Abu Dhabi, November 20 (BNA): A year after one of the most controversial races in Formula 1 history, Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was anything but.
Max Verstappen, as usual this season, was far ahead of the rest on his way to a record-breaking 15th win of the season, reports the Associated Press.
“It’s amazing to win here again, the 15th win this season is incredible,” said Verstappen. “It’s been really fun working with the whole team and being able to achieve something like this this year.”
At the track where he beat Lewis Hamilton last year, Verstappen held off teammate Sergio Perez at the start and was never seriously challenged after that in the season-ending race.
Instead, much attention was riveted on retiring four-time champion Sebastian Vettel battling in the midfield in his final race, while a hydraulic problem ended Lewis Hamilton’s race for Mercedes as the seven-time champion finished the Formula 1 season without a race win. The first time in his career.
Leclerc and Ferrari looked capable of challenging Verstappen for the title at the start of the season, but Red Bull has improved the car’s performance advantage throughout the season. Mistakes on track from Leclerc and in Ferrari’s racing strategy also hampered them.
Carlos Sainz finished fourth in the other Ferrari, while George Russell finished fifth despite a five-second penalty when Mercedes fired him from a pit into the path of another car.
Lando Norris is sixth for McLaren, ahead of Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Norris’ teammate Daniel Ricciardo, who does not have a racing contract for 2023 and is likely to be Red Bull’s reserve driver next year.
Vettel finished 10th for Aston Martin after retiring from Formula 1 after 16 years.
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