F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix LIVE: Race results as Max Verstappen wins season finale
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
F1 ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX - RACE UPDATES
Max Verstappen wins the Abu Dhabi GP; Leclerc 2nd; Russell 3rd
Click HERE for the top-10
SLOW STOP! Lando Norris loses position to George Russell in the pits
START! Max Verstappen brilliantly holds off Charles Leclerc to keep lead
Max Verstappen started on pole position; Leclerc 2nd; Piastri 3rd
Lewis Hamilton insists he cannot wait for the 2023 season to be over
Toto Wolff sees ‘Mount Everest’ ahead as Mercedes seek to end Red Bull’s domination
18:28 , Kieran Jackson
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
A record-breaking year for Red Bull!
15:58 , Kieran Jackson
21 wins out of 22. Astonishing.
Max Verstappen sets new landmark as he ends dominant season with Abu Dhabi win
15:43 , Kieran Jackson
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
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff with a message to Mercedes fans:
15:30 , Kieran Jackson
“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!
15:19 , Kieran Jackson
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:
15:08 , Kieran Jackson
“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:
14:56 , Kieran Jackson
“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.”
"It's a shame that we finished 3rd in the Constructor's"🥉
A disappointed Charles Leclerc speaking after Ferrari missing out on being runners-up in the Constructor's Championship 🗣👇 pic.twitter.com/BFPFAOjshQ— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 26, 2023
George Russell after finishing third in Abu Dhabi:
14:47 , Kieran Jackson
“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.”
"There's so many people ... who've worked so hard to achieve this"
George on helping Mercedes secure P2 in the Constructors' championship 👏🥈 pic.twitter.com/cggo3129Uo— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 26, 2023
TOP-10 AT THE ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX:
14:40 , Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen
2. Charles Leclerc
3. George Russell
4. Sergio Perez
5. Lando Norris
6. Oscar Piastri
7. Fernando Alonso
8. Yuki Tsunoda
9. Lewis Hamilton
10. Lance Stroll
Cue the doughnuts!
14:35 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen has some fun on the grid as he pulls into P1 for the 19th time this year!
Max Verstappen wins the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
14:33 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen wins for the fourth time in a row at Yas Marina - his 19th win of the season!
Charles Leclerc does take second in the end due to Sergio Perez’s five-place penalty - and the Mexican drops back to fourth.
1-10: Verstappen, Leclerc, Russell, Perez, Norris, Piastri, Alonso, Tsunoda, Hamilton, Stroll
And Mercedes take second in the constructors’ championship from Ferrari by three points!
Final lap! (Lap 58/58)
14:31 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen starts his last lap of the season - and is now the first driver to lead 1,000 laps in a Formula 1 season.
And up top: Charles Leclerc has swapped P2 with Sergio Perez with the intention of trying to block George Russell for the constructors’ championship!
Sergio Perez moves up to third (Lap 55/58)
14:27 , Kieran Jackson
Sergio Perez cruises past George Russell to take third place.
Now the Mexican has three laps to build-up a five-second advantage to take a podium spot!
That could be crucial for the constructors’ championship!
Sergio Perez has a five-second time penalty (Lap 51/58)
14:22 , Kieran Jackson
Perez punished! He has a five-second time penalty for that collision with Norris!
The Mexican now 2.7 seconds behind Russell - and 3.3 seconds clear of Norris.
Top-10: Verstappen, Leclerc, Russell, Perez, Norris, Piastri, Tsunoda, Alonso, Hamilton, Sainz
Carlos Sainz in 10th does have to pit again in order to switch compound. As it stands, Mercedes will claim second in the constructors’ championship.
Sergio Perez does take fourth place (Lap 50/58)
14:19 , Kieran Jackson
At the same turn, Sergio Perez does now take fourth down the inside on Lando Norris!
But... the Mexican is under investigation for causing a collision. We’ll wait and see on this one!
Meanwhile, Alpine and McLaren might be getting a fine: both teams being noted for their pit crews not wearing the requisite eye-protection during pit stops.
Lando Norris and Sergio Perez collide! (Lap 47/58)
14:16 , Kieran Jackson
Perez looks to take fourth down the inside at turn 6 - and he clips Lando Norris!
The McLaren takes to the escape road and stays in front... but will he have to give the position back?
Norris: “Yeah he just crashed into me.”
Perez: “He just turned into me.”
Sergio Perez pits (Lap 45/58)
14:13 , Kieran Jackson
This strategy has worked out well for Sergio Perez - he’s up to P5 after pitting and is right on the tail of Lando Norris ahead.
Max Verstappen also heads in - 2.3 sec stop - and comes out five seconds clear of Charles Leclerc. Dominant.
Top-10: Verstappen, Leclerc, Russell, Norris, Perez, Tsunoda, Piastri, Sainz, Alonso, Hamilton
Not one yellow flag yet (Lap 39/58)
14:01 , Kieran Jackson
No yellow flags and no safety cars yet this afternoon. Very much a rarity...
Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris and George Russell pit (Lap 34/58)
14:00 , Kieran Jackson
A game of attempted undercut begins - but ends with the usual order restored between second, third and fourth.
McLaren try first with Lando Norris, but all the stops are solid and Leclerc keeps de facto second place.
Max Verstappen opting not to respond yet, and his Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez is now 16 seconds behind in second.
Max Verstappen extends his lead to Charles Leclerc (Lap 32/58)
13:52 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen just dominating once again out front: his lead to Charles Leclerc is now 6.8 seconds.
George Russell is 2.2 seconds off Leclerc, while Lando Norris a full two seconds behind Russell.
There’s now only one car within DRS of the car in front - Ocon on Ricciardo in the battle for 11th.
Race just settling down into a routine now.
Toto Wolff to Lewis Hamilton:
13:44 , Kieran Jackson
“Fastest car on track now.”
Hamilton up to P8. There’s good race-pace in this Mercedes car on this Yas Marina Circuit!
Russell inching closer to Leclerc in second, too.
Yuki Tsunoda pits (Lap 23/58)
13:40 , Kieran Jackson
Fun over. Yuki Tsunoda pits - 2.5 seconds - and the AlphaTauri driver comes out in 12th place... but should be zooming through the field from now on.
Top-10 is restored to the usual order now.
Top-10: Verstappen, Leclerc, Russell, Norris, Piastri, Alonso, Perez, Ricciardo, Hamilton, Tsunoda
Verstappen’s gap to Leclerc out in front: 4.7 seconds.
The frontrunners all pit! (Lap 18/58)
13:34 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc come in - and the Red Bull now has a three-second lead!
And who now leads the race? Yuki Tsunoda, who is yet to pit!
Lance Stroll, who also hasn’t pitted, is in second - followed by Verstappen, Sainz (yet to pit) and Leclerc.
George Russell overtakes Lando Norris in the pits! (Lap 15/58)
13:27 , Kieran Jackson
A nightmare for McLaren!
A slow 5.1 sec pit stop sees Lando Norris fall behind George Russell, in what in reality was P3 in the standings.
Norris does get out, just, in front of his team-mate Oscar Piastri though.
Pit stops all over the field now.
A SLOW STOP FOR NORRIS! 😯🛞
A bad pit stop for Lando Norris has allowed George Russell to jump in front 👀 pic.twitter.com/KfBwuUWHSD— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 26, 2023
George Russell takes fourth from Oscar Piastri (Lap 13/58)
13:23 , Kieran Jackson
Valiant defence from Oscar Piastri, but eventually the Mercedes’ superior pace comes through down the second back straight, with DRS - Russell up to fourth!
Sergio Perez is up to eighth, cruising past Pierre Gasly, while Charles Leclerc just keeping in touch with Max Verstappen at the front - 1.3 secs.
Top-10: Verstappen, Leclerc, Norris, Russell, Piastri, Tsunoda, Perez, Gasly, Hamilton, Ocon
Fernando Alonso the first of the frontrunners to pit - the Aston Martin comes out down in 18th.
RUSSELL PASSES PIASTRI 👏
It's been a great battle so far between these two & the Mercedes driver gets the better on lap 11 🙌 pic.twitter.com/dVK2VdPAM9— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 26, 2023
Oscar Piastri holds off George Russell (Lap 8/58)
13:17 , Kieran Jackson
It looked like George Russell was through around the outside of Oscar Piastri - but the Aussie does brilliantly to keep fourth place with some rapid acceleration on the inside line!
How long can the McLaren hold off the Mercedes though?
At the front, the gap remains at 1.5 seconds. Can Charles Leclerc, perhaps, haul in the Red Bull out front?
Throughout the field, a big old DRS train is forming throughout the pack - a typical feature of this Yas Marina track.
Lando Norris takes third place from his team-mate (Lap 4/58)
13:12 , Kieran Jackson
Hell of a start from Lando!
He’s now up to third, quicker than his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri, and now has Charles Leclerc in his sights.
At the front, Max Verstappen has opened up a 1.5 sec lead.
Top-10: Verstappen, Leclerc, Norris, Piastri, Russell, Tsunoda, Alonso, Gasly, Perez, Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton down to P10, giving up the position to Sergio Perez. The Mercedes man went wide at turn 1 on the first lap, so perhaps was told to let Perez by.
Lights out in Abu Dhabi!
13:07 , Kieran Jackson
It’s a decent start from both man at the start - but Max Verstappen holds off Charles Leclerc!
But the Ferrari man comes back into turn 6 and almost makes a move stick - but the Red Bull keeps its nose in front!
So close for the Monegasque!
Further back, Lando Norris has overtaken George Russell for fourth, while Lewis Hamilton is up to ninth from 11th!
Formation lap!
13:01 , Kieran Jackson
So for the final time in 2023, Max Verstappen leads the pack around at the start of the race for the formation lap.
The top-12 all on medium tyres. Carlos Sainz a notable name on hard tyres in 16th.
Here we go then! Can Charles Leclerc get a jump on Max Verstappen into turn one?!
A reminder of the starting grid for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix:
12:58 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen
2) Charles Leclerc
3) Oscar Piastri
4) George Russell
5) Lando Norris
6) Yuki Tsunoda
7) Fernando Alonso
8) Nico Hulkenberg
9) Sergio Perez
10) Pierre Gasly
11) Lewis Hamilton
12) Esteban Ocon
13) Lance Stroll
14) Alex Albon
15) Daniel Ricciardo
16) Carlos Sainz
17) Kevin Magnussen
18) Valtteri Bottas
19) Zhou Guanyu
20) Logan Sargeant
Chris Hemsworth on the grid!
12:53 , Kieran Jackson
The Aussie actor obviously played F1 legend James Hunt in the film Rush.
"I'm here to watch fellow Australian Oscar Piastri" 🇦🇺
A very patient Martin Brundle speaking with actor Chris Hemsworth 😅 pic.twitter.com/Eq2o9ZOpM4— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 26, 2023
Driver Standings ahead of this final race!
12:51 , Kieran Jackson
Battle to look out for: Who will finish fourth between Sainz, Alonso, Norris and Leclerc?
--
1) Max Verstappen - 549 points (champion)
2) Sergio Perez - 273 points
3) Lewis Hamilton - 232 points
4) Carlos Sainz - 200 points
5) Fernando Alonso - 200 points
6) Lando Norris - 195 points
7) Charles Leclerc - 188 points
8) George Russell - 160 points
9) Oscar Piastri - 89 points
10) Lance Stroll - 73 points
11) Pierre Gasly - 62 points
12) Esteban Ocon - 58 points
13) Alex Albon - 27 points
14) Yuki Tsunoda - 13 points
15) Valtteri Bottas - 10 points
16) Nico Hulkenberg - 9 points
17) Daniel Ricciardo - 6 points
18) Zhou Guanyu - 6 points
19) Kevin Magnussen - 3 points
20) Liam Lawson - 2 points
21) Logan Sargeant - 1 point
21) Nyck de Vries - 0 points
Time for the national anthem of the United Arab Emirates
12:48 , Kieran Jackson
A serene picture as the sun sets in Abu Dhabi.
Here were the drivers posing before the race:
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix winner odds!
12:46 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen - 1/7
Lando Norris - 14/1
Charles Leclerc -16/1
George Russell - 20/1
Oscar Piastri - 25/1
Sergio Perez - 50/1
Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton - 100/1
Carlos Sainz - 150/1
Yuki Tsunoda - 250/1
Pierre Gasly - 500/1
Odds provided by Grosvenor Sport
Christian Horner reveals talks with Lewis Hamilton’s father over Red Bull seat
12:38 , Kieran Jackson
Christian Horner revealed that Lewis Hamilton’s father Anthony made an enquiry about Sergio Perez’s seat at Red Bull earlier this season.
Following on from an interview Horner gave saying that a representative of Hamilton had been in touch about joining the world champions, Hamilton had his say on Thursday – insisting that nobody from his team has been in touch and, in fact, Horner messaged him on an old phone.
The Mercedes driver added that Horner was simply “stirring things.”
Yet the Red Bull team principal looked to put the speculation to bed by divulging that it was Hamilton’s father and former manager Anthony who had touched base.
Full quotes below:
Christian Horner reveals talks with Lewis Hamilton’s father over Red Bull seat
It’s been a bit of a despairing end to the season for Lando
12:27 , Kieran Jackson
He starts P5 today. It should have been better.
"Another Saturday that I've just thrown away" 😕
A "disappointed" Lando Norris on the qualifying mistake that he feels cost him P1 🎙 pic.twitter.com/aKWqS2tPeg— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 25, 2023
Walking with the stars: Inside the white lines of the Las Vegas Grand Prix grid
12:16 , Kieran Jackson
Feature by Kieran Jackson
It’s Saturday night in Sin City, 9pm local time. One hour until lights out. Walking out of the media centre, across the car park of the Tuscany Suites and Casino, and up through the various security checkpoints, you arrive at the highly coveted, yet strangely downplayed open space that is the Formula One paddock. Halfway down, between the garages of Aston Martin and Alfa Romeo, lies the grid access lane: a portal to the forthcoming chaos.
There is a chill in the air. A cool 15C temperature which, predicted all week, is about to play havoc with tyres in the 50 laps ahead. A pause for breath and then the steel-faced American bodyguard gives the go-ahead. On you stroll, pretending you belong here. Welcome to the curiously flummoxing experience that is the F1 pre-race grid.
Full piece below:
Walking with the stars: Inside the white lines of the Las Vegas Grand Prix grid
Relegation and promotion in F1? An alternative reality to reinvigorate the season finale
12:09 , Kieran Jackson
Friday’s first practice session in Abu Dhabi was an intriguing watch. On a weekend which is alarmingly lacking much intrigue, exactly half the grid were absent. Substituted in their place were 10 “rookie” drivers, as part of F1’s mandatory young drivers programme introduced last year. One driver, and more so how he performed, amplified one of the sport’s most peculiar issues – and one where a solution could amp up the closing races of the season.
It is one of the FIA’s – the sport’s governing body – most odd rules that the Formula 2 champion can’t compete in the series again. Such a regulation would imply that there is a ready-made pathway to F1 for the winner, but this is not the case. For 2022 champion Felipe Drugovich, a second year in a row begrudgingly watching from the sidelines beckons next season. A shame because (who’d have thought it), he’s actually pretty fast.
Full piece below:
Relegation and promotion in F1? An alternative reality to reinvigorate Abu Dhabi
A reminder of the starting grid for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix:
11:58 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen
2) Charles Leclerc
3) Oscar Piastri
4) George Russell
5) Lando Norris
6) Yuki Tsunoda
7) Fernando Alonso
8) Nico Hulkenberg
9) Sergio Perez
10) Pierre Gasly
11) Lewis Hamilton
12) Esteban Ocon
13) Lance Stroll
14) Alex Albon
15) Daniel Ricciardo
16) Carlos Sainz
17) Kevin Magnussen
18) Valtteri Bottas
19) Zhou Guanyu
20) Logan Sargeant
Lewis Hamilton to start down the order in Abu Dhabi as Max Verstappen claims pole
11:48 , Kieran Jackson
Qualifying report
Lewis Hamilton said there was something wrong with his Mercedes after he qualified only 11th for Sunday’s season finale in Abu Dhabi.
As Max Verstappen put his Red Bull on pole position for the final race of his all-conquering campaign – with Charles Leclerc second and Oscar Piastri third – Hamilton was left starting at another poor performance in his underperforming machinery.
The seven-time world champion, facing up to a second season without a victory, finished six tenths behind Verstappen and a third-of-a-second back from team-mate George Russell, who qualified fourth.
Hamilton’s failure to progress to Q3 – as he gloomily predicted here on Friday night – leaves the fight between Mercedes and Ferrari for second place in the constructors’ championship firmly in the balance.
Full report below:
Lewis Hamilton to start down the order in Abu Dhabi as Max Verstappen claims pole
Constructors’ Championship ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix:
11:39 , Kieran Jackson
Battle to look out for: who will finish P2 between Mercedes and Ferrari?
--
1) Red Bull - 822 points (champions)
2) Mercedes - 392 points
3) Ferrari - 388 points
4) McLaren - 284 points
5) Aston Martin - 273 points
6) Alpine - 120 points
7) Williams - 28 points
8) AlphaTauri - 21 points
9) Alfa Romeo - 16 points
10) Haas - 12 points
Christian Horner reveals talks with Lewis Hamilton’s father over Red Bull seat
11:20 , Kieran Jackson
Christian Horner revealed that Lewis Hamilton’s father Anthony made an enquiry about Sergio Perez’s seat at Red Bull earlier this season.
Following on from an interview Horner gave saying that a representative of Hamilton had been in touch about joining the world champions, Hamilton had his say on Thursday – insisting that nobody from his team has been in touch and, in fact, Horner messaged him on an old phone.
The Mercedes driver added that Horner was simply “stirring things.”
Yet the Red Bull team principal looked to put the speculation to bed by divulging that it was Hamilton’s father and former manager Anthony who had touched base.
Full quotes below:
Christian Horner reveals talks with Lewis Hamilton’s father over Red Bull seat
Driver Standings ahead of this final race!
10:58 , Kieran Jackson
Battle to look out for: Who will finish fourth between Sainz, Alonso, Norris and Leclerc?
--
1) Max Verstappen - 549 points (champion)
2) Sergio Perez - 273 points
3) Lewis Hamilton - 232 points
4) Carlos Sainz - 200 points
5) Fernando Alonso - 200 points
6) Lando Norris - 195 points
7) Charles Leclerc - 188 points
8) George Russell - 160 points
9) Oscar Piastri - 89 points
10) Lance Stroll - 73 points
11) Pierre Gasly - 62 points
12) Esteban Ocon - 58 points
13) Alex Albon - 27 points
14) Yuki Tsunoda - 13 points
15) Valtteri Bottas - 10 points
16) Nico Hulkenberg - 9 points
17) Daniel Ricciardo - 6 points
18) Zhou Guanyu - 6 points
19) Kevin Magnussen - 3 points
20) Liam Lawson - 2 points
21) Logan Sargeant - 1 point
21) Nyck de Vries - 0 points
Mick Schumacher returns to racing with Alpine in 2024
10:43 , Kieran Jackson
Mick Schumacher has been confirmed as a driver for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship next year.
The 24-year-old has been present in the Formula 1 paddock this season as a reserve driver for Mercedes, driving in the simulator and providing cover for Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.
The German driver, son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, was dropped from his F1 race seat at Haas at the end of the 2022 season after two years but after experiencing a year without racing in 2023, Schumacher will race for Alpine in their Hypercar squad next season.
More detail below:
Mick Schumacher returns to racing with Alpine in 2024
Walking with the stars: Inside the white lines of the Las Vegas Grand Prix grid
10:30 , Kieran Jackson
Feature by Kieran Jackson
It’s Saturday night in Sin City, 9pm local time. One hour until lights out. Walking out of the media centre, across the car park of the Tuscany Suites and Casino, and up through the various security checkpoints, you arrive at the highly coveted, yet strangely downplayed open space that is the Formula One paddock. Halfway down, between the garages of Aston Martin and Alfa Romeo, lies the grid access lane: a portal to the forthcoming chaos.
There is a chill in the air. A cool 15C temperature which, predicted all week, is about to play havoc with tyres in the 50 laps ahead. A pause for breath and then the steel-faced American bodyguard gives the go-ahead. On you stroll, pretending you belong here. Welcome to the curiously flummoxing experience that is the F1 pre-race grid.
Full piece below:
Walking with the stars: Inside the white lines of the Las Vegas Grand Prix grid
A reminder of the starting grid for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix:
10:22 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen
2) Charles Leclerc
3) Oscar Piastri
4) George Russell
5) Lando Norris
6) Yuki Tsunoda
7) Fernando Alonso
8) Nico Hulkenberg
9) Sergio Perez
10) Pierre Gasly
11) Lewis Hamilton
12) Esteban Ocon
13) Lance Stroll
14) Alex Albon
15) Daniel Ricciardo
16) Carlos Sainz
17) Kevin Magnussen
18) Valtteri Bottas
19) Zhou Guanyu
20) Logan Sargeant
Lewis Hamilton to start down the order in Abu Dhabi as Max Verstappen claims pole
10:19 , Kieran Jackson
Qualifying report
Lewis Hamilton said there was something wrong with his Mercedes after he qualified only 11th for Sunday’s season finale in Abu Dhabi.
As Max Verstappen put his Red Bull on pole position for the final race of his all-conquering campaign – with Charles Leclerc second and Oscar Piastri third – Hamilton was left starting at another poor performance in his underperforming machinery.
The seven-time world champion, facing up to a second season without a victory, finished six tenths behind Verstappen and a third-of-a-second back from team-mate George Russell, who qualified fourth.
Hamilton’s failure to progress to Q3 – as he gloomily predicted here on Friday night – leaves the fight between Mercedes and Ferrari for second place in the constructors’ championship firmly in the balance.
Full report below:
Lewis Hamilton to start down the order in Abu Dhabi as Max Verstappen claims pole
F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix!
10:17 , Kieran Jackson
Good morning and welcome to live coverage on The Independent of the 22nd and final race of the 2023 F1 season!
21 down, one to go. Max Verstappen starts on pole for the 12th time this season, with Charles Leclerc alongside him on the front row. Oscar Piastri is P3, with George Russell fourth. Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, starts down the order in 11th.
Can anyone stop Max’s march to a 19th victory of the season? Stay right here for all the build-up - lights out is at 1pm (GMT).
