The 2023 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix concluded on November 26 at the Yas Marina Circuit, where Max Verstappen continued to demonstrate his dominance in the sport. Securing victory with a time of 1:27:02.624, Verstappen not only took home 26 points but also achieved the fastest lap, earning an additional point. "I am very happy with this win," said Verstappen, emphasizing his team’s efforts. "The car was incredible all race long, and it felt good to end the season on this note."
Charles Leclerc of Ferrari showcased skill and resilience, finishing in second place at +17.993 seconds behind Verstappen. Leclerc reflected on his race, stating, "We had good pace, and I pushed hard throughout, but Max was just in a league of his own today."
George Russell secured third place for Mercedes, coming in at +20.328 seconds from the leader. "It was a tough race out there, but finishing on the podium is a great way to end the season," Russell commented, highlighting the teamwork that went into the result.
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Following closely behind the top three, Red Bull's Sergio Perez crossed the line in fourth place, +21.453 seconds behind Verstappen, despite being given a five-second time penalty for causing a collision during the race. "That penalty was a setback, but I did what I could to recover," Perez said, noting the challenges faced during the competition.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, driving for McLaren Mercedes, finished in fifth and sixth respectively, with Norris completing the race +24.284 seconds back and Piastri +31.487 seconds. Norris remarked, "We made some good improvements this weekend, and I believe we can build on this for next year."
Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes came in seventh, while Yuki Tsunoda from AlphaTauri also had a solid performance, finishing in eighth. "It feels great to score points for the team, and we’re building some momentum for the off-season," Alonso noted.
Lewis Hamilton and Lance Stroll rounded out the points finishers in ninth and tenth, respectively. Hamilton's finish came in +44.424 seconds, while Stroll secured a single point with a time of +55.632 seconds behind the leader.
Notably, Carlos Sainz from Ferrari did not finish the race, retiring on lap 57 due to technical issues. His teammate Leclerc acknowledged the disappointment, stating, "It’s unfortunate for us to lose a car so close to the finish, but we'll regroup and come back stronger."
The race at Yas Marina marked the conclusion of the 2023 Formula 1 season, a year marked by intense rivalries and remarkable performances. As the teams assess their strategies and prepare for the next season, Verstappen's triumph adds to his impressive legacy in the sport. "Every season brings new challenges, and we’ll keep pushing to be better," Verstappen concluded, signaling his determination to maintain his success in the upcoming year.
