The ultimate spherical of the 2023 Components 1 World Championship takes place this weekend in Abu Dhabi, however Pink Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen was already named this season’s champion in October on the Qatar Grand Prix.
Fellow Pink Bull driver Sergio Perez has additionally been named second within the championship, and Mercedes-Benz AMG’s Lewis Hamilton third. Verstappen is not more likely to gradual one bit nevertheless, as every further win will increase his document for wins in a season. His document tally stands at 18 forward of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The earlier document of 15 was set final season, additionally by Verstappen.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is an annual spherical and takes place annually on the Yas Marina Circuit. The Hermann Tilke-designed circuit was opened in 2009, and a few minor modifications had been made in 2021 to enhance the motion. A number of turns had been widened and a chicane beforehand forming Turns 5 and 6 was changed with a straight. The modifications present extra overtaking alternatives and likewise enhance speeds and masses by some corners.
The monitor floor remains to be comparatively easy, producing solely common stress on the tires by way of put on and degradation. In consequence Pirelli has nominated its three softest compounds: the C3 because the white arduous, the C4 because the yellow medium, and the C5 because the pink gentle.
Yas Marina Circuit, dwelling of the Components 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
The climate forecast requires dry, heat circumstances all through the weekend. Nonetheless, like different races within the Center East, the Abu Dhabi race begins at twilight and runs into the night time to keep away from the warmth of the day. That poses a problem to the engineers and drivers who should accommodate for the modifications in tire and automotive behaviour owing to the differing ambient and monitor temperatures.
Going into Saturday’s qualifying session and Sunday’s race, Verstappen’s unbeatable factors tally within the 2023 Drivers’ Championship stands at 549 factors. Perez is second with 273 factors and Hamilton is third with 232 factors. Within the Constructors’ Championship, Pink Bull sits on 822 factors. Mercedes is second with 392 factors and Ferrari is third with 388 factors. Final yr’s winner in Abu Dhabi was Verstappen, driving for Pink Bull.
Because the race closes out the season, it is going to be the final for Alfa Romeo which introduced its plans to exit F1 in 2022. Alfa Romeo is represented in F1 by Swiss workforce Sauber which can compete below its personal identify within the coming seasons however swap to Audi in 2026, when it turns into the automaker’s official manufacturing unit workforce.
McLaren has additionally introduced forward of this weekend’s race that it’ll proceed to make use of Mercedes energy items to 2030, which means it is going to be among the many buyer groups to make use of Mercedes’ energy unit being developed to satisfy 2026’s new laws.