54th career victory: Verstappen crowns season of superlatives
On the brightly lit Yas Marina Circuit, Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen added another highlight to the end of his unprecedented record-breaking season. The Red Bull star also won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, celebrating not only his 19th victory of the season but also the 54th Grand Prix win of his career.
The 26-year-old Dutchman thus overtook Sebastian Vettel in the all-time leaderboard, who had won 53 races in his career. "Another incredible race," Verstappen radioed to the pits. "You were simply great," praised team boss Christian Horner.
Only Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes (103) and Michael Schumacher (91) have celebrated more victories in the premier class of motorsport. Verstappen had already snatched the record for the most wins in a row in one year from Vettel during the season. Never before has a Formula 1 driver won 19 races in one season.
Second place in a largely uneventful race that was once again dominated by Verstappen went to Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari. Third place went to George Russell, who, together with Hamilton in ninth place, secured Mercedes second place in the constructors' championship.
Ferrari were only three points off the pace. Remarkable side note: Verstappen would also have won the constructors' championship on his own, scoring 575 points.
For the only German driver in the field, the season ended in 15th place. After Nico Hülkenberg took over the cockpit from the retired Mick Schumacher at the American Haas racing team, the bottom line was a mediocre result. The 36-year-old native of Emmerich scored just nine points. Schumacher had managed twelve last year.
Hamilton winless for the second year in a row
On the last Grand Prix weekend of the season, Verstappen and Red Bull also impressively demonstrated why they were unbeatable and will once again be the favorites in just under 100 days' time at the 2024 season opener in Bahrain. The competition only managed to win once this year, with Ferrari celebrating in Singapore thanks to Carlos Sainz. Sergio Pérez won two races in the second Red Bull, the rest went to Verstappen. He has been world champion for the third time in a row since the sprint race in Qatar on October 7, which he did not like at all.
He won his first title two years ago in Abu Dhabi. Back then in a final that was as dramatic as it was controversial, with his overtaking maneuver on the last lap against record champion Hamilton. For the 38-year-old Briton, it was all about damage limitation and points for the team standings against Ferrari; the 103-time Grand Prix winner remained without a single victory for the second season in a row.
Two attacks from Leclerc
Verstappen is the new Hamilton. Just as the Briton once did in the Mercedes, the Dutchman dominates the competition. After only mediocre practice performances in the United Arab Emirates, he was there when pole position was at stake in qualifying. Just like in 2020, 2021 and 2022, he started from first place. Next to him Leclerc.
The 26-year-old Monegasque, who was considered the Scuderia's title hopeful but once again experienced more disappointment than joy this year, knew that he would not have many opportunities to attack. So he tried right after the start, but Verstappen countered. He also countered Leclerc's second attempt on the first lap. And he did it in the style of a champion.
Verstappen's victories as a threat for 2024
He also came in for the first pit stop before Leclerc. Everything went smoothly, as it always does. After the drivers in the front positions had all changed their tires for the first time, Verstappen was around five seconds ahead of Leclerc. By now, the sun had set and the race traditionally starts in daylight and finishes under floodlights.
Verstappen not only provided the highlight over the final 306.183 kilometers this year, the competition hoped in vain for a collapse during the season and also in the final race. His seven victories in a row in the last seven races were also a clear message for next year, when he will be able to equal Vettel in terms of world championship titles in his record hunt.
At the Yas Marina Circuit, the site of the GP Abu Dhabi, Verstappen added another victory to his impressive Formula 1 record, further solidifying his dominance in motorsport's premier class. His win at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marked his 19th victory of the season and the 54th of his career, surpassing Sebastian Vettel's record.
In the thrilling Formula 1 season, Max Verstappen's victories served as a significant threat for potential challengers in the upcoming 2024 season. With a streak of seven consecutive victories in the final seven races, Verstappen demonstrated his unparalleled consistency and determination in motorsport's most challenging sport, Motorsport and Formula 1.
Source: www.dpa.com
