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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
F1 ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX – RACE UPDATES
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A record-breaking year for Red Bull!
21 wins out of 22. Astonishing.
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Kieran Jackson26 November 2023 15:58
Max Verstappen sets new landmark as he ends dominant season with Abu Dhabi win
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.
Kieran Jackson26 November 2023 15:43
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.”
Kieran Jackson26 November 2023 15:30
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.
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Kieran Jackson26 November 2023 15:19
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.”
Kieran Jackson26 November 2023 15:08
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.”
Kieran Jackson26 November 2023 14:56
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.”
Kieran Jackson26 November 2023 14:47
TOP-10 AT THE ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX:
Kieran Jackson26 November 2023 14:40
Cue the doughnuts!
Max Verstappen has some fun on the grid as he pulls into P1 for the 19th time this year!
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Kieran Jackson26 November 2023 14:35
Max Verstappen wins the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
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!
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Kieran Jackson26 November 2023 14:33