F1 Abu Dhabi GP Live Commentary and Updates - Race
Minute-by-minute updates for the 2023 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
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Summary
Summary
Max Verstappen caps dominant 2023 Formula 1 season by winning Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after fending off two attacks from Charles Leclerc at the start
Win 19 of the season for Verstappen comes after he becomes the first driver to lead 1,000 laps in a season
Leclerc allows Sergio Perez through into second on the road, knowing the Mexican has a five-second penalty for earlier clash of wheels with Lando Norris - this demotes Perez to fourth behind George Russell
Mercedes seals second in the constructors' table by three points over Ferrari, as AlphaTauri falls three points shy of nabbing seventh from Williams
Stewards don't take action against Lewis Hamilton for clipping Pierre Gasly at Turn 6; Hamilton goes for a final lap move on Yuki Tsunoda but slides wide at Turn 9
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB19, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-23, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL60, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL60, George Russell, Mercedes F1 W14, the rest of the field at the start
"It was a bit emotional on the in lap," says Verstappen. He praises the RB19 for giving him a lot and thanks the team for their efforts. Standard stuff really.
Leclerc claims there was 'no one thing' Ferrari could have done this weekend. That may be true of his side of the garage. The other side with Sainz however, may have a different story to tell.
After thanking Franz Tost for his impact on his career, Verstappen performs the obligatory Abu Dhabi doughnuts, clambers from his RB19 and takes in the cheers.
Just three races he hasn't won this season. Incredible. Dominant. Simply lovely, as he might say.
Perez crosses the line in second but drops to fourth. Leclerc wasn't able to hold up Russell enough, meaning Mercedes clinch second in the constructors' championship from Ferrari.
Tsunoda holds off Hamilton on the final lap to take eighth place! Hamilton moves ahead into Turn 9 but couldn't make the overtake stick and Tsunoda charged back by!
Leclerc suggests he will drop back to help Perez make progress. That would mean he would then hold up Russell in the final sector to ensure a five second margin!
Alonso overtakes Tsunoda for seventh place, diving up the inside at Turn 9. That gives the Aston driver fourth place in the drivers' standings as it stands.
Sainz, still yet to pit again, is also under pressure from Stroll for the final points place. The fight for second and seventh in the constructors' championship go down to the final three laps.
Alonso is within DRS range of Tsunoda with four laps to go. It might not be the dream result for the Japanese driver but he's put in a superb showing so far.
Tsunoda, currently seventh, needs to find another point to lift AlphaTauri above Williams in the F1 teams' standings. As it stands, the team would be one point short.
From the FIA on the pitstop investigations for Hamilton and Gasly: "The pitstop infringements are relating to pitcrew potentially not wearing the required eye protection during a stop."
Hamilton's pitstop infringement will be investigated after the race - but it still isn't clear what it is about. Gasly has also been given the same treatment, he will be investigated after the race too.
Alonso, with the slowest car on the straight according to the driver himself, pulls alongside Sainz with DRS but doesn't have the legs to get by the Ferrari into Turn 6. He remains ninth with 12 laps to go.
