Race Report: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023

Well, we have made it. Formula One is over for another year. But, before we log off for the Winter Break, there's the matter of recapping the somewhat-entertaining Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where numerous championship positions would need deciding on and Max Verstappen ending the season how he started, starting on pole position. Also, continuing his streak of front row starts is Charles Leclerc, lining up second for Ferrari. With everyone lined up on the grid and the formation lap completed, for the final time in 2023, it's lights and away we go. (Crofty does it better than me.)

It's not the easiest of starts for Verstappen as he goes into turn one with Leclerc climbing all over the back of him. After his mistake in qualifying, Lando Norris passes fellow Brit - George Russell, for fourth, while further back, Pierre Gasly moves his Alpine further up the grid, passing the faster cars of Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez, both of who had poor qualifying performances. As the leaders head towards turn five, Leclerc attempts a move on Verstappen. However, the Red Bull driver defends with all his might, leaving the Ferrari to drop back into the clutches of Oscar Piastri's McLaren, who then tries his move, with the aid of DRS, on lap three. The Australian cannot get by and is instead passed by Norris, his own teammate, who has just posted the fastest race lap thus far.

Lap five and the first driver comes into the pitlane. It's Kevin Magnussen pitting for Haas. He locked up his tyres on the previous lap which could explain why he is in so early. He swaps his medium compound for hards and returns to the track. By lap seven, other drivers start to complain of degredation, with Alpha Tauri bringing in Daniel Ricciardo for his stop due to a tear off in one of his brake ducts. It gets removed and he is on his way once again. On track, Verstappen is 1.5 seconds clear of Leclerc. The closer racing seems to be at the back of the field with Magnussen, Logan Sargeant, Alexander Albon and Zhou Guanyu, all noted for forcing each other off the track. However, they all get away with it.

On lap nine, Russell tries a move on Piastri but ends up running wide at turn nine. Lelerc and Norris, sitting in second and third respectively, have had their most recent lap times deleted for, you guessed it, track limits. McLaren are on the radio to Piastri, praising him for his good tyre management. As they say that, Russell makes the move again, this time making it stick and moving himself up to fourth. With Russell leaving Piastri behind, the McLaren is now falling into the clutches of Alpha Tauri's Yuki Tsunoda. Another driver on the move is Perez, passing Gasly for eighth, as he attempts to salvage his weekend.

More pitstops and this time it's Fernando Alonso who's followed in by Oscar Piastri the following lap. They both ditch the medium tyre for the hard and find themselves back on track side by side. Using DRS, Alonso tries to pass at turn six but the McLaren locks up his fresh tyres, stopping the Spaniard from passing. Meanwhile further pitstops take place for Nico Hulkenberg, Zhou, Norris and Russell. However, it's disaster for Norris with a slow stop, handing his on track net position to Russell. Despite the pitstops all around them, Verstappen and Leclerc choose to carry on.

Hamilton and Gasly are now battling in the mid-field. They make slight contact after Gasly locks up into turn six, damaging Hamilton's front wing. The latter pits at the end of the lap for fresh rubber, he doesn't change his front wing. Verstappen and Leclerc also pit, handing the lead to Tsunoda. Perez and Gasly are the next to come in, but Gasly is the real loser here, being jumped by his teammate while he is in for new tyres. "I don't get how you can undercut me with the other car [Ocon]," Gasly tells Alpine over team radio. Teammate Esteban Ocon, originally a number of positions behind, pitted numerous laps ago.

Carlos Sainz, who was out in Q1 in qualifying, is yet to pit and is passed by Verstappen. The Ferrari team advise him to let Leclerc by, which he does. Verstappen, after also passing Lance Stroll, is back up to second, on the hunt for Tsunoda and the race lead. The gap is currently 3.4 seconds. As one Red Bull edges closer to the lead, the other one, Perez, posts the fastest lap of the race.

More pitstops are triggered when race leader Tsunoda dives into the pitlane. With the hards now fitted, he returns to the track down in twelfth. After going long by starting on the hards, Sainz also pits, fitting another set of hards. That's a two stop confirmed. Meanwhile, Perez is still flying, diving by Alonso at turn six to take sixth from the Aston Martin driver.

With everyone, bar Bottas, now on new tyres, the order is looking somehwhat back to normal. Verstappen leads with a 5.3 seconds lead over Leclerc and Russell, who complete the top three. Gasly is still having issues after being jumped by his teammate in the pits. "Where are we losing time? Why are we so **** slow?" He is told that he picked up some damage in his earlier clash with Hamilton, which is now hindering his race pace.

Several drivers are now making moves through the field. Tsunoda is let through by teammate; Ricciardo, who is then passed by Stroll. Sainz is past Hulkenberg for a miserable fifteenth and Perez, still flying, makes it past the McLaren of Piastri. Meanwhile, Bottas finally makes his stop, swapping his hard tyres for the mediums. This triggers yet more pitstops with several drivers, including Norris, Russell and Leclerc, coming in to cover themselves from any impending undercut. With a number of front runners coming in, this has given Perez the jump into second. His teammate, Verstappen, is happily chipping away while in the lead. He tells the team; "You can box Checo ahead of me if you want."

Going down the straight, Hamilton passes Alonso for eleventh. "We have the slowest car on the straight by far!", is the Aston Martin driver's complaint. However, Hamilton is less than impressed with the Spaniard, accusing him of brake testing as he (Alonso) exited the pits ahead of the Mercedes driver. Replays show that Alonso did indeed slow before the braking zone heading into turn five. The stewards note the incident who decide that no further investigation is neccessary.

It's taken some time but the first black and white flag has been shown for track limits. Albon is the unlucky recipient. Looking at the Championship standings, Ferrari are currently ahead of Mercedes. However, they still need to pit Sainz who has been told; "Try to go as long as possible. Waiting for a safety car." Elsewhere, Red Bull bring in Perez for his final stop. he returns to the track in sixth. But, with fresher rubber than those around him, he could be about to prove that Red Bull does, in fact, give you wings. Tsunoda, in the sister Red Bull car, is instead on a one-stop strategy and is starting to struggle, Norris and McLaren make their way past the Alpha Tauri for fourth. Verstappen pits from the lead, returning to the track, well, in the lead.

Race control have been pretty busy noting incidents this evening, with Hamilton their next victim, for a pit stop infringement. Perez is still on a mission to finish the race on the podium, he passes a struggling Tsunoda for fifth, still with some way to go. Sainz, still waiting for that safety car, is also struggling on his tyres. He has just has his eighth place taken by Alonso. As for Hamilton and his pitstop infringement, he has been joined by Gasly who will be investigated for the same thing, after the race.

Perez is now within DRS range of Lando Norris. He dives down the inside at turn six, making contact with the McLaren, forcing him onto the run off area. Norris retains his position, but did he gain an advantage? The Red Bull tries again the next time around, but this time making it stick, cleanly. He is up to fourth. However, it's not all good news as he also finds himself under investigation for the clash with Norris the lap before. As for Hamilton and Gasly; Verstappen, Sargeant and Zhou have now joined the frame. All their pitstop infringements reportedly refer to their pitcrews not wearing the required eye protection during the pitstops. In the meantime, Perez has been slapped with a five second time penalty. Despite this, he's now onto the back of Russell and passes into turn nine. If he can build a five second gap then the podium is his.

After being told about Perez's penalty, Leclerc suggests he drops back to allow the Red Bull to overtake and build a five second gap to Russell. As friendly as this sounds, it's all in the plan to help Ferrari gain second in the Constructors Championship. If Russell fails to finish on the podium, Ferrari have done it. As for the second Ferrari, he finally pits on the penultimate lap, but doesn't return to the track. He's the first retirement of the race.

Onto the last lap and Leclerc has let Perez through. They are currently three seconds clear of Mercedes which, right now, is not enough. Verstappen, still out front, comes around the final corner to take the last win of the season. Perez comes through in second, ahead of Leclerc, but it's not enough. The Red Bull misses the five second gap by one second and falls to fourth. Leclerc takes second and Russell third, handing second place in the Championship to Mercedes. Norris and Piastri come home in fifth and sixth for McLaren. Then comes Alonso, Tsunoda, Hamilton and Stroll, as the final point scorers for 2023.

So, there we have it folks. The 2023 F1 season is complete. Love them or hate them, there is no denying that Verstappen and Red Bull have achieved wonders this season, winning every race bar one. Nineteen of those were Verstappen alone.

What does 2024 hold for us? We have some time to wait but it will be worth it!

Opinion: Did I Actually Enjoy The Las Vegas GP?

Remember how one of my previous posts was all about how much I was dreading the Las Vegas Grand Prix? (Read it here!) Well, I suppose after last weekend's proceedings it's time for a follow up, right?

Let's not lie, things didn't get off to the greatest starts. The "Opening Ceremony," for example was a bit of a farce, with only about 5% of it actually being about Formula One. I did not waste my Wednesday (or Thursday, was it?) watching this.

Another thing I didn't watch was Free Practice One, although the F1 App didn't hold back from pinging me at 4-5 o'clock in the morning to tell me that the session was suspended after the drain cover incidents that ultimately destroyed Carlos Sainz's weekend. Ironically, he's my favourite driver. Don't get me wrong, drain cover incidents are nothing new when it comes to street circuits, but it makes me wonder, has nothing been learnt from previous events? Although Sainz was unlucky to be the driver to hit the cover, he was lucky that the incident wasn't worse.

And, shall we talk about how that particular incident was handled by the FIA and Las Vegas Grand Prix organisers? Deciding to fill the drains/holes (not overly sure on what they are or their purpose) with concrete mere moments before FP2 commenced, meaning that the session was heavily delayed and cars not taking to the track until the early hours of the Las Vegas morning. Oh, and fans were barred from being there. No apology, no refund, just a $200 gift card. It's easy to see why many revolted, disgruntled at what happened. As for Carlos Sainz, he received a ten place grid penalty after Ferrari had to change numerous aspects of the car to get it repaired for the rest of the weekend. An unfair penalty that he, nor Ferrari, deserved. Even the majority of teams agreed that it should be dismissed. All bar one. I'm looking at you, Mercedes. But hey, does it matter? Sainz and Ferrari beat them in the race! *Insert smug look here*

Despite this, and the awkward/cringeworthy viewing that was the announcer welcoming drivers to the Drivers Parade, the Las Vegas Grand Prix actually surpassed all expectations. There was no doubting that the race would cause some on-track chaos, with colder track temperatures and tyres struggling to come into their prime, but, the more important story however, was how many on-track battles and overtakes that were happening throughout the course of the race. As has been with the majority of the season, we just presumed that Verstappen would take the lead early on and run away with it. Also, we perceived the track as being boring and processional. Unbeknownst to us, the racing gods had other ideas. Instead,

we got to see several drivers battling through the field after horrid starts, as well several different leaders and a nail-biting battle for second. Ok, maybe Verstappen did win, but it wasn't easy for him. Vegas gave him one of his biggest challenges yet this season and it was all so exciting.

As with a lot of things in Formula One, the excitement was quickly over, with an overly drawn out podium celebration that included a car ride to the interviews at The Bellagio and back again to the podium that was quickly constructed in the meantime. If F1's obsession with making this race more of a show than a sport wasn't already obvious, I'm sure people would have caught on by now.

And, that's what the issue has been, ever since the event was announced. Liberty Media are more interested in turning F1 into a show rather than a sport. Media is in their name, after all. There is also the perception that F1 has too many races in America and is becoming too Americanised. Yes, in some ways this is true, but each to their own, as some say. Regardless, credit needs to be given to Vegas where it is due. They managed to put on a decent race that will definitely be remembered for some time to come. It's living proof that F1 still has that all important element of surprise.

Race Report: Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023

Here we are. The penultimate race of the 2023 Formula One season and the first Las Vegas Grand Prix since 1983. Following along via social media over the course of the season, it's been more than evident that a lot of fans, including myself, have been dreading this race. But, all in all, Vegas gave us a show and, more importantly, a fight for the win. Let's recap!

It may be 6am on a Sunday morning here in the UK, but in Las Vegas it's late on a Saturday evening. With cold track temperatures and a short run up from pole to the first corner, this race is expected to cause some mighty chaos. Charles Leclerc has looked strong all weekend thus far in his Ferrari. He starts on pole with Max Verstappen claiming P2 after Carlos Sainz found himself being demoted to twelfth, through no fault of his own. The tyre blankets come off, revealing that the majority of drivers are starting on the mediums, including Leclerc, as he pulls away from his grid slot to start the formation lap. It's all good from Leclerc, who makes it around the formation lap, this time with no issue. Remember last time out in Brazil? He pulls back into his grid slot, the rest of the field following suit. The five lights come on and they're off! Las Vegas is a go!

Verstappen, who get's the better start, battles into turn one alongside Leclerc, pushing the Ferrari driver into the run off. The Red Bull takes the lead. However, chaos starts to unfold in the midfield, with both Spaniards - Sainz and Fernando Alonso, facing the wrong direction after spinning on cold tyres. Other drivers such as Sergio Perez, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, also find themselves caught up in the turn one action. As a result, the Virtual Safety Car has been deployed. Alonso reports damage to his car, as Perez pits for a new front wing. Alonso also comes in for a new wing and set of hard tyres.

As the race goes green, Leclerc is venting his turn one frustratins over team radio. "This needs to be addressed now, he pushed me wide, so he needs to give that position back." However, despite the stewards now investigating the incident, Red Bull advise Verstappen to hold the lead, as he continues to extend it.

Another yellow flag, this time there is a car in the barriers. It's Lando Norris in his McLaren. Replays show a high-speed incident where he looses control of the rear before settling in the TecPro. The Brit seems shaken, but ok. The Safety Car is deployed which brings the likes of Sainz, Alonso and Perez back into play. Out front, Verstappen is still ahead of Leclerc who is ahead of George Russell, Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon. It's the end of lap six, an the Safety Car returns to the pits.

Verstappen gets another good get away, leaving Leclerc behind. At the back of the field, Perez, Sainz and Alonso find themselves in a good squabble for sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth. However, Verstappen's lead may have just hit turmoil. He's been handed a five second time penalty for forcing another driver off track. Verstappen, informed of the decision, responds with; "Yeah that's fine, send them my regards."

Runners that started on the soft tyre are now starting to struggle. Yuki Tsunoda comes in for his stop for Alpha Tauri, bolting on the medium compound instead. On the otherhand, Perez, in the sister Red Bull, is flying, quickly gaining ground to find himself back in the points and setting the fastest lap of the race. Earlier rival, Sainz, now in fourteenth, is advised by the Ferrari team to cool his car else he may have to call it a day. Logan Sargeant, who started in an incredible sixth, is starting to get swalloed up by the faster cars. He is passed by Esteban Ocon, Oscar Piastri and Lewis Hamilton, over the course of two laps, falling down to ninth.

Back at the front, Leclerc has gained ground on Verstappen and sits within a second of the World Champion. Verstappen is complaining that his tyres are gone. But, before he can pit, Leclerc passes him on track, down the inside at turn fourteen. With that, Verstappen dives into the pitlane, serves his penalty and returns to the track in eleventh. In the meantime, Hamilton makes a move on Piastri at the end of The Strip. However, the two make contact, both looking as if they have damage. "The car's not stopping," Hamilton reports over team radio. It looks as if he has puncture. Both drivers pit for repairs before returning back to the track.

Remember Perez? After pitting at the end of lap one he's now running in second, less than a pitstop behind race leader - Leclerc. But, Leclerc is slower than the Red Bull driver and dives into the pitlane at the end of lap twenty one. After a 3.9 second stop, he returns to the track in third. Perez takes the lead. Verstappen, however, is also flying. He is up to seventh, setting the fastest race lap in the process. After passing Sainz, Verstappen catches up with Russell. He finds himself all over the back of the Mercedes and takes a lunge down in the inside at turn twelve. Disaster. Russell turns in, hitting the Red Bull. Luckily for both there seems to be minimal damage, bar a broken front wing for Verstappen who has been given the ok to stay out. Ahead of the chaos, Leclerc passes Lance Stroll for second. He is back in a position to hunt down Perez for the lead. And, as that happens, the Safety Car is deployed for a second time, while the marshals clean up the debris at turn twelve.

With the Safety Car out, a number of drivers take to the pits. This includes Perez, Stroll, Verstappen, Russell, Sainz and Alonso. The incident between Verstappen and Russell, that caused the Safety Car, is now under investigation, with Russell eventually receiving a five second penalty. The order currently stands as Leclerc, Perez, Gasly, Piastri, Verstappen, Ocon, Stroll, Albon, Russell and Sainz. As the Safety Car makes it way around the circuit preparing for the restart, Leclerc nearly looses it on cold tyres. Luckily for the Ferrari man, he keeps it together and takes the restart after turn sixteen, holding the lead ahead from the squabbling Perez and Gasly. But, going into turn seven, Piastri takes third away from Gasly, giving Perez air to go after the leader.

There is action further down the field with Nico Hulkenberg passing Daniel Ricciardo around the outside of turns three and four. Hamilton, currently running in seventeenth is on team radio, telling them; "the wind has picked up". However, all eyes are on the front runners with Perez all over the back of Leclerc for the lead. He takes a dive into the inside of turn fourteen, stealing the lead from the pole sitter. As for Verstappen, he's on the move also, getting past Piastri for third. The Alpine drivers are also fighting it out for fifth and sixth. Ocon get's past his teammate for fifth but is told to hold to position. Was this radio message before or after the move?

Leclerc is keeping Perez in his sights, staying in close enough range for DRS. Both need to get a move on, as Verstappen is currently pumping in the fastest laps. As I say that, Leclerc gets back ahead of Perez, with a move also at turn fourteen. This gives Verstappen the chance to crawl all over the back of his teammate, making Perez a sitting duck down The Strip, overtaking him before the corner. Now up to second, Verstappen goes after Leclerc. It doesn't take him long however, with the help of The Strip and DRS, he uses turn fourteen as his passing point, taking the lead once again.

Alex Albon is having a relatively quiet race today but his tyres seem to be finished. He looses places to Russell, Sainz, Alonso and Hamilton, falling out of the points in the process. Mercedes team principle; Toto Wolff, comes onto team radio to Russell; "Hunt them down," he tells his driver who is still yet to serve his five second penalty.

Ten laps left to run and, after some encouragement from his race engineer, Verstappen finally brakes the tow from Leclerc, speeding away into clean air. Perez is, yet again, threatening to pass Leclerc, who outbrakes himself into turn fourteen, handing the Red Bull second place. Down at McLaren, Piastri, who has only used one tyre compound thus far, finally pits for the mediums. He returns to the race in twelfth. Another driver falling backwards down the field is Gasly. Hamilton passes the Alpine at the final corner, in what was an impressive overtake at nearly 200mph.

Back up front, Leclerc is back in DRS range of Perez. But, it's still Verstappen in the lead with a nearly five second gap. The yellow flag makes a breif appearance as the Haas of Hulkenberg pulls off the track, retiring from the race. Piastri, on fresh tyres, is flying, setting the new fastest lap of the race - a 1:35.490.

The penultimate lap and other yellow. This time it's Tsunoda with gear box issues. He also pulls off the track. Verstappen, still leading, starts to slow, falling back towards his teammate in an attempt to help him keep second from a faster Leclerc. But, on the last lap, the Ferrari driver goes for it, taking Perez by surprise at turn fourteen. With Leclerc now ahead, Perez holds on, hoping to get P2 back before the finish.

However, it's normality up front, with Verstappen taking the win once again. Around the final corner and it's Leclerc who appears ahead of Perez, taking the second step of the podium by a smidge. Perez has to settle for third. Ocon, in the Alpine, finishes in fourth ahead of Stroll, Sainz and Hamilton. Russell has to settle for eighth after his penalty has been applied, with the points being rounded out by Alonso and Piastri.

With his third place finish, Sergio Perez will clinch second in the Drivers Championship. A first 1-2 for Red Bull in the Drivers Championship ever.

Well, I was very dubious about this race but Vegas, you played well.

Next up we're off to Abu Dhabi for the finale! See you then.

Oh, and remember. "What Verstappens in Vegas, stays in Vegas."