Max Verstappen Clinches 19th Win: Mercedes Tops Ferrari in F1 Abu Dhabi GP 2023
Max Verstappen emerged victorious in the final race of the Formula 1 season in Abu Dhabi, finishing ahead of Charles Leclerc. Despite Mercedes Ferrari’s efforts, they fell short in their bid to clinch second place in the 2023 constructors’ championship.
Max Verstappen Triumphs in Abu Dhabi Grand Finale Amidst Drama and Controversy
In a nail-biting conclusion to the Formula 1 season in Abu Dhabi, Max Verstappen clinched victory, leaving Charles Leclerc trailing behind. The excitement unfolded against a backdrop of late-race passes, penalties, and a post-race stewards’ investigation involving several drivers, including Max Verstappen.
As the race kicked off, Leclerc made an impressive start, momentarily challenging polesitter Max Verstappen. The world champion, however, skillfully fended off the Ferrari driver’s advances, maintaining his lead through the early corners. The dynamic between the two contenders played out at various turns, with Leclerc making daring moves but unable to overtake Verstappen decisively.
Verstappen strategically increased the gap between himself and Leclerc, escaping the threat of DRS and placing the Ferrari under pressure from the McLaren duo in pursuit. Oscar Piastri initially led Lando Norris, who had advanced ahead of compatriot George Russell early in the race.
A DRS train formed in the early laps but began to break apart as gaps appeared. Leclerc kept pace with Verstappen, hovering around a second behind, both drivers carefully managing their medium tires. Verstappen complained about his front tires, but it was Leclerc who fell behind as pitstops approached.
Pitstops began with Piastri, Norris, and Russell making their stops on laps 13 and 14. Verstappen extended his lead and pitted on lap 16, switching to hard tires. The undercut worked in his favor, nearly doubling his lead when Leclerc rejoined on the same compound a lap later.
Ferrari initially had to contend with Russell’s threat, but Leclerc quickly pulled away. Verstappen smoothly navigated through cars yet to pit, regaining the lead on lap 23. As night descended over Yas Island, Verstappen extended his lead while Norris pitted for more hard tires at the end of lap 33.
Russell and Leclerc made subsequent stops to avoid being undercut. Red Bull left Verstappen out, and he finally pitted at the end of lap 42. Despite the two-stop strategy playing out, Verstappen gained a tire-life advantage over Leclerc.
In his third stint, Verstappen pulled away, setting fast laps that Leclerc couldn’t match. Verstappen’s controlled performance led to a winning margin of 17.9s, and he surpassed 1,000 laps led in 2023.
The final stint showcased a battle between Perez and Norris, marred by a controversial collision at Turn 6. Perez eventually secured fourth but received a five-second time penalty for the incident. Meanwhile, off-track controversy brewed as Hamilton and Gasly faced investigations for potential infringements related to mechanics’ eyewear.
As the race concluded, Perez closed in on Russell and secured third place. However, Leclerc’s attempt to boost Russell by slowing down and then chasing Perez home failed. Russell, boosted back to third by Perez’s penalty, allowed Mercedes to finish three points ahead of Ferrari in the constructors’ standings.
In a race filled with drama and unexpected twists, the Abu Dhabi Grand Finale provided a fitting conclusion to the 2023 Formula 1 season.
By: M Z Hossain, Editor Sky Buzz Feed
