Formula 1’s 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Race Review
Verstappen’s Triumph in the Desert
As the sun set on the Yas Marina Circuit, the 2023 Formula 1 season drew to a close with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a race that encapsulated the themes of this thrilling year. Max Verstappen, Red Bull’s driving force, clinched his 19th victory of the season, a testament to his and the team’s unassailable form. The race, while not without its drama and strategic nuances, was a fitting end to a season that has seen Verstappen rewrite the record books.
Qualifying
The qualifying session set the stage for what was to come. With his usual blend of precision and aggression, Verstappen secured pole position, leaving Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Mercedes’ George Russell trailing in his wake. The stage was set for a showdown, but as has often been the case this season, Verstappen seemed in a league of his own.
Race Day
Verstappen’s Red Bull bolted off the line as the lights went out, with Leclerc in hot pursuit. The Ferrari driver almost snatched the lead at the end of the back straight, but Verstappen, with his characteristic resilience, held firm. Behind them, the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri showed their mettle, with Norris eventually claiming a commendable fifth place.
The race was not without its share of skirmishes. Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s teammate, found himself embroiled in a tussle with Norris, resulting in a 5-second penalty that saw him drop from second to fourth. This penalty was a pivotal moment, as it affected Perez’s standing and had implications for the constructors’ championship.
Strategic Plays and the Heat of Battle
Pit strategy and tire management, as always, played a crucial role. The second round of pit stops was particularly crucial, with teams trying to outdo each other in this high-stakes game of chess. Hamilton and Alonso provided some of the race’s most intense moments, their duel a reminder of the sport’s competitive spirit.
Verstappen’s Unassailable Lead
Throughout the race, Verstappen’s lead seemed unthreatened. His mastery of the track and his car was evident as he extended his lead, lap after lap. By the time the checkered flag was waved, he was almost 18 seconds clear of the field – a staggering margin that underscored his dominance.
The Final Standings
Verstappen’s victory was a foregone conclusion long before the race ended. Leclerc and Russell completed the podium, with Perez’s penalty relegating him to fourth. The McLaren pair of Norris and Piastri followed, with Fernando Alonso, Yuki Tsunoda, and Lewis Hamilton rounding out the top ten.
Season Wrap-Up: Red Bull’s Year of Dominance
The 2023 Formula 1 season has been one for the history books, primarily due to Verstappen and Red Bull’s dominance. Verstappen’s record-breaking 19 wins, including this final triumph in Abu Dhabi, have firmly established him as one of the sport’s greats. Red Bull’s strategic acumen and Verstappen’s driving prowess made them an unstoppable force.
Ferrari and Mercedes, while showing flashes of brilliance, were often left playing catch-up. The season also saw the emergence of new talents like Oscar Piastri, who, along with established stars like Norris and Russell, promise an exciting future for the sport.
As the teams pack up from Abu Dhabi and set their sights on 2024, they do so knowing that the bar has been set incredibly high. Verstappen’s dominance is not just a challenge to his rivals; it’s an invitation to elevate the sport to even greater heights. The 2023 season has been a spectacle of speed, strategy, and skill, and as the sun sets on this chapter, the anticipation for what’s next is already building.
| RANK | DRIVER | COUNTRY | TEAM | FASTEST LAP |
| 1 | MAX VERSTAPPEN | NETHERLANDS | RED BULL | 1:26.993 |
| 2 | CHARLES LECLERC | MONACO | FERRARI | |
| 3 | GEORGE RUSSEL | BRITAIN | MERCEDES | |
| 4 | SERGIO PEREZ | MEXICO | RED BULL | |
| 5 | LANDO NORRIS | BRITAIN | MCLAREN | |
| 6 | OSCAR PIASTRI | AUSTRALIA | MCLAREN | |
| 7 | FERNANDO ALONSO | SPAIN | ASTON MARTIN | |
| 8 | YUKI TSUNODA | JAPAN | ALPHA TAURI | |
| 9 | LEWIS HAMILTON | BRITAIN | MERCEDES | |
| 10 | LANCE STROLL | CANADA | ASTON MARTIN | |
| 11 | DANIEL RICCIARDO | AUSTRALIA | ALPHA TAURI | |
| 12 | ESTEBAN OCON | FRANCE | ALPINE | |
| 13 | PIERRE GASLY | FRANCE | ALPINE | |
| 14 | ALEXANDER ALBON | THAILAND | WILLIAMS | |
| 15 | NIKO HULKENBERG | GERMANY | HAAS | |
| 16 | LOGAN SARGEANT | UNITED STATES | WILLIAMS | |
| 17 | ZHOU GUANYU | CHINA | ALFA ROMEO | |
| 18 | CARLOS SAINZ JR | SPAIN | FERRARI | |
| 19 | VALTERRI BOTTAS | FINLAND | ALFA ROMEO | |
| 20 | KEVIN MAGNUSSEN | DENMARK | HAAS |
