take second.
Lap 56/58 Verstappen keeps on trucking. Rarely have we seen such ruthlessness.
Lap 55/58 Perez now leads Russell by 1.841, which is to say he’s a lot of work to do to hang on to third, which means Mercedes are well-set for second overall – especially given Sainz will lose a point when he pits and loses his hold on 10th position.
Lap 54/58 Perez, battery full, gets a proper boust on, closing the gap to Russell and, with DRS, passes on the inside! He’s got three laps to build the five-second gap that’ll keep him on the podium ahead of Russell – and perhaps see Ferrari pip Mercedes to second in the constructors’ championship, though probably not.
Lap 53/58 We’re nearly there, but Sainz is still to pit; I think he’s hanging on for a potential safety car now, but from 10th, even if that happens, he’s still too far back to do anything.
Verstappen
Leclerc
Russell
Perez
Norris
Piastri
Tsunoda
Alonso
Hamilton
Sainz
Lap 52/58 Watching again, it does indeed look – to me – that Perez could’ve done more to avoid knocking Norris off. It’s a close one, because he was in front and stayed there, but I can’t see he can have any complaints.
Lap 51/58 Ahahahaha, Verstappen, more than nine seconds in front, sets a fastest lap, as we learn that Perez, now fourth, has been deemed to have forced Norris off the track and will receive a five-second penalty. That should help Russell hang on to third, and that should be enough for second in the constructors’.
Lap 50/58 Pit-lane latest: certain mechanics didn’t have the right goggles on, so Alpine and McLaren are facing investigation. Verstappen leads by 8.772, while the current intrigue concerns Perez, chasing Russell from 3.724s behind.
Lap 49/58 Perez goes again, eases past Norris, snd s now being investigated for the move. I’m not sure he did anything wrong, he just did what he had to do.
Lap 48/58 Now then! Perez attacks Norris, forcing him off the track; he holds on, but Hamilton absolutely shrieks past Sainz and Mercedes are looking good for second overall.
Lap 46/58 When will Sainz stop again? Hamilton is directly behind him, in 10th, which is to say not only will Ferrari lose a place but Mercedes, their rivals, will gain some.
Lap 45/58 Russell is closing in on Leclerc, who leads him by 3.056s, and will feel he’s a decent chance of getting within overtaking range. Hamilton, meanwhile, will be investigated after the race for his pit-lane infringement, which tells us the issue wasn’t speeding.
Lap 44/58 Verstappen comes out with his lead cut to a miserly 5.170s, while Alonso has a hack at Sainz trying to go eighth; the Ferrari man hangs in there, but I’d not expect that to be the final atack he’s to handle.
Lap 43/58 Stroll comes in as Norris passes Tsunoda to move fourth … and Verstappen comes in too as we learn Hamilton is accused of a pit-stop infraction, perhaps speeding.
Lap 42/58 However, Sainz will have to pit again, so Mercedes will still feel confident.
Lap 41/58 Verstappen can only cede the lead on three more laps if he’s to become the first driver to be in front for more than 1000 laps in a season. Behind him, though, Sainz being up to ninth takes Ferrari above Mercedes in the as-it-stands constructor’s championship; his teammate Leclerc is fifth while the Mercedes drivers, Russell and Hamilton, are fourth and 12th respectively.
Lap 40/58 It’s dark now, as we see Piastri lock-up but manage to stay in front of Sainz, pursuing him from ninth.
Lap 39/58 Verstappen now leads by 16.441s. I think he might win this.
Lap 38/58 Fastest lap from Russell as Leclerc passes Tsunoda – who’s on a one-stop strategy trying to protect his sixth spot, trying to protect Alpine’s sixth spot in the constructor’s championship.