Otherwise, though, that is us, another F1 season in the books – and what a season it’s been. Max Verstappen and Red Bull are on another planet to anything we’ve ever seen before in terms of their superiority over the rest, and there’s no reason to think that’ll change next year. But though 97 days sounds like a short time, it’s a long time in F1, so join us again then as we start the whole thing all over again in Bahrain. And until then, peace out.
And here’s Giles Richards’ race report.
Wolff praises Leclerc, who didn’t block Russell to try and help Perez catch up, also bigging up his own man’s drive. Then, asked about next year, he admits that Red Bull got a jump-start on the next mechanical specifications but expects them to level off; his issue is building a more stable car in which the drivers have confidence.
The drivers accept their trophies, champagne sprays, fireworks pop, and imagine the satisfaction Verstappen feels this evening; rarely, if ever, has any sportsperson been so dominant. Tell you what, though: I bet – if ever it happens! – that he’ll take far greater satisfaction from winning an arse-nipper (without the need for a final-lap official intervention).
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But here they come now and here comes the Dutch anthem – for the 19th time this season. I presume that by now, we all know the lyrics.
Our podiumers recline on a couch, which looks designed to be as uncomfy as possible – why do people make such things without a back that supports back, head and neck?
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There were 23 races in this F1 season, and Max Verstappen won all but four of them. That is so ridiculous my fingers initially refused to type the words.
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Also going on for you:
Verstappen felt emotional on the last lap, the final time he’ll drive a car that’s brought him so much joy. It’ll be hard to have another season like this, he reckons, and they always want to do better, but better doesn’t necessarily mean more race wins – he doesn’t say it, but it feels easier for rivals to close the gap than it does for him to extend it. Just the 97 days till we’re back away again in Bahrain.
Constructors final standings
Red Bull 860
Mercedes 409
Ferrari 406
McLaren 302
Aston Martin 280
Alpine 120
Williams 28
AlphaTauri 25
Alfa Romeo 16
Haas 12
Russell’s delighted to have snared second for Mercedes, confessing to have let the team down this season. It was really tense at the end and his tyres were packing up, but they’ll have a few drinks tonight to celebrate P2 tonight and P3 overall – though he’s not happy with how his season’s gone.
Final driver standings
Verstappen (Red Bull) 575
Perez (Red Bull) 285
Hamilton (Mercedes) 234
Alonso (Aston Martin) 206
Leclerc (Ferrari) 206
Norris (McLaren) 205
Sainz Jr (Ferrari) 200
Russell (Mercedes) 175
Final race standings
Verstappen
Leclerc
Russell
Perez
Norris
Piastri
Alonso
Tsunoda
Hamlton
Stroll
Ricciardo
Ocon
Gasly
Albon
Hulkenberg
Sargeant
Zhou
Sainz Jr
Bottas
Magnussen
Max Verstappen, though. Nineteen wins in a season. “All missions complete, Horner tells him. “What a year … you’ve smashed it out of the park, it’s a privilege working with you … take your time, enjoy this last bit.”
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Max Verstappen wins the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, his 19th triumph of a record-breaking season!
Perez is second, Leclerc third – but Perez will lose that podium place to Russell once his five-second penalty is enforced, and he’s relegated to fourth.
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Lap 58/58 Max Verstappen leads his 1000th lap of the season; ridiculous. Meanwhile, Leclerc gives up second place to Perez, hoping to slow down Russell so Norris can somehow catch him from behind…
Lap 57/58 Perez leads Russell by 3.031s; failing disaster, Mercedes will take second.
Lap 56/58 Verstappen keeps on trucking. Rarely have we seen such ruthlessness.
Lap 55/58 Perez now leads Russell by 1.841, which is to say he’s a lot of work to do to hang on to third, which means Mercedes are well-set for second overall – especially given Sainz will lose a point when he pits and loses his hold on 10th position.
Lap 54/58 Perez, battery full, gets a proper boust on, closing the gap to Russell and, with DRS, passes on the inside! He’s got three laps to build the five-second gap that’ll keep him on the podium ahead of Russell – and perhaps see Ferrari pip Mercedes to second in the constructors’ championship, though probably not.
Lap 53/58 We’re nearly there, but Sainz is still to pit; I think he’s hanging on for a potential safety car now, but from 10th, even if that happens, he’s still too far back to do anything.
Verstappen
Leclerc
Russell
Perez
Norris
Piastri
Tsunoda
Alonso
Hamilton
Sainz
Lap 52/58 Watching again, it does indeed look – to me – that Perez could’ve done more to avoid knocking Norris off. It’s a close one, because he was in front and stayed there, but I can’t see he can have any complaints.
Lap 51/58 Ahahahaha, Verstappen, more than nine seconds in front, sets a fastest lap, as we learn that Perez, now fourth, has been deemed to have forced Norris off the track and will receive a five-second penalty. That should help Russell hang on to third, and that should be enough for second in the constructors’.
Lap 50/58 Pit-lane latest: certain mechanics didn’t have the right goggles on, so Alpine and McLaren are facing investigation. Verstappen leads by 8.772, while the current intrigue concerns Perez, chasing Russell from 3.724s behind.
Lap 49/58 Perez goes again, eases past Norris, snd s now being investigated for the move. I’m not sure he did anything wrong, he just did what he had to do.
Lap 48/58 Now then! Perez attacks Norris, forcing him off the track; he holds on, but Hamilton absolutely shrieks past Sainz and Mercedes are looking good for second overall.
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Lap 46/58 When will Sainz stop again? Hamilton is directly behind him, in 10th, which is to say not only will Ferrari lose a place but Mercedes, their rivals, will gain some.
Lap 45/58 Russell is closing in on Leclerc, who leads him by 3.056s, and will feel he’s a decent chance of getting within overtaking range. Hamilton, meanwhile, will be investigated after the race for his pit-lane infringement, which tells us the issue wasn’t speeding.
Lap 44/58 Verstappen comes out with his lead cut to a miserly 5.170s, while Alonso has a hack at Sainz trying to go eighth; the Ferrari man hangs in there, but I’d not expect that to be the final atack he’s to handle.
Lap 43/58 Stroll comes in as Norris passes Tsunoda to move fourth … and Verstappen comes in too as we learn Hamilton is accused of a pit-stop infraction, perhaps speeding.
Lap 42/58 However, Sainz will have to pit again, so Mercedes will still feel confident.
Lap 41/58 Verstappen can only cede the lead on three more laps if he’s to become the first driver to be in front for more than 1000 laps in a season. Behind him, though, Sainz being up to ninth takes Ferrari above Mercedes in the as-it-stands constructor’s championship; his teammate Leclerc is fifth while the Mercedes drivers, Russell and Hamilton, are fourth and 12th respectively.
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Lap 40/58 It’s dark now, as we see Piastri lock-up but manage to stay in front of Sainz, pursuing him from ninth.
Lap 39/58 Verstappen now leads by 16.441s. I think he might win this.
Lap 38/58 Fastest lap from Russell as Leclerc passes Tsunoda – who’s on a one-stop strategy trying to protect his sixth spot, trying to protect Alpine’s sixth spot in the constructor’s championship.
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Lap 37/58 Alonso, 12th, goes at Hamilton, who’s found some extra pace since damaging his front wing.
Verstappen
Perez
Tsunoda
Leclerc
Russell
Norris
Stroll
Ocon
Sainz
Piastri
Hamilton
Alonso
Lap 36/58 Verstappen builds his lead; of course he does. Russell still leads Norris and will surely now be confident of preserving his podium.
Lap 35/58 Russell now leads Norris, who just set the fastest sector, by 0.405, as Perez and Leclerc pit; it feels like the race is setting prior to a big push.
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Lap 34/58 Russell, in third, leads Perez by 1.713s, which should be enough for third, but with Norris coming he' needs to pay attention.
Lap 33/58 Norris is struggling with his tyres so will soon pit to sort them … and as I type, he comes in, the change is swift, and he comes out 10th behind Stroll.
Lap 32/58 Sainz locks up going into the hairpin but he’s OK, still 13th in front of Hulkenberg. Verstappen’s lead is now almost eight seconds and, looking down the gaps between drivers, there’s not much scope for overtaking currently/
Lap 31/58 Verstappen leads by 6.841s, as Stroll sets another fastest lap; he’s 10th.
Verstappen
Leclerc
Russell
Norris
Perez
Piastri
Alonso
Hamilton
Tsunoda
Stroll
Lap 30/58 The race is settled again; I’d not expect to see many overtakes now, especially, at the front, until people start pitting again. Haimlton, meanwhile, is advised by Toto Wolff that he’s currently the fastest man on the track; he’s eighth.
Lap 29/58 Verstappen’s lead is growing quickly, now up to 6.216s. It’s not just that he’s winning, it’s that he’s winning from the front, no alarms and no surprises, pretty much every race. Otherwise, Stroll sets a fastest lap and moves past Ricciardo into 10th.
Lap 28/58 Sainz moves through the field, up to 15th now, but he needs to get into the points to help Ferrari beat Mercedes. Perez, meanwhile, struts past Piastri and lies fifth.
Lap 27/58 Max Versteppn is good. Red Bull are good.
Lap 26/58 Verstappen extends his lead as Gasly passes Bottas; Russell now sits 1.553s behind Leclerc, and if he could force his way by, a disappointing season would finish on a positive note.
Lap 25/58 If the race stopped now, it’d be Mercedes second and Ferrari fourth; Russell and Hamilton are third and eighth relative to second and 16th for Leclerc and Sainz. Verstappen’s lead is now 5.419s and growing.
Lap 24/58 Sainz and Bottas are now the only drivers yet to have stopped and, as I type, the former drops in, changing to hards; everyone is now on those.
Verstappen
Leclerc
Russell
Norris
Piastri
Alonso
Perez
Ricciardo
Hamilton
Tsunoda
Lap 23/58 Tsunoda pits and comes out 12th, then Hamilton eases by Bottas to take 10th while, further up the field, Sainz, fifth, worries Norris, fourth.
Lap 22/58 Russell is driving nicely and he passes Sainz to take fifth. The gap to Leclerc in fourth is 1.999s, and with Tsunoda soon to fall back down the field when he pits, there’s a podium out there for him.
Lap 21/58 Verstappen effortlessly cuts through the field, passing Sainz and Stroll to take second; Tsunoda leads him by 3.512s, but has yet to stop.
Lap 20/58 Sainz, who started 16th, is now fourth. It’s true that he’s not yet stopped, but he’s driving nicely and will feel there’s a podium in the offing if only he can grab it.
Lap 19/58 Russell sets a fastest lap-time, his second of the race, while Gasly can’t understand why he’s not able to pass Ocon – who sits 14th, just behind Hamilton.
Lap 18/58 Leclerc pits meaning Tsunoda becomes the second Japanese driver to lead a GP; Russell, meanwhile, passes Bottas and starts threatening Leclerc.
Tsunoda
Stroll
Sainz
Verstappen
Leclerc
Russell
Lap 17/58 Leclerc now leads, Verstappen having emerged from the pits in seventh. You might’ve expected Norris to take control of the situation by coming in first, trying to seize the initiative, but I guess not.
Lap 16/58 Hamilton pits, his front wing left unaltered – the stewards might wonder whether it’s dangerous – as Russell passes Albon and moves ninth, while Verstappen comes in.
Lap 15/58 Norris, third, and Russell, fourth, pit; McLaren, though, make a proper mess of their change so Russell passes Nozz on the way out as Hamilton, now sixth given the stops, steadies to have a go at Gasly. But he’s got a problem with his front wing, Norris’ wheels locking to precipitate a minor collision.
Lap 14/58 Now Piastri pits, looking to reverse the flow of a race that’s been getting away from him. He comes out 15th, also on hards, and a good change brings him out ahead of Alonso – whose warm tyres make him a threat.
Lap 13/58 Alonso pits and emerges on hards rather than mediums while, in midfield, Hamilton challenges Gasly who leads him by roundabout half a second.
Lap 12/58 Perez gets DRS around turn nine, zooms past Gasly, and now sits eighth. But guess what?! Verstappen leads the race. I know!
Lap 11/58 Verstappen forges in front and again, Russell goes at Piastri, who locks up going into turn six so, going into seven, Russell takes the slip, goes on the outside, as is front before they’ve exited the bend. Nor does the news improve for Piastri: Russell now leads him by a second while, from behind, Tsunoda is right on his arse.
Lap 10/58 Mercedes are struggling because they need to beat Ferrari to snare second place, but Russell is struggling to move up and Hmailton says his car doesn’t have the pace to threaten Perez.
Lap 9/58 Again, Russell goes at Piastri, who this time forces him to go wide and all the way around, enough to protect P4.
Verstappen
Leclerc
Norris
Piastri
Russell
Tsunoda
Alonso
Gasly
Perez
Hamilton
Ocon
Stroll
Sainz
Hulkenberg
Bottas
Zhou
Albon
Sargeant
Ricciardo
Magnussen
Lap 8/58 So far, this race sums up the season nicely: the field had a few seconds to make something happen, possibly illusory, at the start; they couldn’t pass Verstappen; and now he leads by 1.585s.
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Lap 7/58 “It’s a lot of huge confusion for me as I understand “Going forward” to be events happening in the future, yet if one means further then now one has to “push them back” and if you want sooner action one “pulls it forward”. I think. I can’t imagine how you move a piece along a calendar track. It’s a nightmare this sort of thing. O tempora o mores.”
Back on the track, Norris is complaining about degredation on his tyres and Russell isn’t happy with his either … but here he is attacking Piastri! Who does a really good job to protect his position.
Lap 6/58 Magnussen drives his Haas into the pits – we see he had some kind of lock-up that forced him over a kerb, and he resumes in 20th place. Verstappen leads Leclerc by 1.458s.
Lap 5/58 Verstappen extends his lead and, in third, Norris is going well, the fastest man on the track. He’s 0.799 behind Leclerc, and if he can get into DRS range, he’s in the game.
Lap 4/58 Hamilton was, it seems, responding to instructions in letting Perez by; I doubt that’s beneficial for his mood … and Norris passes Piastri!
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Lap 3/58 Verstappen is out of DRS threat; already, it looks like this is another race to him. Meantime, Perez gets by Hamilton and I wonder how these kind of mid-field annoyances are settling in the mind of a killer used to winning.
Verstappen
Leclerc
Piastri
Norris
Russell
Tsunoda
Alonso
Gasly
Perez
Hamilton
Ocon
Stroll
Lap 2/58 Hamilton passes ewrez and goes ninth while Verstappen, almost passed twice a few minutes ago, now leads Leclerc by 1.416.
Lap 1/58 Verstappen gets away in front … just. Leclerc made the better start but didn’t have the line to pass, he goes again, Verstappen closes the door, and Norris gets in front of Russell; Tsunoda stays ahead of Alonso.
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Righto, we are ready! For the last time in 2023, it’s lights out!
“I love Max and think what he’s doing is fantastic,” writes Emily Doolan. “But I’d rank him below both Vettel and Alonso for pure talent at this stage. That may change, and just my opinion.”
Yes, I think that’s fair; you can definitely argue he doesn’t have their flair and feel. But the extent of his dominance elevates him “for me”.
Off goes the formation lap. It looks decent out there.
Like everyone – Chris Hemsworth, say – I’m excited to see how Piastri does today. He looks to have a real chance going forward and yes, I did say “going forward” but needs to convert chances like starting third into a podium.
“F1 is now read only,” says Ben. “Just so boring nowadays. All about the money money money. Used to help on a rallying team in Switzerland, far more exciting on the ground. Best historical moment was Senna v Prost at Suzuka.”
I know what you mean but fear everything is about the money. However even in that context we can still have great sport; Verstappen and Red Bull’s work doing is indubitably that.
He may be injured, but Kevin De Bruyne isn’t wasting his time. Just look at that thatch! And syoot!
“That list of greats/favourites,” chides Richard. “Everyone overlooks Jimmy Clark. When he raced, there were only 10 GPs a year so he isn’t up there on win count, and back then cars were less reliable so dnfs more common. But he raced in other categories as well, often saloon races on the same day as a GP. In simple terms, if his car was working properly, he won. Often he won even if his car wasn’t that great. If conditions were atrocious, he won. He must be up there in the top five, top three even.
Anthem time!
Russell, meanwhile, complains he’s been ignored in the trackside pre-race interviews, chuckling away in a bit of classic British passive-aggression. He’s not bovvered; does his face look bovvered?
Leclerc was happy with the qualifying performance that got him to second on the gird, but a 58-lap race is very different. He will, though, do everything to get second place for Ferrari.
Oh and so’s Maria Sharapova, who looks very different – and more in touch with her gothic side.
Chris Hemsworth is trackside, cheering for Oscar Piastri. He’s come a long way from Summer Bay.
Oh, back to moments of the season, I apologise: who can forget Machine Gun Kelly’s already-legendary appearance at Interlagos?
A classic Martin Brundle gridwalk moment with Machine Gun Kelly 😅 pic.twitter.com/EGWssbjin9
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 5, 2023
“Moment of the F1 season from a US fan point of view?” asks Kurt Perleberg of himself. “Logan Sargent finishing P10 in the USGP at Austin.”
Ha! Surely the Vegas race has to be up there – or down there – too.
Nothing to do with F1, but sad news from the world of football. Godspeed, El Tel, to the great Scribes West in the sky.
So where do we think Verstappen ranks in the driver standings of our hearts? Below Fangio, Senna, Schumacher and Hamilton for sure, but above Vettel and Alonso and just below Prost?
Stats with Kurt Perleberg: “If Willams renew Logan Sargent for 2024, it will be the first time in F1 history the grid has stayed the same in consecutive seasons.”
Trudat, though in F1 I guess you never know what will be until it is – and even then…
First is gone, but first loser remains in the balance.
Intrigue! Imagine the aggravation; I’d love to see this.
On Sky, they’re discussing moments of the season, and please feel free to send yours in; I’m going for Fernando Alonso diddling Sergio Pérez on the final lap in Sao Paulo.
The grid
Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
George Russell (Mercedes)
Lando Norris (McLaren)
Yuki Tsunoda (Alpha Tauri)
Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
Niko Hülkenberg (Haas)
Sergio Pérez (Red Bull)
Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
Alex Albon (Williams)
Daniel Ricciardo (AlphaTauri)
Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari)
Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
Valtteri Bottas (Alpha Romeo)
Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo)
Logan Sargeantn (Williams)
Preamble
So this is it: the most dominant season in F1 history, one of the most dominant seasons in all sport, is almost over. Max Verstappen is already our champion, and for the third year in a row too; for context, there are more points between him and second-placed Sergio Pérez than Sebastian Vettel collected when taking the 2010 edition.
Generally speaking, dominant champions are good for individual sports because people tune in to see either greatness or if someone can beat them – think Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, Phil Taylor, Martina Navratilova and so on. But there’s a point at which, if those champions aren’t pushed, it becomes boring; one season like this, OK, but it wasn’t close last term either, and there’s no sense any team will improve enough to challenge Red Bull in 2024.
That, though, is a gripe for another day because, make no mistake about it, we are witnessing greatness – even if what kicked it all off, on this very circuit, was dubious to say the least. But rarely in F1 history have driver, principal and mechanics been so snugly grooved, so it’s incumbent upon us to enjoy that collective genius to the fullest possible extent. Here we go!
Lights out: 5pm local, 1pm GMT
