F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix LIVE: Race results as Max Verstappen wins season finale
Follow all the reaction from the final grand prix of the 2023 Formula 1 season at the Yas Marina Circuit
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Max Verstappen ended the most dominant season in Formula One history with another victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as Mercedes clung on to second place in the constructors’ championship by the skin of their teeth – and a £10milllion cash boost.
Verstappen - who became the first man to lead 1,000 laps in a single F1 season - failed to triumph at just three of the 22 rounds staged, and his latest win takes him to 54 for his career, leaving only Lewis Hamilton (103 wins) and Michael Schumacher (91) ahead of him.
The Dutchman finished 17 seconds clear of team-mate Sergio Perez but the Red Bull driver was demoted to fourth following a five-second penalty for a collision with Lando Norris.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was promoted to second with Mercedes’ George Russell third. Lewis Hamilton finished ninth in the other black-liviried machine with Mercedes three points clear of Ferrari in the standings to land a £105million reward, rather than £95m.
Follow reaction from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with The Independent
2024 CALENDAR IN FULL:
- February 29-March 2: Bahrain Grand Prix in Sakhir
- March 7-9: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah
- March 22-24: Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne
- April 5-7: Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka
- April 19-21: Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai
- May 3-5: Miami Grand Prix in Miami Gardens
- May 17-19: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola
- May 24-26: Monaco Grand Prix in Monaco
- June 7-9: Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal
- June 21-23: Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona
- June 28-30: Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg
- July 5-7: British Grand Prix in Silverstone
- July 19-21: Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest
- July 26-28: Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps
- August 23-25: Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort
- August 30-September 1: Italian Grand Prix in Monza
- September 13-15: Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku
- September 20-22: Singapore Grand Prix in Singapore
- October 18-20: United States Grand Prix in Austin
- October 25-27: Mexican Grand Prix in Mexico City
- November 1-3: Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo
- November 21-23: Las Vegas Grand Prix in Las Vegas
- November 29–December 1: Qatar Grand Prix in Lusail
- December 6-8: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in Yas Marina
Toto Wolff sees ‘Mount Everest’ ahead as Mercedes seek to end Red Bull’s domination
Lewis Hamilton’s boss Toto Wolff has conceded Mercedes will have to scale Mount Everest to topple Max Verstappen’s Red Bull team next season.
Mercedes clung on to second place in the constructors’ championship by the skin of their teeth – and a £10million cash boost – as Verstappen ended the most dominant season in Formula One history with another victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The Dutchman, taking his 19th win from 22 rounds, finished 17 seconds clear of team-mate Sergio Perez. But, mercifully for Mercedes, the Mexican driver was demoted to fourth following a five-second penalty for a collision with Lando Norris.
Toto Wolff sees ‘Mount Everest’ ahead as Mercedes seek to end Red Bull’s domination
Mercedes finished an eye-watering 413 points behind Red Bull despite coming second in the constructors’ championship
A record-breaking year for Red Bull!
21 wins out of 22. Astonishing.
Max Verstappen sets new landmark as he ends dominant season with Abu Dhabi win
Race report
Max Verstappen ended the most dominant season in Formula One history with another victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as Mercedes clung on to second place in the constructors’ championship by the skin of their teeth – and a £10milllion cash boost.
Verstappen - who became the first man to lead 1,000 laps in a single F1 season - failed to triumph at just three of the 22 rounds staged, and his latest win takes him to 54 for his career, leaving only Lewis Hamilton (103 wins) and Michael Schumacher (91) ahead of him.
The Dutchman finished 17 seconds clear of team-mate Sergio Perez but the Red Bull driver was demoted to fourth following a five-second penalty for a collision with Lando Norris.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was promoted to second with Mercedes’ George Russell third.
Full report below:
Max Verstappen sets new landmark as he ends dominant season with Abu Dhabi win
Verstappen won his 19th race of the season as Mercedes clinched second place in the constructors’ championship
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff with a message to Mercedes fans:
“Keep pushing. We’re going to reach for the stars and that’s what we’re going to do.”
Time for the podium in Abu Dhabi!
A new podium at the Yas Marina Circuit too!
And, for the final time in 2023, the Dutch and Austrian national anthems for Max Verstappen’s and Red Bull’s team.
Max Verstappen after his 19th win of the year:
“An incredible season. It was a bit emotional on the in-lap, last time sitting in a car which has given me a lot. Big thank you to everyone at Red Bull, it’s been an incredible year. It’ll be hard to do something similar again.
“It will be very hard to have another season like that, we’ll see. We’re working hard for next year to have a competitive team, we’re ready for the battle but in the meantime we’re going to enjoy this year too.”
“Sold out every place we went to. I hoped the fans enjoyed the race today, thank you very much for cheering us on.”
Charles Leclerc after finishing second:
“I tried to give Checo the DRS and slipstream, it wasn’t enough. On one hand I’m really happy, we were the second fastest car this weekend, it’s such a shame we finished third in the constructors. We didn’t achieve that but I’d like to thank the team for working so incredibly hard.
“We lacked performance compared to where we wanted but the team have done an incredible job.
“I wanted to try and get that first place. We also know in the race we lacked some pace compared to them. My only target was to beat the Mercedes.”
George Russell after finishing third in Abu Dhabi:
“It’s been a really challenging season, I’ve let the team down a few times this year. I can chill out now!
“Checo came from nowhere, they had great pace. It was really tense at the end, really pleased to secure P2 for the team - I’m sure we’ll have a few drinks tonight!
“I was coughing four times a lap, it was pretty miserable out there! Can’t believe it’s only the second podium of the year but really happy to finish this way.”
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