F1 Abu Dhabi GP Live Commentary and Updates - Race
Minute-by-minute updates for the 2023 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
The curtain falls on the 2023 F1 season with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc share the front row of the grid with Oscar Piastri and George Russell tucked in behind.
FP2 was the only practice session to take place in representative conditions but was interrupted by over half an hour of red flag delays, meaning teams have minimal long-run data heading into the finale.
While Leclerc and Russell start up the order, the constructors' battle between Mercedes and Ferrari was complicated with Lewis Hamilton starting P11 and Carlos Sainz P16.
The Yas Marina race will get under way at 1pm GMT.
By: Sam Hall, Haydn Cobb, James Newbold
- Max Verstappen caps dominant 2023 Formula 1 season by winning Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after fending off two attacks from Charles Leclerc at the start
- Win 19 of the season for Verstappen comes after he becomes the first driver to lead 1,000 laps in a season
- Leclerc allows Sergio Perez through into second on the road, knowing the Mexican has a five-second penalty for earlier clash of wheels with Lando Norris - this demotes Perez to fourth behind George Russell
- Mercedes seals second in the constructors' table by three points over Ferrari, as AlphaTauri falls three points shy of nabbing seventh from Williams
- Stewards don't take action against Lewis Hamilton for clipping Pierre Gasly at Turn 6; Hamilton goes for a final lap move on Yuki Tsunoda but slides wide at Turn 9
- Verstappen, Red Bull
- Leclerc, Ferrari
- Russell, Mercedes
- Perez, Red Bull
- Norris, McLaren
- Piastri, McLaren
- Alonso, Aston Martin
- Tsunoda, AlphaTauri
- Hamilton, Mercedes
- Stroll, Aston Martin
https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1-abu-dhabi-gp-verstappen-wins-2023-finale-as-mercedes-secures-second/10552137/
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB19, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-23, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL60, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL60, George Russell, Mercedes F1 W14, the rest of the field at the start
He also thanks Leclerc for not backing him up at the end and "keeping it clean".
Just three races he hasn't won this season. Incredible. Dominant. Simply lovely, as he might say.
If Perez can build a five-second gap, Ferrari may secure second in the constructors'.
Russell is informed about Perez's penalty, but he's told that the Mexican "cannot finish ahead of us".
Norris uses the runoff to retain his position but will almost certainly have to hand over the position.