The main attention in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix finale was the fight runner-up spot in the constructors’ championship between Ferrari and Mercedes. It was decided in favour of Mercedes by three points – and their battle went down to the very last lap.
The placings behind the top three in the drivers’ championship were also decided as Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso just pipped Charles Leclerc of Ferrari on countback, after they tied on points.
Verstappen scored another 26 points at Yas Marina to end the season 290 clear of his team-mate Sergio Perez (his margin over Leclerc was 146 in 2022) at the top of the standings.
Behind Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes in third, Leclerc’s runner-up spot in Abu Dhabi wasn’t quite enough to beat Alonso to fourth.
They tied on 206 points but Alonso prevailed on countback of highest finishes. Leclerc had done enough to claim the place until Alonso passed AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda for seventh position in the closing stages to ensure his fourth spot.
McLaren’s Lando Norris was just a point behind them in sixth, as Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz slumped from fourth to seventh in points during the finale due to his non-score after a wretched weekend compromised by a poor qualifying. Meanwhile, Leclerc jumped from seventh to fifth.
George Russell’s podium finish for Mercedes didn’t help him move up from eighth, but he finished ahead of Oscar Piastri (McLaren) and Lance Stroll (Aston).
Source: Autosport