As the checkered flag looms over the 2023 Formula 1 season, the championship titles may have found their champions, but the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023 still holds significant stakes for teams vying for position in the Constructors’ Championship. In this final showdown, the battles extend beyond individual drivers to the heart of team competitiveness.
Mercedes vs Ferrari: A Duel for Second Place
Mercedes and Ferrari, two giants of Formula 1, find themselves locked in a fierce battle for the coveted second-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship. The gap between them, a mere four points, sets the stage for a thrilling climax to the season. Despite Red Bull’s absolute dominance, the fight for the runner-up position is not merely symbolic. Beyond the prestige, there’s a substantial financial incentive, with an estimated $10 million at stake.
Constructor Standings Ahead of Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023
- Red Bull – 822 points
- Mercedes – 392 points
- Ferrari – 388 points
- McLaren – 284 points
- Aston Martin – 273 points
- Alpine – 120 points
- Williams – 28 points
- AlphaTauri – 21 points
- Alfa Romeo – 16 points
- Haas – 12 points
McLaren’s Peril and Aston Martin’s Chance
While McLaren remains the favorite for fourth place, a challenging outing in Las Vegas has given Aston Martin an outside shot at overtaking them. The 11-point advantage McLaren holds is precarious, setting the stage for a nail-biting battle in Abu Dhabi. Additionally, Williams seems poised for a commendable seventh place, marking a potential comeback since 2017.
Qualifying Head-to-Heads: Last Battles
As the curtain falls on the 2023 season, only two qualifying head-to-heads remain unsettled. George Russell at Mercedes seeks to match Lewis Hamilton’s season tally, adding another layer of intrigue to the Mercedes garage. Meanwhile, at AlphaTauri, Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo aim to settle their season-long duel in their seventh full race weekend as teammates.
Drivers’ Standings: Beyond the Podium
In the drivers’ standings, finishing first is the ultimate goal, but the positions beyond the podium hold significance. The battle for fourth and fifth place between Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso, both tied at 200 points, adds an extra layer of competition. Lando Norris, currently in sixth place, eyes his career-best championship finish, just five points behind Alonso.
Verstappen’s Dominance and Records
Max Verstappen’s 2023 season stands as one of the most dominant in F1 history. Statistical milestones punctuate his campaign, from breaking Sebastian Vettel’s consecutive wins record to a remarkable winning percentage of 86.36%. As he eyes a fourth consecutive win in Abu Dhabi, Verstappen could further solidify his place in the annals of F1 history.
Verstappen’s Streaks and Records
- Most consecutive wins in a season: 10
- Winning percentage in 2023: 86.36%
- Most consecutive pole position to race win conversions: 15
Farewell to Franz Tost
Amidst the on-track battles, the paddock bids farewell to a stalwart figure. Franz Tost, the long-serving team principal of AlphaTauri, steps back from F1 after 17 years at the helm. Tost’s legacy includes nurturing the early careers of Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen, and Carlos Sainz. His impact on the sport reverberates through the success of the drivers he mentored.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023 Schedule
Thursday, November 23
- 11 am: Drivers’ Press Conference
Friday, November 24
- 7 am: F2 Practice
- 9 am: Abu Dhabi GP Practice One
- 10:55 pm: F2 Qualifying
- 12:45 pm: Abu Dhabi GP Practice Two
- 2:15 pm: The F1 Show
Saturday, November 25
- 10:15 am: Abu Dhabi GP Practice Three
- 12:15 pm: F2 Sprint
- 1:15 pm: Abu Dhabi GP Qualifying build-up
- 2 pm: Abu Dhabi GP Qualifying
- 4 pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday, November 26
- 9:10 am: F2 Feature Race
- 11:30 pm: Grand Prix Sunday Abu Dhabi GP build-up
- 1 pm: The ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX
- 3 pm: Chequered Flag: Abu Dhabi GP reaction
- 4 pm: Ted’s Notebook
Conclusion
As the sun sets over Yas Marina Circuit, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023 promises a spectacle that transcends individual victories. The battles for team positions, individual pride, and the farewell to a legendary team principal weave a narrative that goes beyond the checkered flag. Join us for the culmination of the 2023 F1 season, where every lap counts, and every point holds a story of triumph and farewell.
