Abu Dhabi GP, The Last Race of 2023 season - A Preview
A record breaking season comes to End in Formula 1, Although the P1 is sealed in Driver and Constructors championship - There is lot to look forward to for the Last race
The 2023 Formula 1 season is set to conclude with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, wrapping up a 22-race season that lacked excitement due to Red Bull's early dominance. With a significant advantage, Max Verstappen secured victory in 18 out of 21 races, leaving little room for a championship battle.
As the season comes to an end, Verstappen aims to clinch his 19th win at the Abu Dhabi GP, a race traditionally characterized by a lack of dramatic events. Let's explore what to anticipate during the final race weekend of the season.
Last Spectacle of RB19
Unlike past races in the UAE, the upcoming edition carries little weight for the drivers' standings due to the overwhelming dominance of Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing throughout the season. Verstappen, having clinched victory in 18 out of 21 races, aims to further solidify his exceptional record with a 19th win.
As Red Bull bids farewell to the 2023 season, securing their dominance, Sergio Perez's contribution to the team's success is highlighted as he secures the second position in the drivers' standings.
Mercedes Vs Ferrari - The Battle for P2
The spotlight in Abu Dhabi intensifies on the fierce competition between Ferrari and Mercedes for the World Constructors' Championship's crucial second place. as it comes with substantially higher prize money compared to the third position.
With unpredictable performances in Las Vegas, the battle is on, reminiscent of last season's nail-biting finale. Last season as well, the battle came down to the last before Ferrari sealed it. Could Ferrari do it again?
The Battle for 4th
The battle for the fourth position in both the drivers' and constructors' championships adds another layer of excitement.
The 5-point gap between the tied Spanish duo, Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso, and McLaren's Lando Norris promises an intense showdown. Moreover, since the second half of the season, McLaren has proved again and again that their cars are fast despite last weekend’s failure.
Sainz’s teammate is at P7 for 188 points. There is still a chance for Charles to land at P4 on the table if he can defend himself well from Alonso, Sainz, and Norris.
No less thrilling battle is for the 4th position on the constructor table. McLaren being at 284 is under attack by Aston Martin at 273.
Rookies in FP1
For the second time this season, the Scuderia will have three drivers on track. Apart from the two race drivers, the team's reserve driver Robert Shwartzman will drive Charles Leclerc's SF-23 in the first free practice session. Earlier this year, in the Dutch Grand Prix, he replaced Carlos Sainz. The 24-year-old will also be at the wheel of a Ferrari during Tuesday's end-of-season test when Carlos and Charles will share the second car.
MoneyGram Haas F1 Team will welcome back Ferrari Driver Academy member Oliver Bearman for his second Free Practice 1 outing of the season. Multiple Formula 2 race winner Bearman first drove the VF-23 during the corresponding 60-minute session in Mexico City, and his run on Friday will fulfill the team's obligation to run a rookie driver during two practices in 2023.
Both Red Bull drivers will step aside, making way for Jake Dennis and Isack Hadjar. Additionally, McLaren will see the debut of Pato O’Ward, who is getting his first run of the season at the same venue where he tested a year ago. Another debutant on an F1 weekend will be Zak O’Sullivan, joining Williams.
Appearances are expected from Felipe Drugovich for Aston Martin, Jack Doohan for Alpine, Theo Pourchaire for Alfa Romeo, and Fedric Vesti for Mercedes. The first practice session will showcase these fresh faces on the track.
Sergio Perez’s Future
Initially, Red Bull seemed confident about retaining Sergio Perez for the upcoming season. However, concerns persist as Perez continues to struggle in qualifying, leaving a significant gap to make up during races. But coming into Abu Dhabi, Sergio has confirmed his second place in Drivers standing by 41 points ahead of Lewis Hamilton. Meanwhile, at AlphaTauri, Daniel Ricciardo appears to outperform Yuki Tsunoda.
As the F1 season concludes in Abu Dhabi, Perez aims to finish on a positive note. Nevertheless, there's uncertainty about his future with the team, adding a sense of urgency with the season reaching its end.
Post-Season Testing
Following the Grand Prix, a customary test day is scheduled for Tuesday, during which each team will field two cars. One car will be designated for young drivers, while the other is intended for tire testing purposes. However, there won't be any new tire compounds to evaluate, as the FIA has confirmed that the 2024 compounds will remain the same as this year. The only alteration is the reduction from six to five available compounds, eliminating the unused C0 from this year's race weekends.
Despite the lack of new compounds, the test provides an opportunity for teams to focus on tire management by collecting data for the upcoming season. Each team will have a predetermined tire allocation for the test. The car designated for tire testing will have 10 sets, including one C1, one C2, two C5, and three sets each of C4 and C3. On the other hand, the car assigned for young drivers will have two sets each of C3 and C5, along with four sets of C4.
Weather Conditions
The upcoming we1ekend in Abu Dhabi is anticipated to be dry, typical for a region that experiences minimal rainfall throughout the year. On the opening day, temperatures are expected to reach a maximum of 24 degrees Celsius, accompanied by a moderate northwest wind.
During the second practice session, the temperature is projected to rise to a maximum of 29 degrees, with humidity levels at 60 %. The final practice session on Saturday morning will see a slightly lower maximum temperature of 27 degrees compared to Friday. Qualifying conditions are expected to be consistent.
Race day conditions are forecasted to mirror those of Friday evening, as Formula 1 concludes the season with a day-to-night event in Abu Dhabi.
Despite predictions, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is deemed highly unpredictable, creating an atmosphere where anything can unfold. With drivers and teams pushing the limits due to the weariness of a lengthy Formula 1 season, the race at Yas Marina becomes an endurance test for mental resilience, nerves, and strategic acumen.
Crucial strategy decisions loom large in the hot weather and on the challenging circuit layout, emphasizing the importance of tire preservation. Amidst the battles for team positions between Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, and Aston Martin, the fight for individual standings intensifies with Alonso, Sainz, Leclerc, and Norris vying for the coveted 4th place. In this high-stakes finale, every error is magnified, each mistake decisive, and technical issues are deemed unacceptable as teams strive to secure valuable points in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023.
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