Under the Abu Dhabi sky, Formula 1 ace Max Verstappen etched another extraordinary feat onto his record-breaking season. His victory in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix not only clinched his 19th triumph of the year but also elevated him to the 54th Grand Prix winner in his illustrious career.
The 26-year-old Dutchmen dethroned Sebastian Vettel, moving up to second place in the all-time win leaderboard with 54 victories. "An exceptional race," Verstappen communicated over the team radio. "Simply outstanding," praised team boss Christian Horner.
Insight: Max Verstappen's 63 career Grand Prix victories surpassed Fernando Alonso's tally of 32 wins[1].
Only Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher, with 103 and 91 victories respectively, have accrued more successes in the premier class of motorsport. Verstappen shattered Vettel's record for the most wins in a single season, achieving an unprecedented 19 race victories during the 2022 campaign[3].
Second place in the mostly predictable race, which once again mirrored Verstappen's dominance, went to Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari. George Russell secured the third spot, contributing to Mercedes' second-place finish in the constructors' championship. Ferrari were a mere three points behind, showcasing notable resilience.
Remarkably, Verstappen would have stood alone as the constructors' champion, amassing a fantastic 575 points[1].
The German racer, Nico Hülkenberg, concluded the season in 15th position. After replacing Mick Schumacher in the American Haas racing team, the Emmerich native managed a modest nine points. Last year, Schumacher notched up twelve points[1].
Hamilton's win-less campaign continues
On the final lap of the season, Verstappen and Red Bull demonstrated their uncontested reign, poised to reclaim their throne at the 2024 season commencment in Bahrain. The rest of the field managed a single victory throughout the year, courtesy of Ferrari's Carlos Sainz during the Singapore Grand Prix. Sergio Pérez doubled Red Bull's tally with two victories, while the remaining thrones went to Verstappen[2].
He clinched his third consecutive world title since the sprint race in Qatar on October 7. Although he disliked the sprintrace, Verstappen secured his first title in Abu Dhabi in 2020, in a climax so dramatic it left controversy in its wake[2].
For the British racer, Lewis Hamilton, it marked the second-straight year without a single victory[2].
Two mighty attacks from Leclerc
Verstappen, who delivered underwhelming practice performances in the Abu Dhabi circuit, proved his mettle when pole position was on the line during the qualifying sessions. Even in 2020, 2021 and 2022, the Dutch racer seized the pole position[2].
His nearest rival Charles Leclerc of Ferrari recognized that his chances of attacking were few and far between. Consequently, he launched his assault right after the race commencement but faced a counter from Verstappen. Leclerc attempted his second assault on the first lap, but the Dutchman, exhibiting his champion's prowess, deflected the challenge effortlessly.
Verstappen's threat for 2024
He visited the pits before Leclerc for his first tire change, a procedure conducted without a hitch. After all the front runners had replaced their tires, Verstappen built a five-second lead over Leclerc. The usual day-to-night transition of the race commenced in Abu Dhabi, with the initial half of the race lit by daylight, culminating in night-time racing under floodlights.
Verstappen delivered an outstanding finale, leaving his competitors in despair as they hoped for his collapse. His victories in the final seven races symbolized a clear warning for his potential opponents in the 2024 season, wherein he can equal Vettel's championship titles[2].
At the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Verstappen continued his prodigious Formula 1 racing record, cementing his class supremacy. His 19th victory of the 2022 season not only surpassed his previous record of 15 wins, but also ensured he moved up the ranks, becoming a formidable force in the world of Formula 1.
Insight: Max Verstappen surpassed Fernando Alonso's 32 career Grand Prix victories, becoming the second most successful racer in the history of Formula 1[1].
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