Perhaps it was the sheer scale of his achievement that finally hit home for Max Verstappen as he stood victorious on the podium for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to close out the 2023 Formula One season. The Dutchman smiled on the top step but his features betrayed a sense that he was aware it may never be better than this.
His win at the Yas Marina circuit was indicative of the absolute authority with which he has dominated this season. By the flag he had more than 17 seconds on Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who was second. Leclerc gave a valiant drive but, with George Russell in third, one that was not enough to prevent Mercedes beating the Scuderia to second in the constructors’ championship.
