Formula 1: Verstappen relentless in Abu Dhabi. Leclerc is second but Mercedes maintains second place in constructors

John

By John

Max Verstappen closes his domination in the Formula 1 season by pocketing his nineteenth success of 2023, also triumphing in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. They get on the podium together with the Dutchman from Red Bull Charles Leclerc with Ferrari (second) e George Russell with Mercedes (third thanks to the penalty imposed on Sergio Perez).

There was a lot at stake between the Italian and German teams second position in the constructors’ championship: thanks to Lewis Hamilton’s ninth place and Carlos Sainz’s fifteenth place, starting from the back, it is Mercedes that closes the standings in second place behind Red Bull, forcing Ferrari to place third.

“There’s certainly still room for improvement. I’m sorry to leave a car that has given me so much.” These are the words of Max Verstappen, interviewed immediately after the victory achieved in Abu Dhabi.

“An incredible season, I was thrilled to drive on the home lap a car that gave me so much – admitted the world champion -. It will be hard to repeat ourselves, but we certainly enjoyed this year. We will have to work a lot, we can improve and this will not it just means winning races but doing better in many other aspects. The fans were also exceptional, I hope they enjoyed the many races around the world.”