Formula 1: Max Verstappen sets a new record in Abu Dhabi to cap off a magnificent season.

Verstappen praised the “amazing season” and the retiring Franz Tost, the manager of Alpha Tauri, who shaped his early Formula One career. “Being the last time in this car that has given me so much, I felt rather emotional on the in-lap.

“It’s a huge relief to bring the car home P3, but it was really tense at the end as the tyres were dropping off,” Russell remarked. For a great number of individuals back at the plant, it holds immense meaning.

“He had a penalty and we had to help him finish in front of George with the five seconds,” stated Leclerc, who had slowed to allow Perez to pass him in the final circuits. but regrettably, it wasn’t sufficient. It’s unfortunate that we finished third”

With the air temperature at 27 degrees Celsius at the start of the race, the track cooled quickly as the sun set and the Yas Marina Circuit was illuminated by floodlights. Medium compound tires were fitted to the first twelve cars.

Before the Drag Reduction System (DRS) was activated on lap three when Perez slid inside Hamilton for ninth and Norris past Piastri for third after having previously overtaken Russell, the Dutchman started from pole position and withstood three early attacks from Leclerc to establish a one-second lead.

Only the second time a Japanese driver had led a Formula One race, Yuki Tsunoda gained the lead on lap 18, giving Alpha Tauri and Tost a memorable occasion as the leaders all pitted for hards.

He remained there while Verstappen gradually made his way back to the lead. On lap 23, Tsunoda pulled in, and Hamilton—who had already escaped an early collision with the back of Pierre Gasly’s Alpine that had damaged front wings—returned in 12th place.

By lap 30, the narrative was well-known. Leclerc trailed Verstappen by 6.5 seconds, followed by Russell 2.1 and Norris in fourth. Sainz came in at number fourteen and Hamilton at number eight.

On lap 34, Norris stopped once more as the second stops got underway, grabbing new hards. He returned to the 10th. In response, Mercedes brought Russell in, and he emerged in P9, while Sainz moved up to eighth position with an aggressive strategy and Hamilton fought Alonso for ninth.

With 10 laps remaining, Hamilton passed Sainz for ninth place, but as things stood, Verstappen maintained his lead and emerged victorious with a 15-lap cruise to the finish. Ferrari was still in the lead.

Mercedes was ahead once more, but when Perez past Russell for third, the Mexican’s five-second penalty for a previous altercation with Norris threatened to spoil the chances for the “silver arrows.” Verstappen was then given the green flag.