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Formula One will roar for one last time in 2023 as the curtains are close to closing following 58-laps of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Backing up after a stellar inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, the Formula One circus returns to the Middle East and the recently updated 5.5km circuit – which improved raceability and flow compared to the previous layout.
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen, who’s targeting a record 21st win of the season to move to third all-time on the F1 winner’s list – has won the last three races in Abu Dhabi, including the controversial 2021 finale.
Red Bull itself comes into this weekend having sewn up their first ever one-two in the championship – with Sergio Perez safe on points ahead of Lewis Hamilton. Though pride is on the line for the Mexican if he can’t secure a good result.
Elsewhere, there are constructor’s championship battles that are wide open. Mercedes are only four-points clear of Ferrari for second, while McLaren’s mare in Vegas has put Aston Martin back with 11-points of fourth.
Williams are locked in a multimillion dollar fight for seventh, with 7-points separating them from AlphaTauri – who thanks to a rejuvenated Daniel Ricciardo have been climbing up from the bottom of the table.
While Alfa Romeo in their final race as title partner of Sauber, have a four-point buffer over Haas in the scrap for the wooden spoon.
As with Vegas, the softest tyres in Pirelli’s range are available for this race and strategy wise there ought to be a mix of one or two-stops across the field.
Cometh the hour, it was Verstappen with the quickest lap in qualifying for pole position, despite Red Bull looking on the back foot at the conclusion of practice. Charles Leclerc completed the front-row, which is crucial in the battle with Mercedes.
Both Ferrari and Mercedes had a driver that failed to make it into the top ten, which might prove more difficult for the former – as Carlos Sainz will need to climb through the field from sixteenth.
Two McLarens in the top five as well, being spearheaded by Oscar Piastri in third sees a return to form for the Papaya team. A chance to finish the season on a high and consolidate fourth in the championship.
Meanwhile from pole position, it seems impossible to deny Verstappen the race win in what has been an imperious season. though can anyone steal the glory from the reigning world champion?
Be sure to tune for the final Formula One race of 2023. As always, The Roar will have live blog coverage and lap-by-lap updates of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from 11:50pm AEDT.
Race Information
Lights out: 12:00am (AEDT)
Venue: Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi
TV: Fox Sports
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Grid
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull), 2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), 3. Oscar Piastri (McLaren), 4. George Russell (Mercedes), 5. Lando Norris (McLaren), 6. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri), 7. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), 8. Nico Hülkenberg (Haas), 9. Sergio Perez (Red Bull), 10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine), 11. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), 12. Esteban Ocon (Alpine), 13. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), 14. Alexander Albon (Williams), 15. Daniel Ricciardo (AlphaTauri), 16. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), 17. Kevin Magnussen (Haas), 18. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo), 19. Guanyu Zhou (Alfa Romeo), 20. Logan Sargeant (Williams)
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