The world champion Max Verstappen capped his historically-dominant 2023 Formula 1 campaign by claiming victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to take sole ownership of third on the sport’s all-time list of race winners.
In a dramatic finish to decide second behind Verstappen’s Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship, Charles Leclerc took second for Ferrari but it was not enough to overturn a four-point deficit to Mercedes, for whom George Russell took third and team-mate Lewis Hamilton ninth.
Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez finished second on the track, but was demoted to fourth by a five-second penalty for causing a late-race collision with Lando Norris, who came fifth ahead of McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri.
Verstappen moved clear of Vettel, the last Red Bull driver to win a drivers’ title before him, in race wins, and will now be focused on returning in 2024 to match the streak of four successive championships the German won between 2009 and 2012.
“It was an incredible season, it was a bit emotional on the last lap,” Verstappen said. “The last time sitting in the car which of course has given me a lot.
“Of course, very proud to win the final race, I have to say thanks to everyone at Red Bull it’s been an incredible year. It will be hard to do something similar, but we definitely enjoyed this year.”
Abu Dhabi GP result: Top 10
1) Max Verstappen, Red Bull
2) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
3) George Russell, Mercedes
4) Sergio Perez, Red Bull
5) Lando Norris, McLaren
6) Oscar Piastri, McLaren
7) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
8) Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri
9) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
10) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
Sky Sports
